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Hot Topics

For several years, I’ve written this weekly column about topics affecting safety in the Ukiah Valley, covering everything from local crime to school safety, and even community events. So many things influence safety in our community, and I appreciate the Ukiah Daily Journal’s support as I share information to try to make our community as safe as possible. This week, I wanted to remind everyone of a few hot topics that help make our community safe—and a really great place to live!

Human Race

First, I wanted to let you know about this weekend’s Human Race event here in Ukiah, organized by North Coast Opportunities.

The Human Race is a 5K walk or timed run that takes place on Saturday, May 5 starting at the Alex R. Thomas Plaza at 9:00 AM. (Early registration starts at 8:00 AM.) The event is a collaborative community fundraiser that supports charities through financial support and community awareness.

Prior to race day, local businesses, organizations, and groups of friends form teams and collect donations in support of their favorite charity. On race day, the teams show up, many in outrageous costumes, to either walk or run the 5K that winds through the streets of Ukiah.

This year’s route starts at the Plaza, goes through our Westside neighborhoods to Todd Grove Park, and then returns to the Plaza. If you’re out and about Saturday morning, please watch out for racers!

Ukiah Boys and Girls Club

As I mentioned last week, the Journal just kicked off the annual Boys and Girls Club Spring Fund Drive. I can’t begin to tell you how important this fundraising activity is to our entire community.

It was only a few years ago that the Boys and Girls Club was almost closed because of a lack of funding. Now, because of community support through generous individual and organizational donations, hundreds of kids have a safe place to spend their afternoons and summer vacations.

Kids are most likely to become victims of crimes after school between 3:00 and 6:00 PM, while most adults are at work. Without the Boys and Girls Club, finding a safe place for kids can be difficult and expensive. Today, more than 180 schoolchildren participate in the Boys and Girls Club afterschool programs. As you can imagine, paying for an operation like this isn’t cheap.

This is where your help is truly needed.

This year, we are working with community partners to kick off the drive with donations of $15,000 from UPD and $4,000 each from the Savings Bank of Mendocino County and the Vargas brothers. With your help, the club is hoping to raise a total of $68,000 this spring.

Please help if you can! Your small contribution will allow kids to engage in fun, educational activities, and most importantly, to stay safe. To donate, send a check or money order made payable to the Ukiah Boys and Girls Club to P.O. Box 67, Ukiah, CA 95482. You can also drop off or mail donations payable to the Ukiah Boys and Girls Club to the Ukiah Daily Journal at 617 S. State Street, Ukiah CA 95482.  

School Safety

Finally, I’d like to take a moment to remind everyone about school and workplace safety. With all of the reports of active shooter-type events throughout the country, I know safety is on people’s minds.

If you hear of a threat to any school campus or workplace, please share that information with law enforcement immediately. We take these threats seriously and will do all we can to help our community be as prepared as possible for any crisis. The best tool we have to prevent crimes is the help we get from people like you. When something seems wrong, out of place, or a little suspicious, trust your instincts and contact us.

As always, our mission at UPD is simple: to make Ukiah as safe as possible. If you have suggestions on how we can improve please feel free to call me. If you would like to know more about crime in your neighborhood, you can sign up for telephone, cell phone and email notifications by clicking the Nixle button on our website: www.ukiahpolice.com. 


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