Mountain Home Police Association

03/21/2016

Spring is in the air and summer is around the corner. This means more people will be out riding their bikes. While driving please remember to share the road. Riders please ride safe and obey the traffic laws. Riders and drivers need to be aware of each other. Here are some safety tips for bike riders, from the American League of American Bicyclists.

Follow the Law
Your safety and image of bicyclists depend on you. You have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Obey traffic signals and stop signs. Ride with traffic; use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going.

Be Predictable
Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars. Signal turns, and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.
Be Conspicuous
Ride where people can see you and wear bright clothing. Use a front white light, red rear light and reflectors when visibility is poor. Make eye contact with others and don’t ride on sidewalks.

Think Ahead
Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians, and other people on bikes will do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes, and other road hazards. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.

Ride Ready
Check that your tires are sufficiently inflated, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly, and quick release levers are closed. Carry tools and supplies that are appropriate for your ride. Wear a helmet.

For more information on how to be a better rider check out The League of American Bicyclists website. There are great training videos http://bikeleague.org/ridesmartvideos .

Everyone riders and drivers need to know the law pertaining to bicyclists. For more information on Idaho Laws and bicycles go to https://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH7.htm .

If you are interested in gaining hands-on experience from a League Cycling Instructor or taking an in-person Smart Cycling class, please use our Connect Locally resource. Use these videos in your community! Download them here.

03/17/2016

Share the Road

It’s spring time and that means motorcycles are coming out of storage and hitting the road. Here are some safety tips for sharing the road with motorcycles.
• Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway.
• Allow the motorcyclist a full lane width. Although it may seem as though there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a motorcycle, remember the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. Do not share the lane.
• Approximately one-half of all motorcycle crashes involve another motor vehicle. Nearly 40 percent were caused by the other vehicle turning left in front of the motorcyclist.
• Remember that motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
• Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals usually are not self-cancelling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
• Remember that road conditions which are minor annoyances to you pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists may change speed or adjust their position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.
• Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, following a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
• Night-riding can be treacherous for motorcyclists. Help riders stay safe after dark by increasing your following distance, ensuring that your high-beams are turned off when you notice an approaching motorcycle, and refraining from passing.

02/18/2016

Several times a week we take reports from people who have been scammed or are a victim of identity theft. Many of the scams originate outside of the United States which makes arresting them or prosecuting them impossible. If you receive a call, a letter, or e-mail and the deal sounds too good to be true it is a scam. If you receive a check from the scammers and are asked to deposit it then send money SHRED IT immediately, it is no good and will only cost you in the end. For more information go to the Federal Trade Commission’s web site at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts

Crooks use clever schemes to defraud millions of people every year. They often combine sophisticated technology with age-old tricks to get people to send money or give out personal information. They add new twists to old schemes and pressure people to make important decisions on the spot. One thing…

10/27/2015

More Halloween tips.

Parents:
1. Sow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic laws. Drive aleast 5mph below the speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to children who dart out into the street.
2. Look for children crossing the street. They may not be paying attention or crossing in mid block.
3. As bad as it sounds, this is a fact of life. Get on the internet and check the state website for s*x offenders. I should have a list of registered offenders that includes addresses. https://isp.idaho.gov/sor_id/

Children:
1. Be bright at night wear reflective tape on costumes and treat buckets.
2. Trick-or treat in group or with your parents.
3. Tell your parents where you will be going.
Mountain Home Police's photo.

S*x offender registration in Idaho began on July 1, 1993. It also established a statutory duty for persons convicted of certain felony s*x crimes to register with their local sheriff. In 1998, the Legislature repealed the original act and enacted the "S*xual Offenders Registration Notification and C…

10/26/2015

Halloween is coming this Saturday. Yes it is that time of year for all the ghouls and goblins to make an appearance. Every year we receive numerous phone calls "What time does Trick-or-Treating start"? The City of Mountain Home does not have a designated time for "Trick or Treating" but popular hours are between 5:30 pm and 9:30 pm.

The Mountain Home Police Department wants everyone to have a safe and fun Halloween. During the week we will be giving tips for the parents on how to keep their children safe and tips for the children too.
Parents:

1. Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or Treat in groups.3
2. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and if possible choose bright colors.
3. Choose face paint and makeup instead of face masks, which can obstruct child's vision.

Kids:
1. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signal and crosswalks.
2. Look left and right and left again before crossing the road and keep looking as you cross.
3. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. Walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

Check back with us everyday for more Halloween Safety tips.

10/22/2015

The Mountain Home Police Department is now taking applications for Reserve Officers. If you have thought of being a police officer but do not want to work full time this is a great way of fulfilling that dream. Or if you would like to break into law enforcement or just want to help your community we want you on our team. Applications may be picked up at the Police Department. For more information please contact:
Cpl. Stan Winings
Community Affairs Officer
208-587-2101

12/24/2014

12/24/2014

The Mountain Home Police Association wishes everyone a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS. Santa is on his way. Want to know where he is, go to www.noradsanta.org to follow Santa around the world.

Follow Santa as he makes his magical journey!

08/21/2014

Corporal Stan Winings takes one for the team!!

06/07/2014

Had a great night out at the Relay for Life Elmore County. It's truly heartwarming to see so many people out supporting a great cause.

03/14/2014

Please join us in supporting the American Cancer Society. All monies raised by this event stay in Elmore and Ada Counties. Right now, our team is ranked #4 out of 18 teams for funds raised. Help us get to #1. Donate what you can, even if it is just a dollar. Thanks!

Almost all of us have been touched by cancer in some way, so we've decided to make a difference by walking and raising money in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life event.

03/07/2014

If you have a few minutes tomorrow afternoon, stop by Common Ground Coffee and congratulate local author Chris Devore on the publication on his new book. A great way to support this amazing local author. Rumor has it, he might even sign a book for you.