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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution-1975-0382 INTRODUCED BY ALDERMAN ~~prkl RESOLUTION NO. 3B? Series of 1975 WHEREAS, the CONOCO OIL COMPANY is developing an area wide program known as whistle HelpALERT which is designed to aid women, children, and others who may be fearful of or exposed to danger due to criminal activity, accident, or other incidents; and WHEREAS, the whistle HelpALERT program has been endorsed by the City of Wheat Ridge Police Department as well as the Police De- partments of other Cities in the United States as being a means of crime prevention; and WHEREAS, the whistle utilized in alerting the public to crimes in process or about to occur is an inexpensive but effective way of securing help; and WHEREAS, the Co no co Oil Company as a community service has embarked on a public information program through its Conoco Oil stations and dealers to provide whistles on a cost basis to members of the general public to encourage their active participation in this program; and WHEREAS, it is possible that lives and injuries could be saved by the effective use of the whistle; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Wheat Ridge hereby commends the Conoco Oil Company for its public service efforts in advancing the HelpALERT program and urges all citizens of the City of Wheat Ridge to become more familiar with the benefits of the whistle HelpALERT program and to secure whistles from participating Conoco Oil dealers or other sources and to instruct their family members in its proper use. DONE AND RESOLVED THIS oy a vote of 5 to / ) --, / /" /" / <::;-<., 1; / ~"'_ ./1.:;. t l ) /~, '/', K/ ~. HOMER L. ROESENE~ .,-1!JAYOR ATTEST: " ) (~",-,-j rk Page 2, Section 2 i~ESCLUTIDI\I 38: 2 Page 2 HOUSTON CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 1974 Just Whistle! Police-Type Whistles Being Pushed Here as Emergency Attention GeHers BY MARY LU ABBOTI' Chronicle Staff A national oil company is helping Houston blow the whistle on crime, Continental Oil Co.'s Houston office has launched a project called HelpALERT, based on citizens using police-type whistles in emergencies, Conoco is sponsoring the initial offering of whistles ,and hoping that community organizations will pick up the project. This week drivers will find that their Conoco and FasGas service stations also are whistlestops, the places to buy the sturdy, niekel'plated whistles, They are being sold at cost, 75 cents, Conoco spokesman John Gehbauer, director of special communications, explains how HelpALERT works: . A person fearing attack or needing help blows the whistle to call attention to the problem. . Citizens who hear the whistle are asked to see what the problem is, from a safe point, and call for the emergency aid needed, police or fire department. . Citizens who hear the whistle and see a problem are asked to join in blowing whistles to attract more altention- if it is safe. For instance, if you see some. one carting goods away from a home or running away with a woman's purse, it would be safe to create commotion. But if an assailant is holding a gun on a victim, it may be wiser to simply call police and wait to blow the whistle until the assailant is fleeing and the victim is &afe from firing range. The reaconing behind several persons blowing whis- tles is twofold. Criminals don't like noise and attention and if more people are attracted and see the disturb- ance, more information will be available to help police apprehend the criminal. Other suggested uses for the whistle are: . To alert neighbors to injuries when you're alone- particularly for use by the elderly to call for help when they've fallen or are sick. . To alert neighbors and the family to fire in the home, . To blast the ears of obscene callers on the tele- phone. . To signal when separated from the family or group on camping trips. Parents are asked to teach their children that the whistle is used only in emergencies. Conoco officials suggest several ways to keep the whistle ready for use . Wear it on a thin neck chain, one that would break easily should an attacker try to choke you. (Vou grab the whistle first. I . Wear it pinned to clothing on shoulder or sleeve when you're walking in danger areas. Don't put it in purse. . Put it on a key chain and carry in your hand on way to car . Or put it on a charm bracelet if you wear one all the time, The HelpALERT idea came from Lou Denton, assist, ant manager for Conoco's Houston marketing division. He has four daughters and was increasingly concerned for their safety He talked with others in the company after reading of whistles used to deter crime. The company investigated how emergency whistle programs were working in Los Angeles and Chicago areas. "We discovered the programs had cut crimes but the big problem to starting was lack of money Groups had worked to buy small amounts of whistles and then waited for the sales of those to finance buying more," Gehbauer says, Conoco decided it was worth doing on a citywide basis, for a start. However, the company wants to sell gas mainly, not whistles. so letters have gone out to community groups seeking' their help in long-range whistle selling Conoco has started an educational program about HelpALERT and gives booklets with the whistl~s to, tell citizens how and when to use the emergency BId, Smce it would be too expensive for each group to have these booklets printed in small quantities, Conoco has extras which it will give the clubs and organizations. Civic groups will be responsible for getting th~ whis- tles but Conoco furnished the names of busmesses whi~h has supplied their shipment. "We hope the cost of the whistles won't get so high that people can't buy them," Gehbauer says, The police department is receptive to the idea. "If used properly we think it will be an asset to the user and to us. We hope everyone will benefit," says Sgt. C.A. Hightower, media information office. Groups wanting information may call Gehbauer at 627-4038.