Safety Matters - September 2007

Now that school back into full swing I want to remind everyone that the 20mph School Zone Speed Limit (7am to 5pm) is also back in effect. I have been monitoring traffic before/after school and have seen very few violators with most drivers exercising caution. Please be aware of numerous pedestrians (children & adults), vehicles, and busses in the area. Traffic can and will back up especially in the morning. Vehicles will make numerous starts and stops due to the seven crosswalks in the school zone area. Also remember that even though the speed limit goes back up to 25mph at 5pm there are numerous events going on in and around the schools all evening as well as the constant use of the playground equipment by the grade school. Be vigilant, be patient, and be courteous. The Internet is an amazing medium for keeping in touch with family, friends, business associates, people in government, for socializing, for expressing opinions, and for shopping. All of these can be accomplished from anywhere in the world on most any type of advice. During my recent hospital stay I was no more then an hour out of surgery and I was answering emails on my cell phone, much to the dismay of my nurse mind you! Though the Internet is convenient it is definitely not without numerous pitfalls and ways for people to victimize you. The Oregon Attorney General’s office recently announced that they pursued a Milwaukie man for “taking money over the internet for goods and services never provided.” Attorney General Hardy Myers stated, “Although shopping online can be convenient and offer a large variety of items, it also can be devastating to your wallet if you pick the wrong retailer.” After receiving numerous complaints and conducting an investigation, the DOJ filed an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) with Todd Grange doing business as TheUSSSportsClub.com, AmericanPokerChampion.com, ToddSoft.com, and Bluetooz. Amongst other items, Grange took money for iPods, 2006 Super Bowl tickets, and entries into a poker game featured on a reality television show, computer tech services and laptop computers with no intention of providing what he offered. Under the agreement, Grange will be required to pay back victims in Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, California and Texas. He must fulfill orders or refund money within 13 days of the agreement. If you believe you were a victim of Grange or anyone else you should call the AG’s consumer hotline at 877-877-9392 or the DOJ online at: www.doj.state.or.us Some quick tips offered by the DOJ Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection section for shopping on the Internet are: · Never place an Internet order before checking with the Attorney General’s consumer hotline for complaints about the particular retailer. · Shop in stores for the same item at a comparable price. · If an Internet company cannot fill your order in the period of time advertised, they must send you a written notice of delay and allow you to cancel and receive a refund or agree to wait another designated period of time. You can also use a service like “PayPal” as a middle man so none of your account or credit card information is ever given to the retailer. Use common sense when shopping online and do some simple research of a company before giving any personal information or financial information. If you further questions or need advice you can contact me at the police station 503-429-7335, chief@vernonia-or.gov