Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2017)
8 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017 Officer from 1A of School Resource Officers Basic SRO program. The course requires 40 hours of training. “This provides us with some redundancy to handle staffing challenges that may come up from time to time,” Ott said. “It is good training, even for some- one who has already been an officer for a period of time, since there are a lot of differ- ences between being a police officer on the street and being a police officer in a school.” Bailey has also gone through the program, and will likely take over as Siuslaw’s SRO in January. “As a school officer, you perform some educational tasks, some informal counsel- ing tasks, and down at the bot- tom of the triangle is the law enforcement task,” Ott said. “It is certainly not any bigger or more of a part than the other two. Law enforcement is really only a third of that job. I like that analogy.” Since the beginning of the Meals from 1A County residents as possible given the funding available.” She said that clients can request frozen meals to be delivered to supplement their hot meal deliveries. In Florence, hot meals are delivered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. “Those requesting additional frozen meals to supplement the hot meals will receive them along with their hot meal,” Demsky said. She also pointed out the ongoing need for volunteers in Florence. “Our noon meals are pack- aged and delivered by volun- teers. We have two distinct vol- unteer opportunities and way to help in your community — become a Meals on Wheels 2017-18 school year, Ott and the SRO program have worked to improve school safety by having an increased presence in school facilities; detect and apprehend students who miss school; conduct driver safety talks with teen drivers for Teen Driver Safety Week; and assist in traffic enforcement and safe- ty around the Siuslaw schools on Oak Street. “There was a big increase in the positive interactions with students, both on and off cam- pus,” Ott said. “Even in this short period of time, I’ve run into these kids at the grocery store and they recognize me as an officer, even when I’m not working. They want to come talk to me about stuff. It’s been a huge rapport-building experi- ence with a lot of the ‘littles.’” In addition, Ott said he also investigates thefts at the school. “They tell you that the No. 1 thing you’re going to do from a law enforcement perspective in the school is investigate stolen cell phones and iPods. I was like, ‘Really?’ I didn’t think it was going to be a thing, but it is. So, hold on to your cell phones and iPods,” he said. Florence Police Department solicits donations from private parties to provide National Child Safety Council materials for area youth, such as online and real-life safety informa- tion, anti-bullying pledges and other educational handouts. “They have some really cool stuff for all sorts of different age groups, like age-appropri- ate materials for internet safe- ty,” Ott said. “They also have cool stuff like stickers and bracelets, which I call ‘curren- cy’ at the elementary school. There’s no quicker way to get- ting a kid’s attention.” Florence Police Chief Tom Turner said that the SRO pro- gram was able to participate in Bullying Prevention Month and drug prevention activities in October. Using the National Child Safety Council materials, Ott was able to visit classrooms and interact with students while promoting healthy behaviors. “It’s just great community interaction,” Turner said. National Child Safety Council also provided reflec- tive trick-or-treat bags which Florence Police Auxiliary members handed out at Florence Justice Center on Halloween. “Other than that, we’ve just been having fun,” Ott said. “I went on a field trip to Sweet Creek Falls last month. The kids thought that was pretty neat. I also got to let kids pull the fire alarm for a fire drill, they thought that was super cool. It’s just been really fun.” He said that he gets positive feedback from students and staff, though it wasn’t always that way. For the first month, students were confused by the officer’s presence and won- dered if something was wrong. “Now, when I’m not there, they wonder where their officer is at. Just in that short period of time,” Ott said. “In a couple years, we’re going to see some huge rewards from this pro- gram.” Bailey agreed. “The kids are much more receptive to the police,” he said. “That is the community caretaking and building up that Delivery Driver or assist in our Café 60 Kitchen and help pack- age meals for delivery and serve our guests in the dining room at Florence Senior Center,” Demsky said. Individuals do not have to be homebound to receive food support from Senior and Disabled services, as they can stop by the Senior Center and sit down and to eat a hot, fresh- ly cooked meal. Demsky said “a dedicated team of volunteers and gener- ous support from the communi- ty” makes meal delivery possi- ble. The Senior Meals Program serves meals and opportunities for friendship to people over age 60, regardless of their income, in 11 Café 60 Dining Rooms in Lane County. A fed- eral grant makes this possible. Locally, Florence Senior Center, 1570 Kingwood St., hosts the Café 60. “The Florence Café 60 invites area seniors to join us for lunch at 11:45 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” Demsky said. “Meals for both programs are offered on a donation basis to partici- pants.” However, Café 60 observes the same holiday and furlough day schedule as the Meals on Wheels program. On Café 60 days, people under 60 may purchase meals at Florence Senior Center for $8. For more information, call 541-997-5673. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Singing Pines Café at the Senior Center serves meals for $7 for all. For more informa- tion, call 541-997-8844. Another concern for Demsky moving into the new year is the future of the pro- gram. “Funding is always a con- cern as federal funds cover only 70 percent of the costs required to operate at current service levels,” she said. “Congressional decisions about funding levels for non- defense, discretionary spend- ing can directly impact this funding. At the present time, meal programs across the nation are waiting to see what Congress decides for the remainder of the federal fiscal year.” Demsky said that donations provide 21 percent of the orga- nization’s funding. Individuals interested in assisting Meals on Wheels are encouraged to send a charitable gift to the Senior Meals Program; PO Box 2313; Florence OR 97439. we are doing there. That’s already showing and taking effect. It’s very beneficial, even at this point, and I’m excited to see where everything goes.” When he officially steps into the role, Bailey said he looks forward to growing the pro- gram. According to Ott, the Siuslaw students are making him and the SRO program feel welcome. “The kids are super creative and make all sorts of really cool and cute ‘thank you’ stuff. They give it to us on a regular basis,” he said. He added that he puts their art up in his office. Florence Mayor Joe Henry said, “We really appreciate your service and efforts. I think it’s something that builds long- term and gives a fair perspec- tive on what the police are about.” “It’s great to see the police giving back to the community and working with the kids,” Councilor Joshua Greene said. “This is all very helpful for people to realize. The police are with us, they take care of us, they are here to protect us and they can still train and teach the kids. I think that’s all very won- derful. Thank you for what you’re doing.” For more information about the Florence Police Department, visit ci.florence.or .us/police or read the depart- ment’s monthly newsletter at ci.florence.or.us/police/ monthly-reports. The Top Choice in Florence Real Estate. View all our active listings in Florence at... NEW LISTING Panoramic views of Florence & the Siuslaw Bridge, distant Ocean views & amazing sunsets. Elevator to make this home accessible on every level 3 Bdrm, 3 full, 3 partial Ba 4041 sq ft $439,900 BH7592 ML#17343764 NEW LISTING Florentine Estates Goldenwest with private backyard. Vaulted open living area with built-in bookshelves & custom draperies 2 Bdrm + den, 2 Ba 1512 sq ft $214,900 BH7593 ML#17192860 BACK ON THE MARKET & WON’T LAST LONG! Must see this 1809 sq ft, completely high end remodeled (2016) beauty on corner lot. Double garage plus carport. 2 Bdrm + Solarium & offi ce, 2 Ba $229,900 BH7546 ML#17493827 NEW LISTING Beautifully landscaped yard surrounds this well cared for home. Minutes to the beach on nearly ½ acre. 3 Bdrm, 2 Ba 1472 sq ft $269,000 BH7601 ML#17420198 NEW LISTING Just listed .4 acre lot Sutton Lake area, build or put a manufactured. $75,000 BH7594 ML#17689716 FEATURED LISTING Two tax lots, one price! Home in fenced yard. 4 garages, beautiful in town lot, all fl at & useable . Offi ce or studio 3 Bdrm, 1 Ba $249,000 BH7521 ML#17418714 PRICE REDUCTION Septic installed, great setting…. whether you build or choose that perfect manufactured home, you can enjoy the views, fi sh & garden? 1.14 acre $172,800 BH7485 ML#17060619 FEATURED LISTING 50’ RV barn with full hookups, 2 car garage, surround system, Tandem Stone fi replace, marble & granite, hardwood fl oors, cedar closet. Covered patio 3 Bdrm, 2 Ba 1686 sq ft $390,000 BH7563 ML#17320452 NEW LISTING Super Good Cents home in Summerset Estates. Open kitchen/familyroom area slider out to private backyard 3 Bdrm, 3 Ba 1444 sq ft $275,500 BH7581 ML#17384212 www.RealEstateFlorence.com • • • • • • Up to 16 photos per property Detailed listing information Virtual tours Price histories Community demographics Maps ... and much more! 99 ...or give us a call at 541 541-997-6000 and we’ll do the searching for you! Florence Branch | 1875 Hwy 101 | Florence, OR | (541) 997-6000 | www.RealEstateFlorence.com © 2016 BHH Affi liates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affi liate, and a franchisee of BHH Affi liates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.®
