We will all be experiencing dual celebrations on Halloween this year. Nevada celebrates its 150th birthday which will not be overshadowed by thousands of children donning costumes of ghosts, goblins and super-heroes. This is bound to be a day to remember. Children will relish in their bags of treats while proud Nevadans will bask in our birthday celebrations as we reflect back to our humble beginnings.

Halloween seems to be highlighted with discussions of childhood safety, which certainly is a topic that is worthy of being discussed – not just during the Halloween season. Child safety is paramount to a safe, healthy and viable community; one could argue that good community-serving children are the lifeblood of Boulder City. It provides them with a sense of understanding, and it provides us with an appreciation for our younger generations.

A lot of resources are available to those committed to keeping their children safe. Gavin De Becker is an awesome author that has written a couple of books on how to keep our children, and indeed yourself, safe. These two books are on my MUST read list: The Gift of Fear and Protecting the Gift – Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe.

Another great resource is the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). NCPC is the organization that manages the McGruff Crime Dog merchandise and educational material. A lot of information is available via their website encompassing everything from handgun safety and Halloween safety, to identity theft. A visit to their website, www.ncpc.org is well worth your time.

Lastly, I am a proponent of the theory which states, "If it is predictable, it is preventable." A visit to the Nevada Sex Offender Registry from time to time just makes good sense. It not only provides you with vital safety information, but it allows you to search for registered offenders that may live in your area. Their website is: www.nvsexoffenders.gov/Search.aspx. I do point out that not all sex offenders register as they were ordered.

Until next month, stay safe!