Newhall: Zone 6, Public Safety and Crime Prevention Information for the week of 12/14/15 – 12/20/15.

A petty theft occurred near Newhall Avenue and Sierra Highway. Suspect(s) unknown stole items from the victim’s parked semi-truck.

A petty theft occurred near the 24800 block of Newhall Avenue. Suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s bicycle which was secured to a bike rack on school grounds.

A petty theft occurred at a business near the 24000 block of Valley Street. The suspect entered the location, grabbed a shopping cart and began selecting store items. The suspect then concealed the items and exited the location without making any attempt to pay for the items. The suspect was apprehended by deputies outside the location.

A residential burglary occurred near the 23600 block of Meadowridge Drive. An unknown suspect entered the victim’s unlocked residence and stole items.

A residential burglary occurred near the 23700 block of Via Canon. Suspect(s) unknown forced entry into the victim’s garage and stole miscellaneous tools.

A petty theft occurred near the 24300 block Walnut Street. Suspect(s) unknown stole the exterior security cameras from the location.

A burglary occurred near the 25000 block of Newhall Avenue. Suspect(s) unknown entered the school property and cut the lock to a masonry storage shed. No items were found missing.

A grand theft occurred at a business near the 24300 block of Main Street. The suspect entered the store and perused store items. When the store clerk went to the back office, the suspect stole items from the display racks. The suspect was seen on surveillance video stealing the items.

A vehicle burglary occurred near the 25200 block of Fourl Road. The suspect exited the rear passenger door of a passing sedan and walked up to the victim’s parked vehicle. The suspect shattered the driver side passenger window and stole items. The incident was captured on video.

Holiday Drinking: Keep It Safe

Every holiday season, people have to deal with the increased pressures and stress that the holidays place upon most of us. Whether we’re traveling to be with family or doing our last-minute gift buying, most people feel under pressure during the holidays.

As you might suspect, the holiday season then becomes one of the most dangerous times of the year for alcohol-related accidents and death. There are several reasons for this:

More people drink during the holidays due to numerous parties and other festivities.

Many holiday drinkers don’t drink often, so they have a lower alcohol tolerance. These people often underestimate their level of impairment and sometimes even drive when they shouldn’t. When arrested for drunk driving, these people often show a relatively low blood alcohol content yet they are very intoxicated.

Problem drinkers and alcoholics love the holidays because there are more social occasions to drink. They say they feel more “normal” because the occasional drinkers are also more likely to abuse alcohol during this time of year. Consequently, people with alcoholism drink and drive more frequently. Unlike occasional drinkers, they have a high tolerance for alcohol and can consume large amounts before showing effects.

The holidays are busy and stressful. People are hurrying more than normal and winter road conditions make driving more dangerous. Add alcohol to this scenario and you have a recipe for disaster.

Avoiding Alcohol-Related Problems:

Just say no.

Resist the pressure to drink or serve alcohol at every social event. Just because it’s there does not require that you drink it. There is no law stating that alcohol is a necessary ingredient for holiday cheer. Don’t feel like you have to drink just because your host offers — it’s not rude to choose a non-alcoholic beverage instead.

Offer nonalcoholic beverages.

If you want to serve alcohol to your guests, offer nonalcoholic beverages as well. Make your guest feel as comfortable choosing a nonalcoholic beverage as he would choosing alcohol. You can do this by putting nonalcoholic drinks in a prominent, easily accessible place and by asking guests what they would like to drink, instead of pointing them to the bar or handing them an alcoholic drink when they arrive.

Designate a driver before the party begins.

If you or your friends are going to a party and plan to use alcohol, decide in advance who will be the designated driver. Decide that drinking and driving is not an option.
Choose your number ahead of time.

If you are going to drink, do what responsible drinkers do. Decide ahead of time how many drinks you will have and stick to it. A blood alcohol content chart can help you understand the relationship between the amount of drinks, blood alcohol content and level of impairment.

Remember that alcohol is a complement, not the purpose.

Sometimes we lose sight of a holiday celebration or party and see it as a chance or opportunity to drink socially. While it is such an opportunity, the main purpose of a party is to have fun with people you know. Drinking is always an option and optional, and it is as much as a choice as it is a responsibility. Keep this in mind throughout the night. If you find yourself going overboard, find a friend or loved one, and explain you’d like to go home. You can stop yourself before you go too far, you just need to choose to do so.

You can ensure your holiday season is a relaxing, enjoyable and peaceful one as long as you remember to drink in moderation, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Don’t become another drunk driving statistic, and try to remember the reasons people celebrate at this time of the year.

Deputy Betsy Shackelford
E-mail: BSShacke@lasd.org
661-255-1121
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Twitter @SCVSheriff http://www.twitter.com/scvsheriff
SCV Station Homepage – http://www.santaclarita.lasd.org
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