Lt. Jeff Palmer Green Valley District Commander

Green Valley Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers
VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2
SUMMER 2015
601 N. La Cañada Drive
Green Valley, AZ 85614
www.gvsav.org
gvsav@gvsav.org
Lt. Jeff Palmer
Green Valley District Commander
I was standing on asphalt for an extended time the other day and my shoes literally began to stick to the pavement because they were melting. I find myself somewhat jealous of some of our winter visitors who spend the summer months in a cooler climate.
Yet I am drawn to this community because if its passionate people and community
bond. It is also about the people we work around and the sense of teamwork that is felt
in the Green Valley District and throughout our agency.
As our available members dwindle during the summer, the theme, “Do more with less”
is never more evident. We are asked to check on many homes and continue all of the
other programs we operate during the rest of the calendar year. Some of you take on
additional responsibility during this time and others simply stay the course to accomplish our mission.
Thank you for your continued volunteer service. As for our part time folks, thank you as well and
please hurry back, we miss you.
I was most encouraged as I visited the SAV Open House. It was an impressive display of a very professional and a prideful group. We had several people stop by and express interest in joining our SAV
family. Please continue to recruit your friends and neighbors for our September academy.
We said goodbye to Sergeant Ed Curtin last month who transferred to our Foothills District and are
joined by Sergeant Dennis Chavarria who is our new afternoon/evening supervisor. Dennis brings 27
years of experience and has had many assignments during his career. He is a tremendous asset to add to
the district and we look forward to adding his experience to Green Valley.
Lastly, we will say goodbye to an icon in our community and the focal leader of our agency as Sheriff
Clarence Dupnik announced his retirement for July 31, 2015. After 36 years as Sheriff and over a 53
year career in Southern Arizona law enforcement, he has decided to end his run. He has had a tremendous impact on our agency and in fact started our SAV program nearly three decades ago. Sheriff Dupnik will nominate Chief Deputy Chris Nanos to the Pima County Board of Supervisors to complete his
unexpired term.
PIMA County Sheriff
Clarence Dupnik
Serving PIMA County and the Green Valley area since 1982
OUR HISTORY
In 1978 the Pima County Sheriff’s Department introduced the Citizen Bear
to Green Valley. The Citizen Bear was comprised of Green Valley volunteers who facilitated the use of Citizen Band radios for communication. At
this time, the role of the Citizen Bear in the community was limited to search operations and home visits.
Although volunteerism was in its infancy at this time, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department was a national
leader. With that in mind, it was no surprise that Sheriff Dupnik decided to expand volunteerism even further.
Sheriff Dupnik tasked a group of individuals to develop a larger, more comprehensive group of volunteers.
The focus was to develop a program which would model the Green Valley Citizen Bear group while serving
all of unincorporated Pima County. The initial progression was slow; however, the department soon learned
that the talent of the volunteers vastly exceeded their expectations. The Citizen Bear program evolved into a
new concept of volunteerism. This evolution also prompted a change in the name. Our volunteers were now
known as the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Auxiliary Volunteers, Incorporated. Read more about our
history on our WEB page at www.gvsav.org.
Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers
Board of Directors
SAV Contact Numbers
SAV Front Desk
Fax SAV
GV PCSD
SAV Supervisor
SAV Commander
Deputy Commander
Field Operations
Special Projects
Community Services
Administration
Training
Emergency Response
Recruiting
Scam Squad
SAV President
Treasurer
351-6744
351-6707
351-6711
351-6743
351-6716
351-6713
351-6718
351-6712
351-6749
351-6748
351-6745
351-6714
351-6715
351-6744
351-6747
351-6740
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
SAV Member
SAV Member
SAV Member
SAV Member
SAV Member
SAV Member
SAV Member
SAV Commander
Deputy Commander
PCSD Member
Michael Herndon
Art Anderson
Karen Liebengood
Margaret Bierd
Ralph Atkins
Dave Durham
Gary Eshelman
Ernie Hance
Cene Backus
Ed Kapusinski
Joe Gunson
Wilma Ludwig
John Packer
Lt. Jeff Palmer
SAV Patrol Staff
Publisher/Editor
Proofreader
Reporter
Illustrator
Circulation
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George Grove
Cene Backus
JoAnn Martinson
Sylvia Bencomo
Joe Gunson/Ginnie Scott
SAV President
Michael Herndon
The corporation documents for the Green Valley Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers state
that the purpose of the corporation is to provide improved citizen education, enhanced
crime prevention and a volunteer organization which is auxiliary to, and devoted to cooperating with the law enforcement personnel in the Green Valley District of the Sheriff’s
Department of Pima County, Arizona in the maintenance of security, peace and order
during normal times and during emergencies and the performance of other duties assigned by the Sheriff of Pima County, Arizona or his designees.
You can think of us as a super Neighborhood Watch for all of the Green Valley area.
We are fortunate to have the support of the citizens of Green Valley. We are totally dependent on their contributions for our day-to-today operations. We operate on a budget of about $170,000. Most of that goes to
gasoline and vehicles. In 2014, we drove over 102,000 miles while patrolling the Green Valley streets and
prepared over 300 crime reports.
We have no paid positions. We are all volunteers who contributed over 70,000 hours in support of the Pima
Sheriff’s Department last year. We receive no taxpayer funds or equipment from the County. We are a 501
(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donations are tax deductible.
Thank you Green Valley for your support for over 33 years.
THANK YOU CANADIAN CLUB OF GV
President, Reg Humphries and Secretary Rodica Copily of the Canadian Club of
Green Valley present a donation of $750 on behalf of their organization to the
Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers of Green Valley. The check was accepted by Ralph
Atkins, Bob Pollak and Mike Herndon .
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
ACADEMY LIV
Sept 22-Oct 31, 2015
August 19, 2015
11:30
Pizza Party
SAV Training Room
White Elephant Parade
31 October
Maximum Participation of all
SAV members required
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In his own words:
I, Robert Fiore, was born in San Diego, California. The early part of my life my family
moved around the country (due to my Dad’s military career) until we settled down in
Nogales, Arizona when I was 4 years old. After I turned eight, we moved up to Tucson.
I attended, and graduated from, Cienega High School. After graduation I attended Pima
Community College and received my Associate Degree in Sociology as well as an
AGEC (Arizona General Education Curriculum) certificate.
I later enrolled at the University of Arizona where I received my Bachelors Degree in
Sociology with a Minor in Criminal Justice. After a period of time I proudly joined the
Sheriff’s Department as a Correctional Officer. Within a year I was accepted as Deputy
Sheriff. My first assignment out of the academy was to the Foothills District Midnight
Patrol unit. I was later placed on the swing shift. I was moved to the Green Valley District in January of 2014. In October of 2014 I was appointed as a SWAT Negotiator and
am looking forward to soon completing my training in the program. In October of 2014 I
was appointed as a SWAT Negotiator and am looking forward to soon completing my
training in the program.
I currently live nearby in Sahuarita with my fiancé, Laura, and our two dogs. I am very
close to my brother Dominic, my sister Anaiz, and my mother Analizbeth. We all make
time to see each other frequently and are in constant communication.
In my free time I enjoy recreational shooting, exercising and spending time with my
family and fiancé. I recently completed “The Tough Mudder” (a 13 mile obstacle course
event that is held annually in different venues, including Arizona). It is a rigorous course
and demands a high degree of fitness and endurance in Phoenix, AZ which was fun,
challenging and exhausting. I am also working to build my skills as an amateur beer
maker. I am very proud of my last two batches which were an English Ale and a Porter.
Above all else, I look forward to the future this career has in store for me.
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Ralph Atkins, Director of Field Operations:
The month of May served as the beginning of the summer season. What that meant
for Field Operations was hotter weather, increasing number of Code 9’s (house inspections) and fewer people available for patrol. As of this time, FOD has 35 people
on leave, that is 45% of available patrol people. Because of this challenge the remaining dedicated people are redoubling their efforts and meeting the challenge with extra patrols, solo patrols and assuming a heavier schedule.
Due to our dedicated members SAV is accomplishing its promise to the community to keep
Green Valley a safe and secure place to live.
AND JUST WHAT IS A CODE 9?
Prior to leaving for a trip, vacation or for the season Green Valley residents can contact Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers and request a house inspection for the duration of their absence.
The provided information is immediately put into our database and a patrol makes the first
visit.
To place a house on the Code 9 listings it is required that the owner or resident provide their
names, address, phone number(s) and provide the name and phone number of someone local
who has a key to the house and permission to enter should a problem be found.
Code 9 procedures entail a patrol person knocking on the door to make sure no one is there,
circling the house checking for open doors, loose or open windows, and any other suspicious
or serious aspect as to the condition of the house and yard. If a problem is encountered, the
owner or the key holder on record is notified. In the case that an open door is discovered, the
required procedure it to call the Sheriff’s Department and have a deputy dispatched to enter
the house and verify that everything is fine and no further action is required. The key holder
is then notified to relock the house.
Lou Sampson & Wilma Ludwig doing a house check
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Awards And Recognition
Gary Chelseth Retirement
Presented by Michael Herndon
Lou Sampson
Car Commander
Doug Kenyon and Kenneth Bottemiller
New Car Commanders
Craig Koblitz
Car Commander
Robert Kiesel
10-100
Doug Kenyon
10-100
Gary Eshelman
10-100
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Kennett Bottemiller
10-100
Awards And Recognition
Mort Zimmerman , William Eichler, Rita Lawrence, James Burt and Wilma Ludwig
Years of Service Plaque
Michael Herndon
23,000 Hours
Joan Stevens
13,000 Hours
Richard Lundy
10,000 Hours
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Hollie Hinz
17,000 Hours
JIM BURT
James H. Burt, or Jim as we knew him, was a member of the Sheriff's
Auxiliary Volunteers Academy Class #14 and graduated in April 1989
wearing badge #2700. He was an active member of SAV for 25 years
donating over 16,000 hours of service. He served as head of the Field
Operations division, was a member of the Emergency Response Team
and directed the activities of the Special Events. He also served in an
elected position as a member of the SAV Board of Directors. A major
contribution was the development of a Reports Manual with samples of
all types of cases. He maintained this Manual for eight years. A second
major contribution Jim made was securing a cell phone program that was cost effective for
SAV members. Although turned down several times, being persistent, he succeeded. He operated the program until he retired; and, this program continues to the present. Upon completion of
the requirements to graduate, he began vehicle patrol responsibilities and continued in this until
a few years before his retirement. As a patrol member he was promoted to the responsible positions of Car Commander and 10-100 (Supervisor of the Day). For 16 years he worked the El
Tour de Tucson doing traffic control. When health issues interfered with more active responsibilities, Jim volunteered at the Pima County Sheriff's District office as receptionist where he
could use the knowledge he had gained over 25 years. He received the Sheriff's medal for longevity. He was honored as the SAV member in the White Elephant Parade in 2011.
JEROME BONGARD
Jerry Bongard, Badge #4607, deceased, joined the Sheriff's Auxiliary
Volunteers in 2001. He was a member of Academy Class 32 that was
conducted in a split session. His class graduated in February 2001. Two
classmates remain active in SAV: Ruth Gosman and Dale Kimes. Upon
graduation, he became a member of vehicle patrol and was promoted to
Car Commander. Jerry retired in February 2015 after an extended illness.
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GREEN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
prepared by Annie Harrison GV SAV NW Manager
Did you know?
Neighbors working together in cooperation with law enforcement can make one of the BEST crime-fighting
teams around.
We call it……NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
PERSONAL SAFETY
Awareness of your surroundings and knowing what to do in a situation (pre-planning), will make your day
to day events safer!
WALKING THE DOG or TAKING A WALK
Have you considered the necessity of carrying personal ID on yourself when out walking your dog or just
taking a stroll by yourself?
If you are in the habit of walking your dog, or going for a stroll by yourself, and if you should become incapacitated, unable to communicate due to a health issue, or heaven forbid, a vehicle strikes you, personal
identification assists first responders in getting you proper medical treatment quickly.
BE SURE TO TAKE YOUR PERSONAL ID WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WALKING BY YOURSELF, EVEN WALKING THE DOG.
OPEN GARAGE DOOR
When out on patrol through your neighborhoods, Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers are seeing a number of garage doors standing open. Sounds harmless, but once you walk back in the house, or go into the back yard
while the door is open you are leaving yourself open to the following:
- Making it easy for someone to remove items from your garage. We are more vulnerable now that the
snowbirds are leaving and there are not as many eyes and ears in our neighborhoods.
- Toward evening as the temperature drops here in the desert, snakes are looking for warm places to enjoy.
A personal note - I recently had left the front screen door ajar so my dog could be on the front porch
(which is gated) or in the house as she chose. A beautiful but unwelcome visitor, a King snake was removed
from the den by the fire department. I am keeping the screen doors closed!
The Green Valley SAV Neighborhood Watch team is available to assist you or your neighborhood with programs on Crime Prevention and Personal Safety. Please call the SAV Neighborhood Watch office 520 3516749 and leave a message for Annie Harrison.
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Green Valley Anonymous
Profiles in Courage: The woman who came to the front desk to sign up for SAV’s Citizen Care
Program and TeleCare. Her doctor diagnosed her with Alzheimers and she was determined to get
all the possible assistance to aid her loved ones during her decline. She wanted to do it herself
while she was still able. Her first step had been to voluntarily give up her driver license.
Only in Green Valley: One morning in the White Elephant a billfold was turned in at the desk. It
was announced on the loudspeaker but no one claimed it. A short while later at a yard sale across
town a man went to pay for his purchases and found his billfold missing, he immediately thought
someone had stolen it. A man standing near him asked if he had been in the White Elephant earlier. When the man said he had the second fellow offered to drive him back over as he thought he
knew where his billfold was. IT WAS. It was intact, pictures, credit cards and over $200 in cash.
Concerned Citizen: A man came in to the front desk concerned about the negative publicity in the
media about law enforcement personnel. He wanted to know what a citizen could do to help if he/
she saw one of them being threatened or harassed. He was sent to the Sheriff’s Office to get that
information.
A question from Colorado: A woman called to say she had thought she wanted to move to Green
Valley but friends told her it was a very dangerous place to live. They alluded to the fact that so
many of the homes had iron grills on the windows for protection. She was provided a true picture
of the advantages of living in Green Valley and decided to come and see for herself.
Other duties as assigned: Helping Gila monsters across the road.
Art Anderson & Larry Blades
More Will Rogers wisdom, forwarded by Art. Anderson:
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket..
Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.
If you are riding ahead of the herd take a look back now and then to be sure it’s still there.
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EQUINE VOICES’
1st ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL
April 26, 2015
Hoornbeek, Koblitz and Gunson helping with crowd control
Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Premarin
(PMU) mares and foals from neglect, abuse and slaughter. Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary is a voice for
all horses and other equines who cannot speak for themselves, and works to end their senseless abuse, suffering and slaughter. Through education and building community awareness, we are confident we can enlighten
the public about the horrors of the Premarin and horse slaughter industries, and be a catalyst for change so
these noble creatures are able to live their lives free of abuse, pain and sufferinging.
2015 Ride of Silence, Green Valley
SAV Bike Patrrol 2015
Tony Simon, Joanie Rogucki, Bill Hill, Joe Pinter, Ike Svensson, Ralph Atkins
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COMMUNITY SERVICE
David Durham, 7347
In response to a question asked at the Front Desk, David researched the following.:
What To Do If You Are in an Accident With a Mexican National.
If you are unfortunately involved in an automobile accident with a Mexican National
you should do the following:
1. Call 911 to report the accident.
2. Get the driver information: name, phone number, address and insurance. Get the Driver
License information, make and model of the car and license plate number.
3. Be sure to get the police report for insurance purposes.
4. If there is a fatality the necessary contact with the Mexican Consulate will be handled by
law enforcement.
5. A recommendation would be to make sure you have uninsured and underinsured motorist
coverage in your insurance policy.
6. Another recommendation would be to never drive while impaired by either medication(s)
or alcohol.
7. Always use your turn signals when appropriate.
DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
An Emergency Car Kit is just as necessary for the summer as for the winter. A broken down
car on a back road or stuck in the desert in summer heat can be just as deadly as subzero winter temperatures. First and foremost: Always have a cell phone fully charged and the necessary telephone numbers in the contacts list. Hopefully there will be reception where you are
when you need help but a hand mirror is the backup if you are unable to get reception.
Hikers and people on distant highways may also see the flashes. A hand mirror is invaluable if
you are unable to get reception on your cell phone. Pilots of commercial planes as well as private planes are on watch for such signals and report them to the appropriate authorities. Stay
together at the accident site unless buildings are in sight and within a mile. Heat exhaustion,
heat stroke and dehydration are certain killers.
Your car kit is to keep you healthy and as comfortable as possible while you wait for rescue.
First and foremost WATER – a gallon for general use and two quart bottles for each person
and for each pet. A water dish for each pet. Paper towels to wipe up spills and messes.
Food – again, for a day, for each person and for the pets.
High energy food that doesn’t require preparation, won’t spoil and will keep up energy levels.
A first aid kit. Hand sanitizer. Hand towels one for each person and one for each pet. The
towels can be moistened (gallon of water) and used around the neck or on the back to help
counteract the heat. They can be used on dogs, but may be a problem with cats.
Flashlights – at least two or three with good batteries. Blankets in case help doesn’t arrive before dark, last but not least, books and games to help pass the time while waiting for help, especially with kids. Just sitting and waiting makes time go more slowly and can lead to panic
attacks and dissention and the urge to wander away.
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