Vallejo Weekly | Vol 10 | Issue 38

Hispanic Heritage Month

Did you know that this month marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM)?

HHM takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino

Beginningcommunity.in

1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week,” but it was later extended to a month in 1988. Since then, HHM has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more.

This year’s theme is "Building Prosperous and Healthy Communities," with this week's focus on

"Jobs and the Economy."

The U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau hosted a webinar this week titled, “Advancing Equity for Latinas in the Workplace,” which featured leaders from across the country addressing the challenges and barriers that Latinas face in the workplace. They also discussed efforts to increase Latinas representation in the economy by accessing higher paying quality jobs and empowering themselves with available tools and resources.

To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, and view upcoming events, webinars, and more, visit hispanicheritagemonth.gov, or visit the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration now through October 15.

UPCOMING ARPA Funding Community Meetings

Upcoming ARPA Funding Community Meetings

The City of Vallejo has received its second round of American Rescue Act (ARPA) funding, and they want to hear from you about how to spend it!

Join us for one of our next two community meetings to hear a presentation about ARPA funding and then share your suggested uses/ projects for the money.

To learn more, visit MYVALLEJO.COM/ARPA

Click here to submit your suggestions on how the City of Vallejo should spend this second round of ARPA.

Vallejo Police Department Expands on its Promise and Commitment to Accountability and Transparency

In 2020, The Vallejo Police Department (VPD) announced its website's first interactive use of force analysis dashboards. Produced by Police Strategies, LLC, the current dashboards now provide more comprehensive and detailed use-of-force data for the VPD from 2017 through 2021 using the Police Force Analysis System.

Today, VPD is pleased to announce we are expanding our commitment to transparency by providing 20 years of Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) data through the same interactive dashboard.

You can visit the VPD's Accountability and Transparency page by clicking here or go directly to the OIS dashboard by clicking here.

"I am proud to continue to expand on our promise to bring more transparency and stay true to our commitment to building trust with our community through all forms of inclusion and engagement," said Chief Shawny Williams. " Providing these dashboards is just another step in the right direction."

The VPD welcomes and encourages all community feedback to improve VPD's services and open data-sharing commitment.

Have thoughts or comments to share? Please email VallejoPolicePIO@cityofvallejo. net

Slow Down, Look Out for People Walking: September is Pedestrian Safety Month

September is Pedestrian Safety Month, and Vallejo Police Department will participate in activities throughout the month encouraging the safety of people walking.

Based on data projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 7,485 people, or an average of 20 people every day, died after being struck by a vehicle last year – an 11.5% increase from 2020 and a 40-year high.

“People should not feel in danger walking,” Sgt. Rashad Hollis of the Vallejo Police Department said. “Drivers, please slow down and be aware of people who are walking. If we all look out for one another, we can all get where we need to go safely.”

Vallejo Police Department offers safe driving and walking tips, including staying off the

phone when behind the wheel or walking:

DRIVERS

• Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

• Never drive impaired.

PEDESTRIANS

• Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers may anticipate foot traffic.

• Watch for approaching vehicles and practice due care crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

• Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – wear light colors, and reflective material and use a flashlight.

• Be careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night or on busier streets with higher speed limits.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Community Workshop Invitation

Straw Wattle

STRAW WHAT!?

Do You Know What Straw Wattle Is?

Straw wattle is an erosion control device used to prevent hill erosion when it rains.

Our Water Facilities team is pictured here, prepping one of our Hiddenbrooke facility locations for the upcoming rainy months.

Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 18-24

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Vallejo Police Department will help parents and caregivers with installing child safety

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here to offer parents and caregivers guidance and reassurances that their child is as safe in a car seat as possible while riding in the car,” Vallejo Police Department, Sgt. Rashad Hollis said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.

California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep your child in rear- and forwardfacing seats as long as possible. Children 8

and older, who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may ride in the back seat of a vehicle in a properly fitted safety belt.

To learn more about the Vallejo Police Department car seat alsocounty,ToVallejoPolicePIO@cityofvallejo.netprogram,searchforcarseatprogramsinyourvisittheOTSwebsite.YoumaycontactyourlocalCHPAreaOffice to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month - raising awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.

The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.

Subscribe to Alert Solano at alertsolano.com, and then head to Ready.Gov to learn more about how you can prepare for the unexpected.

QLessNEW! Public Comment Kiosk

The City of Vallejo has launched a new Public Comment system for speakers who wish to participate during City Council Meetings and other public meetings held in Council

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kiosk system will streamline and improve the ability for the City Council to verify which item the public wishes to speak on and reduce issues with legibility, order of sign-up, and overall visibility of which topics the speaking party has registered for.

To get started, after you have entered the City Council chambers, you will be met with one of

the new kiosk systems by the front entrance. The agenda item topics will be opened and available for the public to begin registration 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. To start, tap the screen and you will be prompted to enter your name or alias you wish to be identified as.

Following the input of your name, you will be prompted to select the topic you wish to speak on, like Community Forum, an Action Item, etc. Afterwards, you will be prompted to select the topic you are interested in.

Once selected, you are finished, and your name will appear on the screen located on the left side of chambers in the order it was received. If you are interested in speaking on multiple items you will simply repeat the process and select the additional item(s) you wish to speak on.

Once the signup period has concluded, participants will be called up by the name or alias provided in the order received for their opportunity to speak for the allotted time

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is still able to participate via Zoom or telephone. The process remains the same, to speak on an item, simply raise your hand on zoom or press *9 on your telephone.

To watch an instructional demo, and see the system in action, please visit vimeo.com/ cityofvallejo/qless.