Helpful Safety Information

Before your child gets lost, teach them these tips to feel as safe as possible when out in public!

1. STOP: Stand as tall as possible. If you are outside, get to nearest safe spot, try to stay in an open area.

2. LOOK FOR A PARENT WITH KIDS: When there isn’t a Police Officer in sight, look for a parent with kids. Generally, another parent with their kid is the next best thing to your own parent.

3. PLAN A MEETING SPOT: Especially in a large place, it is easy to forget where you are. Plan an easy location to meet in case everyone gets separated.

4. IT IS OKAY TO YELL!: Even in quiet places, it is okay to shout, if you are lost, uncomfortable, or in danger.

5. KNOW YOUR PARENTS REAL NAME AND PHONE NUMBER: Know that mommy’s name is Jessica Reed, and not just mommy. It can help in case you get separated.

6. YOU ARE NOT IN TROUBLE: You are not in trouble for getting lost, do not worry about punishment when you find parents again.

7. STAY WHERE YOU ARE: Insist on staying in the building you got lost in. Do not leave with a stranger, unless an emergency occurs.

8. STRANGER DANGER: Even though you can’t find your parents, do not trust anyone you do not recognize to take you home or to your parents.

Internet Safety Tips:

• Do not give out personal information without permission (address, school, phone number) 
• Never send anything you wouldn’t say in person 
• Think carefully about what you post 
• Do not share your password with anyone
• Do not send packages or pictures to people you have met online 
• Report inappropriate information immediately! 
• Remember that not everyone is who they say they are 
• Never agree to meet with someone you met online

Visit https://www.missingkids.org/NetSmartz/home for more information.

Response Protocols and Trainings in 27J schools are listed on this website:

Response Protocols & Trainings - 27J Schools (sd27j.org)

WHILE OUT WALKING...

• Keep your dog on a physical leash 
• Try to only go for a walk in daylight and in well-trafficked areas 
• If seen, do not approach, make noise, and throw objects.

ON YOUR PROPERTY...

• Do not purposely feed the wildlife 
• Do not leave your dog outside unsupervised Keep cats indoors 
• Do not leave pet food outside, feed pets indoors 
• Securely cover trashcans 
• Use motion detection lights on your property 
• Coyote Rollers can be placed on fences

EXTRA FACTS...

• City of Brighton has an animal law that enforces leashes on animals when off of personal property. 
• Coyotes can be carrying rabies 
• Animal waste can attract coyotes

BUSTING MICROCHIP MYTHS-  FROM BRIGHTON‘S COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

A pet microchip implant is a small device, about the size of a grain of rice, it is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades. The chip is implanted using a specific needle to ensure quick placement with little discomfort to your pet. These computer chips contain your contact information and their own unique number which is placed into a database that only authorized personnel can access.

• MICROCHIPS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE!
  • It generally costs around $25 to $60 plus a registration fee. The Riverdale Animal Shelter charged only $20 with registration included.
• GETTING A MICROCHIP WILL HARM MY PET!
  • The implant is placed with a simple injection under loose skin, similar to having a vaccine. Chips are made out of an inert bio-compatible substance which will not cause any reaction or move into tissues or organs.
• NOT ALL CHIPS HAVE A UNIQUE NUMBER!
  • Computer microchips can hold enormous amounts of information and are designed to produce billions of identification numbers as well as the manufactures own unique code.
• NOT ALL SHELTERS AND VETERINARIANS HAVE CHIP READERS!
  • There are very few locations in the US and Canada today that don’t have universal chip readers that read all types of microchip brands. Only authorized personnel can scan microchips.
• THE MICROCHIPS WEAR OUT AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED! 
  • Microchips have no battery or moving parts therefore there is nothing that would need to be replaced for the lifetime of your pet. It is the owner's responsibility to update their contact information attached to the chip to keep it current.

ENCOUNTERING RACCOONS

Most Raccoons breed around February. Young are weaned at about 12 weeks old and disperse in the fall or early winter. Raccoons are nocturnal animals, and they live throughout the city.

RACCOON REPELLANT

• Hot Pepper Repellant Recipe You will need:
  • One chopped yellow onion, One chopped Jalapeno pepper, and One tablespoon of Cayenne pepper 
• How to: Boil ingredients for 20 minutes in two quarts of water. Then let it cool and strain the mixture through cheesecloth. You can apply this with a pesticide sprayer or spray bottle. This will deter just about any animal from an area where it is applied, it lasts about 3 to 5 days.

RACCOONS ON THE PREMISIS

Remove all outside food sources (pet food) in the evening. Use metal or heavy plastic trash containers and keep the lids securely fastened to prevent odors from escaping. If needed, secure lids with bungee cords or ropes soaked in Tabasco sauce or commercial repellant. Repel Granules, dog and cat repellant can be sprinkled around any area that racoons gather. Keep BBQ grills clean or stored in a secure place. If you see a racoon in the yard, turn on the lights, run outside yelling and swinging a broom to scare them off. Do NOT corner them, it will cause them to fight back in self-defense. Use a scarecrow and the Hot Pepper Recipe listed above. Do not approach or touch the racoons If racoon seems sick or injured, please report!

Visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife website or call at 303-297-1192 for more information.

NOTE: Raccoons are very intelligent animals. These exclusion tactics usually work quite well. If a raccoon fails to get into shelter or food, they feel uncomfortable. Once they have multiple failed attempts, they will give up and stay away.

COMMUNITY SERVICES-  BRIGHTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

An Active Partnership with the Community

CSO Division 303-655-2025 Non-Emergency line 303-288-1535

PARKING AWARENESS

All vehicles must be: 

• Currently licensed and operable on public and private property
• Parked a minimum of 5 feet from any driveway 
• Trailers have a maximum time of 48 hours they are allowed to be parked on the street- with the exception for loading and unloading purposes
•  No semi tractors/trailers, dump trucks, tow trucks, or box trucks parked in residential areas

PET AWARENESS

• All animals must be on a physical leash when on public property unless posted otherwise (cats included) 
• Each property is allowed a combination of dogs/cats to total no more than 4 
• Animals must have constant access to water and adequate shelter 
• Dogs barking continuously are considered a nuisance in the city 
• Dog, cat, or ferret bites to humans must be reported 
• Yards must be cleaned weekly of animal feces 
• Rabies vaccinations must be kept current 
• Properties may have a total of no more than 6 ducks or chickens in combination (NO roosters or geese allowed)
• If you get into the car and are uncomfortable, do not bring in your pet
• All intake/lost/found animals are taken to the Riverdale Animal Shelter at 12155 Park Blvd Brighton, CO 720-523-7387

CODE AWARENESS

• All grass/weeds kept at a height no greater than 6 inches 
• Must have garbage/trash pickup weekly 
• Properties clear of all junk/debris/rubbish Sidewalk cleared of snow within 24 hours of last snowfall 
• Sidewalk clear of any obstruction (including cars) 
• Parking surfaces must be of approved parking material - no parking on dirt or grass 
• No off-premise signs allowed (including yard sale signs)