Safe toys mean a safer holiday

Earlier this year, the toy industry recalled more than 22 million toys because of serious safety issues. Many of the products posed possible choking hazards, while some were outright deadly. The common denominator in all these items seems to be that they were all made in China, where labor is cheap and manufacturing costs are a fraction of what they'd be elsewhere.

Mattel, Inc. recalled 675,000 Barbie-related accessories due to high levels of lead in the paint used on them. Exposure to lead causes learning and behavior problems and even death.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled over 4 million units of "Aqua Dots" because the craft-kit dots, if ingested, broke down into a toxin similar to the "date-rape" drug.

And an additional 175,000 Curious George dolls made by Marvel Toys were recalled because of lead on the monkeys' cute plastic faces.

What can you do about all of this? Check out the CPSC website for the latest recalls at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html to know what toys to avoid this holiday season. And go toysmadeinamerica.com, a website created by a parent who single-handedly took up the charge to help you find USA-made toys.

Tracy Crime Stoppers offers Reward for details in Klent shooting

as reported by Staff Writer Mike Martinez in the Tri-Valley Herald on 11/22/07; photo by Enrique Guiterrez of The Tracy Press:

Reward offered in Tracy homicide

42-year-old man was found shot in head on Sept. 9

All the family of Steven Klent wants is a little closure.

The 42-year-old San Leandro resident was found dead shortly before 10 a.m. on Sept. 9 in Alden Park with a single gunshot wound to the back of his head. Investigators are still seeking his killer.

Tracy Crime Stoppers has offered a reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of anyone involved in Klent's homicide. His death was the second of three this year in Tracy but the only one left unsolved. Investigators have spent much of their time chasing tips that have led them to the East Bay but nothing of significance has surfaced.

"We're still checking some leads, but anyone with information should contact us," Tracy police Detective Dean Hicks said. Klent was shot in the base of the skull with an exit wound on his left forehead and was found lying on his back in a pool of blood with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, the autopsy report said. His younger sister, Suzanne Klent, read his body language, even in his death.

"When he was in trouble, or being reprimanded, he would be standing with his head down and hands in his pocket," Suzanne Klent said. "He probably got into an argument and (someone) blew him away."

She said her brother was "incredibly intelligent," except he didn't know how to put it to good use. She said he could make anyone laugh, even when he didn't feel like being funny. She also said he had a talent. "He was really able to get his personality across on the things he would write," she said. "We were camping in Mexico when he made up a story and acted it out inside the tent with a flashlight on. It was called 'It came from beneath the outhouse.'"

Suzanne Klent said her brother was "a troubled guy," who was good-hearted and helped a lot of people get off of drugs. Unfortunately, he couldn't help himself. According to court records, there was an active warrant for his arrest out of Sonoma County after Klent violated the terms of his contract with Project Intercept, a drug and crime prevention program in the county, a Sonoma County court clerk said. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper reported Klent was charged with one misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance in 1998 which led to his enrollment in the program. The warrant for his arrest was issued in October the same year.

As part of his autopsy, a blood screen detected "potentially toxic" levels of methamphetamines and amphetamines in his system. "Most kids from my generation smoked pot at some point," Suzanne Klent said. "My brother was clinically depressed and took a lot of time to get out of bed. I think the meth helped him be normal, whatever normal is. He had a lot of trouble with it. He wanted to do things his way and didn't like being told what to do. I don't know if he felt the world owed him or what."

Tracy Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization which provides police assistance by offering rewards of up to $1,000 in exchange for information, even from anonymous sources. Anyone with information about Steven Klent's murder is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 209-831-6847 or the Tracy Police Department at 209-831-4550.

Notes from the Tracy Police Log

Here are a few of the reported incidents of crime in the Alden Park area in the last two months, as listed on the Tracy Police Log:

Monday, November 12

10:43 a.m.: Tracy police checked out a vacant house, where the front door was left open, on the 400 block of Sequoia Boulevard. Police found graffiti on the walls inside and also found a 1997 BMW, with its tires removed, in the garage.

Thursday, October 25

3:29 p.m.: A battalion chief in the fire department followed a hit-and-run driver who hit a car and took off near Lincoln Boulevard and Lowell Avenue. Police arrested the driver at a house on Palm Circle.

Monday, October 15

8:30 p.m.: Police went to the 1000 block of North Hickory Drive and cited one man after someone reported a group of men yelling that they had all kinds of drugs for sale.

Wednesday, October 10

9:07 p.m.: A woman reported people selling drugs near Sequoia Boulevard and Hickory Avenue.

It pays to keep our eyes open, especially during the holidays when there may be an increased amount of traffic (and those looking for crimes of opportunity) through our streets. Be sure to report any suspicious activity to the police department right away, and watch out for your neighbors so they'll watch out for you.

Turkey Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving Holiday

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’d like to pass on a few safety tips to help you get through the weeks ahead with little worry or incident. These tips have been compiled from the America Academy of Pediatrics, the National Safety Council, and the US Product Safety Commission.

Food and Cooking
The holidays often mean preparing large meals for family and friends. Wash hands, utensils, sink, and anything else that has come in contact with raw poultry. Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.

Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.

Keep in mind that a stuffed bird takes longer to cook. For questions concerning holiday turkey preparation and cooking call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.

Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child's exploring hands.

Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same. To know (and teach your children) how long to wash, humming one chorus of "Happy Birthday" gives adequate sanitation in most circumstances.

Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.

Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered shallow containers (less than two inches deep) within two hours after cooking. Date the leftovers for future use.

Monitor your children's intake of holiday sweets. It's okay to let them indulge for a special occasion, but be sure to balance it out with healthier food choices the rest of the time.

Alcohol, Parties and Driving
Being a smart party host or guest should include being sensible about alcoholic drinks. More than half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related. Use designated drivers, people who do not drink, to drive other guests home after a holiday party.

Stress and the Holidays
The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year. You can't avoid stress completely, but you can give yourself some relief. Allow enough time to shop rather than hurry through stores and parking lots. Only plan to do a reasonable number of errands. When shopping, make several trips out to the car to drop off packages rather than trying to carry too many items. Take time out for yourself. Relax, read, or enjoy your favorite hobby at your own pace.

Happy Visiting
Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.

Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.

Keep a laminated list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include your pediatrician and the poison control center. and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222.

Ask your neighbor if he has a gun before sending your kids over to play. If the answer is yes, you need to make absolutely sure that all guns are stored unloaded and locked - ideally in a gun safe - with ammunition locked separately. Include the question along with other things you might normally discuss before sending your child to someone's house.

Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Sticking to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.

With a little planning and common sense, you can be sure to make your Turkey Time safe and fun. Happy Thanksgiving from the Alden Park Neighborhood Watch!