National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
		Sobriety checks:  New Year's Eve weekend
		2010 U.S. Census:  Security-related information
		Take the "Polar Plunge" and help Special Olympics
		Scam alerts
		Crime & traffic information for last month

Dear residents,

On Nov. 15 we kicked off our second annual fundraising campaign for Special Olympics Georgia with a benefit dinner - aptly called "Heroes for Heroes" - at Sia's Restaurant here in Johns Creek.

I am proud to say we raised over $25,000 in donations to help the 23,000 intellectually disabled Georgians supported by the non-profit.

I'd like to particularly thank Sia Moshk. With his generous help we were able to put together a fun evening with food from some of Atlanta's top chefs. It was a memorable night and the people who attended truly are heroes for their support of the JCPD's fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Georgia.

Special thanks to Gold Sponsors: CH2MHill, Riley, McClendon LLC, and World Financial Group; and the staff of Sia's, the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Pano i. Karatassos, Lisa Smith, Doug Turbush, Rogerio Martins, The Alan Knighter Band, Fred Kalil, Chelsea Floral Designs, and About U Media.

A big thank you to the Benefit Committee members from the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce: Jo-Ann McNish, Jessica Farrell, Leighanne Ferguson, Sam Zaretsky, and Trudy Provo.

The fabulous silent auction contributions from the following local businesses - many of them loyal supporters of the JCPD - are greatly appreciated: Anil Bedi, CPA, American Laser, Art Rageous II, Inc., Belk's, Buca Di Beppo, Bonefish Grill, Chet Allenchey, Chili's Grill & Bar, Hilton Garden Inn, HPI Direct, Johns Creek Symphony, Jovan Wellness, Kitchen & Bath Studio, Longhorn's, Muse Salon & Spa, Outback Steakhouse, Perfect Wedding Guide, Self Defense ATL, Stoney River, St. Ives County Club, Standard Club, Starbucks, and Sugo Restaurant.

Stay safe,

Sgt. Debra Kalish
Community Services

P.S.  If you received this copy from someone else, sign up here to get your own copy each month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• 36 people in the U.S. die every day as the result of vehicle crashes involving alcohol;

• approximately 700 people are injured each day from such crashes; and

• over 1.4 million American drivers were arrested for impaired driving in 2008.

During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, Johns Creek police encourage everyone to be vigilant about driving free from the influence of alcohol or drugs, and that they also protect their friends and family from impaired drivers.

If your celebrations include alcohol, please plan in advance for a designated driver or use a driver-for-hire service. There are two companies that serve our area: Safe Ride America and Safe Ride Solutions.

The JCPD's Traffic Unit will conduct sobriety check points at various times and locations throughout the city from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2.

The sobriety checks, along with concentrated traffic patrol, are part of the JCPD's efforts to support Georgia's Operation Zero Tolerance initiative, which involves hundreds of traffic safety officers making concerted efforts to keep Georgians safe on the highways over the holiday travel period.

Georgia law says if you're driving with a blood alcohol level that's at or over the limit (0.08 BAC) you're under arrest, even if you're a first-time violator. You don't receive just a warning or citation. You go to jail. Remember, "Over the Limit, Under Arrest."

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way: census workers are knocking on doors to verify address information and official census forms are scheduled to be mailed in March 2010.

The U.S. Census Bureau and Better Business Bureau ask you to be aware of potential census fraud and keep the following security-related information in mind during this important, year-long process:

• Any request for census information from the Census Bureau will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service and clearly marked as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.
• The U.S. Census is NOT conducted by e-mail; DO NOT open any e-mails or attachments that appear to be census related. If you receive a fraudulent census e-mail, forward it to itso.fraud.reporting@census.gov.
• An official census worker will show you Census Bureau identification; ask to see it before answering any questions.
• Census workers will NOT ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit cards and will NOT solicit donations. You are under no obligation to answer any questions about your salary or financial situation.
• If you suspect that the census worker is not genuine, call the Atlanta Regional Census Center at 404-335-1555 to confirm the person's identity.

Be cool and join us Feb. 20 at Lake Lanier Islands for Special Olympics Georgia's first "Polar Plunge."

Participants in the fundraiser collect pledges from friends and family in exchange for the opportunity to jump into the lake's icy waters in the middle of winter! Anyone with a little guts and a warm heart is welcome to participate!

A popular event for law enforcement agencies across the U.S., this is Georgia's first and the JCPD will be busy between now and then signing up pledgers and plungers.

Please check out our "Polar Plunge" fundraising page or contact Major John Clifton at 678-474-1580.

• CDC: Fraudulent emails referencing CDC-sponsored State Vaccination Program
• FBI: Holiday Shopping: Beware of Fraudulent Classified Ads or Auction Sales
• FBI: Spear-phishing emails target U.S. law firms and Public Relations firms
• FBI: Fraudulent Automated Clearing House (ACH) Transfers re Malware and Work-At Home Scams
• FBI: Spammers abuse U.S. Attorney General's name
• FBI: Fraudulent Email Containing FBI "Intelligence Bulletin No. 267"
• FBI: Fraudulent Email Claiming to be from DHS and FBI Counterterrorism Division
• FBI: Hoax Email re FBI Intelligence Bulletin from Weapons of Mass Destruction
• FBI: Techniques used by Fraudsters on Social Networking Sites

Burglaries (Total 24): Abbotts Bridge Place, Alara, Aylesbury Farms, Bridgestone Farms, Carriage Park, Century State Apts. (2), Chelsea Ridge Apts. (2), Colony Glen, Eagle Glen, Forrest Lake, Fox Glen, Highland Park, Long Indian Creek, Medlock Corners, Quick Stop FoodMart (Jones Bridge Rd), Rivermont the Mounts, River Walk, Shell Gas Station (Medlock Bridge Rd) (2), Thornhill, Wellington, and Woodland Hills.

Car break-ins (Total 18): Camden River (2), Chelsea Ridge, Clinical Solutions, Forum Athletic Club (4), Foxworth, Hillbrooke, Home Depot, Hyatt Place Hotel, Newtown Park (2), Seven Oaks, Super H Mart, Summit on the River, and Residence.