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06-26-20 E-NEWS: UPD; MASKS IN PUBLIC; STRANDED 'MOTORIST'; FIREWORKS UPON US; VENTURE OUT!; etc. View this email in your browser photo by Deseret News Announcements UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS No Community Council meetings are scheduled this coming week or for the month of July. NEWS THE FUTURE OF THE UPD IN MILLCREEK MILLCREEK. To address recent concerns expressed by citizens about policing, the Unified Police Department (UPD), and the recent announcement by Taylorsville that it will be leaving the UPD next year, Mayor Silvestrini has prepared the following statement: ---PAGE BREAK--- TO THE RESIDENTS, CITIZENS, AND POLICE OFFICERS OF MILLCREEK: Provision of public safety services is perhaps the most important role of city government. More than half of our annual city budget is committed to police and fire services. As you have heard, we have a number of challenges confronting UPD. We want to address police reforms to improve transparency and ensure that police treat our residents respectfully without regard to race or other personal characteristics, but still deal effectively with crime and lawlessness. On top of that we now must reinvent and re-size our department because Taylorsville is leaving to form its own police department (again), and Midvale has told the UPD Board it is considering the same course of action. Does UPD still make sense for Millcreek? Does it still represent good value? Our City Council and I believe it does. It is true that UPD suffered in the past from a lack of financial transparency to the frustration of Herriman and Riverton, who left the UPD in 2018 and 2019. Those financial transparency issues have been addressed and mostly resolved with the appointment of a new UPD Financial Officer. The last two budgets have been much clearer and they continue to improve. Taylorsville stated it would like more local control over policing as its reason for leaving the UPD. The City Council and I are satisfied with the degree of control Millcreek has over services we receive. Our Chief serves at the pleasure of the mayor and council and reports to the mayor on a daily basis. The Council controls the number of officers employed exclusively in our precinct (currently 58). We also believe Millcreek receives fair value for the services we share with other UPD precincts. The UPD members, including Millcreek, share a forensics lab, evidence management and storage, body camera management and storage, accident reconstruction, homicide and serious crime detectives, gang task force, drug task force, human resources, finance, fleet, radio management, legal, training, firing range, internal affairs, merit review, and health and other insurance expenses. We have access to larger canine and SWAT resources than if we had to staff those operations in our own stand-alone department. We pay our share for these according to a formula based upon number of cases, population and taxable value. These shared services, of course, cost money. By not duplicating all of those services in multiple independent departments and by sharing the cost of them with other communities, there are economies of ---PAGE BREAK--- scale. That would not be the case only if the shared services were somehow mis-managed, staffed incorrectly or we reached the point of diminishing returns. The transparency of the budget is key to keeping tabs on the costs. With the improvements in budgetary transparency the UPD Board has insisted upon and Sheriff Rosie Rivera has implemented, we see the value we are receiving. We believe that Millcreek would either have to pay more for the same services if we formed our own police department (not even considering the start-up costs), or alternatively, we would have to do without some of these things. Perhaps Taylorsville or other cities are willing to forego some of them or not see the value in sharing the cost of services needed occasionally but not every day. The City Council and I do. Is UPD perfect? No. There is room for improvement in every organization and we must work on that improvement. Is the sky falling on UPD because of the recent or threatened departures? No. Even with Taylorsville and possibly Midvale leaving, UPD will remain the largest police force in Utah, serving about 175,000 residents of Millcreek, Holladay, Brighton, unincorporated Salt Lake County, and the metro townships of Kearns, Magna, Emigration Canyon, White City, and Copperton. It will still have critical mass to serve us in an emergency with far more officers and resources than we could ever provide alone, even with mutual aid. The size of the department still allows for more and better training for our officers and more opportunities for their advancement than in a smaller department. In short, your City Council and Mayor think going smaller is a move in the wrong direction, both in terms of service and cost. So what will these departures mean for UPD? There will be some downsizing to the things we share. The departing municipalities will undoubtedly seek to hire some UPD officers, which will ease the blow to individuals in the departing precincts. We will be sure to maintain the same number of officers available to serve Millcreek. However, I believe this will provide us an opportunity to reimagine UPD in many respects. This is a perfect time to consider changes and reforms to improve UPD in its mission to serve our community. The future of UPD in Millcreek is assured. It remains the best option for policing in our community. Mayor Jeff Silvestrini ---PAGE BREAK--- FACE COVERINGS ARE NOW A REQUIREMENT IN PUBLIC SETTINGS MILLCREEK. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson issued a public health order today that makes wearing a face covering a requirement in Salt Lake County. Click here to see the order. Mayor Wilson said, "We know that two things work to hold off the coronavirus in our community. One of them is a face covering. The other is social distancing." The state has not required face coverings, and Utah law dictates that the governor must grant permission should a jurisdiction wish to adopt regulations stricter than those the state mandates. Salt Lake County, joined by Millcreek (see letter below) and other cities in the county, requested and received permission from the governor to issue the order because amid loosened restrictions the state has mandated, the new cases reported each day in the county has alarmingly risen to 200 or more, with a positivity rate of nearly (As of today, the COVID-19 cases in the County have exceeded 10,000.) What does the new requirement mean? Face coverings will be required inside retail and other public locations, including inside bars and restaurants until seated for dining, and at all public gatherings, indoor or out, where consistent social distancing is not possible. Face coverings won't be required outdoors when social distancing is easily maintained, on people with a health condition exacerbated by a face covering, on children under 2 years old, when a face covering would prevent essential functions of a person's work, or in circumstances not reasonably conducive to wearing a face covering (like ---PAGE BREAK--- swimming or engaging in strenuous physical activity).* Businesses should handle the face covering requirement just like they handle other health requirements, such as “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” Scofflaws will generally be met with a mask and education, not a citation, unless they are egregious or persistently repeat violators. If you don't have a face covering or can't afford one, you can request a free one from the state. The county is hoping to have 20 locations available next week, primarily in lower-income neighborhoods, to distribute masks at no cost to recipients. We will post those locations when we learn of them. Click here for the County Health Department's answers to FAQs about the new order. Click here for a recent of literature on the efficacy of widely- practiced mask wearing and social distancing on the spread of the virus. *Not all exceptions can be listed, so please use common sense and practice common decency when interpreting and applying the new requirement to your public activities. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- Marque Cravens surrounded by several of her helper rescuers. Millcreek Officers and Local Business Employees Join Forces to Assist Stranded "Motorist" MILLCREEK. We heard a heartwarming story about Millcreek people pulling together to help someone in need and wanted to share it. This message is from UPD Officer Bettina Allen, who wanted to recognize and thank all of the helpers involved. “I was dispatched on a report of a citizen in need of assistance at 1030 East 3900 South. The caller, Marque Cravens, reported that her motorized wheelchair was no longer working and was stopped in the intersection along busy 3900 South. I contacted Ms. Cravens, who told me that she was going to an eye appointment and had driven her chair off the curb, when it was jolted by the rough pavement, then just quit. I could see that the chair had no power. She said she had called the wheelchair supplier, but continually got voicemail and no call back. Two employees of the local Auto Pro business drove by and saw that I was trying to move Ms. Cravens' chair. They helped me get the chair across the intersection and into the driveway of a nearby business. They looked at the chair but could not figure out what was wrong. I called for Unified Fire for a transport. Medic Engine and Medic Ambulance 101 arrived, but advised me that they could not get Ms. Craven and her chair into the ambulance. They began looking at the chair. After about an hour of YouTube videos and diagrams of the chair, UFA was able to locate ---PAGE BREAK--- the battery compartment and remove the cover. They discovered that a cable had fallen off the battery and were able to replace it, wherein the chair immediately returned to its motorized status. Ms. Cravens, it turns out, was on the wrong street, she needed to be on 3300 South, not 3900 South. She rescheduled her appointment. I escorted her to the bus stop about 100 feet from our location.” Wonderful things happen in Millcreek all the time, we appreciate our UPD and UFA partners and citizens like the Auto Pro employees who saw something that needed to be done and took the time to help. Thanks to everyone involved! FIREWORKS SEASON STARTS THIS WEEK KNOW THE LAW BEFORE YOU START SPARKLING MILLCREEK. With the 4th of July coming up next Saturday, fireworks season starts this week. We’re all familiar with the sensation of feeling the boom of an industrial rocket as it explodes in the sky, or standing transfixed while waving our sparklers through the air on a warm summer evening. However, in a state as dry as Utah, fireworks are a potential hazard. ---PAGE BREAK--- The Unified Fire Authority (UFA) has released an interactive map of firework restrictions in Salt Lake County for 2020. Areas in which fireworks are illegal are designated for a variety of reasons, which includes anything from proximity to old buildings to flammable forests and trails. We ask all residents of Millcreek to carefully look over this map and to use fireworks responsibly and safely. If everybody does their part, we will all be able to enjoy a safe and fun summer, fireworks and all. Be aware of the law. In addition to not discharging fireworks in restricted areas, follow all the rules as ordered by the Utah Legislature: Discharge of fireworks is allowed between the hours of 11am-11pm on the day before, day of, and two days after July 4th and 24th July 4th and 24th-discharge allowed until midnight (12am) Persons are guilty of an infraction that can bring a FINE OF UP TO $1,000 for the discharge of fireworks outside of legal dates, or in an area where fireworks are prohibited Don’t forget your furry family members during fireworks season. During July, Salt Lake County Animal Services sees an increase in lost pets due to the number of pets who escape from their homes or yards out of fear of the noisy fireworks. Here are a few tips to make sure your pet stays safe this July: TIP: Be sure your pet is wearing an ID tag and that its info is up to date. TIP: Keep windows and doors closed. Pets often break out screens when they get scared. TIP: Leave your pet at home when you head out to a fireworks display. TIP: Provide a safe retreat for your pets. Take them to the basement during fireworks, turn on some mellow music, and snuggle them. TIP: Take your pet for a walk earlier in the day before the fireworks start. If you find a lost pet, contact Animal Control Dispatch at [PHONE REDACTED] to have an officer come get the animal or bring it to Salt Lake County Animal Services at 511 W 3900 S. Shelter hours are Mon-Sat from 10am-6pm. Animal Services is closed on Sundays and on July 4th and 24th. ---PAGE BREAK--- Millcreek! Let’s Light Up the Night for the span of 20 days at 10pm, for 10 minutes, from July 4th to 24th. Light is a symbol of goodness, clarity and insight. Together we can symbolically show support and unity during this time of uncertainty. Use flashlights, house lights, candles, phones or perhaps get creative with holiday lights to Light Up the Night in Millcreek. Participate one night, or for the span of 20-nights. Do it inside or outside, you decide. Social distancing doesn't mean we can't come together as a community. Share your Millcreek light-up-the-night moments online. Whether your moments show solidarity, gratitude or a celebration, we can still connect as a community, even if we are apart. Post your moments online and tag them #MillcreekShines. It will be great to see you! Use light and this time to reflect on: Change Loss Resiliency Gratitude ---PAGE BREAK--- Food! Food! Food! Want to try something different? A new line up of food trucks is at City Hall every Thursday with mouth watering eats that the whole family can enjoy! Pick up your favorite or try something new and head to the nearest park to enjoy! Outdoor Adventure Anyone? Another fun filled, adventure packed Venture AT Home is coming your way! If you haven’t already joined in, this is an adventure you do NOT want to miss. Make sure to register online at VentureOut.org to get the Zoom link for shows. Celebrate the 4th of July with a Rolling Car Show! Join us for our second Rolling Car Show of the season in honor of our country’s birthday! This car show is sure to please with it’s festive classic cars and a chance to show your American pride as you watch. Find out how ---PAGE BREAK--- you can get involved by visiting our website at VentureOut.org or check out Facebook or Instagram. MILLCREEK. Millcreek has teamed up with the County, Salt Lake City, City of Holladay, and South Salt Lake to develop and recommend innovative, new transportation types for more convenient, connected trips among these cities. The planning effort has been dubbed "Local Link". Two studies are currently taking place as part of this effort: a circulation study analyzing biking and walking connections into the Sugar House Business District, and a transit alternatives analysis that is looking at transit improvements between Sugar House and Millcreek with an extension into Holladay. These studies are building on a foundation of previous planning efforts in the area. Local Link will recommend which travel choices the cities will implement in the near future. Local Link needs help from us locals. We all know our own communities and lifestyles, and our input is needed to create the ideal scenario to better link these cities. Click here to learn more, sign up for updates, and add your comments. IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE SALT LAKE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT REGARDING COVID-19 TESTING The free coronavirus testing through the Salt Lake County Health Department (referenced in a previous newsletter) has been canceled. Testing will resume after July 4th. Click here ---PAGE BREAK--- for additional testing locations. ---PAGE BREAK--- MILLCREEK. Millcreek businesses have adapted to the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic and the difficulties it brings: safety for employees and patrons through social distancing, hand washing, masks. Click here to see what special services Millcreek businesses are providing during this critical time. The list is updated weekly (and has gotten too big to post in toto in this newsletter each week). If you would like to add your business information to this list, please email your message (up to 100 words) to [EMAIL REDACTED]. Note that all businesses with a valid business license in Millcreek are automatically members of the Millcreek Business Council. Meetings with the Mayor Fridays from 2- 4pm have been set aside for citizens to meet with Mayor Silvestrini. Please call [PHONE REDACTED] to schedule a slot. Mayor Silvestrini and Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson at the construction site of that city's new performing arts center. VISIT us at Click here to subscribe to this weekly newsletter Copyright © 2020 Millcreek, All rights reserved. ---PAGE BREAK--- Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Forward Share Tweet