Chief of Police Carl Smith warns residents of scams

As I wrote the date for this week’s column, it struck me that we are already into September.  They say that as you get older, time goes by faster. Well, I firmly believe it is true.  
 This belief also helps me understand that if I want to get anything done, I need to prioritize what I want to do and to do it now. Cathy and I just had a conversation this morning about how we weren’t getting any younger and needed to do those things we want to do. Ahhh…the price of getting older.
 Well, so much for reflection, it’s on to City business.
 Carl Smith, your police chief, wants me to let you know about a scam which you will want to be aware of. The perpetrator will set themselves up at a grocery, hardware, or convenience store. They will then approach an individual going or coming out of the business.  
 The line goes something like this. “Hey, would you happen to have a few dollars to spare for gas, I’m going to (name the place) because (name the reason) but I’ve run out of money. Can you help me out?” 
 If the person does give them a few dollars, the perpetrator will go on. “Thank You! this helps, but it won’t get me there. Hey, I’ve got some jewelry with me. Can I sell it to you at a discount or you lend me the money and you hold it as collateral? Would you like to take a look?”  
 The “jewelry” looks impressive and valuable. If the person gets hooked, arrangements will be made to buy the pieces or arrange a “loan.”
 Of course, the jewelry is fake. The person has just given several hundreds of dollars or more for nothing more than costume jewelry. Usually by the time the person realizes this it is too late and there is no way to find the grifter.
 The perpetrator is taking advantage of one of the characteristics that makes Weiser special. People here are generous and want to help others in need. It is part of the reason I love Weiser. Unfortunately, there are people out there, who will take advantage of these good traits. Please be careful if someone approaches you about needing help to get down the road.
 Another hot topic right now is the grass on the football field. Memorial Park is watered exclusively with ditch water. With the low snowpack earlier in the year, the ditch company limited the amount of water the City could use for the park. With the sudden heat earlier this summer, many of the grassy areas in town went into stress including the parks. When the football players from the middle school, junior varsity, and varsity all began using the field in their cleats, it added more stress. The practices also limited the amount the field could be watered without it becoming too soft. As many of you know, there are now dead spots on the football field.   
 The City has tested for bugs, which is not the case. The field has been fertilized as much as possible without burning the grass.  
 The City has requested the schools have their practices held elsewhere while the field recovers. Hopefully, the grass comes back in before the end of the season. If not, it will be re-seeded.  
 I just wanted you to know that the City employees are doing everything they can to get the grass going again.     
 Well, that’s it for this week. Hope it cools down, so we have good grass growing weather. See you next time!
 

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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