December Coffee with a Cop

By Gene O. Morris, McCook Gazette
Original article HERE

(Photo)The holidays and cold, snowy weather combine to create special concerns for law enforcement officers and the public in the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, McCook Chief of Police Ike Brown said Tuesday morning in the “Coffee with a Cop” gathering at the Bieroc Cafe.

“Remember to keep your garage shut and locked,” Chief Brown said, adding that there have been several thefts from garages in the past few days.

“Keeping cars locked and valuables out of sight is also important,” the chief said, as unlocked cars with gifts and valuables are an easy target for thieves.

Among other holiday season concerns, Chief Brown reminded homeowners that city ordinances require that sidewalks be scooped within 24 hours of the cessation of a snowstorm. Those who don’t clear their sidewalks of snow face the threat of being ticketed, and — of even greater concern — the possibility of a lawsuit should someone slip and hurt themselves on the slick, snowy sidewalk.

Clearing the walks in the business district is also required in the business district, with Chief Brown saying that, by ordinance, snow needs to be cleared off the sidewalks by 10 a.m. the morning following a snow storm.

The advent of the winter season also brought a reminder from the chief for residents to get boats and campers off the streets and from driveways when they block the vision of drivers.

Chief Brown also reminded parents and pet owners of the danger posed by extremely cold weather. “With temperatures dropping to the zero level and below, be very careful to not expose children or pets to the extreme cold temperature.”