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4 9-1-1 is not just for emergencies any more. That was one of the messages Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom wanted to share with Arden Hills residents when he made a presentation to update the City Council at the Septem- ber 8 meeting. The sheriff encourages people to call 9-1-1 when they see or hear anything suspicious or have information to share. Improvements add to system efficiency All calls to Police and Fire Departments are now funneled into the same place, the Ramsey County Emergency Communica- tions Center (RCECC). Due to techni- cal improvements to the telephone lines coming into the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center, it is now possible to accept more call volume. Operators are able to answer all emergency and non-emergency calls 24 hours a day. After obtaining critical information, dispatchers inform the appropriate emer- gency responders of the situation. They are also available to address a variety of public safety inquiries on a regular basis. Coming in late January 2015, Ramsey County will begin using a new computer- aided dispatch (CAD) system for 9-1-1 calls which will use latitude and longi- tude coordinates to identify a cell phone caller’s location (dependent upon the technology of the cell phone and service provider). This saves time, as calls will go directly to the nearest ECC, and also helps when a caller does not know his or her lo- cation. A new records system will also be attached to the CAD, to be implemented within the next year, giving much better access to communications data. Medicine Collection Program Sheriff Bostrom also wanted to remind City residents of the Medicine Collec- tion Program, established in 2011 as a partnership of the Sheriff’s Office and the Ramsey County Public Health Depart- ment. The turn-in of unused or expired prescriptions, particularly pain-killers, is an important aid in combating the resurging problem of heroin use. Accord- ing to Bostrom, data collected in heroin overdose-related emergency room visits suggests heroin use often follows prescrip- tion drug abuse. In addition, turning in unneeded medicines, instead of flushing them down the drain or disposing of them in the trash, helps protect the environment. Around three tons of medicines are col- lected by this program annually. Listed below are two collection sites oper- ated by the Sheriff’s Office. (Participa- tion is anonymous, and no questions are asked.) • Patrol Station: 1411 Paul Kirkwold Drive, (Highway 96 & Hamline), Arden Hills • Law Enforcement Center: 425 Grove Street, Saint Paul 55101 Collection times are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., year-round. More in- formation about this program, including what can be turned in, can be found at this website: www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph/rt/ medicine_collection_program.htm Sheriff describes upgrades to services his department offers by Susan Cathey ‘Tis the season for gift- giving, holiday parties, and family celebrations. RethinkRecycling.com has tips for making this a no- waste holiday at your house: Earth-friendly gifts: • Make a “trash-to-treasure” gift from odds and ends • Give homemade baked goodies. • Make a charitable donation in someone else’s name • Give an experience. Buy a gift certificate for a class or event • Make coupons for a lunch on you, chores around the house, or other favors • If buying new, look for gifts and gift wrap that are environmentally friendly, made from recycled prod- ucts, or that can be reused • Use old books, maps, magazines or comics to wrap gifts Reducing waste at holiday parties: • Use reusable serving ware rather than plastics or paper • Provide recycling receptacles in ob- vious places for your guests to use. • Send invitations by e-mail instead of using paper invites • Save boxes, packing material, wrapping paper, bows, and gift bags for future use More tips for greener holidays: • Bring reusable tote bags when shopping • Use LED holiday lights and put the lights on a timer • Decorate with natural materi- als such as pine cones, evergreen boughs and garlands of popcorn and berries • Recycle your tree and your non- working lights Learn more about how to green-up your holiday festivities by visiting RethinkRecycling.com. It’s a season of giving... ...not wasting! Vacant house in your neighborhood? Let the City know Cold weather can be especially difficult for vacant houses where damage from frozen pipes and storm damage can go unnoticed. If you know of a vacant house in your neigh- borhood, please contact City Hall. It is the pol- ity to shut off water to homes that are vacant and/or where the heat may have been shut off.