Sheriff’s office, state host crime prevention conference

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Crime Prevention Association are hosting a Neighborhood Watch Crime Prevention conference March 7-8 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Center Place Meeting Facility, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley.

“The conference is aimed at educating the citizens of the region, not just the city and county,” said Diana Somerville, neighborhood watch coordinator.

Somerville suggested registering early, as space is limited.

Both days begin with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by two morning sessions, two afternoon sessions and an evening session.

Participants choose one of three courses offered at each session. Topics include gangs, Internet safety, personal safety training, traffic-related safety including road rage and DUI laws, illegal drugs, crime scene investigation, fraud and identity theft, sex offender crimes, terrorism awareness and prevention, Community Emergency Response Team, intimate partner violence, crime prevention through environmental design, and community resources.

The registration fee is $10 a day or $15 for both days. Make checks payable to SCOPE.

Registration forms are available at your local SCOPE office; online at www.spokanesheriff.org (click on the neighborhood watch link) or call 477-3055 to have a form mailed to you. Mail the registration form and check to Neighborhood Watch, 1121 W. Gardner Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.