Summer is here again. And summer brings many good things: Blueberries, Baseball, Fresh Tomatoes, & Sunshine... or at least more sunshine than usual. Summer often brings us vacations and opportunities for outdoor recreation. There are many good things about summer and the best way to approach them is to do so with safety in mind.

For starters - - summer means school is out and there are more kids and young people around our neighborhoods. So we should be particularly careful driving during the coming weeks to keep kids safe.

We also need to pay attention to safety during many recreational activities: hiking and climbing and biking, and especially when swimming and boating. Rivers in Pierce County are running high and fast and cold due to late snow melt and run-off. Lake water is also especially cold this year as well.

These conditions can make swimming more difficult and dangerous. It is always important to be safe around the water - - swim safely, and boat sober and safe using approved flotation devices.

So I want you to enjoy the summer, but please do so safely!

And I will make another request as well. I want you to consider spending some time this summer doing something for your community. You could volunteer with the Sheriff?s Department to do Neighborhood Speed Watch or Crime Prevention programs. You could volunteer with a youth mentoring or reading program. You could help out at the food bank.

You might even want to give blood ! There is a heavy demand for blood donations in the summer months. If you are interested in donating blood, please check out the blood drive schedule for Cascade Regional Blood Services.

So, by your actions this summer, you could not only keep yourself safe, and keep the people around you safe, you could also make your community a stronger, better place to live.

Summer: Make it safe, and consider making it about service as well.


Sheriff Paul Pastor