Carefree Truth

Issue #319, April 21, 2014

 

 

 

 

A one time expense, to be taken from the contingency line item of the current fiscal year budget, was requested by the Foothills Caring Corps. (FCC), the Scottsdale Association of Realtors (SAR) and the Carefree Fire Department (CFD) in order to initiate the Citizen Lockbox Program in Carefree.  Mayor David Schwan thanked Councilman Mike Farrar for bringing this program to the Town's attention.

 

 

 

 

Councilman Farrar reported that the lockboxes are "Realtor style" key safes provided by FCC, SAR, and the CFD to elderly Carefree citizens who would benefit from the service.  The resident's key is placed inside the box.  The box codes are available only to police and firefighters, enabling them to access the key and enter the home during emergency situations, should the resident be incapacitated, without breaking doors or windows.  The boxes are provided free to those whose annual income is below $25,000, and a donation of $25 is requested from all others.  100% of the donations are applied towards the purchase of boxes.  A FCC or SAR representative assists in filling out the paperwork and explains the program; a Carefree firefighter installs the lockbox.

 

 

 

 

Sue Barnes, vice chair of SAR, was on the original committee that started this program.  She said that around 2000 lockboxes have been distributed in Chandler, Scottsdale, and Fountain Hills over the past decade.  They are well received by both the recipients and their out of town families, and have helped save many lives.  Juliette Nelson, who has been with the program for 4 years and is responsible for purchasing the boxes, also spoke in favor of it.

 

 

 

 

Councilman Marty Saltzman asked if the $3000 is earmarked for Carefree residents only, and pointed out that most residents' income is above the limit to qualify for the free boxes.  Mayor Schwan explained that the money starts the program to buy and distribute the boxes.

 

 

 

 

Carefree Fire Chief John Kraetz said he wholeheartedly supports this, and thanked Mr. Farrar for bringing it forth.  The Chief contacted his counterparts in other cities with the lockbox program, and they all make full use of it.  The CFD has many "frequent fliers", residents to whose homes they go repeatedly.  They often look in a window and see the resident lying on the floor.  He added that $3000 is inexpensive to start the program; it can cost that to replace one broken door.  He explained that the code is entered into the device.  The recorded code, the address, and the location of the box on the property are then transmitted to the fire and police dispatch centers.     

 

 

 

 

Councilman John Crane asked if FCC had begun an outreach effort.  Chief Kraetz said they had, and about 28 Carefree residents have already expressed an interest.  Mr. Crane asked if any effort had been made to collect seed money from sources other than the Town.  The Chief said no, that all the towns involved had supplied the seed money, after which the program self funds on a rolling basis.  SAR buys the boxes, and when the reserve builds up they buy more.  Some recipients donate more than $25, SAR does some fundraising, and the boxes cost slightly less than $25, which also adds to the reserve. 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Saltzman asked if the boxes are limited to seniors.  Mayor Schwan replied that it would initially be limited to those utilizing FCC services.  It could possibly expand in the future to those wishing to pay for a box.  Councilman Glenn Miller asked if the fire department programs a different code for each location, and Chief Kraetz confirmed that is the case.

 

 

 

 

Councilwoman Price thought it was a wonderful program, and she couldn't see any downsides to it, but didn't think it should be the position of the Council to determine which charities receive money, reminding fellow Council members of the decision made several years ago to discontinue donations to the local 501(c)3 organizations.  Mayor Schwan clarified that this would not be giving a blanket gift to a charity, the practice of which was discontinued, but would be funding a specific program that benefits only Carefree citizens, and felt this was a different situation than the one she was describing. 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Miller stated, "The main function of government is to provide the safetly and welfare and health of the citizens.  And that's what this program really provides."  Vice Mayor Les Peterson agreed. "I think this is another layer of safety and security for our people, and I think this is a totally appropriate use of Town money.  There are occasions when they should ask for donations.  This is an occasion where we should lead the way."  Mayor Schwan said he was voting for it for those reasons.   

 

https://vimeo.com/91208863

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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