E-Newsletter from Mayor Brunello

Spring has sprung!

The budget has been finalized for 2024. We are beginning 2024 with a General Fund budget of $16,067,346. By now, residents should have received their edition of our Spring Newsletter. This publication includes a detailed overview of our General Fund expenditures and revenues from 2023. I appreciate the open discussions and collaboration with City Council each year as we progress through the budgeting process. Our goal is to ensure we remain fiscally sound and exercise sound judgement for all expenditures while maintaining the excellent services we provide to our residents.

Last weekend, the Highland Heights Park and Recreation Commission hosted their annual Easter Bunny Egg Trail in the Park. The skies were blue and the children were very excited finding eggs on the trail. A special thank you to Recreation Director, David Ianiro, and the commission for another great event.

It's all over the news....the 2024 Solar Eclipse! The City of Highland Heights is excited to host a Solar Eclipse Watch Party at our Community Park Barn on Monday, April 8th. We have some fun activities planned for the event, with music, games, face painting, crafts, and food available for purchase. You can even take a "Moon Walk" on our newly renovated Park Trail. We have several resources listed on our city website regarding this rare occasion as well as safety precautions. I look forward to seeing you in the park on April 8th!

Behind the scenes, we have been busy gearing up for our summer recreation programs. Registration is now open for all summer recreation programs (see online registration link below). Our Summer Sizzler publication lists all of the activities available, including swim lessons, Hurricane's Swim Team, tennis, pickleball, baseball, softball, and our Day Camp program. And while you in the park, enjoy a walk on our newly renovated Park Trail. We are also ready for another season of great local music with our Music at the Gazebo concerts (see schedule below).

Spring is a time of renewal, as we can now enjoy the longer days with more daylight and improving weather conditions. Whether you are traveling to a new destination or getting ready to do some home improvements, the change of seasons always brings about a sense of excitement. On that note, we will be hosting our 3rd annual Community Clean Up Day in partnership with the Highland Heights Green Task Force, on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Each year, we clean up litter and debris along roads, sidewalks, and our park. We always have a nice turnout each year to help us keep Highland Heights beautiful. Please consider joining us by registering online for Community Clean Up Day. We will meet in City Hall beginning at 8:45 a.m. to pass out bags and grabbers.

Enjoy the brighter days ahead as we look forward to engaging in outdoor activities again and all of the "new" that this time of year brings.

Sincerely,

Chuck Brunello, Jr.

Mayor/Safety Director

More Information from City Hall Departments

From the Highland Heights Police Department

WHAT IS A SUSPICIOUS PERSON?

No police agency can function effectively without the concerned assistance of responsible citizens. We are depending on you to call us and tell us whenever you observe suspicious persons, activities or motor vehicles. Call the police immediately about all suspicious activity, anonymously if you wish. Don't worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. Think about what might happen if you don’t call!

SO HOW DO I IDENTIFY A SUSPICIOUS PERSON?

Let’s start with: "PEOPLE AREN'T SUSPICIOUS, BEHAVIOR IS." Although we all say "suspicious person", it is really their behavior that is suspicious. Suspicious behavior is sometimes difficult to define, but it is one of those things that most people say they “know it when they see it.” It is something that is out of place, not quite right, or just makes you feel ‘weird’ about it.

SIGNS AND BEHAVIORS THAT MAY BE SUSPICIOUS:

PERSON RUNNING

Does this behavior indicate someone being in a hurry or does it have a heightened sense of urgency or tension about it? It would be suspicious if the person was looking about secretly, as if he were being observed or pursued.

STRANGER CARRYING PROPERTY

A person with suspicious behavior might be carrying items that do not fit in with what a person is doing (i.e., a man carrying a crowbar while walking down the street). Or, a person might be carrying something at an unusual hour or a location that doesn’t fit what they have. Does this person appear to be carrying something inside their clothing? This behavior is suspect. Ask yourself, “Could the person be leaving the scene of a robbery, burglary, or theft?”

PERSON GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR

One leading crime statistic is theft of unattended property from unsecured offices, vehicles, or residences. Thieves often look like they belong there, but if the person seems to be wandering or walking into areas they don’t belong, this would be suspicious. People sometimes leave homes, vehicles, offices and buildings unlocked and valuables unattended when we are gone 'for just a moment.' This is a temptation that a thief won’t pass up. If you see a person, or persons, going from house to house and then if one or more goes into a back or side yard, you may be witnessing a crime in progress. It becomes especially suspicious if one or more persons remain in the front while this occurs. Their partners may be breaking into the back of the home while they keep a lookout.

PROPERTY IN VEHICLES

This is not suspicious unless the property is of an unusual nature: television sets, stereo equipment, several iPads, laptops, or auto parts.

UNUSUAL ACTIVITY INVOLVING VEHICLES

• Any person forcibly entering a locked vehicle, especially at night and in one of our parking areas, is highly suspect.

• If an unknown person is seen detaching mechanical parts or accessories this could be considered suspicious. While the person's behavior may be appropriate, you could be witnessing a theft or malicious mischief crime in progress.

• If you observe one or more persons sitting in a parked car closely scanning the area around them, you may be observing lookouts for a burglary, robbery in progress, a crime being planned, or surveillance for a terrorist event.

• If you see someone being forcibly taken into a vehicle, you may be watching a kidnapping or domestic dispute. A complete description of the vehicle and occupant(s) is crucial and must be relayed to a law enforcement agency immediately.

CERTAIN MOVING VEHICLES

This is suspicious if the vehicle is moving slowly and running without lights, or if its course appears aimless or repetitive. Could they be casing the area?

UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR

A person seen in an environment where he/she doesn't belong or "fit in" may seem suspicious. Examples might be non-appropriate attire, unable to hold meaningful conversation, or focus on a particular subject. A suspicious person is either one who is exhibiting suspicious behavior, or who is in an area or doing something that is not normal.
Other unusual behavior may include nervousness, nervous glancing or other signs of mental discomfort/being ill-at-ease. This may include sweating or "tunnel vision.” Repeated entrances and exits from a building or facility would be suspicious.
Inappropriate, oversize loose-fitting clothes (e.g., a heavy overcoat on a warm day).
Asking questions that are not common about the location of something, security measures, or availability of chemicals or other items.
Attempts to conceal the face by turning away when someone approaches. (e.g., rapidly turn and pretend to be doing something)
Hiding’ in shadows or behind objects in an apparent attempt to keep from being clearly seen.
Being evasive when asked a direct question, attempts to change the subject.
Giving too many details that are unrelated to the conversation (e.g., when asked about what they are doing in a restricted area, they start talking about what they did when they got up in the morning, where they parked, everyone else they have visited or know, etc.)

UNUSUAL NOISES

If you hear unusual noises such as gunshots, screaming, sounds of combat, an explosion, or abnormal barking by dogs in the neighborhood, please feel free to contact us to report your suspicions.

The Highland Heights Police Department is in need of Auxiliary Police Officers. This position is a non-sworn part-time job. Duties would generally include helping out with our Lyndhurst Municipal Court Docket and park patrol duties in the summer.

We are also in need of part-time patrol officers. This is a sworn position and duties would include all the same functions as a full-time sworn officer.

From the Highland Heights Fire Department

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS

FIRE DEPARTMENT

COMMUNITY CPR/AED CLASS

The Fire Department will be offering Heartsaver CPR/AED Classes

on the following dates:

Tuesday - April 2nd - 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday - April 17- 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Classes will be held at the Highland Heights Fire Department located at 5827 Highland Road. Please contact the Fire Department at 440-442-7406 to register.

From the Highland Heights Building Department

SPRING CLEAN UP

With warmer weather and spring rain on their way, it is a good time to put on boots and walk around your yard to check ditches and swales for obstructions. Keeping these areas clean of debris expedites the flow of rainwater away from your property, as well as your neighbors’ property. Weather permitting, the Building Department will conduct inspection of swales and roadside ditches, within the city.

BUILDING PERMITS

Spring is on the way, which means it is time for all those home improvement projects that you have been thinking about. Prior to the start of any home project, or hiring or paying a contractor, it is important to check to see if a permit is required by the city for the type of work or repair to be completed. Every year, the Building Department must stop work on residential projects because of the failure of contractors to register and pull the necessary permits. If the contractor you would like to use is not registered, it is a simple and quick process for them to become registered.

BUILDING CODE CHANGES

Effective March 1, 2024, the Ohio Building Code, Ohio Mechanical Code, and the Ohio Plumbing Code will be updated based upon the 2021 International model codes.

BUILDING UPDATES

The construction of Grappa Farms subdivision is moving along nicely. Out of the 21 lot, permits have been issued for 16 new homes.

The Building Department staff are here to assist you. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 440-442-7403. Our current office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

From the Highland Heights Service Department

City of Highland Heights

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program

March 18 - 29, 2024

Monday through Friday

7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

March 30, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Residents wishing to participate in the Household Hazardous Waste Program may bring unwanted pesticides, household chemicals, automotive fluids, and more to the Service Department located at:

5827 Highland Road

Highland Heights, OH 44143

For the complete list of acceptable items,

please visit:

www.highlandhts.com

Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District

City of Highland Heights

Computer Round Up

Month of April 2024

All month long, beginning April 1, 2024, Computer Round Up will be taking place through the Highland Heights Service Department. This is an environmentally friendly means of disposal for end-of-life electronic equipment. View the full list of acceptable items here.