Safe Exchange availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

The Morgan Hill Police Department is proud to partner with Morgan Hill Rotary to provide our community with a Safe Exchange Zone, a specific space in the Morgan Hill Police Department public parking lot for community members to conduct private party transactions and safe custody exchanges. MHPD is one of several law enforcement agencies now offering a Safe Exchange Zone as a safer alternative to other meeting locations, such as a private residence or retail center parking lot.

The Safe Exchange Zone is located within three well-lit parking spaces in front of the Morgan Hill Police Department and is recorded by video 24-hours a day. While video will record the area, the optimal transaction time is between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday — Friday is highly recommended. Safe Exchange availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations will be taken.

Police officers will not be present during transactions and video will not always be monitored in real time. Department employees will not get involved or actively monitor transactions and employees of the city will not be able to act as official witness, provide legal advice or settle civil disputes. All exchanges must be person-to-person. In the case of custody transfer, the Exchange Zone is not a drop-off where parents can leave children for a later pick-up time.

Santa Clara County has launched a lifeline phone number for people to call in times of mental health or substance use crisis, with teams of trained counselors available 24/7 to offer support by phone or an in-person response, depending on the nature of the situation.

The lifeline — reached by dialing 988 — is the result of a push to make similar crisis and suicide prevention services available across the country starting July 16, 2022. The county of Santa Clara’s 988 operation includes an array of mental health services designed to de-escalate crisis situations.

“This new lifeline is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to provide compassionate mental health services in all aspects,” said Board of Supervisors President Mike Wasserman. “By calling 988, people will get connected with services as well as receive immediate help for those experiencing a crisis that could result in harm to themselves or others.”

The county’s new lifeline is designed to provide support for those experiencing emotional or mental health distress, including thoughts of suicide, fearfulness, or other mental health or substance use crises. Loved ones and others can also call 988 if they are concerned for someone else.

“988 is easy to remember, making it simple for people facing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide to get the help they need,” said Sherri Terao, director of the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department. “When you call 988, trained crisis counselors will answer and give you compassionate support. The service is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.”

Welcome to the Morgan Hill Acton Children’s Business Fair, a one-day event where kids can launch a business and neighbors and the entire community can celebrate the leaders and free-thinkers of tomorrow.

Come celebrate their start-ups from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road.

The event is organized by local photographer/videographer Ewa Samples. She sees the fair as an opportunity to encourage children and teens to get creative during summer and find ways to earn a little extra cash while building their commerce skills.

“I’m a business owner and I’m passionate about kids getting into that kind of line of thinking,” she said. “I wish for my own kids to someday have their own businesses instead of working for someone else.”

For more details, visit www.childrensbusinessfair.org/morgan-hill

Congratulations to Greta Hansen, who was appointed by Santa Clara County Executive Jeffrey V. Smith as the county’s next chief operating officer. Hansen fills the position that will be vacated by Miguel Márque. She is the county’s chief assistant county counsel, having served in various roles in the office of the county counsel for the past 13 years.

As COO, Hansen will be responsible for all operations of the county. She will be the first woman to serve in the position.

“Greta is an incredibly capable and proven leader, has a deep commitment to the county’s mission and its residents, and her many talents are well-known within the organization and throughout our community,” Smith said. “She will bring tremendous intellect, integrity, and heart to this critical position.”

Hansen received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her law degree from U.C. Berkeley. She currently serves on the board of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

“The county’s core mission is to provide the safety-net services on which our entire community depends, particularly our most vulnerable residents,” she said.

Congratulations on your new job, Greta!