Blog

The month of October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and City of Lawrence Cyber Security Manager, John Williams, provided a report on challenges and advances in the field. The anonymity of the Internet makes it easy to be a bad actor and vulnerable and uninformed people are particularly at risk. Major financial loss and system damage is common due to fraudulent contacts online. John said the City of Lawrence averages forty attempts a day by unauthorized parties attempting to access the City’s network. He urges computer users to use long, unique and complicated passwords and password management systems. Whole phrases function like passwords and are easy to remember. He recommended a site that evaluates passwords and provides a record of any past compromises: haveibeenpwned.com. Use multi factor authentication whenever possible. Recognize and report efforts to deceive you online and don’t give up personal information. Keep your security software updated. John believes that good work has been done to secure vital networks and the need to work together and share information about threats is better understood.

Anahi Quezada’s Rotary journey had an early start in her hometown of Loja, Ecuador. Anahi is a member of Lawrence Central Rotary and a student at the University of Kansas where she is working on a Masters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Loja is a cultural center of over 200,000 people in the south of Ecuador and boasts a thriving arts scene and many historical structures. The area is mountainous, very beautiful and is a major coffee producer. Anahi was introduced to community service at an early age working in a soup kitchen with her mother. She joined the local Rotaract Club and got involved in the club’s numerous projects which number three or four per month. Some of these projects include sponsoring surgeries for children, raising money for victims of violence and supporting a safe house, activities for the elderly, trash pick up, and Christmas events. Anahi loves Lawrence and the study of butterflies in particular and plans to pursue a doctorate degree.

Mike Cobb is an Active Shooter Team Training Leader for the City of Lawrence Police Department. He is an 18 year veteran of the department and a former SWAT Team member. Mike utilizes the CRASE training system: Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events to provide critical information for a life or death situation. Understanding human behavior is key to surviving an active shooter situation. Almost everyone tends to freeze when confronted with a shooter and they often look to others to judge their reactions. This failure to assess and act quickly can be fatal. The first rule is to Avoid; run away from the shooter if possible and call 911. Secondly, if escape is not an option, Deny the shooter access to your location by barricading the door. Lastly, Defend; you have the right to defend yourself by any means necessary. When police do arrive, follow their instructions and show your hands. Officer Cobb recommended breathing techniques to calm down. He also noted that shooters are motivated by high body counts and are not likely to listen to you. Always observe where the exits are in a room and be aware of your surroundings. This information can save lives.

Rotary District Governor Tamara Jo Sevcik made her 23rd member club visit Wednesday and urged Rotarians to “tell your story”. She reported that the Rotary clubs in District 5710 are robust, creative, diverse and productive. Tamara is a member of the Leavenworth club where she has been an active member since 2010. She is a past club President and has served on numerous local and District projects. Tamara stressed the importance of club outreach and enhancing participation. Local Rotary clubs are doing good things in their communities and in the world and clubs need to be able to adapt to a changing world. Membership growth and maintaining members and supporting the Foundation are vital to Rotary success. She cited the impact of the District Anti Human Trafficking Committee and urged attendance at the October 24-26 District Conference.

City of Lawrence Parking Manager Bradley Harrell spoke about proposed changes to the present parking enforcement system. The rules for parking and the citation process would be largely unchanged but the current court and warrant system would be eliminated. Instead the City would rely on a boot system to immobilize a vehicle with three or more unpaid tickets in a 60 day period. The boot will be self releasable upon payment of the fine. The proposed system is seen as faster and more cost effective and work better for out of town visitors. The fine appeal process will be extended and easy to access. A month long 50% amnesty program is also proposed. Bradley spoke about the work of Downtown Ambassadors which is a volunteer program that conducts weekly maintenance and beautification in the downtown parking environment. Bradley stressed the importance of an efficient parking program that insures turnover of downtown parking. The proposed changes will be taken up at a future City Commission Meeting.