News and Weather for Dunlap Tennessee
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The 2010 Decennial Census is upon us. The goal of the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Commerce is to meet constitutional and legislative requirements to count the U.S. population. The census is required by Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution and the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The first census was taken in 1790 and every 10 years since. The census was deemed necessary by our founding fathers to appropriately apportion state representatives according to population. The decennial census process is the largest domestic undertaking in the United States.
Data produced from the census is used to reapportion the seats of the U.S. House of Representatives and realign the boundaries of the legislative districts of each state. Census data is also used to allocate more than $400 billion each year in federal financial assistance. Future federal funding for Sequatchie County and the City of Dunlap will be based on our census being accurate. Our distribution of funds from the State and Federal Government is based on population. Census data is also utilized to provide a social, demographic, and economic profile of the Nation’s people. This profile assists in guiding policy decisions at each level of government.
While it is extremely important for all citizens to provide accurate data to the Census Bureau, the Dunlap Police Department advises all citizens to be cooperative, but cautious, about giving personal information to census workers. There is the possibility that con artists could attempt to pose as census workers in an attempt to gain access to your residence or obtain personal information from you for the purpose of fraud or identity theft.
The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way. Census questionnaires will be delivered either by hand or mail to residents beginning in February 2010. Through late August 2010, Census Bureau temporary field staff personnel will work in neighborhoods across the United States to deliver questionnaires, collect information from those that have not returned their census questionnaires and verify addresses. Eventually, more than 140,000 census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The Census Bureau is expected to begin household visits to deliver census questionnaires starting the week of February 22, 2010.
Very Important Below !
The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? The Dunlap Police Department offers the following advice:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have an identification badge, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their identification badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT CENSUS WORKERS MAY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.
The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by E-mail, so be on the lookout for E-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on any link or open any attachments in an E-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Anyone experiencing or witnessing any suspicious activity is asked to immediately notify the Dunlap Police Department or the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department.
Chief Clint Huth
Dunlap Police Dept.
Below is additional information from the Census Bureau.
The 2010 Census form is just 10 questions, such as:
It requires less personal information than a typical credit card application. For example, the 2010 Census does NOT ask about bank account information, salary or income, citizenship or immigration status, and we never ask you for your Social Security number.
