When in doubt, Call the Cops

A Simple Rule: When in Doubt, Call the Cops

This week I want to share with you some issues that are happening in various parts of Miami-Dade. The last couple of weeks I have received e-mails from residents who are concerned with strangers in the neighborhood.

From Frank in the city of Miami: Carmen, yesterday I was cutting the grass and there was a woman selling magazines for her children school. I asked what school and she couldn't remember. She has a bunch of subscription books with her that looked legit but I wasn't comfortable with the situation. Should I have called the police?

From Nancy in Northside: I am having troubles with kids skipping school and hanging out on their front porch. Sometimes there are 10 or 15 kids just hanging out, not really doing anything wrong, but they should be in school. Should I call the police like you said in one of your articles? I don't want them to get a record, but surely they are not learning while hanging all day.

From Jessica in Cutler Ridge area: Yesterday I was coming home and there was a truck that said ``Air Condition Repair.'' The letters were hand painted, which there is nothing wrong with, that but it looked like he was just wandering and not really looking for an address. I called out to him and asked if he was lost, and he said no just checking to see if anyone needed his service. He stopped in front of a couple of houses, two that are abandoned. A couple of weeks ago someone broke into an abandoned foreclosed house, took all the wiring, yet no one called the police. Will the police come even though the house is abandoned?

The answer to all of the above is whenever you are not comfortable with any situation in your neighborhood, calling the police is the best way to go, no matter where you live. Let the police check it out. Readers, I can't stress enough the importance of calling the police when in doubt. That is called crime prevention.

Fruad Alert

There is someone placing phone calls stating they are soliciting for LISD.   I have attached a release from the school district.   Please disseminate to whomever you wish.
 

Parent Appreciation Week Fraud Alert

To ensure student safety Lewisville ISD (LISD) is informing the community about fraudulent "Parent Appreciation Week" phone calls.

LISD has been informed that there is an individual placing illegitimate calls to some students in the area, which reference the district. The individual explains that the reason for the call is LISD "Parent Appreciation Week." Please note that this individual is not affiliated with LISD and anyone who receives such a call should report it to the local police department. Anyone associated with the district should not ask a parent for a student's direct phone number. As always, student safety is a high priority. We urge you to take this opportunity to talk with your child about safety measures, which include how to appropriately respond to unsolicited phone calls.

Bike Safety to concider

KEEP YOUR BIKE RIGHT!

There are 10 key points to consider for keeping

your bike in top condition.

1. Make sure your seat is at the right height.

This is when the knee bends slightly when

you have the pedal pushed all the way down.

2. Make sure the seat is good and tight to

prevent it from turning.

3. Make sure your tires are inflated properly

and the spokes are nice and straight.

4. Make sure your brakes will stop in a safe

distance.

5. Make sure your chain and sprocket are tight

and keep them oiled regularly.

6. Make sure your pedals aren’t loose and they

don’t wobble.

7. Make sure your handle bar is tight and has a

horn and rear view mirror.

8. Mount a headlight on your front fender or

handle bars if you are going to be out after

dark.

9. Make sure you have reflectors installed on all

sides of your bike.

10. Chain guards should be installed to protect

against catching clothing in the chain.

Crime is soaring in Airports

With last minute vacations before school starts and business trips, there’s been crime soaring at airports. The New York Post states: “Larcenies are up nearly 30 percent from the first half of 2010 and the arrest rate is a pathetic 9 percent.” Included in the figures are thefts from baggage carousels, swiped property left unattended, and thefts by baggage handlers and other employees. The most frequently stolen items are laptops and iPads.

In order to prevent this from happening to your personal belongings there are some crime prevention tips to follow:

• Carry your purse close to your body, or your wallet in an inside front pocket. Consider wearing a money pouch under your clothes.
• Never leave your bags unattended or behind your back where you cannot see them.
• Avoid displaying expensive items such as laptops, cameras, jewelry, and luggage that might draw attention. Your aim should be to blend in with the crowd, Not Stand Out.
• Stay especially alert and watch your bags carefully at all times. Don’t let anyone but uniformed airline personnel handle or watch your bags.

Turn off spriklers during freeze

Don't Forget to turn off any water that can cause ice in near or around road ways.
City Ordenence:



Sec. 9-4.5. - Use of water causingice to form on public ways.
(a)
No person, firm, or corporation shall usewater or allow the use of water under one's control in a manner that causeswater to collect on any public roadway, street, thoroughfare, sidewalk, oralley and form ice.
(b)
Any person who violates or fails to complywith any provision of this section shall:
(1)
Be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, uponconviction thereof in the municipal court of the city, shall be subject to afine of not more than $500.00 for each offense. Each day such offense iscontinued shall constitute a new and separate offense.
(2)
Be civilly liable to the city for all costsincurred by the city in removing or covering the ice on any public roadway,street, thoroughfare, sidewalk or alley, including, but not limited to, thecosts of labor, equipment, and ashes, sand, sawdust, or other material used tocover the ice.

What You Burglar Won't Tell You

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake.. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again.  If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in
--
Shelly Szenasy
Coordinator
Timberbrook Area 3 Crime Watch
Member Lewisville Crime Watch Board
http://timberbrookcrimewatch.blogspot.com

LET’S TALK ABOUT CRIME PREVENTION 

 Do you know what prevention means? It means making it harder for something harmful to happen.

Crime prevention means reducing the chances for criminals to victimize you, your family, and neighbors. It means protecting property and teaching kids and adults to be alert and aware. It means doing things that build communities up, and stopping things that tear communities down.

You need to go beyond watching out. You need to help out, too. When all is said and done, your safety, health, and satisfaction depend on the well-being of others. That’s why partnerships are such a key part of successful crime prevention. It takes everyone working together. Whether you’re 8 or 80, the best weapons against street crime are alertness and common sense.  October is Crime Prevention Month. Let’s actively practice crime prevention and helping out to make ourselves, our children, and our communities safer, healthier places to live.

THE BIG THREE

   1. Stay alert and tuned into your surroundings, wherever you are.

   2. Stand tall and walk confidently.

   3. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave quickly.

·        Remember that safety is the key to a safe Halloween…..