Wednesday, October 21, 2009

What is "Neighborhood Watch"?

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program which enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. It involves:
a) Getting to know your neighbors
Nobody is expected to become best friends overnight but just a modicum of communication can result in a mutual interest in protection for the benefit of all. Think about circling the wagons…Interesting thought…protection at its best. It might be the Grandfather of ‘Neighborhood Watch’.
b) Recognizing and reporting suspicious activities
If you see something – Sure – Call it in! Dial 911 if it’s an emergency or the non-emergency number is 1(760) 836-3215 Ext 5. At the bare minimum, write down what you saw in the event the police contact you at a later date for information. You’ll have your notes to rely on in assisting the investigation- descriptions, vehicle make, model, color, year, and license plate….anything else you can think of. Where were they, what were they doing, why did you think it was strange….
c) Implementing home protection techniques like installing a security system, upgrading your exterior lighting to include motion-sensor functioning. A big, bright light is not necessarily the answer. All lit or no lights at all, someone can still hide. The police and sheriffs say that motion sensors prove to be more effective. If the light is on, chances are that someone is probably there while no light should mean no problem. Consider upgrading the locks on your doors-ever heard of a bump key? Work something out with your neighbor if you’re going to be away for a few days. Grab your mail, move the garbage cans, pickup the newspaper…. These things are beacons for criminals that you are probably not home.
The goals of the Desert Pride Neighborhood Watch are:
a) Meeting neighbors and making friends;
b) Protect your family and property;
c) Keep an eye out for the neighborhood;
d) Get organized to lessen the opportunities available to others to commit a crime on our person, property or that of our neighbors;
e) Establish a presence and gain an identity in La Quinta; and
f) Have a voice in La Quinta.

Keep the faith!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Print & put it into your emergency preparedness pack

Federal, State and local links to numerous governmental, police and legal agencies



Home Security Audit Checklist



City of La Quinta Residents page for easy access to City of La Quinta website



Emergency Preparedness information to protect you and your family in an emergency



Contact information for utilities, schools, hospitals...



If you copy this and put it into your Emergency Preparedness pack, you'll have a chance of contacting various places via cellphone if your power is out and both your internet connection and home phone line goes down. I hope you never need it but it'd be nice to have if you did.

Keep the faith!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Here's a salute to a fun site within Desert Pride

Now here's group of folks with spirit and a zest for life....

http://www.sunbrooklane.com/

Keep the faith!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Here's a link to the website

http://home.rr.com/desertpride

There was some excellent information in this little website. It was actually a free personal page from my Time Warner/Roadrunner account. It allowed me to disseminate some information,links, etc... but proved to be too small for continued use, archiving,interactive use, etc... So, the next move was to this blog - another free vehicle to disseminating information.

FYI the email address is: desertpride@dc.rr.com

Keep the faith!

Here's the original mailing of the Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Crime Watch information for Residents of Desert Pride

The Community Policing Office in La Quinta on Avenida Bermudas was dedicated in 2003 Accessing the website, one can obtain a great amount of useful information: http://www.laquintapolice.com/crimeprevention.html. (They've since opened a new, closer office off Dune Palms behind the now-closed skating rink.)

Our police call this subdivision “Desert Pride”. The area designated on their map is: LA 40C1 (Four Oh Charlie One)

They are a fount of information and a recent visit and phone call produced some terrific information and might explain the “Neighborhood Crime Watch” signs at the entrances on Miles & Adams.

Neighborhood watch is a crime prevention program which enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. It involves:

a) getting to know your neighbors like when you were a kid
b) working together to recognize and report suspicious activity
c) implementing prevention techniques like home security, etc…

Did you know that a simple little thing like putting your garbage cans out too early OR not bringing them in the day of pickup OR even letting papers and solicitation flyers collect in the front of the house can be a welcome beacon to burglars that might have an interest in your personal property. Do you have garage door openers in your vehicles parked in the driveway or on the street? The police say this practice makes it real easy for someone to get from your car to your garage and then into the house and it has occurred locally.

Think about what you can do to improve your and your neighbors’ security.
Watch out for the neighborhood. Look both ways when you walk to the mailbox-you might see something suspicious or a neighbor to wave to.

Think about what we can do to make this a better area, which can be an added value. We can create desire to be in this development which should benefit us all. Here’s some interesting material for you:
http://safestate.org/shop/files/CPS%20Nghbrhd_Guide_ADA.pdf

Keep the faith!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

City pulls signs after Resident complaints

For some time now, there has been an attempt to bolster the presence of Neighborhood Watch. I don't think it necessary to explain why as it's been covered in meetings at our park, the website site http://home.rr.com/desertpride and in earlier blogs. All the while, crime continues in our wonderful little development.

The most recent attempt to open the eyes, ears and phone lines of not only the residents but also the criminals, was the posting of signs on both sides of the three ingress/egress points at Coldbrook, Bayberry and Woodberry for a total of six signs- We are Watching (as they entered) and We Were Watching (as they left).

The signs started disappearing and were continually replaced as quickly as possible. This continued time after time until,as I've written before, a culprit was arrested thanks to the action of a caring neighbor - a Neighborhood Watch heroine. As quickly as possible, the signs were replaced, yet again they started disappearing. A call was placed to the Code Compliance department who responded that they had not pulled any signs. With these new events, the La Quinta Police Department staked out the signs at various times attempting to apprehend the newest perpetrator to no avail. When out of the blue and as if a tornado swept me up, I received a call from City Hall telling me that Code Compliance had pulled the signs because of complaints received from residents. WOW! I want to say that I can't imagine anyone would object to their neighbors trying to find another means of protecting them and their property but there is one thing I've learned in my years here on the Blue Planet - Never say Never !!!

A number of residents have commented that it's impossible. How could anyone object to putting criminals on notice. A number have also commented that the City may be covering up for the actions of the City-contracted landscapers or even Compliance Officer(s) who were unaware of the interaction of the Neighborhood Watch and the City and pulled the signs. A number, like me, are just finding it incomprehensible that any resident would not want as much attention as possible, without searchlights, balloons and a clown, brought to the attention of the criminals entering and leaving our development looking for an opportunity or planning what they had just scoped out;however, it is possible.

If there is truly one or more residents that have comments/suggestions/request, this is an open invitation to you: Please make them known Positive or Negative all are welcome That is the way we can become better, stronger and more unified in our goals. The email is one way: desertpride@dc.rr.com or this blog is another as anyone can review your thoughts or even my phone 1-760-610-3245 (Remember we have to start dialing the area code soon).

There must be a way to make this a safer place for us and our property (we've worked too hard to acquire it not to maximize protection) and maybe it's not just signs but more action from us all and OR a combination of the two - that sounds better doesn't it? (Note: The City returned the signs they pulled).

In any event, the effort will continue. Help is most welcome-as always

Keep the faith!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

TRY THIS TIP FOR BETTER PROTECTION

Put your car keys beside your bed at night


Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents,
your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across.
Put your car keys - or even the extra key fob - beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house,
just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away,
think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it.

It will go off from most everywhere inside your house or backyard and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It should also work whether you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house,
odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot.
The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime. Think or yourself, your spouse, your kids, your parents, your Neighbor or a stranger in trouble....

SEND THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW because it's a fantastic and simple idea. Could be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone........

Make sure you try it from different areas of the house so you know if it and when it works... You don't have to try it from all spots today or tonight but over a few days- be kind to your neighbors-and then tell them what you did- They'll be very happy you did and so will you.

This tip came from your friendly "Neighborhood Watch Guy"

Keep the faith!