Foothills Area Command Crime Prevention: May 23, 2014

Received from APD.

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Neighborhood Watch: Interesting Success Story
When we try to get to know our neighbors, amazing things can happen! One of my Block Captains passed this along about the good things that can happen when we connect with one another and take the time to get to know each other on our blocks.

Her block was being annoyed by loud music blaring from a frequent visitor's vehicle and requests to turn down the music when visiting the block were met with hostility. Our Block Captain spoke to the person about the music and explained it disrupted her work. When he inquired what the Block Captain was doing, she told him she is a yoga teacher .
The man and his friends asked her to recommend ways that they could get 'centered' and she ended up doing a 15 minute yoga/ meditation lesson to them on the sidewalk. They were grateful and assured her that they understood what she was trying to accomplish and they would never disrupt the neighborhood with loud music again.

All of our situations are unique. This encounter had a great outcome. Sometimes a friendly chat can make all the difference in the world. If you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or if things seem volatile, by all means follow your instincts and •call APD's 242-COPS (2677) from a safe place.


"Walk the Block" with N. Watch Block Captains
I'm offering to walk the block with Neighborhood Watch Block Captains in the Foothills Area Command to point out some holistic crime prevention tips to Block Captains to help their entire block. Slap on some sunscreen and I'll teach you what I see from a Crime Prevention viewpoint . Call me to book an appointment.


Crime Free Multi-Housing: Reducing Criminal Activity on Rental Properties

Please welcome Coyote Point Apartments into the Crime Free Multi­ Housing group of certified Foothills Area Command properties.

Thank you, Mesa Verde Apartments , for inviting us to your annual Safety Meeting.

Rental Drop-box Thefts: These continue; I urge you to get tamper-proof drop boxes or limit accepting rent to office hours.

Auto Thefts: We've had 2 just this morning in 10 minutes from apartment complex parking lots - I have tools here to educate your residents - contact me.

Auto Burglaries in Apartment Community Parking Lots: I have a flier I can send you to use to post in community common areas, on doors or use in a newsletter. Contact me if you are interested in the flier with prevention tips.


Scams, Cons, Fraud and Identity Theft Workshop:
Thanks to those who attended last night's workshop - we had a full room and the Foothills Area Command has been able to educate about 160 citizens so far this year on this topic via workshops !

The next workshop hosted by the Foothills at the substation will be on Thursd ay, August 28th at 6:00 p. m. I am taking RSVPs for the August workshop now - send me an email or call me to get on the list.

This workshop is also able to go 'on the road' - to your country club, meeting halls, homes, places of worship -- To schedule a presentation for your group call the APD White Collar Crimes Unit at 768-2300.


Inviting Foothills Representatives to Neighborhood Events:
In order to provide you with a speaker and meaningful information at your community meetings, I need at least 2 weeks ad vance notice of your annual general membership meeting or annual safety/ tenant meeting.


Property Crime in the Foothills:
Stolen Vehicles: Offenders are taking advantage of target-rich locations that are near freeways and major traffic corridors for easy in/ easy out access. City-wide, the niost stolen vehicle cases in recent days occurred on Tuesdays, then Mondays, then Saturdays and the most common times were between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Most common vehicle makes stolen were Chevy, Hondas and Fords.


Residential Burglaries: In the Foothills we are still having burglaries committed via unforced entries (that means homes were left unlocked / unsecured).

Vacant homes are being targeted and we need your extra eyes on those homes. Inform a trusted .neighbor that you will be out of town. Feel free to call our front office staff at 332-5240 to request a periodic watch by
the beat officer in your area.

Auto Burglaries : I am still seeing too many unforced entries in the Foothills (that means the vehicle was left unlocked). Targeted areas are apartment parking lots and shopping areas, but these crimes also extend to residential areas. Please protect yourselves by removing valuables and personal papers from vehicles when you exit the vehicle and lock up!

Community Mailboxes: We've had some cases of vandalism to 'cluster' mailboxes. Graffiti should be reported to the Citizens Contact Center
(311) and tampering or break-ins should be reported to 242-COPS (2677) and the Postal Service.

I recommend ....
The APD Junior Police Academy as a fun learning experience for a child between 9 and 16 years old. Week 1 is July 14-18 and Week 2 is July 21-25. Slots fill up fast, and as of May 23rct there were only 30 slots left! Call the APD Academy at 343-5000 to learn how to enroll your child .

I wish everyone a pleasant Memorial Day weekend .
Thank you for your support of our police officers, Foothills staff and leadership and the Crime Prevention Programs. Stay safe!

Jill Garcia, Crime Prevention Specialist APD, Foothills Area Command
12800 Lomas Blvd NE (505) 332-5240