UPDATE: E-Lert Project / Crime Prevention / Trends

From: Helms, Calvin B. [mailto:chelms@cmpd.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 10:41 AM
Subject: E-Lert Project / Crime Prevention / Trends

Please notify your neighborhoods to be aware of recent increases in house break-ins around the South/East Charlotte area. It appears that burglars are striking during the day while you are at work. The targets are mostly jewelry, electronics and guns!

Below is a list of common tips regarding home security, but mostly please keep views from the outside in obscured as best as possible, like closing your curtains when you leave. A burglar likes to window shop prior to kicking in your door. Keep jewelry hidden as well as possible, maybe in a safe somewhere.

The latest trend: suspects usually steal a vehicle from across town, many have been minivans, and they will pull into the driveway of the target home or the one next to it. There is usually 2 or more suspects, one will go to the front door and ring doorbell. If no one appears to be home the rest will get out and quickly look around (window shop) then go around back to kick the door in.

If you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood, please call 911 immediately and express to the operator it may be a break-in in progress. Get a detailed description of the subjects and the vehicle including tag number if possible. You are the eyes and ears for your communities and we need your partnership!

OFFICER BRENT HELMS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Independence Division Community Coordinator
9315-G Monroe Rd Charlotte, NC 28270
(o) 704-841-1477 (f) 704-841-1873
chelms@cmpd.org


Burglary Prevention Checklist

1. Keep the area around your house well lit.

2. Have a wide-angle door viewer (peephole) in your front door so you can see who is at the door.

3. Always acknowledge a caller at your door to determine who they are and what they want. Some burglars ring the door bell, and if there is no answer, they break in.

4. Secure any sliding glass doors. Put a steel rod in the door channel. Install 2 or 3 screws in the overhead track to reduce the chance of the door being lifted out of the track.

5. Complete a home inventory list, complete with photos or video. Store this list in a secure location, preferably away from home.

6. Participate in Operation Identification - engrave your driver’s license number on your property. Burglars do not want marked merchandise.

7. Keep bushes and trees well trimmed. Thick, tall shrubbery provides hiding places for burglars.

8. Make sure that the locks on your doors and windows are strong and secure and use them.

9. Consider into installing a burglar alarm system.

10. Display “warning” signs. If you have a dog or alarm system display signs that say you do.

11. Never leave a house key in an obvious place such as a mailbox or under a doormat.

12. Be careful with your keys. Put your house and car keys on separate key rings.

13. Have a security plan for when you are on vacation. Ask a trusted neighbor to pick up the mail, etc.

14. Be wary of wrong numbers and teach children what to say to strangers on the phone.

15. Know the steps to take if your home is burgled.

More information on how to secure your residence can be found a www.cmpd.org or you can contact the community coordinator in your area and they can assist you.

CRIME NEWS: Providence Commons Break-In

Forwarded from Chris to the Keller's Glen email list:

FYI – car break in, providence commons…which is why you’re not supposed to leave ‘things’ in your car.

From: Brent Pitman
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 8:39 AM
To: McDaniel, Monica
Subject: Contents of our SUV robbed last night

Hi Monica,

Our Honda CRV, parked in our driveway, was emptied out by someone last night.

Being a block captain, of course I feel a bit foolish. I did exactly what I’d communicated to folks not to do – leave a vehicle in the driveway packed with stuff. But there ya go, you live and you learn. My son and I had packed for a camping trip this weekend with his Cub scout pack. No items of remarkable value - just a small tent, sleeping bags, awning, etc.

But we’d planned to head out this afternoon and although we could scramble and replace everything, I’ve decided we’ll all stay at home instead. We’ve telegraphed to someone that we’ll be away camping and so I’m not particularly in the mood to leave my wife and daughter at home right now. We’ve placed a report with the police.

Please distribute this through the watch. I will email Kentdale Ct and have a slice of humble pie.


Thanks,

Brent Pitman
Kentdale Ct

CRIME NEWS: Incident In Another Neighborhood

Chris forwarded the following to the Keller's Glen email list:

From: Linda Lee Davis
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 5:23 PM

We had an attempted break-in on Glenridge around 10 am this morning. The police think it was done by professionals and that they attempted to remove a door with tools, though they were unsuccessful. As Halloween approaches remember to use a flashlight and if you are out and about and remember to watch for kids that might be all over the place!

Also you should check out the family watch dog site to see if there are any houses you might not want your children to go to (http://www.familywatchdog.us/). You can also use the CMPD website to check traffic and see what type of crime is happening in the area at http://www.cmpd.com/.


Also, while this did not occur in the neighborhood and I don’t want to alarm you, just be vigilant in looking around you:

Carjacking in SE Charlotte driveway
09:52 AM EDT on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
By Steve Lyttle / The Charlotte Observer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Police are investigating a robbery and carjacking in a part of Charlotte which normally doesn't experience such crimes -- the southeast side. The incident happened about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday in the 2100 block of Sedley Road. That is northwest of Fairview and Providence roads, in what is considered the Foxcroft area.

Police say a man pulled into his driveway and was approached by three men, each of them wearing stockings over their faces. The victim said one of the suspects had a handgun. The three men took the victim's wallet and his car keys, then drove off in his vehicle -- a grey 2002 VW Passat. The stolen car has N.C. license tags XVA-4629. The victim was not injured, police say.

If you have any information in the case or spot the stolen vehicle, call 911 or contact Crime Stoppers, 704-334-1600.

Fall Homeowner's Meeting Scheduled

Jill writes:

Hello!

Hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather!

We are planning to hold a fall home owner's meeting on Tuesday, November 11 at 7:00pm.

We are looking for a volunteer to host the meeting so if you are willing please let me know. Also, we will be looking for someone to take over Mindy's position as treasurer. If you are interested in taking over this position please cometo the meeting or you can email Mindy at mevans@gulfstreammgmt.com.

Thank you and hope to see you at our meeting!

Jill Tan
jillgtan@gmail.com

REMINDER: Slow Down!!!

Jill forwarded the following note, from Blair Bryson, to the KG email list:

Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder to please think about how fast you are driving when you are in the neighborhood.

Here is an email from a concerned resident:

I was out walking my children with my neighbor and her son this evening and experienced a situation where a driver was going WAY TOO fast on Elfreda Rd. I ran out and tried to get his attention to slow down as my son was riding his tricycle in front of me and I was afraid that he was going to be hit. This is happening entirely too much on the these two streets as we do have small children that walk up and down in the evenings when people are getting off of work and coming home. PLEASE FORWARD THIS NOTICE TO EVERYONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD… SLOW DOWN, PLEASE.

I am tired of having to worry about this!

Thank you,

Blair Bryson