June 3, 2008

 What is a Community Watch? 

March 30, 2008

Signup for Community Watch   

You can join the Guilford Hills Community Watch.  All you have to do is CLICK HERE and complete the application form. Lets fight crime by joining together as neighbors.

March 16, 2008

Stolen From Truck   

On Saturday evening, March 15th around 11pm a truck toolbox was broken into at 2503 Westmoreland. Numerous valuable DeWalt tools were stolen. If you saw anything that might help solve this crime please call the Greensboro Police Department.

March 6, 2008

Home Break In   

On Tuesday, March 4th a neighbor on Netherwood came home to feed the dogs and found the house “torn up”. They went back outside and called the police. A CSI was called to the scene, so there’s a good chance there was some evidence left behind. This happened in broad daylight! If you may have seen someone suspicious in the neighborhood, or may have any information that can help the police solve this case, please contact the Greensboro Police Department at 373-2222.

This is another example of why we need a Community Watch. Putting Community Watch signs throughout Guilford Hills will help deter criminals. If you have not yet signed up for Community Watch please do so right now while you are visiting our website.

Please be extra alert as you drive through or walk around the neighborhood. If you see someone, or something suspicious, please do not hesitate to call the Greensboro Police Department immediately!

Nicki M. Dodd  Captain, Community Watch

March 2, 2008

Increasing Auto Break-ins   

Car break-ins appear to be increasing in Guilford Hills! Not according to the Greensboro Police Department statistics but according to my phone calls and emails.  Why would my statistics be different than the police department?  Because most of us are not making a police report!  This, quite frankly, concerns me!

Why make a police report when the thief didn’t damage anything or only a few CDs are missing?  We need to report the break-ins in ALL circumstances because the police patrols are assigned to areas where they are needed by Greensboro citizens.  Need is determined by the number of calls for service the dispatchers receive.  In other words, if we have 8 auto break-ins in a 15 day period, but only one is reported, police department statistics support that we do not have a problem.  The police may only take a report over the phone, but it is a report that crime is happening in Guilford Hills. We need the reports so that officers will patrol our neighborhood and catch this person, or people. Our police officers are assigned to the neighborhoods reporting crime; if we don't report these thefts we will not have officers in our neighborhood during the hours these crimes are happening.

Secondly, I get very concerned when our neighbors tell me that someone's dog barked for a long time during the night their car was broken into; or they heard noises outside but didn't go to the window to investigate. Dogs bark during the night because something is wrong! A couple of barks may be a cat running through the yard, but prolonged barking needs to be checked! Just the sound of your voice calling to the dog, or turning on a light, inside or outside, will cause someone with ill intent to move on. At the same time, be cautious and stay inside the house. In one recent incident the thief was so brazen that he/she took the light out of the motion detector on the house and broke into a storage building and stole food out of a refrigerator stored in the building.

It is our individual responsibility to keep this neighborhood safe for everyone.  We know that we need to get out of bed in the middle of the night to see why our neighbor’s dog keeps barking; or check on that suspicious noise; or see whose car door is closing/opening at 3 am.  We’re not being noisy; we’re being protective.  Let’s be more vigilant! 

February 24, 2008

Another Car Broken Into   

I am sorry to say that it has happened again!  This time to a resident on Westmoreland; his car was broken into on Saturday night.  The resident did find two items left in the car by the thieves.  The police are hopeful that they can get some prints from these items and catch these thieves.  We must all be alert to noise and barking dogs during the night.  If you hear something please get up and check it out and/or call the police.  Turning on an outside light, or even an inside light, may cause a thief to run.  And if your car is broken into, check to see if there are items in your car that were not there when you left it; if there are, don't touch them as they may be useful to the police in solving the break in.  The car break-ins in our neighborhood are increasing!  We must be more vigilant!  And every break in needs to be reported to the police!   Nicki Dodd     Captain, Community Watch

February 24, 2008

Reporting Suspicious Activity      

If I see something suspicious in my neighborhood, when do I call the police?  The Greensboro Police have some suggestions on when to call, and what to tell the dispatcher when you call.  Click here for their suggestions.

February 14, 2008

Car Break Ins

In the last few days I have had several phone calls and emails concerning car break ins on Quail, North Elam, and other streets with easy access from main roads like Battleground and W. Cornwallis. Most of these cars were locked. In several cases the thief had enough time to go through everything in the car. In one case the motion detector light was removed from the house and food was stolen from a refrigerator in a storage building. To protect yourself, be sure that money, IPODs, cell phones, brief cases, and other items of value are not visible; even a quarter on the floor or a bottle of Tylenol in a cup holder may cause a thief to target your car. When you store things of value in the trunk be aware of who is around to see you. Although a thief may not take the time to break into the trunk from the outside, most trunks are easily accessible from the backseat.

There are two things that disturb me most about these break ins. First, most of these incidents have not been reported to the police! They may only take a report over the phone, but it is a report that crime is happening in Guilford Hills. We need the reports so that officers will patrol our neighborhood and catch this person, or people. Our police officers are assigned to the neighborhoods reporting crime; if we don't report these thefts we will not have officers in our neighborhood during the hours these crimes are happening.

Secondly, our neighbors have told me that someone's dog barked for a long time during the night their car was broken into, or they heard noises outside but didn't go to the window to investigate. Dogs bark during the night because something is wrong! A couple of barks may be a cat running through the yard, but prolonged barking needs to be checked! Just the sound of your voice calling to the dog, or turning on a light, inside or outside, will cause someone with ill intent to move on. At the same time, be cautious and stay inside the house. In one recent incident the thief was so unconcerned about being caught that he/she took the light out of the motion detector on the house and broke into a storage building and stole food out of a refrigerator stored in the building.

Let's all stay alert and get these thieves caught!

Nicki Dodd
Captain, Community Watch
President, GHUC

February 7, 2008

Richard Love-A Neighbor

As some of you know, Richard Love was recently found dead in his home on Quail Dr. There has been a lot of speculation about how and why he died. I hope that this article published in the News-Record on Monday, February 4th will help answer any questions you may have. I know there was great concern because of the number of police units at the scene of Mr. Love's death. Officer Mike Frances, our Community Resource Officer, was at our neighborhood meeting on January 26th and reported to us that Mr. Love had financial problems and was being evicted from the home he rented on Quail Drive. The owner of the house and a sheriff's deputy were serving an eviction notice when they found Mr. Love dead from a gun shot. They immediately called the police and the investigation began. It is important for us to remember that any time a dead body is reported to the police the Homicide Squad/Department responds. They then do an investigation to determine the cause of death: natural causes, suicide, murder? For those of us who watch COPS, CSI and all the Law & Order shows the word homicide makes us think immediately of murder. We forget how often people die alone in their homes from natural causes and how often people decide they can no longer deal with life's problems commit suicide. We did not report this incident on Community Watch because we needed facts from the police department and they were not releasing information until this investigation was completed and next of kin were notified.

I thank those of you who called with the rumors you heard and to express your concerns. I'm thankful that I was able to provide some information that made you more comfortable and feel safer in your home. Please understand that it is our goal to report facts through Community Watch, not to start or feed rumors or provide incomplete or inaccurate information.

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/NRSTAFF/707760133/0/OPINION02

January 22, 2008

Gang Meetings & Emails

The Greensboro Police Department has two gang information meetings scheduled in February. If you are interested in learning more about gangs in Greensboro please attend one of these Monday evening meetings; both meetings begin at 6:30pm:

~ February 4th at the Water Resource Station at 2602 South Elm and Eugene in the Lake Townsend Room.
~ February 18th at the Swing Road Station on Swing Road in the Community Room.

I also discussed with Officer Mike Frances, one of our CSR's, the recent emails circulating concerning a gang by the name of MS-13 targeting NW Greensboro residents. He has assured me that there is no truth to this email! Sheriff Barnes also told the News & Record on January 4th that there was no truth to this email. So if a friend sends this email to you, please assure them that the police department and sheriff's department have both checked into this email and found it to be untrue. Also, please delete the email and do not contribute to spreading false information and, in this case, the fear caused by this false information. Thanks for your help!

December 21, 2007

Suspicious Man

On Thursday, December 20th around 8pm on Overbrook Drive, I was crossing the street to visit a neighbor and was startled by something moving behind a car that was parked on the street in the dark. As a man came into the middle of the road I said "hello" and kept walking into my neighbor's lighted driveway. He nervously laughed and said "hello." He continued to walk down the street. He appeared to be very interested in several houses that had very dark front yards. I returned to my home and called the police, who responded within 10 minutes but were not able to locate the man. A man fitting this same description has been asking the residents of a neighborhood near Grimsley High School for money. Please, if you see a man who fits the following description call the police immediately: He is a dark skinned black man, about 6' to 6'2" tall, approximately 200 pounds, wearing a dark knit ski cap, dark coat, light colored blue jeans and dark shoes/boots. The police say this description matches the man bothering the residents near Grimsley High School. I suggest that we leave our front porch lights on so that we don't have any dark yards which might invite this man, or someone like him, to break into our cars.

Please share the above information with your neighbors who do not visit our website or receive our emails. Keep your eyes open day and night! This is the time of year that many homes are broken into because residents away for the holidays. If you are going to be away, please ask a neighbor to watch out for your home; put your lights on timers that rotate the turn on/off time; put your radio or TV on a timer and turn the sound up so that it sounds from outside like someone is home; leave a car in your driveway or ask a neighbor to park their second vehicle in your driveway while you are gone. Put motion detectors in your outside lights, especially at your doors and windows. I know they can be frustrating when the cats and squirrels set them off, but they will deter a thief. Do everything you can to make a thief believe that there is someone in your home.

Nicki Dodd
Captain, Community Watch

December 17, 2007

Missing Banners

Two GHUC banners have been removed from the corner of Cornwallis and Benjamin Parkway. We believe they may have been stolen and have made a police report. These banners are very expensive! One  was donated this year by Stephanie Phipps of Remax and one was donated by Sign-a-Rama. The signs are reusable and of value to our neighborhood. If you saw anyone tampering with the signs or have any knowledge of where the signs are, or know who may have taken them, please call Nicki Dodd at 288-4910, or send us a Community Watch email, or call the Greensboro Police Department. The signs may be returned to the front porch of 2506 Overbrook Drive and no questions will be asked.

Nicki Dodd
Captain, Community Watch

 December 12, 2007

Frasier Fur Wreath

I live on Pender Lane and just wanted to make you aware that somebody stole my beautiful Frasier Fur wreath (which was in the shape of a candy cane) right off my front door. They did not get the wreath holder because my glass door was locked at the time.

My little 4-year old suggested that we call the police but I told him that I would alert the neighborhood association instead.

December 8, 2007

Cell Phones and EMS

What happens in an emergency?  A suggestion for the emergency medical service is to put a name in your cell phone list of someone you want contacted in the event of an emergency. This is the contact number the emergency service will use to contact your family or close friend. 

So how does the EMS know which number to call?  Put the abbreviation 'I C E' in front of the name. The 'I C E' stands for In Case of Emergency. For example if you want the EMS to call 'Bob' in the event of an emergency, list Bob's telephone number as 'I C E Bob'. 

December 7, 2007

Cell Phone Names

Be careful how you list names on your cell phone!
 
A lady has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag which contained her cell phone, Credit card, purse...etc.... was stolen. About twenty minutes later when she called her husband, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I've Just received your text asking about our Pin number for the bank and I've replied a little while ago.'
 
When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The pickpocket had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within twenty minutes he had withdrawn all the money from the bank account.
 
Moral of the lesson: Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, sweetheart, Dad, Mom etc....... And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked thru texts, CONFIRM by calling back. Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

December 4, 2007

Car Keys - Saving Your Life

Great Idea...don't know why I never thought of this! Put your car keys 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. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator.

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 and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or 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.

December 2, 2007

Watch your home

On the evening of November 23rd, Danielle Quinn, who lives on Albright, was out of town and her home was broken into; about $2,000 worth of items were stolen. The police were notified and fingerprints taken, but they were unable to catch the criminal(s).

PLEASE keep a watch on your neighbors homes, whether they are at home or away! The news continues to report that we are seeing an escalation of robberies in Greensboro. In our neighborhood it appears that we need to be extra vigilant, but especially on streets like Albright, Fortune and Fernwood where have had recent break-ins and that connect directly to Battleground Blvd., which offers woods and constantly moving traffic going many directions so that its easy for the thieves to escape. Keep your cars and homes locked. If you're working in the backyard be sure your front door and windows are locked. If you have a storm door, lock it also. Keep newspapers and mail picked up. Have packages left with a neighbor who is home. When you are away at night, put automatic timers on your lights, TV and radio to give the appearance that someone is home.

November 26, 2007

Break-in of vehicle on N. Elam 

The thief on the bicycle (Wednesday Nov. 21, Fortune Lane) was obviously quite busy that morning. We had returned from a trip out of town late Monday evening with the SUV full of power tools. Due to the late hour I left the tools in the car with the intention of removing them the next morning. Early the next morning I was called and asked to come in to work at a part time job. Coming in at approximately midnight with the tools still in the car I foolishly left them in the car another night. When I went out on Wednesday morning , I saw my briefcase lying in the driveway. When I looked at he car the rear window was broken and one of the neighbor's rocks was laying in the back seat. Luckily, nothing was actually stolen as the thief was most likely spooked and ran away after dropping the briefcase. However, his luck must have been a little better around the corner on Fortune. Incidentally, the police wouldn't bother to come out however the person who called later that day to take the report was very helpful and courteous.  Resident of N. Elam

November 25, 2007

Handyman

Looks like we have another suspicious "handyman" in the neighborhood casing houses. We had a report that a man was seen on Fernwood, between N. Elam and Battleground, in a light blue pickup truck. It was reported that he got out of the truck, put on some gloves, looked around, then went on to the next house. When the resident approached him and asked what he was doing, he got in his truck and left. She called the police. His license plate number is VXT1995. If you see him, call the police immediately. You can tell the dispatcher that you want to stay on the phone until the police arrive; you can then watch this man and report to the dispatcher if he enters a house. Do not put yourself in any danger!

November 24, 2007

The Holidays - Tips for Safe and Happy Holidays

Around 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 21st a tall, “rail thin” black man, wearing black clothing, carrying a black backpack and wearing a white knit cap was seen dropping a light green trail bike at the end of a driveway on Fortune Lane. He attempted to open the door of a black SUV parked at the end of the driveway; it was locked. He then moved up the driveway to the next car and found the doors unlocked. The observer called the owner of the house who was outside in seconds chasing the man down the street towards Battleground Blvd. In those few seconds, under a light and close to the house, the thief was able to go through the glove compartment and the compartment between the front seats. He left with $27 in rolled change.

As the thief turned right on Battleground a digital camera fell out of his backpack. The retrieval of the digital camera turned out to be a wonderful recovery for a family in Brassfield; it had pictures of a child’s birthday party that were irreplaceable. The camera was stolen, along with a cell phone, from a car in Brassfield earlier this same morning.

Be on the look out for this man. The police tell us he has been very active in Sunset Hills, Irving Park, Brassfield and Lindley Park. On the morning of the car break-in on Fortune Lane he was also seen on Green Valley and Pembroke (across Benjamin Parkway) but the police were not able to catch him. If you see him, call the police immediately. And, keep your car locked! It only takes a minute for someone to clean out an unlocked car, or even steal the car from your driveway or in front of your house.
~~~~~~
On Saturday, October 27th around 3 p.m. a black male in a silver gray Honda Odyssey approached a home on Surry, near Cornwallis, and rang the door bell. A teenager was home alone and did not answer the door, giving the man the impression that no one was home. The man went back to his van, got a tape measure and a screw driver. He then pulled his van further into the driveway and appeared to be measuring something as if he was supposed to be doing some work. The teenager called his uncle, a Greensboro police officer, to ask what to do. The uncle advised him to call the police immediately. The man may have been “casing” the house. The van and the man fit the description of an individual who is robbing homes in some nearby neighborhoods during the day when no one is at home.

If you see a black male, approximately 6’ to 6’2”, approximately 35 years old, probably wearing a baseball cap driving a silver gray Honda Odyssey checking out your yard, or your neighbor’s, please call the police immediately! Neighbors who are home during the day are asked to be extra vigilant in watching neighbors’ homes while they are at work or away over the holidays. If you see this man, please do not approach him; call the police and watch him from a safe distance.
~~~~~~
We have had complaints from residents about groups of young men blocking the movement of cars on North Elam and at neighborhood intersections in that area. This has been reported to the police; and we ask that you continue to report these incidents to the police. The police have suggested that as long as we feel safe, we should drive slowly through the group…they usually will disperse to let us drive through. If you feel threatened, use your cell phone to call the police immediately while backing up your car, or turning around. Remember that your safety, and that of your passengers, comes first!
~~~~~~
If A Stranger Comes To Your Door, Beware!
During the holidays criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. And it’s not uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others’ generosity during the holidays by going door-to-door for charitable donations when there’s no charity involved. Ask for identification, and find out how the funds will be used. If you aren’t satisfied, don’t give. Help a charitable organization you know and like instead.

If You’re Out For The Evening:
• Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone’s home.
• Be extra cautious about always locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
• Don’t display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

If You’re Traveling:
• Get an automatic timer for your lights.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home, sweep leaves, shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time.
• Don’t forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it’s a sure sign you’re gone.

If You’re Shopping:
• Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you.
• Park in a well-lighted space.
• Be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk. If you have an SUV and do not have a trunk to keep your purchases out of view, cover them with a blanket or coat.
• If you are going to continue to shop in the same area after securing your purchases in the trunk, move your car to another location in case a criminal is lurking about and sees what you’ve left in your trunk for him to steal.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
• Teach your kids to go to a store clerk or security guard if they get separated from you.
• Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don’t overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Use a purse with a zipper, and close the zipper each time you pay for a purchase to avoid someone reaching into your purse without your knowledge. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat pocket or a front pants pocket.
• Before entering your car, check under the car and in the back seat; these are hiding places for criminals. Always be aware of who is in the vicinity – people move quickly and can grab you in an instant.
• Don’t carry on conversations in the parking lot with strangers or give someone you don’t know a “ride to their car” no matter how plausible their story sounds.
• Be extra alert even during the day in parking lots. Know who is around you. Approach your car with the keys in your hand.
• Be prepared to use your keys as a weapon. Carry your keys between your fingers pointed out with your key ring in the palm of your hand. If you scratch an attacker with the keys, he will jump back giving you a chance to run and you will collect DNA on the key. If attacked your keys will not be knocked out of your hand because your hand will stay in a tight fist holding onto the keys, giving you access to your car and a weapon.
• Ask UPS and FedEx to leave your packages with a neighbor instead of leaving them on your front porch. If your employer allows, have your packages delivered to your work address.

Take A Holiday Inventory:
The holidays are a good time to update, or create, your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items, list descriptions and serial numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file. Make sure things like TVs, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment and power tools are on the list. Keep a copy of this list, the photos and/or video in a safe deposit box, at work, or with a trusted neighbor or friend. A second copy of the list is important in case the first is stolen or destroyed by fire.

This is also a good time to change the battery in your smoke detector!

I hope these tips will help make your holidays safe!

November 5, 2007

Greensboro Police Department Safety Tips

GREENSBORO, NC – Over the past several weeks, the Greensboro Police Department has received numerous reports of breaking and entering of vehicles in the areas around Sunset Hills, Starmount, and Lindley Park.

Many of these vehicles were unlocked at the time of the break-in.

"It would be a great deterrent if people would simply lock their vehicles," said Greensboro Police Lt. Brian Cheek.

The Police Department offers these tips for all Greensboro residents to help protect personal property:

October 27, 2007

Be on the lookout!

If you see a black male, approximately 6' to 6'2", approximately 35 years old, probably wearing a baseball cap driving a silver gray Honda Odyssey checking out your yard, or your neighbor's, please call the police immediately!  Neighbors home during the day are asked to be extra vigilant in watching neighbors homes while they are at work. If you see this man, please do not approach him; call the police and watch him from a safe distance.

Saturday, October 27th around 3pm a black male in a silver gray Honda Odyssey approached a home on Surry, near Cornwallis, and rang the door bell.  A teenager was home alone and did not answer the door, giving the man the impression that no one was home.  The man went back to his van, got a tape measure and a screw driver and appeared to be checking the yard like a handyman might do.  He then pulled his van further into the driveway and appeared to be measuring something as if he is supposed to be doing some work.  The teenager called his uncle, a Greensboro police officer, to ask what to do.  The uncle advised him to call the police immediately.  The man may have been "casing" the house.  The van and the man fit the description of an individual who is robbing homes in some nearby neighborhoods during the day when no one is at home. 

September 20, 2007

Robbed at Gunpoint

Thursday, September 20th around 4:45 p.m. a Domino's pizza driver was robbed at gunpoint on the corner of Gracewood and Fernwood. The police responded immediately, set up a perimeter around the neighborhood, and within a short time arrested 3 suspects. At this time, we do not know if these are the young men who committed the robbery. The police are still looking for a fourth suspect.

I know that this incident is a cause for concern for all of us. I respectfully ask that we all do the following:

--Don't jump to conclusions about who did what. Let the police complete their investigation and gather evidence to make sure that they find the young men who did this and are able to prove their guilt.
--Follow the example of our neighbors who are active in the Community Watch. They were alert and saw things happening around them that may have assisted the police in the arrests that were made.
--Be alert! Know your surroundings. Be vigilant at all times!
--If you see some activity or someone who looks suspicious to you, call the police and then tell your neighbors.

Together we can help the Greensboro Police Department keep Guilford Hills a safe neighborhood.

September 11, 2007

Community Watch - Keep Doors Locked

The following information comes from one of our neighbors and is an excellent reminder that even in beautiful Guilford Hills we need to be vigilant and keep our doors locked:

"Someone walked into our fenced in back yard and entered our basement and took our son's Play Station 2. Whoever did this knew that 1) my son had a Play Station down there and 2) knew we kept the door unlocked and 3) that the dogs were not out when we were not home or in bed. This happened between Monday night [September 3] after 9:00 PM and Tuesday [September 4] before 3:00 PM. Nothing else was taken. CSI was here, fingerprinted and took photographs. They are working with local pawn shops to see if it is taken to one for money. Please keep your doors locked at all times. We never have but we will now."

This is just one more reason why we need to have an active Community Watch in Guilford Hills!  

July 23, 2007

Community Watch - N Elam

Sunday, July 15th at approximately 5am a gun was discharged multiple times on N. Elam near Battleground Blvd. If you heard or saw anything related to this incident, and/or may be able to identify the shooter or his vehicle, please contact our Greensboro Police Department Community Resource Officer, T.J. Tepidino, at 373-7860.

July 23, 2007

Community Watch Security Tips

Monday evening, July 16,  a home on Gracewood was broken into while the resident was at work. It appears that Guilford Hills is experiencing an increased number of home and auto break-ins and vandalism.

► Please read, and use, the tips on our Community Watch web page to make your property less desirable to thieves and vandals. Adding motion detection lighting around your home will help deter thieves and vandals.

► Local hardware stores carry light bulbs with built in motion detectors that will screw into your current outdoor lighting fixtures; you do not have to install new light fixtures to use these bulbs so this is deterrent does not need to make a big dent in your pocket book.

► Turning porch lights on at dark and leaving them on until morning will also help deter thieves and vandals.

► Give an extra house key to a neighbor instead of leaving a key hidden on your property. If a service person needs access to your home and you are not available to meet them make arrangements for a trusted neighbor, friend or family member to give them access to your home and stay with while they do the work required, and have them make sure the house secured when the service person leaves.

► Question strangers, especially those who are loitering or appear to be "casing" the neighborhood. Report "suspicious persons" to the police department and your neighbors. Much of the vandalism is being done when residents are away from their homes which indicates that someone knew the home was not occupied at the time.

► When you go on vacation, let your neighbors know how long you will be gone, give them a number where you can be reached in an emergency, have a neighbor collect your mail and newspapers, put the garbage out, and bring in your garbage cans. If you are going to be gone for more than a few days have someone mow your grass and tend your yard. Put timers on your lights so that they come on and shut off at the times you usually turn your lights on/off.

► Report suspicious persons/cars and crime to the Greensboro Police Department. They are our friends and are eager to work with us to keep Guilford Hills a safe neighborhood. Don't wait for your neighbor to call. The police dispatchers prioritize calls the same way the emergency department triages patients: the most life threatening and critical are responded to first. If you are watching a suspicious person, or if you believe you need immediate police assistance, tell the dispatcher you are going to stay on the line until an officer is on the scene, then stay on the line! If the situation changes you will have immediate access to the dispatcher so that he/she can boost the priority on your call and the officer will be aware of the current status as he/she arrives on the scene.

► Sign up for Community Watch so that we can get the Community Watch signs put up on our streets; they will help deter crime by telling people that we are watching them and will work with the police department to our neighborhood safe.

Click here to see the Community Watch News section or click here to sign up for the Guilford Hills Community Watch program.

July 16, 2007

  To All Guilford Hills Residents:  It has been reported that a blue Chevy Cavalier has been seen parking on Pembroke and the driver does not exit the car. The residents have asked the man why he is parking on Pembroke and what is his business in our neighborhood. He responds that he can park where he wants because this is a free country. Legally, he can park on Pembroke or any other public street that allows parking. However, the number of times he has parked on Pembroke without exiting his car, and his response to residents, makes him a "suspicious person." If you see this car parked on Pembroke, or any Guilford Hills street, please call the police and report him as a suspicious person. The NC license plate number is PWY8941. The driver is a heavy set, balding man who appears to be in his mid-40's.  Click here to see this car.

Thanks for keeping Guilford Hills a safe neighborhood!

Nicki Dodd, Community Watch Captain, 288-4910

July 16, 2007

  Thank you neighbors.

On Sunday a neighbor finds a purse.  The neighbor calls the Greensboro Police who respond to the call, and our Community Watch Captain, Nicki Dodd. Nicki calls our President Jo Ann, and then our Vice President Andrea.  The system works because our neighbors get involved. Because we care about Guilford Hills.

The owner of the purse, Kim Hastings, from Surry Drive, lost her purse because someone broke into her car to steal it.  Kim wants to thank everyone for finding and returning  her purse, for notifying everyone, and for her neighbors support. From Kim, 'thank you very much'.  This works because we all work together.

July 17, 2007

  Community Watch Security Tips

WARNING TO ALL RESIDENTS: Please be careful when dealing with home security companies. It has come to our attention that representatives of a home security company are going door to door selling expensive security systems and ,in at least one case, an elderly resident with diminished capacity purchased an $1800 system which was immediately installed. The family stopped payment on the check but the company is delaying in taking out the system and continues to try to talk the responsible family member into keeping the system. The family has researched the company, including talking with the BBB, and have learned there are over 400 similar complaints in Greensboro concerning this company. We recommend that you do not let door-to-door sales people in your home. If you are interested in a home security system, research the types of systems available, cost and installation. Call the Greensboro Police Department and request that an officer stop by your home to do a free security evaluation. Then make an appointment with a reputable company for a cost estimate. Following these tips are less expensive than a monitored security system and will deter home invaders:

►  Lock your doors and windows, even when you are home. 40% of home invasions occur because doors and windows are unlocked.
►  Make sure your exterior doors are at least 1 3/4" thick and made of wood or metal.
►  Repair or replace any locks that do not work.
►  Using pad locks and deadbolts will delay intruders.
►  When you are not home, make it look like you are home by using timers on lights, TV and the radio. Lower the ringer on your phone so that it cannot be heard from outside. Have a neighbor pick up flyers/circulars left on your door. Stop the mail and newspapers. And leave your blinds/drapes open or in their usual position. 

July 8, 2007

MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK OCCUPIED. Leave some lights and a radio on when you’re out.

LOCK YOUR DOOR. Never leave your house open for “just a moment,” always lock your doors when you’re out.

USE DEADBOLT LOCKS. A deadbolt lock is a good deterrent to burglars.

DON’T HIDE A KEY OUTSIDE. Burglars know all the secret hiding places.

DRILL AND PIN YOUR WINDOWS. Window locks can be jimmied; pins cannot.

BRACE SLIDING GLASS DOORS. If the door is braced, the only way a burglar can get through it is to break it.

INSTALL GOOD EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Motion sensor lights and other good lights don’t let a burglar hide in the dark.

KEEP BUSHES AND SHRUBS TRIMMED. If bushes are too high, someone hiding near your windows and doors cannot be seen.

STOP MAIL AND PAPER DELIVERIES. If you go on vacation, stop deliveries or have one of your neighbors collect your mail and papers.

GET A DOG. Even a small dog may be a deterrent to a burglar.

INSTALL AN ALARM SYSTEM. Houses with alarms are avoided by burglars.

June, 2007

·        Car broken into between 12:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.; stereo/radio stolen.

·        Jeep stolen out of the owner’s driveway and used for “joy riding.”  Found in a local parking lot by an alert police officer.

·        Jeeps parked on several streets broken into; CDs stolen and thrown on the ground throughout the neighborhood.

·        Stranger seen walking through the neighborhood “casing” houses.  Report made to police. Neighbors notified and they let the man know he was being watched.  He left the neighborhood.

·        All the copper piping removed from under a vacant house with a “for sale” sign.  The theft was discovered when the house was being inspected as part of a potential sale.

·        An elderly woman observes a man sitting in a car masturbating while watching local children play. 

 Isn’t it a shame that some neighborhoods have to deal with this kind of crime!  These things would never happen in Guilford Hills!  WRONG!  These crimes have happened recently right here in Guilford Hills and are the best reasons why we need everyone to “get on board” with the Greensboro Police Department’s Community Watch Program.

 Criminals gravitate to communities where they feel safe and secure.  Do we want them to feel that way about Guilford Hills?  Or, do we want them to know that they are not welcome here?  Personally, I want criminals to know that in Guilford Hills their every move is being watched and will be reported to the police.

 We have excellent police officers assigned to our area, but they can’t be on every street corner. OUR involvement is necessary to combat crime.  By cooperating with each other, and the Greensboro Police, we can help fight crime in the most effective way:  preventing the victimization of ourselves, our families and our friends.  WE are the key element in fighting crime.  That’s why we want a Community Watch in Guilford Hills. 

 In the next couple of weeks Block Captains, your neighbors who have volunteered to be the communication contact for the Community Watch Program, will be knocking on your door asking you for your name, telephone number and email address.  Why?  Because we want to be able to let you know when we all need to be extra vigilant because of a specific crime problem in the neighborhood.  And we want you to know who to turn to for help if you should become a victim of a crime.  If you are not comfortable giving this information to your Block Captain, please click here and sign-up for the Community Watch on the website.  Your information will be made available to me as your Community Watch Captain.  Or, email your information directly to me at GHWatch@aol.com, or call me at 288-4910.