Eagle Eyes (Forest Hills Grid 18)

December, 2011

Seasons' Greetings!!

The Season of Good Cheer is upon us! Time to drag out from the attic those strings of colored lights, light up lawn decorations, and boxes of greeting cards we bought last year on clearance. If you are like a lot of folks, that means moving the cars out of the garage and into the driveway, so that you have room to unpack the storage boxes of holiday goodies and untangle the outdoor light strings for hanging.  Just be careful to not leave the open garage unattended, for there are grinches who will jump at the opportunity to make you a victim of crime, and some of your most prized possessions  -- including your car – may walk off. Lock the inside door leading to the house from the garage (be sure you have your key with you, first!) so that if your back is turned, nobody can get into your house and do further insult.

There has been some increase in burglaries in the area, so the attitude of “what’s yours just became mine” is already underway. Don’t let down your guard. Continue to keep lawnmowers either locked up or secured in a part of your yard not easily visible. Remember to not place boxes which appliances came in out at the curb side for garbage pick-up, unless you either turn them inside-out, or cut them up into pieces and place them into your trash receptacle. Burglars see boxes indicating that you have new electronic toys and next thing you know, you don’t have them anymore.

(There has also been a big increase in litter, especially along Ola. Please, everybody pitch in to keep our neighborhood clean.)

Slower traffic may be simply admiring the light displays, or may be casing. If your gut tells you something isn’t right, go with your gut – call TPD and report a suspicious vehicle or person. Better to call TPD and have it turn out to be no big deal, than for someone to have their Christmass ruined.

This year we again ask you to show your support of fallen Law Enforcement Officers everywhere by participating in Project Blue Light, a national effort which is gaining momentum every year.  Place a blue light bulb in your porch light, or in the Christmass candles in your window, or even decorate in all blue if you wish.  Let’s show the LEOs in District 2 that we care! For more information on Project Blue Light please go to http://policelink.monster.com/news/articles/147565-project-blue-light-show-your-le-support-this-holiday-season

What’s YOUR street doing for Christmass this year? Consider having a street party for coffee and cookies – to exchange good wishes as well as names and phone numbers. You could ask for TPD to do a Roll Call on your street the same night – and offer up some coffee & cookies to-go for our LEOs.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Neighborhood Watch, notify your block leader or the web site administrator. We can find the answers to your question. Or if you like we can ask the Mobile Patrol folks stop by to chat with you in-person.

Wishing you a Merry Christmass and a Prosperous New Year.

See you on the sidewalk . . . .