A meeting was held May 5, 2009 betwen the NHW Grid Coordinators/Block Leaders and TPD District 2 leaders.
Major John Bennett told us that TPD has a plan in place for crime reduction, and so far it seems to be working: the crime rate in Tampa is down 46% in 2009, from the corresponding months in 2008. Part of the reason the plan is working so well is because of involvement from the citizens of Tampa --- Neighborhood Watch -- keeping their eyes and ears open, reporting to TPD when anything out of the ordinary is noticed. With the recent budget cuts which won't allow addition of street patrols, TPD is relying more and more on the citizens of Tampa to look out for their neighbor and work with the police.
One of the main focuses of the meeting was that summer is basically here already -- they are already seeing an increase in juvenile crime which goes along with bored kids being out of school. So make yourselves seen -- be out in the yard more, look out the windows more. Don't just chill in front of the tv or computer in the back family room and enjoy the air conditioning, because you won't hear or see the criminal element slinking around -- and that's what they're banking on!
Once again, Captain Wolfe told us:
IF YOU SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, OR YOU QUESTION WHETHER WHAT
YOU ARE WITNESSING IS SUSPICIOUS, CALL THE POLICE.
Oh --- and if when you call TPD the dispatcher gives you a hard time, simply ask to speak to the shift commander - and tell them the major told you through Neighborhood Watch to do so. Remember also to ask the dispatcher for the incident report number, so it can be followed up.
LOCK WINDOWS, DOORS, VEHICLES -- according to the morning reports we get from TPD, many breakins are crimes of opportunity: criminals walk past an unlocked car and open the door to your watch sitting on the console, whereas if the door had been locked, they'd have kept on going. Many burglaries are facilitated by an unlocked or open back window or door.
The graffiti parties -- although there was apparently another instance of it over near the golf course last night, it has been several weeks since the big party; the police feel that they know who was involved and are putting the screws those individuals.
Mobile Patrol: 2 more individuals became certified to participate. You'll probably see us out a bit more --- walking, biking or driving through the neighborhood. If you are interested in joining us, please send an email through this web site, and we'll get in touch with you regarding the particulars.
Please utilize this web site. Participate in discussions. Make comments, complaints, suggestions; post a yard sale, a school function, a church homecoming. It is YOUR web site to use to help make your neighborhood better, safer, happier, healthier. It is not the web master's agenda (well, actually, it has been so far, because nobody else is contributing).Take advantage of an easy way to get the word out there about . . .. anything!!!
And don't forget the next meeting is Thursday, May 28th at 7pm at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. TPD will be there as well.
See you on the sidewalk . . . . . .
