Heritage Neighborhood Association

2005-March Meeting Minutes

Heritage Neighborhood Association

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS

Sergeant Hogman with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office came to speak to us about Neighborhood Watch (NW) programs. A NW program fosters an environment where the community looks out for each other and lines of communication are kept open. He describes these programs as extensions of the Sheriff’s Department and gave several examples of actual arrests made as a result of “tips” from neighbors.

Sgt Hogman talked about crime in general, stating that most criminals are not breaking windows and doors but rather looking for an “easy” way in. Burglars will often knock on the front door and if no one answers they’ll go around back looking for unlocked doors, and windows.

He states “you know your neighborhood”; you know the people, cars, activity and objects common to your neighborhood. The Neighborhood Watch program simply formalizes the general understanding that we should look out for unusual activity in our neighborhoods.

* The NW program begins with a WATCH CAPTAIN. This is a person who begins the organization process by scheduling a meeting with neighbors and police.
* The Watch Captain also maintains the PHONE TREE which is the means neighbors use to keep one another informed.
* The primary focus of a NW program is CRIME PREVENTION.

Sgt Hogman provided four brochures for more information: Clark County Sheriff’s Office Neighborhood Watch; National Neighborhood Watch Program-Home Security Inspection Checklist; National Neighborhood Watch Program-When You Are Away from Home; and Neighborhood Watch-An Implementation Manual for Citizens and Law Enforcement (published by the National Sheriffs’ Association).

He says Neighborhood Watch programs are a great success! Your neighbors are already watching out for you, this program just organizes things better.

Sgt Hogman also talked about crime prevention in general terms.
* He warned us about some older aluminum windows that can be lifted right off of their tracks! Use small screws to prevent this or buy special products designed to stop this.
* He also advised us to NOT hide a spare house key outside;
* Keep the yard clear of debris and keep shrubs trimmed in such a way that criminals aren’t provided hiding places near your house.
* He also recommends lighting your home with motion sensitive lights. Crooks look for dark hiding places! Don’t give them any.
* He also suggests that we use timers when on vacation to create the illusion of being home and that we stop paper and mail delivery as well.

He talked about auto theft:
* Most vehicle prowls happen to unlocked cars, this is worst in the winter when people leave their cars warming.
* Car alarms do work as a deterrent but in all cases we should lock the doors and roll up the windows, even in the garage!
* He goes on the recommend that we take our keys, wallets, cell phones, purses, and our garage door openers inside the house with us at night, even if parked in the garage.
* Despite his warnings about the need for continued caution when parked inside the garage it is still safer than outside, it’s just not enough.

General discussion about the growing concern of METH HOUSES followed his Neighborhood Watch programs. Here’s what he shared:
* Look out for lots of weird trash (lye cans, phosphorus cans, acid cans).
* Look out for lots of short duration traffic, especially at odd hours.
* Also look at the people in and visiting the house, watch for sores on the face and generally gaunt, scary looking folks.
* Report suspected meth houses to the Sheriff’s Department 360-397-6195.
* There are no policies requiring notification to neighbors of meth houses. Suspected buildings should get posted with no trespassing and bio hazard warnings. Heed them.

Kathy Murphy will obtain updates crime “trend maps” from Brian Salsig at the Sheriff’s Department for an upcoming meeting.

EASTGATE PLAZA UPDATE

After Sgt Hogman’s presentation our President Kathy Murphy shared some updates from Group McKenzie’s development liaison who was at the Sifton Neighborhood meeting on March 15:

* They are building a "bench" which will move dirt close to the road to build up the level so it's even with 4th Plain. The will work inside the boundaries of the property as long as possible.
* They will construct the widening of 4th Plain, put in the curb and sidewalk and then move onto the street to tear out the old sidewalk & curb.
* At the same time they will be constructing the Ward Rd. extension from the fire station heading to the south.
* The city has required them to put street light on the north and south side of 4th Plain and a cement median down the middle.
* There will be a light at the corner of 4th Plain & 143rd St.
* The streets and bike lanes will have a technology called a ”detector loop" which will turn the light green for you if no other cars are coming.
* The buss stop will stay.
* As the roads are completed, they will be open to the public
* All the work is expected to be done in 4-6 months
* They will start building the pads (cement foundations) for the buildings, with Wal-Mart being 1st. Wal-Mart will construct their own building, and is still on track to open by July 4th.
* Landscaping and finishing touches will be completed as each building is finished.
* There will be 2 projects going on at the same time, the Eastgate retail portion, and the office/light industrial portion.

OPEN DISCUSSION TOPICS

C-Tran is cutting bus line #72 in September.

SR-500 will be moved to follow Padden; 4th Plain will be just 4th Plain. Concerns expressed about the reduction in state patrols in the area due to this change.
* Reminder that the city and county police will both respond to calls in our neighborhood.
* We can petition the developer to fund an additional officer. Our justification will come from the statistical increase in shoplifting, auto crimes and such that come from a big development.

164th Avenue will be four lanes with a turn lane and bike paths when finished.

Parks Measure passed. The small park on 164th will be developed. There are no plans yet. Shall we petition for ideas?

A Methadone clinic in our area is a given. There will be an information panel discussion including judges, doctors and other neutral people the time and location are yet to be determined. We do know that the program caters to narcotics addicts, is self funded by the addicts and will include counseling and a withdrawal program.

Sex Offenders are posted on the Clark County Sheriff’s website including pictures, names and information about their crimes. Kathy gets flyers; she copies them and distributes on the hand outs table at meetings.

The meeting closed with the ½ and ½ raffle drawing.

Respectfully submitted by Shelley Dalmau, Secretary LTShelley@comcast.net