OK - I have watched this board and taken about all the comments against the HOA I can handle. I know that everyone will not always agree with what is said or done by any group. I also agree with you that everyone is entitled to their opinion. This board allows residents to express them freely.

The issue I have is when it is published that the HOA is doing something that it isn't. Our COPS coordinator regularly communicates with the police and our COPS volunteers patrol all of our neighborhood - usually at night - we just don't have enough volunteers to do so every night. We welcome new volunteers! By the way, I haven't yet heard of them patrolling the back section. As in most cases - the opinion and voice of one person is not the opinion and voice of the group.

This HOA has a membership of about 250 out of 1500 homes. It was established to help keep River Trails a great place to live. There are about 5 volunteers who consistently work to do the activities that we do sponsor. They all work full time in addition to helping us.  As well as planning RTHA events, we attend city and other meetings to know as much as we can and have an impact on issues that will affect our neighborhood.

When I post on this board, I try to give all the information I have available at that time. I have been pleased that some have taken the initiative to do further research on topics that interest them - this information can only help us all. This board is also a great way for us to know more about what is happening in the neighborhood. I personally watch for crime postings (thank you for reporting your incident to the police) because not all incidents are reported. Only by having continued reports will we increase the police patrols here. We ARE all about that!

I do go out to meet neighbors around the neighborhood and I know the folks on my block - I agree that doing that is the best thing we can do to be safer where we live. I like the idea of a "Be on the Lookout" posting..we can all stand to be more aware.

Thank you for the time you take to contribute here - please take a chance to get to know us before you say what we are worried about.

Connie Rensink - RTHA

We had our weed eater stolen this afternoon out of our garage on Elbe Trail.  The postal worker said she saw an african american male run out of my garage and hop into a older model silver Ford Taurus (driven by another man), she was able to get a partial plate which we have provided to the police.

Make sure you follow up with the police department.  Theft in our community is not a high priority for them.  I understand that there are more serious crimes occurring in our city, but I do believe that there is a direct correlation between the high thievery rate and low police presence.  It has become known that our neighborhood is an easy target and it is hard to get the police department follow-up on low priority crimes.  

"The issue I have is when it is published that the HOA is doing something that it isn't. Our COPS coordinator regularly communicates with the police and our COPS volunteers patrol all of our neighborhood - usually at night - we just don't have enough volunteers to do so every night. We welcome new volunteers! By the way, I haven't yet heard of them patrolling the back section. As in most cases - the opinion and voice of one person is not the opinion and voice of the group."

I was told on at least 2 occasions by a gentleman in a white truck that he was a member of COPS, and HE DOES patrol the open land. Several more times I have seen him and his truck around the swamps and ponds on the open land. This is the same guy that yelled at my wife while my son was riding a kiddie ATV. The same man who stopped in front of my house while I was messing with my bikes with kids helping. He identified himself as a member of COPS and told me, and the 2 kids, that if we went into the fields that he would have us all arrested. This is NOT an opinion, it is fact!

GREAT PR work by one of the members, eh? Telling kids, honor students I might add, that he will have them arrested.

Now, if you are to tell me that this guy isn't a member, that he doesn't patrol the fields, then there are other problems. Either there are people posing as members of your organization or members are not telling you, or us, the full truth.

As far as opinions go, I agree with the other post. "Where is our FWPD?  They are so busy responding to the useless calls of Tresspassing, speed traps, and kids at the school that they cant watch for anything else. 

If people will stop bothering them with USELESS crap they might be able to do a better job. " Perahps 130+ people on San Joaquin would not have had to replace our lights if it wasn't for the nuisance calls, Pablo might still have a trailer,... That is just my opinion.