March 2010 Newsletter
Fence and Block Watch Signs
I had the privilege to attend the last Murphys Pond Condominium Board Meeting. In that meeting we discussed the extension of the fence on the south side of the property to the marsh area. The board was charged with getting the estimate for that extension.
There is no status on the acquisition of Block Watch signs from the City of Columbus. If we wanted to buy and post the signs ourselves, they would cost $13 each. Additional “No Trespassing” signs would also be $13 each. This information was supplied to the Board.
Inventory & Mark Personal Items
Just a reminder to inventory all of your important items. Record make, model and serial number. A photo is also helpful. Just a reminder that I have the invisible markers for you to mark your items and a UV flashlight to verify the markings. It has been suggested that you use your driver’s license number and the mark. Just give me a call and I will get you a pen and a flashlight to borrow.
Gender Rd Proposed Improvements
Gender Road at Refugee Road – This location has been approved for funding in the Safety Program administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The south, east and west approaches to the intersection will be widened to provide two through lanes, a left turn lane and a right turn lane. The north approach of Gender Road will have two through lanes, two left turn lanes, and a right turn lane. Concrete medians will be constructed on the east and west approaches of Refugee Road to control access to and from the service stations. ODOT will select an engineering consultant to begin the development of construction plans. They are just starting the process to hire a consultant, so construction is several years away.
Gender Road from Lehman Road to US 33 – An application for safety funds was also submitted to ODOT for this section. The recommended improvements included widening the northern portion of Gender Road to three lanes to provide a center two way left turn lane. A traffic signal would be installed at Lehman Road. Left turn lanes would be built on Gender Road at Lehman Road, Winchester Highlands Drive and Winchester Lakes Boulevard. The southern section of Gender Road would be widened to five lanes. ODOT reviewed the application and has requested that Canal Winchester and Columbus contribute over half the project cost, which represents an expenditure of over $2,000,000. The two local jurisdictions are having discussions to decide how to respond to ODOT.
I have seen at least two plans for reconstructing Brice/Winchester Pike/Bixby intersection, but as of this time there have not been any funds committed to either plan. The intersection is incredibly dangerous, especially when it’s dark or there is reduced viability. I would like to petition Columbus to at least install a street light at the intersection. If anyone wants to help me with this, please email or call me.
REMINDER: Remain Vigilant and report suspicious activity to non-emergency number 645-4545. When personal safety is at risk or property is at risk, call 911.
Skylink Wireless Alarm System
Review from www.homesecuritysystemsadvice.com
This kit is a complete home wireless alarm system that is very easy to self install in minutes. Offering monitoring capabilities without any cost, this kit provides maximum security for your home using leading edge Rolling Code Technology to keep you and your family safe from harm. The Skylink SC-1000 is suitable not only for homes but for businesses, shops or stores too. There are no monthly charges because you don’t have to sign up for additional monitoring services.
Skylink house alarm kits offer you everything you need to install sensors where you need them for exceptional security and to protect from flood, temperature, intrusion, and more. Add on sensors are available for custom coverage.
Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System dials up to 9 different numbers which you can choose yourself and can send out a personal 40 second message. The emergency dialer unit acts as your very own monitoring center – but without any associated fees.
Quite simply, if the alarm is triggered via its wireless sensors whilst the system is armed, not only will the control panel make the siren sound it will wirelessly send a signal to the emergency dialer that will attempt to dial the first of your 9 stored numbers. It will continue to dial the numbers until someone picks up. When the recipient picks their phone up your personal message will be played alerting them to the emergency. You can program in your own cell phone, friends, relatives, doctor, neighbors etc…- whoever you want – as the 9 stored numbers.
This complete wireless security system is easily installed and cost nothing to run, once installed. It offers very high reliability and quality with no monthly charges whatsoever.
The beauty of this Skylink wireless alarm system is that it offers so much extendability. The security control panel can accommodate up to a massive 24 different types of wireless sensor such as additional motion sensors, door/window sensors, flood sensors, temperature sensors and even smoke/carbon monoxide sensors. You can be sure that your home will be completely protected with the Skylink SC-1000.
Use the link below to review and research additional add-ons for the system.
Is That a Cop That Wants to Pull You Over?
If you ever have an incident where you feel uncomfortable about being pulled over or any suspicious activity such as this, Please call 911 stay on the phone with the 911 operator until you are for certain that they are actually the police.
The listed incident (below) is being investigated.
Thanks,
Be Safe
Officer James Poole #1948
Call came in from 670 Westbound at west of I-71. Per another police officer, the subject drove behind him and acted as if he was going to pull him over. The subject proceeded to tailgate him. The driver made a hand gesture that to the officer looked like a handgun. Subject was driving a
* Black Ford Crown Victoria
* Full police package
* Two spotlights
* Push bumpers
* Tinted windows.
* OH: DED-1577
First Blockwatch Meeting Notes – June 30, 2009
A special “Thank You” to Ella for hosting our first meeting.
We had 17 residences represented at this meeting.
Officer Poole discussed the following items with us:
Personal Safety – a few tips
Always be aware of your surroundings. Be assertive but not obnoxious. When you encounter a stranger or anyone suspicious, look them in the eye and acknowledge them with at least a nod of the head. Look them up and down (give them the once-over) so they realize you have ID’d them. Criminals are looking for weak victims – being assertive let’s them know you will not tolerate being a victim.
When walking in a parking lot, carry you car keys in such a manner are to have the largest key protruding from between you index and middle finger. This is just a preventive measure, but provides a weapon of sorts in case you are attacked.
Know how your Emergency (the red button) works on your auto key fob. Be ready to use it if you feel you might be in danger.
Residential Safety & Security – a few tips
Office Poole handed out a flyer on Residential Security. He recommends that you inventory (Make/Model/Serial Number) all items of value in your home, especially electronics (that are very desirable to thieves). Most everyone at the meeting also received an invisible marking pen to place identification on you important items. The ink can be viewed with a ‘black light’ but dries invisible. Jeff has a few black light flashlights that you can borrow to view your markings. Officer Poole suggests you use your OH Driver’s License number or OH State ID number to mark your items.
Another suggestion is to reinforce the deadbolt strike plate on your doors outside doors. It’s simple: remove the short screws anchoring the strike plate in the door frame and replace them with two-and-one-half to three-inch screws. If you need any help, call Jeff and he will be glad to assist or replace the screws – it only takes a few minutes.
Keep you lights on. Keep your garage overhead door closed. Be aware. Know your neighbors and watch out for them. Let your neighbor and/or the Blockwatch coordinator know if you will be out of town for any extended time.
If someone is watching your condo while you are gone, make sure they know how to contact you should the need arise.
Community Safety
Officer Poole discussed the challenge of policing public and common areas in regards to trespassing. This is a concern in a community such as ours and we need to determine, legally, who has the authority to file criminal trespass charges against individuals that we want removed – if needed. The Murphys Pond HOA Board will work this issue with the Columbus City Attorney’s office.
The Murphys Pond HOA will also work with the management company for the new apartments on potential issues that will arise from the concentration of people in that development.
Initiating the Murphys Pond Blockwatch Effort
Jeff Williamsen (6112) and Doug Biegler 6131) are the co-coordinators. The following are Block Captains: Ina (6093), Ella (6123), Bill (6114). As we get more organized, we will inform you how we will all function together to make our community safe and secure.
We will be setting up a Phone Tree and an Email/Paper Copy Tree to share information.
Next Blockwatch Meeting
Our next Blockwatch Meeting is schedule for August 12 at 7 PM, location to be announced. At that meeting we will discuss Residential Security in more depth, and we will have a Police Dispatcher there to help us understand what happens behind the scenes when we call 911 or the non-emergency number (614-645-4545 option 4).
Remember, we have a web site that is updated frequently, so make sure you check it out and bookmark it. The address is: http://murphyspondblockwatch.wordpress.com.
Jeff Williamsen (6112) 417-1547
Murphys Pond Blockwatch Co-Coordinator
First Blockwatch Meeting
Our first meeting with Office Poole will be June 30th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. We will discuss safety concerns and learn what it means to have a neighborhood blockwatch.
The location is 6123. Anyone and everyone is invited.
Jeff
Murphys Pond Blockwatch Coordinator
Murphys Pond Blockwatch
My name is Jeff Williamsen and I am currently designated as the Murphys Pond Blockwatch Coordinator.
Coming soon, our initial blockwatch meeting scheduled for late June. Our Community Liaison Officer (CLO) is J. Poole.
