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
