Meeting Notes - April 2009

First, lets celebrate!

I received this email from Annie since our meeting March 12th. I’m glad that the meeting went well, I’m hoping that you all can keep the crime at this level. You all are doing a fantastic job. I wish that I could afford to move to Crestwood South. Also when talking about the Shot Spotter system, note that there isn’t one system in the entire Crestwood South, North Line, not even Woodlawn area, and the need is great.

I appreciate all that you are doing, Thanks Annie

1. Update from Annie Marie Brown, Crime Prevention Officer, East Precinct. Annie could not attend the meeting but gave me these items to share.

Shot Spotter: On Thursday April 2nd 2009 at 6:30 pm Mr. David Jones Regional Director of the South east Shot Spotter will be at the Birmingham Police east Precinct - 600 Redlane Road to discuss "How To Reduce - Celebratory Gun Fire - 4th Of July and New Years Eve - and Gun Related Crime In Your Neighborhood. For a demonstration of the product Please go to www.shotspotter.com and click the "how it works" button in the red section of the home page. Pass the word to your neighbors and friends. For your use, I'm also uploading a flyer that you may print out Please let me know if you are planning to attend or send a representative? I do not have a budget for refreshments, if you know of a neighborhood or business or if you'd bring a light refreshment just let me this also. We'd very much appreciate it. Thanks for your support.

There was a discussion about the shot spotter program at the meeting. There were questions about locations and accuracy. Some folks said that it was known to be very accurate and to be able to discern gun shots from other similar type sounds. No one was sure what neighborhoods they were located specifically. There was a question about if the East Precinct would like Crestwood to purchase some shot spotters. I emailed Annie and asked her. When she gets back to me, I will let you know. Can anyone attend the April 2nd presentation at the East Precinct? I would like to go but can't attend.

Automobile theft:
We as well as other municipalities are showing an increase in Unlawful Breaking And Entry of Automobiles. Some tips:

When you park your car, remove all valuables from sight and lock them in the trunk.

At al time remove your keys, roll up windows and lock your vehicle.

Keep a SECURED copy of the Motor Vehicle Registration and Tag Receipt & proof of insurance in your vehicle. I brought a small wallet that I keep on my person. Keep the original in a safe place at home or on you.

As an aside, one of my neighbors told me that there have been several incidents of breaking into parked cars at the Levite Jewish Center on Montclair Rd.

2. Update from Crestwood Neighborhood Watch members on items from last meeting and goings on in the neighborhood.

Scam artist: There is a fellow going around the neighborhood scamming people for money. He tells a story about how he needs money to get his power turned back on or how he has a sick baby. He is very persuasive. Please tell all of your neighbors to NEVER give money to strangers. This fellow just keeps coming back. If you would like to help someone, give to a local charity or help out through your church or other organizations. Many times the money given is used for drugs and alcohol. People like this coming to your door are also checking out your house to see how to break in and if you have any valuables. Please call the East Precinct dispatch if you experience something suspicious like this, 328-9311. Give detailed description of the individual, where you are located and where the individual is headed.

Long term repeated petty thief and aggravator: He has been throughout Crestwood South this past month on Overwood Circle and on 10th Ct South. One member called dispatch and the operator asked if there was a warrant for arrest on the individual. We have been asked to call the East Precinct by several officers if Floyd is in our neighborhood. Many neighbors in Crestwood North and South have been victims of theft from him. If you do not get a positive response from dispatch, call the East Precinct, 254-2685. Never hire a stranger to do work for you at your house. They could be casing your house to rob you.

Festival Center: Peggy gave an update about access to the neighborhood by criminals from behind the Festival Center and Burlington Coat Factory. This was brought up at the last meeting and has been a long ongoing problem. There is a fence behind the Burlington Coat Factory that needs repair. Some remedies have been made. The Burlington Coat Factory has been talked to by an East Precinct officer and they have put up a camera behind the store. A lock has been put on a gate in the chain link fence. There is still a hole in the fence that leads into a drainage ditch near Crestwood South. Our representatives on the city council have been contacted about this issue. Does anyone have any ideas on other things that we can do?

Update on Block Watch Captains Recruitment: Dennis had a party and recruited a new block watch captain, Scott of Heads and Tails. They are going to work on 55th Place south, 56th St south and 55th St south. Paul is working on becoming a block watch captain. Melanie recruited a block watch captain on 7th Ave south. She brought up that collecting contact information from neighbors who don't know you is difficult. We talked about some ideas about that. Having people hearing about neighborhood watch and thinking about it has a positive impact. Having a party and inviting your neighbors helps. Establishing a block watch takes time and patience. Paul asked about what is 50% participation, this is mentioned in the block watch manual. Fifty percent participation is 50% of your neighbors (within the boundaries that you define) who are willing to give you contact information and want to participate in the neighborhood watch program. Vacant houses should be written as vacant on your block watch map but do not count in the 50%.

Write up of how to patrol the neighborhood: Jimmy wrote up a great guideline on how to look for suscipious activity in our neighborhood when you are driving around. Jimmy has been driving around the neighborhood for many years and has helped in the arrest of several criminals.

Here is the write up:
Neighborhood Watch Patrol Guidelines

There is a danger factor to yourself and the general public if patrol is not done properly.
Do NOT chase cars because of the danger to yourself and other drivers.
If they run, let them go and report the last location and direction of travel to the police.
Follow cars only long enough to get the make, model, color and tag number.
Be vigilang. Just riding around just uses up your gas.
Notice any suspicious activity.
Notice any cars unfamiliar to you in the neighborhood, parked or cruising through.
Do not hesitate to call 911 in an emergency (crime in progress or threat to life) or the Birmingham Police Department dispatch in a non-emergency 328-9311. That is their job!
Make friends with your beat cops and any plain clothes cops that may be working your neighborhood. Let them know who you are and what you are doing and that you are only there to assist them anyway you can. They can be your most valuable asset.
NEVER PUT YOURSELF OR OTHERS IN DANGER BY YOUR ACTIONS.
DON'T TRY TO BE A HERO If you see a burglary in progress report it immediately. DO NOT TRY TO APPREHEND ANYONE YOURSELF. THAT IS THE COP'S JOB.
Your reason for being out there is to be an extra set of eyes for the police, nothing more.
Get the best description possible of suspicious people and vehicles.
BE CAREFUL!!!!!
Keep records of anything you see going on to give to the police later.
Always remember that if it doesn't look right or feel right, it probably isn't right. Your gut feelings go a long way and just use common sense.
Never patrol with wife and kids in the car so as to not put them in any danger.
Always be vigilant. Don't just ride around.
Have names and addresses and contact numbers for the people in your patrol area.
Vary times of day that you patrol as well as changing routes often.
Be careful!!! Some of these people are desperate or hopped up on drugs.
Always call 911 in an emergency (crime in progress or threat to life) or the Birmingham Police Department dispatch in a non-emergency 328-9311 as soon as you see something is happening.
Bottom line: be careful and use common sense and remember that you are not a cop!!

Crestwood map with crime prevention information update: Juliet showed a map of Crestwood South that she had gotten from Elizabeth with current known block watch captains marked on it. She is working on getting a better map that will include all of Crestwood.

3. Discussion on advertising.I have attached 3 different flyers for y'all to look at, change as you see fit and use to advertise Crestwood neighborhood watch. Thank you Derrick for designing these flyers. Please let me know if there are any errors or if you have suggestions on how to make them better. We talked about these flyers, where we would post them and why. When approaching someone to post a flyer also ask them if they have had any problems with crime and if they might be interested in getting involved. We can use this as an opportunity to establish some connections and relations with organizations and businesses in our community. The goal is to have 10 people post flyers at 2-3 locations. Here are a few places we talked about posting flyers: hair salons, Heads & Tails, supermarket bulletin boards, at the Festival Center, churches, the Methodist church, Brunos, Publix, drug stores, at Aldi's grand opening, Avondale library, New China Buffet, Trinity Hospital (talk to public relations). We want to contact the local business association, contact managers of businesses. Woodlawn and Avondale have business associations. Melanie will talk to merchants in the Crestwood shopping mall and to Pye about local business associations and about joining neighborhood watch, Dennis will talk to Scott. Peggy will talk to someone at McElwain Baptist church. Joe will talk to someone at St. Francis church. Leonard will talk to someone at Crestway Baptist church.

Cheers,
Juliet