Summary of 25th Ave Block Watch Meeting

On Monday, 24 November about twelve neighbors from 25th Avenue between
Massachusetts and Grand met to discuss crime and crime prevention on
our block. We were joined by special guests Kerry (pastor of the
Japanese Presb. Church) and Dian a friend from Washington D.C.

The following concerns were raised and discussed:
-3 break-ins or attempted break-in on our block in the past 6
months
-apparent casing of homes during the day by teen-age kids
- Nonresidents cutting through our complex
-Sometimes slow police response (also apparent lack of urgency
in investigating crimes)
-A perceived city government bias against our neighborhood
compared to other neighborhoods around the city
-Car racing/fast driving along our block

The following solution ideas were raised and discussed:
-Make sure all outdoor lights are on and working after dark
-Let's make sure that we know one another (A block map with
names, emails and phone numbers is being created)
-When we see something suspicious do not hesitate to call 911
-Check into placing cameras in blind spots inside townhouse
courtyard
-Check into possibly buying and posting Neighborhood Watch signs
-Let's keep our neighborhood looking cared for: no tolerance
for junk, trash, graffiti
-Don't leave ladders out and visible in your yard (see below)

We also heard from Ed whose house was robbed. It seems that the
criminals broke in during the day (around noon) and were in the house
for less than an hour. It appears that they broke in through the
unlocked sliding glass doors on the 2nd floor, either using a ladder
or "hoisting" one another up and then opening the front door. All of
the attempted break-ins that we discussed happened during the day as
did the casing incidents.

At the end of the meeting, we agreed to meet quarterly. Next meeting
will be in January and I will post a date soon. Also, the following
action items were agreed to:
1. Anthony will check on cost and details of cameras for our common
area
2. Al will check on Neighborhood Watch Signs
3. Anthony will check on potential of a google phone mechanism that
allows a "blitz call" to all who have opted in.
4. Al will coordinate with adjacent block-watch captains to learn and
to make connections that enhance the safety of us all.
5. It was brought up that it would be good to hear from an expert on
dealing with/diffusing a threat. Al will try to arrange for such an
expert to speak with us at the next meeting in January.

That's all I have on my notes. Others who were there on Monday, please
chip in if I've forgotten anything.

Al