COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
www.chneighborhoodwatch.com
“We See, We Hear, We Call”
October 2009
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Salt Lake Tribune, Wednesday, August 12, 2009, “Watch groups warned not to usurp the law”
SL Tribune reporter Steve Gehrke interviewed some of Cottonwood Heights NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH coordinators in the wake of the Bluffdale man “shot and paralyzed by a fellow safety advocate” and these are some excerpts from that article.
“We never want neighbors to feel like [citizens] have to put themselves in harm’s way,” said Stacie Skelton, Cottonwood Heights Neighborhood Watch (CHNW) Area Coordinator. “We just want people to be aware of who their neighbors are and report things that are suspicious. If your neighbors are on vacation, but you see a van pull up and people start moving them out—call that in.”
CHNW Neighborhood Coordinator Al Haslam, issued a cautionary warning to his fellow volunteers: Don’t carry a weapon and don’t approach suspects. “We are not enforcers of the law — we don’t do what they did out in Bluffdale,” Haslam said — referring to safety advocate Reginald Campos, who is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting and wounding a disarmed fellow watch organizer. Instead of patrolling neighborhoods or confronting suspects, Haslam said watchers need to contact police. Officer Beau Babka said cops would take it from there. POLICE DISPATCH IS 801.840.8400.
PROACTIVE POLICING KEEPS THE CITY SAFE
SL Tribune reporter Steve Gehrke, in the same article, also asked Officer Beau Babka to respond to criticisms that police are too heavily patrolling the city. “We’ll take the heat if we have to. We feel it’s a positive – there’s nothing better than a proactive policing philosophy. It lowers crime, builds trust, and reduces fear. Criminals know the proactive communities. And they might not stay away, but they’ll think once or twice.”
Officer Babka said police are grateful that residents are ready to help police and they don’t have to be part of the formal NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH group to help keep the city safe. Neighbors shouldn’t worry about bugging police and he encourages them to err on the side of public safety. “If you see something suspicious or out of the ordinary, there’s nothing wrong with calling us [801-840-4000].”
www.chneighborhoodwatch.com
HOME SECURITY
What’s the biggest door in your house? Give up? It’s your garage door! Secure it just like you would the front door – any time of day! Criminals love the hours of 3 pm to 5 pm, when the kids are home from school and the parents aren’t, because the kids often leave the garage door wide open.
HOW TO RUIN A CRIMINAL’S DAY
Criminals look for easy targets! A burglar wants to get in quickly and quietly, find valuable items that are easy to sell, and exit quickly. So make it difficult!
MAKE YOUR HOME DIFFICULT TO ENTER
1. Install hardwood or metal doors within doorframes of the same material.
2. Use quality, case-hardened, steel deadbolt locks. For glass panel doors, use double-cylinder locks.
3. Sliding doors need a metal or wooden bar set in the lower track of the door to block them from opening.
4. Use your locks at ALL times, even if you are at home.
5. Lights! Use motion sensors outside or inside timers to turn lights on/off at night when you are gone. Leave your porch light on at night!
6. Don’t hide spare keys—burglars know all the best places. Give a spare to a trustworthy friend or neighbor.
WANT MORE IDEAS?
Go to www.chneighborhoodwatch.com
And don’t forget: We see, We hear, We call!
801-840-4000 for non-emergencies and 911 for emergencies.
WEBSITE SLIDESHOW now available: Cottonwood Heights Neighborhood Watch Basic Training #2: How To Secure Your Home
During the coming months, you’ll also receive a copy of this and other newsletters with information on many topics that will help you and your family.
www.chneighborhoodwatch.com