COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
“We See, We Hear, We Call”
September 2009
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Deseret News, Tuesday, June 30, 2009: “Children help S.L. police catch burglar red-handed”
Pat Reavy reported on a sister and her brother, ages 11 and 10, who gave such an accurate and detailed description to police around 9:30 pm that they were able to apprehend the burglar in the act. The boy heard a sound of breaking glass outside, looked out of the window at the neighbor’s house and saw a man putting his hand into the broken glass hole to open the door. He told his sister to call 911. Police said that because of the excellent description provided by the children, police were able to arrive quickly and spot the invader just as he was walking out with a plasma TV in his arms.
What did the kids do right? They heard, they saw, and they called the police. They DIDN’T try to stop the burglar or interfere. That is what NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH is all about!
KSL News, Wednesday, July 22, 2009: “Bluffdale man shot while on neighborhood watch”
A tragedy occurred at 11 pm when two individuals, both representing their neighborhoods, were involved in a shooting. One of them is now paralyzed as a result. You can read about this in the newspaper or go to KSL on the Internet.
What did the two men do wrong? They were on a citizen patrol.
How is it done the RIGHT WAY?
Our Cottonwood Heights Police Department does not support citizen patrols (especially armed citizen patrols) as part of the NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH program and asks participants to be the eyes and ears of the police department and report all suspicious activity to dispatch. Block Captains and other members of the NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH are to observe and report only. If you see a possible crime being committed, and if it is a non-emergency, call the Cottonwood Heights Police dispatch at 801-840-4000. If it is an emergency, call 911. Do not approach the suspect (s). Do not carry a weapon. We are not trained to enforce a law, only to observe and, as necessary, report.
TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL
Safety should be uppermost in our minds as drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
1. See a stopped school bus > you stop.
2. Crosswalks: SLOW DOWN, watch for students crossing at crosswalks.
STREET-WISE KIDS
Talk with your children, grandkids, nieces, nephews and friends about safety basics.
1. Stop, look, cross with the crossing guard or walk sign.
2. Get out on the front passenger’s side of the car- NOT the driver’s side
3. Always walk home with a buddy or a group of kids: don’t walk alone!
4. Make sure your child knows the safest routes to and from school. Walk the routes together and point out places he/she could go to for help.
5. Talk about what to do if they get lost or separated from you in a public place (parent will search in the last place you were together, go to a clerk that is standing behind the cashiers desk and ask for help: know home phone number and their full name.)
BICYCLE SAFETY: A REVIEW FOR ALL AGES
1. Protect your head: wear a helmet.
2. Reflector tape: bike and clothing. Light clothing is not enough.
3. Look out: before you enter an intersection, a driveway; obstacles in your path.
4. Check your equipment: working brakes, wheel condition, handle bars, seat, pedals, helmet.
5. Lock it up whether you are gone for a few minutes or a few hours.
CHECK IT OUT: Join in and we will send you our monthly newsletter. Or just check the website monthly to read it online!
Each month we will post a newsletter with information on how to protect your home, how to report suspicious activity, and many other topics that will help you and your family.