Minutes by Ofc. Kristin Runyon
Meeting was attended by CPO Runyon, Lt. Dearcop, Commander Ciminelli, and seven concerned members of the community. We started with introductions and did a brief recap of last month’s meeting where we divided up the chores for National Night Out, assigning most to John Borek as he was not present to refuse.
We first discussed some recent problems:
Stolen Cars. Many of you may remember my shock and anger over the summer when the stats showed that more than a third of the vehicles stolen in our area had keys left in them. Well, both November and December’s numbers put us over 50%!!! In the month of December, over 56% of the vehicles stolen had the keys left in them. I know it’s cold, I know there is ice on our windows every morning, and the defroster is sooooo much easier than scraping…… but the reality of it is this….. with numbers this high, I would not be surprised to see the insurance industry start to make changes. Bad Changes. Like, we won’t pay you for your car if the keys were in it when it was taken. Anyway, it is a simple thing we all can do that can seriously impact our crime numbers. The other drivers on the road would appreciate it also if you removed as much of the snow off your car before you drive off so you are not causing your own mini white out behind you. So, start your car, and while it warms up get out and brush it off, but NEVER LEAVE YOUR CAR RUNNING, EVER!!!!
We then talked about the burglary problem mostly in the area we call 19 South. To be exact, the crimes have come as far north as Ellicott, south to Scottsville and between Genesee St. and Thurston Rd. They are predominantly day time and entry has been forced. Two or three teen male blacks have been the suspects of several of them. We gave out several tips on how to avoid being a victim and how to up your chances of getting some of your stuff back or catching the criminal. If you weren’t there tonight, I guess you missed all my tips. That’ll teach ya! Just kidding. 1. Record serial numbers from anything that has one. A cheap way to accomplish this is to get an address book from the dollar store and alphabetically record all the numbers. For example, on the “V” page write VCR and then list the make model and serial number, do the same on the “C” page for your computer, and so on. Do phones, stereos, video game systems, and anything else that has one. Photo all jewelry, then we can id it in the pawn shops. 2. Lock all windows and doors. Remember to lock even windows that you think are too high for someone to climb in. If I can reach the window when I stand on your garbage toter, lock it! Feel free to call me out to your house and I can find your areas of vulnerability and give you possible remedies. 3. Don’t advertise “stealable” items. Seeing things laying out in your driveway/ yard can lure criminals in. Even shovels. A guy can steal a shovel, then charge all your neighbors for snow shoveling with your shovel! 4. Consider getting an alarm or even just putting the signs up in your yard. If you have an alarm, shorten the delay time given to disarm it. Some folks have it set at one minute, when in actuality it only takes 5-7 seconds to punch in the code. And if by chance the alarm goes off, the company will generally call your house first, so there is no need to worry about false alarms with the City. Shortening this time takes time off our response time. 5. Make your home look occupied when you’re not there. Leaving a radio or TV on with some lights may help. Some burglars knock or ring a bell, and when they don’t get a response they break in. Dogs can help on this front. 6. Call 911 on suspicious people, get good descriptions to give to police.
We have a detail of officers out there trying to catch these burglars, so don’t hesitate, call it in! We had a spirited discussion on whether or not one can shoot a burglar and, well, if you weren’t there, I guess you missed that one! But heads up, NEVER sneak up on Ms. Frances’ house.
We also touched on the Fast Food Robberies that have been occurring all over the county (Brockport to Victor!). They have not hit in our geographical area, but I wanted everyone to be aware in case they found themselves visiting one of these establishments. The robberies have been by armed suspects and occur at opening or closing time when managers are typically on scene and can open a safe.
Next we spoke of the recent arsons and how folks need to pay special attention to the vacant homes in their neighborhoods. If you see people hanging around, call 911. The fires aren’t always intentionally set to burn the place, sometimes people start “small” fires inside them to keep warm and it gets out of hand. Some fires start accidentally from drug use, which often involves fire. Call me if you have a vacant house you are particularly concerned with and I will put it on my list of nightly checks.
This was the last Public Safety meeting held on the first Wednesday at the Staybridge. The Public Safety Committee will join forces with Adam McFadden’s Thurston Rd/ Street Watch initiative and we will all meet once a month. None of us needed to add another meeting to our calendars! The meetings will be held on the last Wednesday of every month, starting this month, January 27th. They will be held at the Presbyterian home located at 256 Thurston Rd. I believe they will be at 7:00. I know John Borek will send out an invitation to clarify the time.
That was all. Thank you all for coming and playing an active role in the safety of our neighborhoods. Be safe, be happy, be a good neighbor, and teach others how to also!
-Kris