Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Car Burglary

On the 2000s block of Maryal on Jul 26:

Last night someone entered my car and helped themselves to my portable GPS system.
My husband told me to report it on the DPM Crime Alert Network.

Remember to be vigilant--if something looks out of the ordinary, call the police. Thanks, everyone!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Daylight Burglary matter

For those following the blog, you're aware of a daylight burglary in the neighborhood. Google searching was turning up information the criminals might access. The involved parties feared the criminals might be smart enough to do this and retaliate against our neighborhood. Removing pertinent information didn't seem to alter the search results, so the posts have been taken down entirely to protect the homeowners. Information is available through the e-mail system set up by Chuck, or will be provided via e-mail to those writing to express an interest in the matter. I'll prepare a standard e-mail with all the pertinent information tonight. Thanks, everyone!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Suspicious Man at my Door (New incident on Butano)

From Karen, 2500's block of Butano:

I observed a older white Ford Truck (4019682 plate) parked across the street with a man sitting in the passenger seat. I observed a bicycle and other items in the bed of the truck. A few minutes later a black older man was at my door. He saw my dogs and from what I understood he wanted to wash windows. While talking to me he appeared nervous and was looking over my shoulder and made no direct eye contact. I advised him I wasn't interested and then the vehicle exited approximately 9:15 A.M. I was outside at 10:00 A.M. and observed the same vehicle go by now with two white males. The passenger was wearing a sunhat.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Suggestions from Scott

From Scott on Duran

I would recommend to homeowners that before confronting "suspicious people", those who notice these activities use a digital camera and take pictures first. These can be blown up for better detail or police or posted in emails so others can actually see who they need to lookout for and license plates can be seen with a zoom. Pictures can be taken from the safety of your home, but still be discrete, no need to let them know you are doing it. To deter night time prowlers, I recommend very bright motion activated security lights for all sides of your home and keep your gates locked with a lock. Alarm systems have been getting cheaper in recent years and don't necessarily need to be connected to the police or a service as long as a loud alarm bell is installed. A hidden 'Panic Button' is good to have to manually turn it on/off. Video camera systems have become cheaper too. Get to know your immediate neighbors and exchange phone numbers, they will probably respond faster than the police. Large numbers of people taking notice will scare off predators, but don't do it by yourself, they may have accomplices near.

These are scary times and I think it's only going to get worse. So be prepared!

Note to the community: We're looking into various security options and should have a meeting soon to discuss a community-supported private patrol. Chuck has found that we can hire an off-duty deputy for just over $53 per hour. We've also been looking at www.paladinprivatesecurity.com which is composed of former military and police trained to respond to emergencies, not just patrol and observe. We'll post more information and things develop.

Please remember to be alert. Even if we weren't about to experience Sheriff's Department cutbacks, an informed, aware community is the best defense against crime and always has been.

Suspicious Man at my Door

From Brenda on Alva Court

I am very cautious about opening my front door. I live on Alva Court. There are only 5 houses and I am very familiar with what cars belong here.

At 3:38pm today my dog alerted me that someone was at my door. I did not hear the doorbell- I do not think he rang it. He did not knock.

I peaked out to see what was going on and saw a silver gray car parked across the street and then standing back to the side where I could not see him from my "peek hole" in front door was a man. He was an Asian man (early 30's) dressed in a dark shirt and light beige walking shorts. He was standing way back away from the door--which seemed strange to me and was trying to look in my windows-after a few minutes he walked back across the street and was looking back at my house. I then opened my front door and stepped out onto the porch , he saw me and then pulled out his phone- I yelled can I help you, but he got in his car drove off . He looked at me as he drove off. I did not have my glasses on -so did not get a license plate number. I find this strange...maybe he was a look out and
getting ready to break in....

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Truck Stolen near DPM School

From Darcell:

Between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:30 am our 89 Toyota pick up was stolen out of our driveway. It was parked right next to my black Toyota Camry. The truck is old, blue, camper shell, long bed., Lic # 3W02749. We didn't hear a thing, not even our dog barked. We live at 2581 Maryal Dr., corner house with the long stretch of fencing on Avalon. There is a stop sign on our corner. We are right caddy corner to the parking lot of the school/tennis court, Maryal/Avalon.

Private Patrol Idea

Sent by Erik:

I'd like to invite all members of DPM neighborhood to consider something. In light of the devasting cuts to our crime prevention/ Sheriff budget, I would invite everyone to consider the idea of hiring a Private Security Patrol just for the DPM neighborhood.

Given our proximity to Wal-Mart and other magnets of crime, having a private security patrol could make a huge difference in our neighborhood. With approximately 1700 homes in the area, the cost would be small- probably around $20-30 per house per year. I am sure that most of you would agree that the cost is minimal compared to the potential benefit.

Other neighborhoods, such as Arden Park, already have this program in place ($25.00 per house per year), and it works extremely well. This is something that we should discuss.

Trish, our DPM HOA President will be talking more about this soon. Thank you for your consideration.

Editor's note: My family can arrange $30/year for this purpose. There hasn't been a lot of interest in neighborhood watch foot patrols, so this might be a great way to solve the problem at very little expense. We'll want to make sure all streets are covered.

Response from Paul Hahn on the Golf Budget

I e-mailed the County Supervisors about putting the Golf program above Sheriff Funding. They're claiming that's not the case:

Hello:

I’d like to respond to your e-mail to the Supervisors regarding the flyer and Sheriff, and Golf budget.

While there is no doubt that the decisions facing our Board of Supervisors and all elected officials this year are daunting, our Board has stated that after mandated programs, public safety is their highest priority.

I want to take a moment to clarify how our Golf Program is funded. For the last five years, the golf fund has been completely self-sufficient and takes no money from County general fund.The total golf budget for this fiscal year is $8.6 million, all of which will come from golf fees and sales at the golf courses. Absolutely no monies are being taken from other programs to help support the County Golf program.

If you have any questions about the Golf fund or any of the budgets with the Municipal Services Agency, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Paul Hahn
Administrator
Municipal Services Agency

Lost Family Pet- Black Lab/ Border Collie Mix

Over the weekend while we were out of town our family pet " Joe " got loose. Joe is our family dog and has been with our family for over 9 years. Joe is part lab with a mix of border collie ( he has a white patch on his chest. Joe is on the large side. I would say at least 80 + pounds. He is showing sign of aging with grey hairs on his face. He is a great dog. He is wearing a dark blue collar with our cell number.You may not be able to see his collar unless you look due to his fur. If anyone has information regarding Joe please call me at 916-223-9948. This is the best number to reach me at during the day. Thank you for any information that you might have. Our daughters miss him dearly!

Thad & Tammy
Duarte Court

Saturday, July 4, 2009

More information on Sheriff's Department Budget Cuts

This e-mail comes from an employee of the Sheriff's Department, so there is a natural advocacy to the information provided. Still, it is hard to argue that the Golf Fund should be a higher priority than our deputies.

I have attached some additional budget information I have recently received. Please feel free to share this information with friends, family and neighbors who live work and work in Sacramento County .

As of now, the Marconi Station Service Center is slotted to remain open…However; the plan is to continue to have me serve the citizens of Arden Arcade, unfortunately they are planning to remove me from the Marconi Station Service Center and over to the Garfield Station in Carmichael. I appreciate your comments and concerns in regards to this circumstance and will continue to forward your letters and emails of concern to the Sheriff and/or Division Commander.

Again, the North Central Division Community Zone Meetings are still scheduled as follows:

Zone 2&4 Tuesday, July, 7, 2009 at 6pm

Zone 1&3 Tuesday July 14, 2009 at 6pm

Apparently there was some misinformation in regards to the meeting time on the last email I sent. THE CORRECT TIME OF THESE MEETINGS IS 6pm.

Thank you to all… your continued willingness to support and be involved in your community is to be commended!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments in regards to this matter.

~Cindy


Cindy
Crime Prevention Specialist
Sacramento Sheriff's Department
North Central Division

916-876-5717
The Additional Information she attached:

THE FACTS

  • The Sac County Sheriff’s Dept currently patrols 844 Square Miles and serves over half a million citizens.
  • This fiscal year the Sheriff Dept has taken $57 Million of the County of Sacramento’s $180 Million budget deficit.
  • That amount of money has caused the Sheriff’s Dept to cut 209 FULL TIME DEPUTIES, 50 civilian Employees AND OVER 400 ON CALL DEPUTIES come August 1, 2009.
  • Although the Sheriffs Department makes up only 7% of the county budget, the department is being held responsible for 31% of the 2009‐2010 total deficit.
  • To help ease the deficit, deputies voted to give up the raises they were contracted to receive for the next two years, while the Board of Supervisors allocated $8.6 MILLION TO THE GOLF FUND (a program designed to maintain aging county golf courses, which in 2005 was stated to be a self‐sufficient program) (SACBEE.COM).

BECAUSE OF THE LOOMING STAFFING SHORTAGE

  • Proactive Law Enforcement activities will BE SEVERELY DIMINISHED.
  • The 38 cars currently patrolling will be reduced to 10 cars, pre-1970 patrol staffing levels (SACBEE.COM).
  • Service Centers, Air Operations, and Problem Oriented Policing (POP) will cease to exist.
  • If your business or your home has been burglarized, robbed, embezzled, or stolen from, YOU MAY NOT GET A RESPONSE!

SACRAMENTO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

District 1: Roger Dickson (916) 874-5485 dickensonr@saccounty.net

District 2: Jimmie Yee (916) 874-5481 jyee@saccounty.net

District 3: Susan Peters (916) 874-5471 susanpeters@saccounty.net

District 4: Roberta MacGlashan (916) 874-5491 macglashanr@saccounty.net

District 5: Don Nottoli (916) 874-5465 nottolid@saccounty.net


SACRAMENTO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING

Come have your voice heard!!

When: Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Time: TBA (9:30 am or 2:00 pm)

Where: County Administration Center, 700 H Street Room 1450

WHY: Tell your Board of Supervisors that your safety matters and help keep Sacramento County…YOUR COMMUNITY… a thriving place to live and work!!

If you cannot attend the meeting, please take the time to call or email your concerns, thoughts and opinions to the Board immediately!