Email Archives
Subject: Report On Yesterday's BCA Meeting Re Neighborhood Security
Date Sent:
November 11, 2011
BCA Meeting Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 pm Re Neighborhood Security
This is a report on yesterday’s special Bannockburn Citizens Association meeting to discuss several troubling burglaries in our neighborhood. As previously reported, at my request we have received increased police presence in our neighborhood, which is appreciated.
Our meeting featured remarks from Officer Denise Gill, the Montgomery County Police Community Policing Coordinator, our liaison with the county police. Her remarks focused on what we can do to help the police, to protect the neighborhood and to protect our individual homes. She reported that the police arrested some individuals in Fairfax who may also be responsible for the robberies in our area, but that is not confirmed and not related to the car break-ins in our area that remain unsolved. At the end of this message is a handout that Officer Gill provided at the meeting, which highlights some of her comments at the meeting.
There is no silver bullet, but there are several things that we can do as neighbors and as an association to address these concerns.
Website: We plan to add a new security section to the Website, to provide information and tips relating to home security.
Newsletter: We will discuss security issues in the next issue of the newsletter.
Neighbors. All neighbors can help by walking around the neighborhood, getting to know their neighbors, being alert to suspicious activity, and reporting suspicious activity to the police.
Especially when someone is away, neighbors can also keep an eye on each other’s homes, and make arrangements to collect mail and newspapers.
Please register on the BCA website, update your listing if you have changed your e-mail address, so that you can receive e-mails from me about incidents, emergencies, and activities such as BCA meetings and events.
http://bannockburncitizens.org/
BCA Security Committee. Our new Security Committee will act as liaisons with the block captains, to monitor their progress, and to let me and the rest of the Board know when and where we have gaps and need volunteers or other assistance. The following neighbors have volunteered to be on our Security Committee:
Barry Fausnaugh
Ian Greathead
Seth Goldstein
John Hannula
Samuel Marein-Efron
Mike McCarthy
Geert Van Brandt
Please let me know if you would also like to join this noble committee.
Block Captains. I am asking our block captains to renew their efforts to get to know the neighbors on their block, to encourage neighbors to keep an eye on each other’s homes, and to register on the website. The current list of block captains can be found (where else) on our website:
http://bannockburncitizens.org/committees/block-captains.php
We would appreciate additional captain volunteers to fill gaps and enable us to implement this new program.
These activities will help address the security issues, but -- also important -- will improve our sense of neighborliness and cohesiveness as a community.
Dues. If you have not paid your BCA dues for 2011, please do so. You can mail a check to Bonnie Garrett, BCA Treasurer, 6604 Broxburn Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 or pay your dues online via our website:
http://bannockburncitizens.org/dues/index.php
Next meeting. Our end of year meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 1, at 7:30pm. I hope to see you then.
Best regards,
Ted Garrett
BCA President
___________________________________________________________________
Below is the handout that Officer Gill provided:
MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE ADVISORY
2nd District / Bethesda
Officer Denise Gill
October 14, 2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY
SUSPICIOUS PERSONS & VEHICLES
We are currently investigating a number of residential burglaries that are occurring in our District.
In concert with our efforts to identify and apprehend those individuals responsible for these crimes, we are seeking your help.
A burglary is an unlawful, usually forced entry into a residence where items of value are then stolen. This is one of the most difficult crimes to solve.
Three basic “leads” most frequently help to solve a burglary.
- Witnesses
- Physical evidence/stolen property
- Follow up investigation
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You are the “eyes and ears” of your neighborhood. You know what would be normal activity on your street. Most communities have many strangers in them every day. Some are doing lawn work, construction work, or domestic work. They usually are perfectly legitimate. But when you see a stranger, take a moment to observe their behavior. If it appears suspicious, call us.
NON EMERGENCY NUMBER 301 279-8000
This accomplishes several things. You get a marked police vehicle in your neighborhood and we have a chance to determine whether a strangermay be involved in criminal activity.
Remember, theft is a crime of opportunity.
What about unfamiliar vehicles?
How about jotting down that tag number and vehicle description? This kind of information is absolutely critical. Some burglars use a “lookout” and they may be waiting in a vehicle nearby.
Is your home secure? Is your personal property secure? Do you keep your valuables in your master bedroom? Might you considered storing your irreplaceable valuables in a safe deposit box? Have you recorded the serial numbers/model numbers for all of your electronic devices? If you have an alarm do you use it? Do you lock your doors and windows? Can your home be seen from the road? Can someone hide behind shrubbery to gain access to your doors or windows? Have you removed your garage door opener from your vehicle? Is your vehicle locked?
Can we see your house numbers?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
2nd District Police / Bethesda
In Emergencies always dial 911