Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Tips on Keeping Your Home Safe

I was coming home the other night around 10pm. There were 2 other cars on Guess Rd. You would’ve thought it was 2am! The light on the Grande Park sign was on as I drove into our neighborhood. The 2 street lights were on Mystic, glowing dimly. There was no one around and it was DARK! There were no house lights on at any of the houses I passed. I looked down one cul-de-sac and it was pitch black!

We have had numerous instances of petty theft from vehicles in Grande Park in the past few years. There have also been some more bold criminals attempting to get into the houses. I began my career 15 years ago working with juvenile delinquents and know first hand what they target. I must say that if I was a criminal, that cul-de-sac would be a lot of fun! With some dark clothes on, someone could move from house to house, checking for open car doors, back doors, or even take their time to assess whether they should attempt to get in through windows or a door.

I don’t want our neighborhood to become an easy target!!!

There are a lot of simple things you can do to help keep you, your belongings and Grande Park safe!!!! Please help!!!

One of the most important things we can do to help keep our neighborhood safe is to look out for one another. If you see anything suspicious or out of the ordinary call 911. Know your neighbors and keep an eye on one another.

Home Safety
If you were locked out of your house, would you still be able to get in? Maybe you keep an unlocked window in the back, or a hidden key in your mailbox or on top of a window ledge? You may think this is a good idea, but remember if you can break in, you make it that much easier for a burglar to break-in.

Nationally one out of six homes will be burglarized this year. For a small amount of time and money you can make your home more secure and reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Many burglars will spend no longer than 60 seconds to try and break into a home. Good locks – and good neighbors who watch out for each other – can be an effective deterrent to burglary.
Check your Locks
Did you know that in almost half of all completed residential burglaries, thieves simply walked in through unlocked doors or used unlocked windows?

• Make sure every external door has a sturdy well installed deadbolt lock. Key-in-the-knob locks are not enough.
• Sliding glass doors can offer easy access if they are not properly secured. You can secure them by installing commercially available “Charlie bars” or simply putting a piece of wood or broomstick in the track. To prevent the door from being lifted off the track drill a hole through the sliding door frame and the fixed frame. Then insert a nail in the hole.
• Lock double hung windows with key locks or “pin” windows by drilling a small hole into a 45 degree angle between the inner and outer frames, then insert a nail that can be removed. Secure basement windows with removable grills or grates.
• Instead of hiding keys around the outside of your home give an extra key to a neighbor you trust.
• When you move into a new house or apartment, re-key the locks.

Check the Doors
A lock on a flimsy door is about as effective as locking your car door and leaving the window down.

• All outside doors should be metal or solid wood.
• If your doors don’t fit tightly in their frames install weather stripping around them.
• Install a peephole or wide angle viewer in all entry doors at a height everyone in the home can use, so you can see who is outside without opening your door. Door chains break easily and won’t keep out an intruder.
Check the Outside
Look at your home from the outside. Make sure you know the following tips.

Thieves hate bright lights. Install outside lights and keep them on overnight.
• Keep your yard clean. Prune back shrubbery so it doesn’t hide doors and windows. Cut back tree limbs that a thief could use to climb into an upper level window
• Clearly display your house number so police and emergency services can find your home quickly.
• If you travel create the illusion that you’re home by buying timers that will turn lights on and off in different areas of your home throughout the evening. Lights burning 24 hours a day signal an empty home.
• Leave shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions. Don’t let your mail or newspapers pile-up. Have a neighbor pick them up.
• Make a list of your valuables and use an engraver so you can engrave your driver’s license number on the item.
• Ask a member of the police department to stop by and offer a free home security survey.
Consider an Alarm
Alarms can be a good but be wary of getting a false sense of security or being sold a system you don’t need.

• If you do want an alarm do business with an established company and make sure everyone in your home knows how to properly set your alarm. The City of Durham requires companies installing alarm system to be registered with the City and hold a state license.
• Alarm companies count on a police response. False alarms are a major problem for the police. They tie up resources, take officers away from other duties, and leave other areas unprotected. The City of Durham requires residents and businesses to acquire a permit to operate an alarm system after the first false alarm report and imposes civil penalties for the failure to have a permit when a second false alarm occurs.
• Other good options are sirens, strobe lights, and motion sensors with floodlights that will activate when tripped. They will attract attention and possible witnesses. Photo cell lights that turn on and off at dusk and dawn are another good option.
Burglars do more than steal
They can commit rapes, robberies, and assault if they are surprised by someone coming home or pick a home that is occupied.

• If something looks questionable – a slit screen, a broken window, or an open door – don’t go in! Leave. Immediately call 9-1-1 from a cell phone or neighbor’s phone.
• At night if you think someone is breaking in leave safely if you can and then call 9-1-1. If you can’t leave lock yourself in a room with a phone and call police. If an intruder is in your room pretend you are asleep.
• Guns are responsible for many accidental deaths in the home every year. Think carefully before buying one and keeping it in the home “for protection”. If you do want to have a gun in your home, learn how to store and use it safely. Free gunlocks are available from theThe Durham Police Department.

PLEASE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE GRANDE PARK SAFE, ESPECIALLY AS WE MOVE INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON!


Monday, August 17, 2009

TOXIC FREE NC


OK, so I am not a very green person. I recycle and have a very small garden that has produced tomatoes, but not much more. However, I recently attended a conference that included a short presentation from Toxic Free NC, a non-profit organization whose mission is to fight pesticide pollution in North Carolina by advocating for common-sense alternatives that protect our health and environment.

They have some interesting information about toxins and chemicals that effect our daily lives and alternative to toxins that are easy and cheap! Thought you might be interested.

http://www.toxicfreenc.org/

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

and the AUGUST YARD OF THE MONTH goes to.....




1807 REDDING LANE







CONGRATULATIONS!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Grande Park Yard of the Month Program!


The Yard of the Month program is intended to inspire residents of the Grande Park community to take pride in the appearance and upkeep of their yards and the exterior of their homes. The Program will run each June, July and August.
A $25 gift card will be awarded to the nicest looking house/yard each month of the program. Not only will the winners win a gift card, but a specially designed “Yard of the Month” sign will be placed in their front yard until the announcement of the next month's winner!
Judging factors include the overall appearance, tidiness and neatness of the property as evidenced by:
1. Neatly mowed lawn;
2. Lawn and flowerbeds are free of leaves and grass clippings; area walks swept;
3. Sidewalks and driveways edged;
4. Very few weeds in lawn and cracks of sidewalks/driveway;
5. Mulching flowerbeds/bushes/trees;
6. Whether there are flowers, rocks or some type of display to make the yard stand out;
7. Bushes trimmed neatly;
8. Front yard clear of clutter, garbage cans, litter, etc. (most visible area from street);
9. Overall appearance of yard and house is neat and clean.
10. Homeowner is current on their monthly dues.
If you would like to nominate a home for AUGUST Yard of the Month, please contact one of the HOA board members!!!!
THE YARD OF THE MONTH WILL BE ANNOUNCED BEFORE AUGUST 10, SO GET YOUR VOTES IN NOW!


Saturday, August 1, 2009




TUESDAY AUGUST 4, 2009
GRANDE PARK PLAYGROUND 6:30-7:30PM
COME OUT TO MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS!!!


Hello Neighbors! GRANDE PARK will be participating NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, an annual event designed to strengthen our neighborhoods though police-community partnerships. The goal is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, build support and participation in local anti-crime programs and, most importantly, send a message to criminals that our neighborhood is organized and fighting back. It's also the perfect opportunity to get to know your neighbors even better!

Refreshments will be provided. Please plan to stop by, meet some neighbors and get information about GRANDE PARK's NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM. Learn who your block captain is and provide your contact information so that your block captain can contact you in the event of a crime event in the area.

Also, we will have information on the Yard of the Month Program and you can vote for the August Yard of the Month, so go check out your neighbors' yards and decide who you think is worthy!
IT COULD BE YOU!

We look forward to seeing you and your family at GRANDE PARK's NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT
TUESDAY AUGUST 5 FROM 6:30-7:30
AT THE GRANDE PARK PLAYGROUND!