In the past a comment or two has been made about what to do when a solicitor comes to the door...
1) Without opening the door...Tell them to go away !!! and if you consider opening the door......
2) Look out through a window first... determine the safety factor in opening the door
3) Ask them to show their permit from the City of La Quinta allowing them to solicit door to door....
WELL... that's changed now...
You still must be very careful whenever you open the door, however, the City of La Quinta is not currently enforcing the code to require solicitors to acquire a permit, which used to include going through a background/fingerprint check. In the past, only religious organizations were exempt from this code. The City has indicated that said permits will not be required meaning that anyone can come to your door now unless you have a 'No Solicitors' sign on your door (Sure, they could have come in the past but would have been required to go through the process that is no longer required). So, go to Lowe's, Ace, Home Depot or your computer and get/make a sign for your peace of mind and security.
Keep the faith!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
More security tips for 2010
Being involved with a Neighborhood Watch is one of the best ways of staying on top of what's happening in the neighborhood. They say that the one with the most information usually wins. Here's your chance to be a winner. There is no prize. There is no test. If we each challenge ourselves to be a better neighbor....we all win.
When leaving or returning home, occasionally take a slow tour of an extra street or two to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the neighborhood. When we all do this, there will be many eyes watching out for us all. Remember, we are not police officers or licensed security officers. OBSERVE (suspicious activity) – AVOID (confrontation) - REPORT (to law enforcement). Our safety is the priority. Our safety is the only priority.
Report all suspicious activity to law enforcement. In an emergency, dial 911. The non-emergency number is (760) 836-3215 Extension #5. If in doubt, call 911. When calling in to the non-emergency number, you can make your call anonymous but if you would like a report of the outcome, give the operator all the information asked for. Be prepared to describe what you saw....What...Where...WHen...Who....What they looked like...Where they went...How did they leave... In the near future, you'll be receiving a notebook with the following information to keep next to the phone for just such an emergency...
Desert Pride Neighborhood Watch
Police: Non-Emergency (760) 836-3215 #5
http://DesertPrideNeighborhoodWatch.blogspot.com
http://home.rr.com/desertpride
email: desertpride@dc.rr.com
Keep the faith!
When leaving or returning home, occasionally take a slow tour of an extra street or two to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the neighborhood. When we all do this, there will be many eyes watching out for us all. Remember, we are not police officers or licensed security officers. OBSERVE (suspicious activity) – AVOID (confrontation) - REPORT (to law enforcement). Our safety is the priority. Our safety is the only priority.
Report all suspicious activity to law enforcement. In an emergency, dial 911. The non-emergency number is (760) 836-3215 Extension #5. If in doubt, call 911. When calling in to the non-emergency number, you can make your call anonymous but if you would like a report of the outcome, give the operator all the information asked for. Be prepared to describe what you saw....What...Where...WHen...Who....What they looked like...Where they went...How did they leave... In the near future, you'll be receiving a notebook with the following information to keep next to the phone for just such an emergency...
Desert Pride Neighborhood Watch
Police: Non-Emergency (760) 836-3215 #5
http://DesertPrideNeighborhoodWatch.blogspot.com
http://home.rr.com/desertpride
email: desertpride@dc.rr.com
Keep the faith!
Monday, February 8, 2010
La Quinta's finest keep on giving.....
Recently I was asked to obtain statistics relevant to nefarious activities in our quiet, little development '4OC1' (Four Oh Charlie One) also known as Desert Pride to many. I contacted La Quinta's finest and ... Presto! Here it is...
Burglary -- Includes residential, open/unlocked garage and/or any other structure on the property.
2008 -- 3
2009 -- 10
Burglary Vehicle -- Reminder, if a vehicle is unlocked and/or a window is left down the incident is reported as a theft and not a burglary.
2008 -- 10
2009 -- 2
Obviously, the total number is nearly the same for 2008 -vs- 2009, however, running through the glovebox and console for CD's and loose change is a little different from ransacking a home. The economy has likely played a part in the reversal of fortune which means we need to stick together even more so. Use those eyes and ears, write down what you see/saw and then use those phones.
Keep the faith!
Burglary -- Includes residential, open/unlocked garage and/or any other structure on the property.
2008 -- 3
2009 -- 10
Burglary Vehicle -- Reminder, if a vehicle is unlocked and/or a window is left down the incident is reported as a theft and not a burglary.
2008 -- 10
2009 -- 2
Obviously, the total number is nearly the same for 2008 -vs- 2009, however, running through the glovebox and console for CD's and loose change is a little different from ransacking a home. The economy has likely played a part in the reversal of fortune which means we need to stick together even more so. Use those eyes and ears, write down what you see/saw and then use those phones.
Keep the faith!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
LA Police Dept. writes excellent article
La Quinta Police Department Flyer and information in La Quinta GEM (Feb 2010)
OPEN GARAGE DOORS AN OPEN INVITATION TO CRIME
Your open garage door, perhaps more than any other feature of your home, is perceived by a criminal as an open invitation to commit a crime. An open garage door not only serves to facilitate a crime, but actually encourages it. The simple reason is ease of access. What could be easier than unhindered access to a darkened garage to “help yourself” to whatever you find or to gain immediate access to the interior of your home?
So what can you do to protect yourself?
• First and foremost—CLOSE YOUR GARAGE DOOR! Develop the habit of keeping your garage door closed. Teach and train every family member to do the same.
• Get to know your neighbors and once a trust is developed, consider asking them to close your garage door if you forget.
• Install a deadbolt on all doors that lead from the garage to the interior of the residence. Keep all doors locked even if the garage door is closed.
• Deactivate your automatic garage door opener and manually lock your garage door anytime you are going to be away overnight.
• Remove the key and lock the doors of a vehicle parked in the garage even if the garage door is closed.
These are simple yet effective steps you can take to minimize the potential that you will become the victim of a crime. Remember, criminals are looking for an easy crime. When you leave your garage door open you are making it even easier for them.
If you have any further questions please call Officer Fowler at 760-777-7376.
Keep the faith!
OPEN GARAGE DOORS AN OPEN INVITATION TO CRIME
Your open garage door, perhaps more than any other feature of your home, is perceived by a criminal as an open invitation to commit a crime. An open garage door not only serves to facilitate a crime, but actually encourages it. The simple reason is ease of access. What could be easier than unhindered access to a darkened garage to “help yourself” to whatever you find or to gain immediate access to the interior of your home?
So what can you do to protect yourself?
• First and foremost—CLOSE YOUR GARAGE DOOR! Develop the habit of keeping your garage door closed. Teach and train every family member to do the same.
• Get to know your neighbors and once a trust is developed, consider asking them to close your garage door if you forget.
• Install a deadbolt on all doors that lead from the garage to the interior of the residence. Keep all doors locked even if the garage door is closed.
• Deactivate your automatic garage door opener and manually lock your garage door anytime you are going to be away overnight.
• Remove the key and lock the doors of a vehicle parked in the garage even if the garage door is closed.
These are simple yet effective steps you can take to minimize the potential that you will become the victim of a crime. Remember, criminals are looking for an easy crime. When you leave your garage door open you are making it even easier for them.
If you have any further questions please call Officer Fowler at 760-777-7376.
Keep the faith!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Automobile safety
Getting away from the neighborhood for just a moment....Here's a new resolution for you...in addition to preparedness in and about the house for anything up to and including earthquakes, etc....Take a moment to consider how you can best be prepared in the family auto in the event something happened. It may be a little different for everyone, but I offer this info for your consideration.....
In the event of an accident or other significant occurrence, be prepared to record an accurate account of an emergency event for the police and your insurance company. Keep a pen and notebook along with a disposable camera in the same location you store your proof of insurance and registration
First-aid kit
Gloves (both latex and work)
Hand tools
Pocket knife
Flares (warning triangles or reflectors)
Blanket
White flag or cloth
Bottled water
Flashlight with extra batteries
Jumper cables
In the event of an accident or other significant occurrence, be prepared to record an accurate account of an emergency event for the police and your insurance company. Keep a pen and notebook along with a disposable camera in the same location you store your proof of insurance and registration
First-aid kit
Gloves (both latex and work)
Hand tools
Pocket knife
Flares (warning triangles or reflectors)
Blanket
White flag or cloth
Bottled water
Flashlight with extra batteries
Jumper cables
Saturday, January 9, 2010
#1 Resolution for 2010 Neighborhood Watch
Report all suspicious activity to law enforcement, unless you know who and what is going on, it must be suspicious. Grab a pad and pen and write down anything you can see or that you remember... number of people, descriptions, kind of car(s), color, license number (even a portion) anything else that stands out, a limp, a hat, a sports jersey, fancy shoes....anything and everything but don't spend too much time because you can continue writing after you call the police.
In an emergency call 911 BUT if you don't feel it's an emergency...All you have to do is call the non-emergency phone number (760) 836-3215 and press 5 - Just tell the operator that you have seen something that strikes you as out of the norm and would they please send an Officer to investigate. Make sure you give an address and nearest cross street so they can reference the area quickly. If you remember, tell them you are in 4OC1 (Four Oh Charlie One is what they call our subdivision).
Please be safe in your viewing and reporting and Thank You for watching...I, too, will be watching for you. I hope you enjoy a Safe and Secure New Year.
Keep the faith!
In an emergency call 911 BUT if you don't feel it's an emergency...All you have to do is call the non-emergency phone number (760) 836-3215 and press 5 - Just tell the operator that you have seen something that strikes you as out of the norm and would they please send an Officer to investigate. Make sure you give an address and nearest cross street so they can reference the area quickly. If you remember, tell them you are in 4OC1 (Four Oh Charlie One is what they call our subdivision).
Please be safe in your viewing and reporting and Thank You for watching...I, too, will be watching for you. I hope you enjoy a Safe and Secure New Year.
Keep the faith!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
This year I resolve ... to be a 'great' neighbor
Well, the New Year is upon us and according to Nostradamus, we have 2 years left as the world is going to end in 2012 so let's make it worthwhile... LOL
I know your schedule keeps you busy and you've added resolutions to the mix; however, just one more...
Try something new...When leaving or returning to your home, take a slightly different route each time so that you begin to know the neighborhood, even if that means a slightly longer trip to the store. Taking a slow tour of some extra streets you might keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the neighborhood. When we all do this, there will be many eyes watching out for you, too! Remember we are not police officers or licensed security officers. OBSERVE (suspicious activity) – REPORT (to law enforcement) – AVOID (confrontation). Our safety is the priority. Our safety is the only priority.
Happy New Year - hopefully a safe and secure one. Keep the faith!
I know your schedule keeps you busy and you've added resolutions to the mix; however, just one more...
Try something new...When leaving or returning to your home, take a slightly different route each time so that you begin to know the neighborhood, even if that means a slightly longer trip to the store. Taking a slow tour of some extra streets you might keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the neighborhood. When we all do this, there will be many eyes watching out for you, too! Remember we are not police officers or licensed security officers. OBSERVE (suspicious activity) – REPORT (to law enforcement) – AVOID (confrontation). Our safety is the priority. Our safety is the only priority.
Happy New Year - hopefully a safe and secure one. Keep the faith!
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