ALERT - Attempted Breakins while residents are home

There are new break ins in our neighborhood and we must ever be alert to stop these brazen criminals. This past Sunday, broad daylight break-ins at busy intersections...like Loch Dr and Briarcliffe Rd.

Sunday evening, while the residents were at home, someone tried to break in a home on Oakland Drive. Their alarm was on so the person left but the police were called. Also there were a bunch of police cars on Tangle earlier Sunday evening, so sometimes these folks try to hit multiple places at once. If you are so inclined when you read this call one or two of your neighbors and alert them.

Additionally, this weekend a dark blue Honda Accord (4 door) with a license plate beginning with Z was seen trolling on Briarcliffe Court and Briarcliffe Rd. (Briarcliffe Court is behind the pool, off Briarcliffe). An alert neighbor noticed and called the police who came quickly.

There is some thought that persons on motor scooters/mopeds etc still may be cruising the neighborhood and looking for houses where no one is at home and they kick in a door and go in and fill up their back packs with computers, digital cameras, jewelry, etc. So if you see any scooters/mopeds take good notice of the type, license tag etc and jot it down. If they appear suspicious or are stopped in a driveway where you know they do NOT live, call the non emergency number and report it (773-7700). Take down as much identifying information as is possible.

Break-in Alert

There has been a break in this past week on the corner of Briarcliffe and Loch. There is some concern that young people on mopeds or scooters are going around and breaking in and taking whatever they can put into their back packs. Several neighbors have seen a nicely dressed (shirt/tie) young African American male on a scooter (red, white, blue with the words Peace on it) sitting in a driveway twice this past week. He was on Loch Drive up from the lake on the left and talking on his phone. Also, another young African American male on a black scooter with silver trim has been spotted cruisng through the neighborhood, entering and exiting Tangle Road from Valley Road. Someone has seen this specific scooter coming from the area at the other end of Valley Road, where it crosses Old Yadkinville Road, across from the Wilco Hess station that sits at the corner of Valley and Old Yadkinville Road. These could be the same person, or they could be working together.

Emergency Block Captain Meeting

Sunday Afternoon, January 3,
2pm

At the Home of:
Catherine Jourdan
3131 Waterford Road
(336) 725-7304

Hello Block Captains,

We are calling an emergency Block Captain meeting to discuss action we might be able to take in detecting these crooks who are breaking into people's homes and are now targeting Town and Country.
There will be a police officer in attendance to help us and of course our own Ronnie Abernathy will be there and assist us in coming up with a plan for patrolling our neighborhood and increasing our vigilance in watching for this teal blue car and any other unusual activity. The meeting will be held at the home of:
Catherine Jourdan
3131 Waterford Road
(336) 725-7304

Please RSVP by emailing Catherine Jourdan
cjourdan@triad.rr.com to let her know if you have received her emails and if you can come.

Catherine Jourdan, Watch Captain
Town and Country Neighbhorhood Watch 156
3131 Waterford Road
(336) 725-7304

HOUSE BREAKIN SUSPECT VEHICLE

We believe a vehicle similar to this vehicle was seen in Town and Country the past few days and was seen driving into someone's driveway. The MO seems to be to find houses that seem empty and that have driveways that go around to the back of the house (to avoid detection)
The critical message is DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY SUSPICIONS AT ALL ABOUT A VEHICLE OR PERSON IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Any information is better than none. The police are looking for patterns. These people are moving from the Polo/Hope Valley area over our way and there has already been a break in on Briarcliff, Tangle, Kingston and now Wedgefield.

1985-1993 Honda Accord 4dr teal/blueish green in color. The vehicle also has possible rear end damage of some type. It was occupied by two black males of unknown description.

Neighborhood Watch Association meeting

The next Neighborhood Watch Association meeting will be Monday, January 11, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Public Safety Center (725 N Cherry St). During this time we will discuss the Neighborhood Watch Program and have an Officer speak on DWI enforcement and accident reconstruction.

The Crime Prevention Unit has added Neighborhood Watch groups to our Crime Statistics page. If you are a NW group and are interested in having your group added, please contact Officer McCoy, the NW coordinator, at 773-7944 or by email at cmccoy@wspd.org.

Daytime House Break-In’s

Tips from the Winston-Salem Police Department,
Officer Ryan M. Hagan
Support Services Bureau
Crime Prevention Unit
Winston Salem Police Department
725 N. Cherry St.
Winston Salem, NC 27102
Desk: (336) 726-2029
Pager: (336) 721-6284
fax: 773-7995
e-mail: RHagan@wspd.org

Recently, the Winston Salem Police Department has seen an increase in daytime house break in’s. The suspects are completing these housebreakings by ringing doorbells or knocking to see if anyone will answer the door. If no one answers the door, the suspect will breech the front or back door to gain entry into the home. If someone does open the door, the suspect will make up a story saying that they have broke down, lost their dog, looking for work, etc. We would like to remind you to never open your door for someone that you do not know. It is suggested to acknowledge the persons presence at the door by saying, “go away,” “I’m calling the police,” etc. When you look outside to identify the subject at the door, get a good description: height, weight, age, clothing description, mode of travel (on foot or in a vehicle). Be as specific as possible, did the jacket have a different color liner, was their fur around the hood? Please report these incidents to the police as soon as possible by calling the non-emergency number (773-7700) or by dialing 911.


Crime Prevention Tips

· Most Important – Lock your doors and windows at all times. (Both your home and vehicle)
· Complete a home inventory of your property (see attached)
o Make
o Model
o Serial Number
o OAN (owner applied number, ie. NCDL#)
o Personal Identifiers (Scratch on top of TV, paint splatter, etc.)
o Take pictures of your property.
o Photograph jewelry (make a specific description of the item.)
§ Personal messages engraved in rings or pendants.
o Photograph old coins and document a value.
o If you have a safe, remember to lock it. Also, bolt it to the wall or floor. If you can move it, so can I.
o Secure your out buildings. Document serial numbers for your lawn equipment as well as your tools. Remember to lock the door.
o Cut off bushes at about 3 feet and tree limbs at 6 feet. This is to limit places to hide around the outside of your home.
o Maintain a lived in appearance while away from home.
§ Use timers for lights and radios
§ Have a trusted neighbor collect the mail and newspaper, or suspend those services while away.
§ Display alarm decals and signs.
o Close blinds and windows. By leaving them open you are allowing the criminal to window shop.
o Take part in neighborhood watch – attend meetings and take an active role.
§ The police can’t be on every street corner every second of the day. You are our best eyes and ears, and we need your help in catching those responsible.
o Garbage at Christmas Time
§ Don’t advertise items that you receive for Christmas. If you get a 60” LCD TV for Christmas, take time, cut the box up, and place it in the trash. Don’t just set the box on the curb.
o If you do the same thing every day, change your pattern a little each day. Criminals look for the easiest opportunity given to them.
o Home Repairs – Use trusted and reputable companies. They may not take anything, but tell their friends of the nice things that you have.

Please visit the Crime Prevention section of the Winston Salem Police Department website for more Crime Prevention information (www.wspd.org).

Strange Activity in the Neighborhood, 12/29/08

This week, 12/29/08, there has been some suspicious activity around the Waterford/Loch Road area. Monday night there was a white van driving slowly around the neighborhood, driving around several times. Tuesday, during the day, the Merchant family arrived home to a young man standing in their driveway. Once the young man noticed their car turn into their driveway, he asked them for $5. The Merchants house is on Loch Drive, but on the corner of Waterford beside the lake.

It is important that we keep our eyes and ears open and all take action to any unusual activity that we may see around the neighborhood. Especially this time of year when several families may not be home. Even if you're not sure if someone is home or out of town, it's better to be safe and contact the non-emergency line at the Police Department. Together, this is how we can prevent crime and keep our community safe. Please notify your block neighbors who do not have access to this email.

Winston-Salem Police Department non-emergency line: 336-773-7700