The second half of the meeting, expected to last an hour, will include a discussion of our existing deed restrictions and proposed additions to preserve the residential integrity of our neighborhood.  The board will present considerations for side setbacks, rear setbacks, height restrictions, front yard fence standards, number of units per lot and making the minimum lot size permanent.  Your ideas and input and encouraged in an effort to maintain the charm of our neighborhood.

Sunday 8/29 – 6:00 to 7:30p – 1502 Kipling Street

Cool off with ice cream and cold drinks.  Your favorite summer treats are always welcome!  Come and visit with your neighbors after the hot summer sun sets. 

There will be road resurfacing petitions at the social.  Stop by and sign the petition for your block to be repaved.  Petitions require 75% of the owners on each block to sign for submission to the City of Houston Public Works Department.  Let’s set the wheels in motion to improve our streets.

Both men stressed the importance of an involved neighborhood.  Observant neighbors who contact the police (713-884-3131 non-emergency or 911 emergency) provide the best defense.  The majority of burglary and theft in residential neighborhoods occurs during the daytime hours when people are at work.  If you see or hear anything unusual, please contact HPD through the non-emergency dispatch number.  Tips from neighbors, for example, descriptions of suspicious individuals or license plate numbers, often provide the missing link to catch and convict criminals.

Sergeant Engles encouraged everyone to create a detailed list of expensive items including model and serial numbers.  Serial numbers are critical.  If you happen to be the unfortunate victim of crime, the more detail and description of stolen property provided greatly increases the likelihood of your property being returned and the conviction of the thief.  Walk your dogs, walk in the neighborhood and work in your yards.  Neighbors outside during daylight hours are a great deterrent for opportunistic criminals.  If thieves know neighbors are watching, they will take their troubles elsewhere. 

We have the power to keep our neighborhood safe.  Never leave ANY personal items visible in your car.  It only takes a few seconds to break a window and grab your belongings.  Keep an eye on your house and the neighborhood.  HPD wants you to call the non-emergency dispatch phone number 713-884-3131  if you hear or see anything suspicious.   Let’s make this a safe summer!

http://www.houstontx.gov/police/online_report.htmThe purpose of this form is to allow Houston citizens to conveniently file police reports from home, work, or anywhere with Internet access. After completing the necessary information you will receive an actual incident number, and you will be able to print the report for your records.

This web site should never be used to report an emergency, a crime in progress, or any type of injury. For emergencies, call 9-1-1. For any other situation that requires the response of a police officer, call 713-884- 3131 .

Before continuing, you should be aware that it is a crime to make a false police report. You should also know that this form CAN ONLY be used to report a limited, specific set of crimes (as listed below *) and only under certain conditions. (We will be adding additional crime categories in the future).

* This form CAN ONLY be used to report:

• Theft (under $5,000 in value, Non-vehicle Related) with no suspects or witnesses. If the total value of items is greater than $5,000, you cannot use this form. (Example: Your bicycle is stolen from your front yard.)
• Criminal Mischief (under $5,000 in damage, Non-vehicle Related) – Non-vehicle Related (such as vandalism or property damage) with no suspects and no witnesses. (Example: Someone intentionally damaged your property.)

And, you can ONLY use this form if:

• You have access to a valid, functioning e-mail address.
• You are the actual victim of the theft, loss, or criminal mischief (not a witness, relative, friend, etc.)

This form CANNOT be used if:

• The Crime / Loss / Incident occurred outside the city limits of Houston, Texas.
• Any evidence exists (such as fingerprints, burglary tools left at the scene, any type of evidence, or anything that must be collected or processed by the police.)
• Suspect information exists (such as a license plate number, surveillance photos, or a physical description of the suspect.)
• An emergency exists. (In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.)
• If any type of force or break-in occurred (Contact 713-884-3131 to report burglary or burglary of a motor vehicle).
• If any injuries occurred.
• This form CANNOT be used to report a stolen vehicle (Contact 713-884-3131 to report auto theft).

Your responses to the questions on the next several screens will help ensure that your incident is eligible for an online police report.

The Third Annual “Around Hear” concert will be performed on the Menil campus this Saturday, April 17, 2010, at 1:00 PM.  These free concerts are produced, composed and performed by students from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.   The music is celebrates the sights and sounds of the outdoors.
 
 Bring chairs and/or blankets and enjoy a free concert of interesting music.

Bill Bartlett has generously agreed to co-host this event at his home.  Bill, the block captain for 1600 Marshall, is an avid collector of rare orchids and will have many of these beautiful plants on display.  The coffee social will provide us the opportunity to visit with our neighbors and welcome new residents to Mandell Place.  The general meeting will give everyone a chance to catch up on news around the neighborhood and discuss civic association plans moving forward.

The post below was forwarded by HPD Officer Wayne Pate.  It sheds some light on how criminal minds work and how we might make our homes and daily lives safer.  The information was provided by convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis , who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job