Greetings to All and Happy Holidays.

As we are rapidly approaching the height of the Holiday Season, I just wanted to take a moment of your time and ask you to think about Holiday Safety and Burglary Prevention.

The Holiday Season is also prime burglary season as well; the burglars and thieves know that this is the time of year when our homes will be filled with gifts and new purchases.

Here are a few things you can do that may help keep your house off the burglar’s radar.

·         Don’t advertise what you have in your house.

·         Don’t place empty boxes outside your house that let thieves know what you have purchased.

·         When possible, unload your expensive purchases out of sight, inside your garage.

·         Refrain from leaving your blinds open to display your Christmas tree and Gifts.

·         Don’t allow door to door solicitors into you home.

·         Don’t accept free home inspections, termite inspection, water testing, etc.

·         Don’t leave your garage door open unnecessarily and/or unattended.

Develop a Burglary Prevention Mindset; keep in mind that our homes Are Not vaults or fortresses. Our homes were not built to be “secure” they were built to be pleasing to the eye and reasonably weather tight. Our doors and windows are meant to keep out the weather not the criminals. The simple fact is that we live and store all our belongings in stucco boxes with glass holes.

That being the case, we need to take step to enhance the security of our home wherever possible; here are some suggestions.

·         Burglar Alarm System (with a Loud Siren).

·         Locks on All Gates.

·         Security doors.

·         Additional locks on sliding doors.

·         Dead bolt locks with reinforcement plates, and long screws in the strikers.

·         Replace standard short hinge screws with long screws that go into the door framing.

·         Install motion detector lighting.

·         Install locks on garage doors.

·         Remove the pull cord from garage door openers(Burglars can access this and get into your house)

·         Look for weakness in you home and address the issue.

Tony Cuciti #6907

Community Action Officer

Estrella Mountain Precinct

M: (602)495-5300

D: (602)495-0931

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2012 Election results for PBWAB are:

President: Candice Fremouw (Desert Horizon Precinct - 600)
Vice President: Judy Nakasone (Cactus Park Precinct - 900)
Secretary: Jennifer Rouse (Estrella Mountain Precinct - 300)
Treasurer: Arlene Reed (Cactus Park Precinct - 900)

Directors:

Black Mountain Precinct (200) - Goldie Cohen
South Mountain Precinct (400) - Vivian Gallo
Desert Horizon Precinct (600) - Carla Baker,Candy Dugdale & Sylvia Iodice
Mountain View Precinct (700) - Josee Duffy, Roger Pongratz & Jon Whitcomb
Cactus Park Precinct (900) - Sherry Dudek

Sylvia Iodice

Meeting was called to order by Sylvia Iodice at the Mountain View Precinct.

Attendees were welcomed. PBWAB Officers and Directors introduce themselves.

Guest Speaker Commander Glen Gardner welcomed everyone. He shared that he has worked in most of the precincts and specialty details. Citizen involvement is important and he considers the volunteers to be the front line and the law enforcement to be the backup. Volunteers work to keep our neighborhoods livable and the police departments helps to take care of the people who don’t follow rules. As Commander, he goes out into the precinct in a squad car and answers calls. He also asks officers to start positive contacts on the street, talking to store owners in shopping centers and also apartment complexes.

Break and Refreshments Everyone enjoyed refreshments and socialized for 15 minutes.

New Member Donna Best was introduced and welcomed as a new member.

Caring Community Awards Recipients were Bert Legg, Christina Henrie, Chris Blesser, Carrie DaCosta, Violet Bratton, Ron Pick, Josefina Valenzuela Duffy and Phoenix Townhomes PNP Marilyn Mead, Beverly Flick, Betty Tricoli and Frank Sacco.

Special Guest DEA Special Agent Shannon Scheel presented information regarding the Red Ribbon and Take Back Programs. The National Red Ribbon Campaign was sparked by the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique (“Kiki”) Camarena by drug traffickers. In 1985, Camarena was on mission in Mexico. He was kidnapped and was killed two days later. His body was finally discovered a month later. The murder left his wife with three young children. Within weeks of his death, Congressman Duncan Hunter and high school friend Henry Lozano launched “Camarena Clubs” in high schools in the Imperial Valley. Club members wore red ribbons to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others on behalf of all Americans to protect us from drug violence by pledging to lead drug-free lives to honor their sacrifices. The Red Ribbon Campaign symbolizes the DEA’s efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education program, and represents the ultimate sacrifice one man made in believing he could make a difference. Red ribbons are worn with pride the last week in October 23-31 as we remember Camarena. This year for Red Ribbon Week, DEA is partnering with notMYkid, an organization encourages parents to randomly test their teens using at-home drug tests and the importance of discussing drug prevention rather than ignoring the topic.

National Drug Take Back Initiative Each day, 2,500 teens use prescriptions drugs to get high for the first time. Studies show that the majority of drugs are acquired from their family, friends, and neighbors’ medicine cabinets. October 29th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Please gather your expired or unused drugs and drop them off where they can be properly disposed. Flushing them down the toilet contaminates the water supply, so please be environmentally conscious and bring them to the proper collection site where they can be safely disposed.

Police Department Update Ofc Deb Iodice talked about the G.A.I.N. events. At this time there are 53 events representing 59 groups that have registered their events scheduled between October 3rd and October 15. Deb will have goodie bags with gifts that can be given as door prizes. October 5th at 6:00 pm will be a PNP continuing education class. October 4 is a Blight Buster orientation. October 5 is the first of three monthly sessions for the Neighbors being a Good Neighbor Program.

Door Prizes Tickets were drawn for door prizes.

Next Meeting October 25, 2011 hosted by Central City Precinct at Franklin Police & Fire High School Cafeteria.

Respectfully submitted,

Candice Fremouw

Meeting was called to order at 6:36 pm by Sylvia Iodice at the Sunnyslope Community Center.  She welcomed everyone and we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Attendees see attendance sheets.  PBWAB Officers and Directors were asked to introduce themselves.

Guest Speakers  Michael Flynn, Kathleen Winn and Karen Scates from the  Arizona Attorney General’s Office were introduced.  Michael is a Fraud Special Prosecutor, Kathleen Winn is Director of Community Outreach & Education and Karen Scates is Mortgage Fraud and Prevention Coordinator.  They spoke about the current real estate mortgage foreclosures and the “shadow inventory” that has not yet gone on the market. The possibility of losing your home can be frightening, but it can also make you vulnerable to predatory scams.    DON’T BE A VICTIM   Beware of any business that:  Guarantees to stop the process; Offers to make your loan more affordable; Instructs you not to contact your lender, lawyer, or credit counselor; Collects a fee before providing any services; Accepts only cashier’s check or wire transfers; Encourages you to lease your home so you can buy it back; Tells you to make your payments directly to it rather than your lender; Tells you to transfer your deed or title to them; Offers to buy your home for cash at a price not set by the housing market at the time of sale; Offers to fill out paperwork for you;  Pressures you to sign paperwork you haven’t read thoroughly or you don’t understand.  Contact AZAG.gov or call 602 542 5025 or 1 800 352 8431. 

BREAK & REFRESHMENTS

Jill Vater was welcomed as a new member and given her green membership tshirt.  Membership applications are available on the information table.

Annie Alvarado announced that Chris Hallett has been named Director of NSD 

Ofc Deb Iodice reminded everyone about the upcoming Block Watch / PNP training on September 17^th.  She talked about the September 11 event planned at the Chase Building and the memorial walk to City Scape.  She also talked about G.A.I.N.  October 15.  Information is available and registration can be done online. Crime Prevention Bags will be given to groups that have registered before October 3.

Goldie Cohen was recognized for her volunteer involvement with the Attorney General’s Senior Sleuth program.

Tickets were drawn for door prizes.

Winifred Green invited everyone to the Coffee with Andy Kunascek on September 20 at the Eye Opener Restaurant.  She also reminded everyone about the Coffee with Cops on September 17 at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge on 19^th Avenue at Sweetwater.

NEXT MEETING   September 27, 2011 will be at the Mountain View Precinct 2075 East Maryland .  Guest speaker will be Commander Glen Garner and DEA Agent Shannon Scheel / Red Ribbon & Take Back Programs  

Meeting Adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Candice Fremouw

Guest Speaker Lieutenant Sean Connolly from 400 South Mountain Precinct was introduced.  He opened with a picture of Flight 1549 that landed in the Hudson River and asked us to consider if this was a “Good Evening or Morning”.  155 people on board that flight certainly considered it to be a good day.  Consider the Positive Outlook on being the eyes and ears for bad things.  South Mountain Precinct has 88.99 square miles with a population of more than 250,000 people.  There are 121 Block Watch Groups with 75 being active and 15 new startup groups.  Arizona Department of Corrections cites an 80% recidivism of prisoners that are released. Recently a task force investigation gathered information and was able to return more than $80,000 out of $100,000 stolen property.

Lieutenant Connolly also shared information about “Operation Taxpayer Justice”   A food stamp subsidy program DES administrates.  Attorney General and DES partnered with Phoenix Police Department, served 4 search warrants and arrested 14 suspects.

Illegal drugs that are being seized include Methamphetamine, Crack or Powder Cocaine, Heroin and Marijuana.  Hidden compartments are becoming more sophisticated.  Out of 23 vehicles seized, 18 had elaborate hidden compartments.  There were 43 arrests and 38 guns recovered or seized.

Annie Alvarado spoke about a study ASU Center for Violence and Community Safety that involved Circle K managers in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale and Mesa.  They studied the commonalties of crimes committed at Circle K stores.  Annie will forward this report to Officer Deb Iodice who will share it with Block Watch groups.  Lt Connolly commended Target, Quik Trips and Circle K for spending money on video technology that captures crimes.  They are also training people to better understand what the Police Department needs to have successful prosecutions. Wells Fargo is offering a Tool Bank for tool lending.  There is an online voting process for nonprofit groups, and faith based organizations to express their interests. Annie will forward the information to Ofc Deb Iodice who will distribute to the Block Watch groups.

Ofc Deb Iodice talked about the G.A.I.N. date of October 15.  Information is now available online to register.  Community Action Officers and Community Program Coordinators will be mailing out information also.  There is a link for online registration at Phxblockwatch.org

The officers in attendance were asked to introduce themselves. Sheree Lee Community Programs Officer, Mayra Hawkins CAO, Pat McBride CAO, Ben Morris CAO, Chad Williamsen CAO and Scott McCauley Community Programs Sergeant.

PBWAB made a promise to Melissa Rider who recently retired as Community Programs Officer.  She was promised and presented with a special German Chocolate Cake, a Certificate of Appreciation and a gift bag with several items in it from PBWAB.  Caitlyn Mitchell from District 7 Councilman Nowakowski ‘s office presented Melissa with a “Friends of Phoenix Award”.

Caring Community Awards were presented to Dobbins Crossing Block Watch Group, David Cathell, Joseph Malahi, and Joan Laurie

Everyone wished Retired Officer Melissa Rider well in her new venture. We enjoyed refreshments and retirement cake. Tickets were also drawn for door prizes.

Phoenix Block Watch Advisory Board General Membership Meeting Summary May 24, 2011

Commander Jeff Hynes was first to speak.  He joined the Phoenix Police Department on 5/14/1979 (32 years ago).  He is the current Commander for Desert Horizon Precinct.  He worked in Central City Precinct from 2004-2007.  He talked about the importance of working with the community, and that he has a motto, "Rule of 3".  He asks each of his Block Watches to give him (the department) 3 problems to work on each time he meets with them, and then evaluate the department each month.  He says his goal is to eventually have problems down to 0.  He just finished up an Out of Control parking problem in one community, where numerous citations were issued.  He quoted Winston Churchill, and then handed the floor over to Lt. DeBenedetto.

Lt. Brian DeBenedetto is the current acting Commander for Black Mountain Precinct.  He stated that the area (precinct) is over 182 square miles, and that he has 150 officers in the precinct.  His biggest concern is the back up response time of other officers to the scene of an event.  Recently, a female officer was flagged down by a woman who claimed her boyfriend was armed, and then the man began firing on her.  She was able to save her life based on the training she received. 

Asst. Chief McClellan was on hand and chose to say a few words...He worked in IAB (Internal Affairs Bureau) for 2 years and was the North Patrol Chief.  He currently works out of headquarters at 620 W. Washington (referred to as 620).  He is a strong believer in the Community Based Policing and working with the Block Watches and PNP.

Officer Deb Iodice gave the update for the Phoenix Police Department, stating again that the 2011 Crime Prevention EXPO is 4/16.  She also stated that 60 7th & 8th graders became CERT volunteers over Spring Break.  The next Block Watch and PNP training is on 5/14...

Annie Alvarado of Neighborhood Services Department spoke about the importance of reaching out to NSD for Graffiti, blight, neighbor and other problems...  She talked about the new Phoenix Neighborhood and Volunteer Tool Kit and that it is for Neighborhood Associations and Volunteer Projects.

Greg Gonzales of NSD spoke about the importance of residents attending the Strategic Planning meetings beginning in April and then congratulated Goldie Cohen for her years of service with NSD in Graffiti removal.

Caring Community Award winners for this month were Bud Smith, Tom Whelan and Shirley Arthur.

Door prizes were handed out and the meeting was adjourned.

NSD -3325 W. Flower

Public Safety Manager Jack Harris was the guest speaker for the Phoenix Block Watch Advisory Board General Meeting. He spoke about many concerns including the downward economy. The Phoenix Police Department has pared back on their operating budget – cut back on equipment, scaled down and delayed purchases, etc.  They are already doing more on less at this time.   Each day it costs about $1.3 million to operate the Phoenix Police Department.   The operating budget is 93% people related. If the PD has make anymore budget cutback, the only thing it can do is let go people.

Public Safety Manager Harris is very much in favor of Community Based Policing, because officers who work with neighborhoods in order to solve a particular crime problem, is a win-win situation for everyone. It also enables officers to attend a Block Watch meeting and share many crime prevention tips. Community Based Policing in the Phoenix Police Department will continue to have a direct impact on improving the quality of life for each resident in the City of Phoenix.

City-Wide Block Watch Coordinator Update:

Ofc Deb Iodice had a few updates.

1. Squaw Peak Precinct will be renamed and moving sometime in March or April. The new name is Mountain View Precinct, 2075 E. Maryland. 

2. The next Block Watch Leaders/Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol training is on Saturday, March 12. (7:30a.m. registration) @ Neighborhood Service Department Building, 3325 W. Flower (north of Thomas). Please contact the Community Relations Bureau at 602-262-7331 to register.