Neighborhood Watch and Personal Property Theft

On behalf of the board of your HOA, let me extend my thanks to those residents who help to make our community a safe and attractive place in which to live. Have you noticed that overnight parking on our narrow streets has all but disappeared? In case of an emergency, having the streets clear of parked vehicles makes it much easier for first responders to reach their destination in a timely fashion. If you happen to see a vehicle parked overnight on the street, please call me at 529-2733 or another board member.

Additional thanks goes to those who have observed and reported “suspicious” activity in our area. When that type of activity occurs, please call our Sheriff’s Department at 911 promptly. They welcome our calls because the patrol officers want to keep abreast of what is happening on their “beats.” Only AFTER calling 911, please give me or another board member a call. Don’t be concerned about calling 911. The dispatchers are trained to adeptly triage the calls appropriately.

You are cordially invited to attend our next Neighborhood Watch Meeting. The date is January 26, 2015, and the time is 7:00-9:00 PM. In addition to a speaker from the Sheriff’s Department, a representative from the Audubon Society will present information about birds that frequent our region.

Personal Property Theft in SMVE Community

Note: The Homeowners Association cannot assume responsibility or become involved in Homeowner’s personal business or property. Thus, the Association cannot OVER-REACT by unnecessarily emailing security alerts unless supported by data and a Sheriff’s report. Anecdotal “crisis alerts” tend to foster insecurity, fear, and worst-case scenarios with anxious uncertainty among vulnerable neighbors.

Therefore, if you experience a theft in or around your property:

• Call 911 to report to the Sheriff the item missing plus the date and approximate time of loss. Calling 911 helps the Sheriff’s Office to establish a pattern of activity in our area. Your report may be associated with similar activity extending beyond our HOA’s borders.
• Lock your front gate nightly if possible. It is convenient to key your gate lock to home doors (one key fits all).
• Garage Door Down (at all times when you are not personally present). No reason to advertise what you own to thieves.
• Post lights ON (sensor) all the time.
• Notify the Chair of Security and Safety, Joe Steiner, who will notify Central Alarm, our contracted vendor for SMVE HOA security surveillance.

Remember: anything outside your front or back locked gate should be considered vulnerable to theft. Tucson over the last 38+ years has become a “big city” just like Phoenix. Please adjust your cautious behavior and maintain safe practices for yourself and your property.

For SMVE Board of Directors:

✉ by Joe Steiner, Chair, Safety & Security & ✉ Bob Vaughan, President SMVE HOA

[Unanimously approved after discussion by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2014.]

Ref: Fall 2014 SMVE Newsletter