Posted by Mea sdavies7@carolina.rr.com (69.132.12.198) on July 23, 2006 at 20:40:35:
In Reply to: Re: Lawn mower stolen posted by Cassandra on July 21, 2006 at 07:34:57:
Have the police identified any specific people to watch for in the neighborhood? Several years ago there were pictures on the PMW website of known criminals in our area.
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: Hi Ann,
: Sorry about the mower.
: A few side notes in response to the rest of yoru message. Yes--it is very disturbing that officers did not know of the shooting on my property. On Tuesday, A very 'sick' looking man was roaming the streets in nothing but a very soiled, above the knee t-shirt wearing two white hospital wristbands in front of my home. There were 2 officers speaking with him when I noticed this. They ended up questioning him and letting him continue on. I stepped out to ask about the situation and was told the man apparently 'checked himself out of CMC a few days ago and was on his way back to get his medication.' (I guess I question why the officers would not have taken him there themselves. It was very apparent he needed some kind of 'help.') In addition, they were also not ware of the shooting the day before either. (I will also mention the officer that removed the 40 guage bullet from my house simply took the bullet and left--they did not look for the culprit at all as best as I can determine.
: They did give me a few tips (most of which we all know, motion lights, dogs, security systems, big locks on sheds.) However, 2 that stand out: putting screws in your windows to keep them locked. If like me, you have original windows, (half moon shaped locks) they are apparently very easy to open with a credit card. (We tested this and it is TRUER than I would like to admit...10 seconds and I coudl break in. I have added 2 screws to each window.) Also, he mentioned not opening your door for contractors or those looking to mow lawns etc. Which seems obvious, however, he also stated to let them know though the door/window you are not interested as in many cases, these 'workers' are merely looking for home to break into, and if you do not respond in same fashion you could come face-to-face with an intruder.
: That said, I had 2 very 'unsettlling' men come to my door this week. (same 2 men--white, mid 40's) looking to mow lawns. The second time they stopped by I called for 'my other half' and by the time he got to the door--they were half way down the street. Why would 2 men looking for work flee when I called for him to get the door? Moral of my ramblings, we all need to be aware of our surroundings as we can not count on the police...we need to police ourselves as they can not be here 24X7 likewe are. We need to report what does nto seem 'right.' The officers also stated ANY time people like this step onto our properties and we feel 'uncomfortable' we should report them. (ex: I found a man walking in my back yard looking under my deck claiming he was looking for his dog--they said I should have reported this. I did not as I did not think this was a big enough issue to 'bother' the police) Let's 'bother' them a bot more and maybe we can start feeling a bit safer in teh long run. Best, Cassandra
: : Today my lawnmower was stolen from my screened side porch, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. I live on The Plaza in the grey duplex at the corner of Belvedere. The lawn mower was on the porch because in May, I had a lawn mower stolen from my backyard, chained to the gas meter.
: : I was very disturbed that he didn't know about the shooting just two houses up earlier in the week. It would certainly be more comforting to know that the police in the area were aware of other crime in the neighborhood.