The BTN Quarterly Newsletter
Security Update
At the onset of summer, neighborhood security is now one of our foremost thoughts.
However, summer presents its own security issues, and we all need to be aware of some Do’s and Don’ts that apply to this season. These guidelines are even more important now, since BTN has seen a greater occurrence of vagrants wandering through the neighborhood.
The biggest issues the BTN Homeowners face are crimes of opportunity. Help stop these by observing the following guidance:
1. If you park a vehicle outside, do not leave it unlocked, and be sure to remove valuable items.
2. Do not leave tools or anything of value in truck beds.
3. Please keep your garage door closed except when your activities and trips require otherwise.
These three simple actions can go a long way in preventing small theft. Most of all residents and ENP reports I have received over the past 7 years have resulted from failing to follow these protective measures.
In the past month, there have been several incidents of mailbox theft reported on Holly Tree and Spyglass Drive. Also, an incident of license plate theft on Banyan. If you notice or have a security related problem, please contact 911 first, then call our ENP team and finally, report the situation on the BTN Message Board HERE. In this way all members as well as the board can be alerted.
USPS is offering residents a free service called “informed delivery”. To receive a snapshot of your mail expected each day register go HERE.
Summer is the vacation season, and various actions should be taken to limit criminal activity while you are away.
- Do not advertise your vacation on social media or share travel photos when you are gone. It is disarming how burglars scour Facebook, WhatsApp.com, looking for this kind of information.
- Stop your mail and newspaper.
- VERY IMPORTANT: If you are expecting a package while you are away, consider having them shipped elsewhere for later pickup, or getting a neighbor to secure them once they arrive at your house. Theft of these packages has increased in the past few years.
- If you have timers on internal lights, set them when you leave town. Just because you are gone, the house does not have to be dark.
- Know your neighbors. Have them monitor your home when you’re away for vacation. Do the same for them. This is the first line of neighborhood security.
- Many of our HOA members take advantage of the fact that the ENP will monitor their residence when they are out of town. We encourage all members to do this, but, as a caveat, please instruct any friends, neighbors, or contractors who will be at the house during that time to leave the residence just as they found it, closing (and locking) all gates and doors.
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER, BE DILIGENT, AND STAY SAFE!
Roy Harris - BTN HOA Board Member