Neighborhood Watch Alert

While it seems that life has been fairly calm in Monte Vista, our neighbors in Webb Park and Hundred Oaks have not been as lucky. I am including what we have heard of so far:

.) Burglary/Scam. A neighbor that lives on Longwood, between Broussard and Woodside was burglarized today. A white lady, about 5’4” with blonde hair identified herself as a person who worked for the water company. She informed the homeowner that they needed to turn off the water for a few hours to work on the line. She asked if she could come inside to check the home owner’s water pressure. The home owner allowed her to come inside. The lady then asked the home owner if they would show her where the water meter was located outside. So the home owner walked outside with the lady to find the water meter. Long story short, the lady left and when the home owner went back inside, they discovered they had been robbed. The lady who was “checking the water pressure” was distracting the homeowner while someone else was inside the house stealing.

The lady who distracted the home owner was a fast talker, maybe in her 30’s, with an accent, possibly from New York. She was picked up by a white van, driven by a white male. Please pass on this information to your friends and neighbors, and particularly those who may not have email or older relatives who may live alone.
2.) A house on Steele Blvd was burglarized today. Another large flat screen TV was stolen.
3.) A house on Richland near Hundred Oaks was also found burglarized today.
4.) a car on Myrtle My car was unlocked but under a carport, the satellite radio is gone and they went thru every nook n craney in there. No one heard or saw anything.


The Burglary/Scam that happened today on Longwood is not uncommon. But these scams come in different forms. Today it was a “water pressure” excuse, but tomorrow it could be another type of utility company or excuse to get in your house. If this happens, don’t let them in, call the police and try to get a description of the vehicle or license plate number. Here are a few other things to remember:

* Stop and think. Are you expecting anyone to come to your home? Most utilities and service staff won't come to your home unannounced. They will make an appointment before showing up.
* If your door has a chain, put it on before answering the door. It will create a barrier between you and the caller.
* If someone unexpected, who you don't know, comes to your home, don't let them in unless you are absolutely certain they are genuine.
* Try not to keep large amounts of cash in your home. Keep things like your pension book, savings book, checkbook and credit cards well hidden.


We need everyone to be on the look out for anything suspicious. Write down license plate numbers, take pictures and call the police (389-2000). See you this evening at the MVNA meeting!

January MVNA Meeting

Hello All,

I hope you had a great holiday season. Sorry I'm a little late sending this out, but we'll be holding our January MVNA meeting at Sam and Alla Muffoletto's house (663 Arlington - corner of Oleander & Arlington) on Thursday, January 27, 2011 @ 6pm. We'll be outside in the side yard again unless weather decides otherwise. A representative from Catholic High School will be present to discuss the recent acquisition of the Westmoreland Shopping Center property. They will talk briefly about what the non-profit and the school plan to do with it in the immediate future as well as what the long-term plans are for the school. We will also talk a little about the neighborhood watch and what you can do to be a part of it.

We hope to see you all there.

Thanks!

Justin Lemoine

President, MVNA

225.931.4863

jklemoine@gmail.com