Neighborhood Watch Alert 3/11

I am passing along some information from our neighbors and calling a meeting of the Monte Vista Neighborhood Watch: Sunday, March 20 at 7pm in 558 Arlington Ave. Call me at 225-387-0634 or email sherijean@gmail.com and let me know if you will make it!
-Sheri


From the Broussard Civic Association:

Someone tried to break into 1011 Marwede around 8 am this morning. They attempted to kick in the back door but were unsuccessful. The alarm went off and apparently scared them away. They had moved the garbage can near the front door and had plans to dump their goods in it and roll it down the street. The police officer that responded said that they have had similar incidents on Kenmore, Arlington and several other locations in the area. He said people need to be aware of anyone walking around in the area no matter what they look like and call BRPD at 389-2000 to report them. He also mentioned that they had a home invasion recently on Beverly (north of Government St.) because someone opened their door to a stranger who then put a gun in their face to gain entry. He said that we all need to stop being so polite to strangers and not be afraid to report them to the police.

Neighborhood Watch Alert 2/22

We have had two reports of car break ins over on Eugene. As a reminder, please do not keep valuables in your car and make sure your vehicle is locked. I recommend investing in motion sensing lights especially around your car ports and drives. This is a good deterrent and will keep you you driving into the dark when you arrive home at night. Stay safe people!

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

Westmoreland Shopping Center Sold!

After years of sitting in decay and disrepair, the Westmoreland Shopping Center has been sold to Catholic High School! The school has immediate plans to tear down the vacant portion of the shopping center adjacent to CVS. The school is also focusing its efforts on a long-term master plan for the campus including the Westmoreland Shopping Center. For more info:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/latest/112396029.html

Holiday Social is this Friday!

Hello All,

Just a reminder about the MVNA Holiday Social this coming Friday, December 17th at 7pm. It'll be located at 538 & 546 Arlington: Our home and Melissa Braud & Shelley Warrington's home. We'll set up between the houses in the driveway under a canopy of lights. We'll provide tables and some chairs, but feel free to bring a portable chair as we may not have enough for everybody. We'll be providing sodas and bottled water, ice, plates, cups, napkins, etc and we'll also have the fire going in the back. If for some reason it decides to rain, we'll just move the party inside. Again, so the burden doesn't fall on any one person, please bring a dish, dessert, snack of your choice and BYOB. Looking forward to seeing you all there on Friday and don't hesitate to call if you have any questions.

Justin

225.931.4863

Holiday Social

OK All, the responses are in and we'll be holding our first annual MVNA Holiday Social on Friday, December 17th.

We don't have a location finalized yet so stay tuned. Let's make this a potluck. Every house bring your favorite side, dessert, snack, appetizer, etc and I'll provide the beverages and ice. As always, BYOB. Email me with any questions and hope to see you there!

Justin Lemoine
President, MVNA
225.931.4863
jklemoine@gmail.com