Security & Development Update

May 20, 2011

This month’s Security & Development Meeting was attended by Officers from Harris County Precinct One Constables, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Aldine Police Department as well as several private security companies working in the area and corporate security personnel. We are extremely grateful to all of these organizations for their commitment to making our community safer.

Law Enforcement Updates
Constables - Last month several apartment complexes mentioned that several individuals were frequently found in the area. In response to these reports, the Constables have focused patrols in the area and have issued warrants for the arrest of these individuals.

K-9 patrols have begun. Officer Buzz and his handler, Deputy Ben Adams, are at work in the area and have already made several arrests for possession of narcotics. Who’s a good dog?!

HPD Update – Crime in general is down. HPD is seeing an increase in purse snatchings, usually among mothers with small children and older ladies. Most of these incidents are taking place in the shopping centers on Antoine and 290. HPD has made one arrest for purse snatching recently but expect the number of incidents to rise during the summer months.

During the last two years HPD has been focusing on vagrant crimes. A concentrated effort has been made to move everyone who sleeps under bridges along 290 and 610 as well as from the wooded areas along Pinemont out of the community.

Sheriff’s Department Update – Sterling Grove contracts with the Sheriff’s Department to patrol the property. Sterling Grove is under construction, so much of the property is closed closed and fenced off. The construction is going well and the property is beginning to look good. The portion of the property that is fenced off is patrolled by private security personnel overnight.

Aldine Police Department – Chief Allen reported that Aldine PD is operating 24/7, so if residents see kids behaving suspiciously or committing a crime they can report them to Aldine PD.

Community Input
Forged Products – Security personnel reported theft of brass coupling off of their sprinkler system. There have been numerous instances of thefts of brass and copper fittings in the area. Equipment containing brass or copper parts should be secured and marked.

Linda Vista – Has received approval for renovation funding from the City of Houston. Construction should begin June 1with resident relocations.

Email circulating – Reports that people banging on doors yelling 911 to gain entrance to homes. Never open the door without knowing who is on the other side.

H-GAC Livable Centers Study
As part of there efforts to improve the area, the District is moving forward with a H-GAC Livable Centers Study Grant. Public Meetings were held on April 26 & 28 to get community input for the scope and type of changes needed in the area. Designers took several days to process this information and have presented an initial plan. See the power point presentation at http://ping.fm/4HhBQ

Improving the area depends on security. We all need to be vigilant about paying attention to what is happening in the community and who is moving in. We need eyes on the street and for residents and business owners to attend our security meeting and share information with law enforcement officers.

Security Prevention Tips with Deputy Art St. John
1. Every door and door frame has its fatigue and breaking points.
2. Screws must extend through the jamb and into the studs of the door frame.
3. None of the fasten screws should be aligned as in-line screws tend to split the wood.
4. Recommended screw length is 3 inches.
5. A deadbolt lock is recommended. Must lock with a minimum bolt throw of 1 inch that penetrates a metal strike plate. It locks into place with no spring to extend or retract it.
6. If a door is secured by a deadbolt lock has breakable glass within 40 inches, the lock must be key-operated from both sides unless prohibited by life safety codes.
7. The single cylinder deadbolt is locked or unlocked from the outside by a key and from the inside with a thumb turn.
8. The double cylinder deadbolt is locked or unlocked by a key from either side.
9. Solid core wooden doors that are 1 3/8 inches thick are considered to be very secured if properly set in a secure frame with deadbolt locks.
10. Garage doors are equipped with key-operating locking device.
11. Use non-removeable pins or weld pins in place. For exterior hinges, drill hole though hinge into hinge pin and place a set screw in hole preventing removal.
Goal is to deny, deter, delay and detect.

National Night Out
The District has begun planning for National Night Out scheduled for Tuesday, October 4. We are looking for home owner and business participation to make this event bigger and better than last year.

Next Meeting
June 14, 9am at 5300 Hollister, 100, Please forward this update to your contacts in the area. The more participation we have from the community we have, the safer our area will be.