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GREENBRIER Neighborhood Watch
GREENBRIER NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Leave Outdoor/Porch Lights ON...DUSK TO DAWN !!!
 THERE IS NO LAW THAT SAYS YOU MUST OPEN YOUR FRONT DOOR JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE KNOCKS--
***There has been a report of robbers posing as survey takers...just to case your home for valuables once inside.  Don't give them help in knowing when you or neighbors are not home!  Install a peep hole & ASK FOR CREDENTIALS --  Remember the life you safe may be yours.
***Reports of ad flyers being put on back window of cars so owner while trying to back out of parking slot will momentarily jump out of car to remove offending flyer only to have someone waiting to jump in open door & speed off with car!  Never leave keys in ignition even for "a few minutes"...
THIS is against the law locally AND some insurance companies may not honor your policy if you leave keys in car!


Click above
for GHA 







LINKS:
Elkhorn Police Dept
Non Emergency
# 289-2132

office of:
Homeland Security 


 

 

 


GHA Picnic: September 11th-Saturday 4PM -?
@ 21416 Ridgewood Rd  -  in Greenbrier
come celebrate with us on "PATRIOT'S DAY!" 
Click on above to go to GHA website
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ELKHORN National Night Out:  was August 1st -SUNDAY 5-8 pm
G.N.W. was an Event sponsor for--The GREAT ELKHORN "CROOK OFF" National Night Out:
     The 1st Annual: "Great Elkhorn Crook Off" is now history...and such a success! 
       Little did I suspect over 2 months ago when I approached Officer Bratcher about a community wide event for National Night Out--that it would be so embraced by business and community members alike.
     The Thank you list is long and star-studded!
     Along with Bratcher, of course Chiefs Tim Dempsey and Steve Morrissey were on board from day one and I got to work with EFD's Dan Mallory and new Community Center head Tracy Zink (whom everyone should get to know). 
     Bratcher was like a child with a new toy--enthusiasm bursting as he went from business to business asking for contributions of money to items for our event.  InterTech Collision's Tom Daley put it best when he said:"You just have to give back to the community"...he wrote one of the first checks as did AIB & US Banks, Dwite Pedersen and Greenbrier Homeowners/Neighborhood Watch Assn.
     I thank Bratcher for endulging my creativity as I had great fun designing the Anti-crime/Power of Prevention "CROOK OFF" logo, flyers, letters and signs to distribute and post at so many happy-to-help businesses around town.  I used the logo on many items for volunteers, judges and even the white aprons had iron-ons to commemorate the days 5 winners.
     Other stars to thank were Chris at Elkhorn Ace Hardware that donated wonderful kitchen ceramic collection of prizes for the Pie Crook Off winner; Gateway Lanes gave 200 buns for 'tube steaks' served on the paper goods provided by Dick's Market.  Elkhorn Drug covered the need for 200 balloons for the kids.  Post Gazette's editor Mary Lou Rodgers was more than generous with her time and article space given for G.E.C.O.
     The Great Elkhorn Pie Crook Off had almost 30 entries by talented cooks.  Thank-yous should also follow to the tastebuds of the Pie Judges: Officer Rich Berggren; Do Co Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson; St Senator Dwite Pedersen; and City Councilman David Rosacker.  Many helping hands kept the food and drinks going and deserve a 'high five'.
     I would like to thank my son Kenny (along with his friend Mary) who undertook the Face Painting/stamps for kids as well as my husband Ken.  And the Elkhorn's Young Explorers who helped all over doing balloons, sidewalk chalk, parking lot and food aid duties.  The volunteer grilling cooks did a bang up job working over a hot grill on a very warm day.  Their grilled 'tube steaks' were eaten almost as fast as they arrived to feed the 100+ residents who came out for the event! 
     This was a police/fire community partnership that had a focus on getting to know the people who work to prevent crimes or catastrophe daily. Representatives from Dept. of Justice-US Marshal Service; Elkhorn Police and Elkhorn Fire/Rescue are owed the Biggest of THANK YOUs of all for their donning of not just their gear but attitude that each day protects us all.  Their service should not be forgotten or taken for granted because they never fail to answer when called upon and in this post 9-11 world we can never be too prepared. 
     Until next year...THANKS to all!
     --CJ Bessey
     Co-Coordinator G.E.C.O.

   "In today's world we must learn to stand together to fight against injustice.  We must recognize that Crime and Criminals are a threat to us all.  Only then can we join together against the threat and only then will we notice change!"

(THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER WITH THE WAR ON TERRORISM...STAY ALERT!!!)
The best crime prevention tool is a good neighbor & THE POWER OF PREVENTION!  The security steps you and your neighbors take as a group are just as important as the things you do individually.  This joint effort is called NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH!
What is NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH?


  You've heard the name "Neighborhood Watch"  but do you know what the organization does or who is involved in it?  Neighborhood Watch is an organization that was created to teach people how to protect themselves from crime and how to work in conjunction with the local Police Department.

The goal is Prevention through Community Involvement" = Neighbor Helping Neighbor!
How does NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH work?
  Neighborhood Watch is a national program which unites law enforcement agencies, local organizations & individual citizens in a community wide effort to reduce residential crime.
    You and your neighbors keep an eye on your neighborhood.  If you observe a crime or suspicious activity in your area--you immediately report what you have observed to the police.  Town/city Police respond to your call and investigate or apprehend the criminal.  The Police will keep the Commanders & Street Captains updated on local criminal activity who then share this with homeowners.  
MCGRUFF
   The National Crime Prevention Council & On-line Resource Center, offers many useful crime prevention tips for self, home, and family; community policing; neighborhood building; plus information on McGruff the Crime Dog and his nephew, Scruff.  Find out how you can help...Take A Bite...Out Of Crime!

 Developing CITIZEN AWARENESS Through CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS:
    Meetings of your Neighborhood Watch group should be utilized for programs to develop citizen awareness and proper response to suspected or actual criminal activities.  Speakers from the ELKHORN POLICE DEPARTMENT as well as from a wide range of community organizations are valuable resources for this training.
    Appropriate program topics may include the following:
--Recognizing suspicious activity; --Describing and reporting events, vehicles and persons; --Home security measures; --Telephone Security; --Confrontations with intruders; --Developing a Secret Password/Code Phrase Responses with family members; and the list goes on & on.

Home Security Inspections:
    One of the most effective ways to educate GNW (Greenbrier Neighborhood Watch) participants to protect their property is to arrange for detailed Security Inspections of their homes.  The Elkhorn Police Department Crime Prevention Unit/Officer can assist you in the effort and can provide GNW members with home security inspection checklists so that preliminary surveys can be conducted by homeowners or Block/Street Captains.

Home Security Measures:
    You must be aware of the potential risk of crime in your home in order to prevent it or how to respond to it.  

       FIRST ...Remember that the key factor in most crimes is: IF THEY CAN'T GET AT IT--THEY CAN'T TAKE IT!    THEN...follow simple regular plan of home security measures to deter the potential burglar or intruder.  
EXAMPLES:
---USE A TIMER or PHOTO ELECTRIC CELL that automatically turns a living room light on at dusk (especially if away on a trip).  
---LEAVE RADIO/TV ON even for short periods of empty house.
---ALWAYS CLOSE & LOCK GARAGE DOORS.  Criminals know these are left unlocked for kids or ease of entry by people carrying packages.
---SECURE REMOTE DOOR OPENERS in car's glove compartment or so unseen from outside vehicle windows.
---SECURE ALL POINTS OF ENTRY to your home.  Pretend you are the burglar...stand outside and plan how you would get in, then install secure locks and motion sensor lights for particular areas of concern.
---LOCK UP LADDERS, ROPES, TOOLS that could help aid an intruder.
---KEEP SHRUBBERY TRIMMED near your doors, windows, cars.  Don't provide concealment or climbing platforms for the criminal.
---BRIGHTLY LIGHT ENTRANCES preferrably high up or with vandal proof fixtures.
---KEEP GRASS CUT your leaves raked, etc, to indicate a well cared for home.
---EMPTY MAILBOX or ask neighbor to collect or stop for trips & hospital stays.
---INSTALL NEW LOCKS or have locksmith change key profiles after buying a home.  Have apartment manager arrange to exchange door knobs/keys with a vacant door distant from yours.
---NEVER HIDE KEYS OUTSIDE.  If you can think of it--so can a thief.
---AVOID DISPLAYING VALUABLE ITEMS near windows so easily seen.
---NEVER LEAVE DOORS/WINDOWS OPEN while home is empty.
---DISPLAY ONLY YOUR ADDRESS on mailbox or house--use only last name inside mailbox if required by mailcarrier.
---USE BUDDY SYSTEM with neighbors to watch out for "moving companies" or "repair people" at a house with no one home.

TELEPHONE SECURITY:
---NEVER GIVE PERSONAL INFO. TO STRANGER.  If they called you they already should know your name.
---NEVER GIVE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON PHONE OR EMAIL.
---NEVER GIVE CREDIT CARD OR BANK NUMBERS ON PHONE OR EMAIL.  Do not give out a card number to someone whom YOU do not know or whom YOU did not call.
---NEVER LET PHONER KNOW YOU ARE HOME ALONE OR LEAVING SOON.  Instruct babysitters never to tell anyone who calls that they are home alone with your children.
---TEACH KIDS NEVER TO ADMIT THEY ARE HOME ALONE.  Teach them to respond that "My parent(s) can't come to phone right now, can I take a message?"

WHAT IF CONFRONTED BY AN INTRUDER?

     DEVELOP THE HABIT OF SURVEYING YOUR SURROUNDINGS.  Develop habit of surveying your home or car each time you approach it.  If you notice evidence that someone has broken in...DO NOT ENTER or APPROACH.  Go to nearest phone & call 911, use cell phone, neighbors phone, payphone or go to open business nearby.

      If you should you surprise an intruder the first rule is: GET OUT OF HIS WAY!  NEVER GET BETWEEN THE INTRUDER AND THE EXIT or DOOR & DO NOT TRY TO STOP HIM--THIS COULD COST YOU YOUR LIFE!!!  

      If you are in your home and someone is prowling outside...make it appear that several people are at home.  For example: Call out to someone in conversation & concern "Dan, there's someone outside!"  Call the police 911 and if it is dark turn on lights inside & outside.       If an intruder has already broken in, RETREAT and pull other doors shut between the two of you.  It is a good idea to have a deadbolt on an interior door--like a bedroom or basement "SAFE SPACE".
     If you cannot get out, try to signal a neighbor by throwing something through a window...just noise can frighten a burglar away.
     If someone should enter your bedroom while in bed pretend you are asleep as long as he does not come near you.  
     If the intruder is armed--do what he says, and see that the children do so as well.  Remain calm--intruders generally want your property rather than you life.

       Memorize a description of the intruder & when it is SAFE TO DO SO.. CALL 911 !

 BE AWARE...ALWAYS!!
      BEFORE leaving a store or BEFORE getting out of your car in the parking lot...STOP & LOOK AROUND...don't be afraid to CHANGE YOUR PLANS--if you see suspicious persons.  LISTEN to that inner voice that says: "DANGER!"  STAY in the store...ask an employee to walk you to your vehicle.  If in your car...DRIVE AWAY.  If you have kids in carseats...PARK WITH THAT SIDE OF CAR FACING STORE & NOT BEHIND LARGE VEHICLES WHERE NO ONE CAN SEE YOU.  Don't rely on car security alarms...most people ignore them...rather get metal whistles & keep one on your keychain.  Take one with you on walks.  Most people always turn to look when a whistle is blown--and even a child can blow on one.
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