Crime Watch Committee Chairperson is Amy Platt
This committee organizes crime watch meetings and receives and disseminates information regarding criminal activity to the homeowners.
- Below are the county officials that cover our area.
Sgt. Dianne Paavel of the Crime Watch Division of Lexington County Sheriff's Department.
Officer Billy Womble is the Sheriff for our neighborhood.
Please be vigilant for you and your neighbors!. Immediately report anything that you feel needs to be investigated.
***************************************************************
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECENT HOME BREAKINS TO SOME OF SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS! READ BELOW TO AVOID THIS HAPPENING TO YOU
***************************************************************
Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door. Understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet..
11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12.You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system.. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
(Find it at faketv.com <http://faketv.com/%3E)
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
- If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you:
Wasp Spray : A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead. The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray,they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote.
- "That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."Maybe
- even save a life. Please share this with all the people in your life.
Auto Break-Ins
Don’t leave valuables in the car. Remove all valuables from the vehicle and keep the vehicles locked.
- Take all valuables such as radar detectors, cell phones, compact disc, MP3 players, computers, purses etc. inside your home or lock in your trunk. If you lock them in your trunk make sure you can lock the device inside your vehicle from releasing the trunk.
- If you do leave them in the car, keep them out of sight.
If you have an garage, put your vehicle inside if at all possible, and keep the garage door closed and locked
- Install motion detectors on the front of your home, especially where the garage is located. If awakened during the night, look out the window and check on the neighborhood and any other suspicious activities, especially around the vehicles.
- Investigate the neighbors barking dog, it might be more than just the neighborhood cat.
General Safety Tips
♦Beware of your surroundings take time to look around the area you plan to enter (parking lot)
♦Appear confident and assertive.
♦Walk with someone to your car to your work place (friend, co-workers…)
♦Park in a well-lit area.
♦Keep a free hand when approaching or leaving your car.
♦Have your car keys ready.
- Separate your car keys from the other keys in case you need to go back to a place of safety.
♦If a carjacker wants your car, give him the key! Different story if he wants you!
♦If at all possible, never go with the suspect(s)
♦Plan your route---Don’t drive in unfamiliar areas, avoid trouble spots
♦Keep your doors locked and windows up
♦Look in the rear view mirror often
♦Keep packages, purse, etc. on the vehicle floor rather than on the seat where they are easier to see.
♦Keep your vehicle in good working order and with plenty of gas. Good rule of thumb is at a ½ a tank of gas, get gas when and where you feel safe.
THIS INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE LEXINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
This committee needs "CRIME DOGS"! If you would like to help or make a report use link below or call the Sheriff's Dept.