REMINDER ABOUT JULY 7TH.

July 7th, 2012 from 10 am to 2 pm the Eastern Heights Block Watch is having a Community Day Event. Everyone is invited. There are 32 tables of organizations, food, games and raffles. The Red Cross Disaster Vehicle will be on hand along with the Elyria Police Department, Elyria Fire Department and the Lorain County Sheriff. Mark your calendar and come join the fun

Summer Issues

Summer is here. Along with warm weather it brings other issues. Kids are out of school, some with nothing to do....that often equals problems. The weather is HOT so windows are open and people often forget to close them at night. The same rules of safety, that apply all year, apply now. Lock it or Lose it! It s that simple. In the evening lock ALL your windows and doors. Close your blinds and or drapes as evening begins. Why should you lose the view? Because people will be casually strolling the neighborhood, looking for those windows they can see into. They are checking the places they may want to break into later. BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR OURSIDE LIGHTS ON. This allows your neighbors to see if anyone is around your house in the evening. Don t leave things outside that you don t want to lose. LOCK YOUR CARS. All of this takes just minutes but if someone wants to take something, they ll do it in just seconds! If you see someone around a neighbors house at night and you know it is not your neighbor and their movements are suspious, CALL THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY. Don t wait to tell your neighbor about it tomorrow, tomorrow may be too late. I also encourage people to get a dog. I have two. One is just a dog, but adorable. The other is a watch dog and trust me, he ll go after anyone who would attempt to come in the house at night. I do not believe in caging my dogs. After all, he s a watch dog. He needs to patrol the house. He s pretty useless in a cage. If you are getting a dog..get a DOG not a little dust mop. You want a good sized dog with a deep, loud bark. My house had an attempted break in about 7 years ago. The dog I had at that time put a quick stop to it. Not everyone is a dog lover but they are wonderful animals. They are loyal and protective and that is what you are looking for.

Event coming up!

July 7th, 2012 from 10 am to 2 pm the Eastern Heights Block Watch is having a Community Day Event. Everyone is invited. There are 24 tables of organizations, food, games and raffles. The Red Cross Disaster Vehicle will be on hand along with the Elyria Police Department, Elyria Fire Department and the Lorain County Sheriff. Mark your calendar and come join the fun.

Safety Tips from EMH

This Crime Prevention Alert is intended to notify you of several recent muggings which have taken place south of the EMH Elyria Campus. The three muggings all occurred in the area of Fourth and East River streets between 5 and 7:30 a.m..



The suspect in these muggings has been described as an African-American Male, late 20’s – early 30’s, 5’11 , large build, Gray shirt, possibly wearing a large coat. The suspect may approach his victims under the ruse of asking a question.



The following crime prevention tips are provided to assist you in maintaining your personal and property safety in parking areas:



• Always lock your vehicle when it is parked on hospital property.

• All packages and other valuables should be locked in the trunk or brought into the building to be secured

• Walk with others or request an escort to and from parking areas

• Check underneath your vehicle upon approach and inside prior to entering the passenger compartment

• If concealing items in your trunk or under your seat perform this action before arriving at your destination

• Have your keys ready before leaving the building.

• Lock your doors as soon as you enter your vehicle.

• Walk confidently and beware of your surroundings.

• Immediately report suspicious persons or activities to the Safety & Security Department or local police







Gregory W. Kulow

Director Safety & Security/Communications

EMH Healthcare

Are you prepared for a disaster?

What would you do in a disaster? It’s critical to be well-prepared. Check out
what the American Red Cross suggests: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=fc56d7aada352210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Broken Car Windows

This was just sent to me this morning.

Around 10 this morning I saw at least 2 cars with smashed windows on east side of Park Ave. between Columbia & Eastern Hgts. Called it in & police arrived quickly.

**If you have a driveway, use it. I know moving cars in and out can be a pain, we have to do that often. However, parking in the street leaves your car available for broken windows, slashed tires, being keyed and other things.

Nothing like leaving for work, early in the morning, and finding a problem like this.

Having work done on your home?

I am getting a new roof. They started today. Normally, I get up, get dressed and open the blinds on the second floor. This morning I started to do just that and suddenly thought...there are going to be men working on the roof today. Do I REALLY want them to see what s in the house? So, I closed the blinds on all the 2ND floor windows and tipped the blinds on the first floor so they could only see toward the floor.

Be careful when you are having any work done at your home, inside or out.

Better safe than sorry.

Smart Phones and Photos...What you should know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2vARzvWxwY

Spring Safety Tips

With Spring in the air and warmer days ahead keep these tips in mind with your doors and windows open



1. If you leave your front or side door open be sure you have the screen door locked even if your at home.


2. Do you keep your keys by the door so you can quickly grab them on your way out.
Well a burglar can also quickly grab them as well and not only gain access to your
home but also your garage and vehicles.


3. Ladies don't leave your purse on a table or counter top that can be seen from the outside of the home. Many thieve can quickly grab a purse just by opening a screen and leave quietly without you even noticing.


4. Make sure items such as picnic tables or outdoor furniture are not placed directly under or near your windows. Burglars have no problem standing on one to get to that window you thought was high enough not to be reached.

A hero in the neighborhood

If you saw the paper today you saw we have a bit of hero in the area. A young man was walking from the Princeton area toward E. Hts., on Sherman. He happened to see two guys going through cars. He followed them a ways and then yelled at them..the one took off. The other guy hung around and told the young man he lived there. The young man said he was sure the guy wouldn t mind him going up to the door with him to get confirmation. The guy ( who actually lived on Broad Street) took off running. The young man gave chase, knocked him down and called the police. The " car snoop" was arrested. Police checked with the owners of the cars and they said nothing was taken. We discourage anyone from getting involved with a would be "thug" but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. Hats off to the young man. I m going to try to get a hold of him and thank him. Clearly, these cars were not owned by Block Watch members as you all know to lock your cars, RIGHT???

Break in alert.

Just received this today from a BW member.


Break in at 208 Yale last Mon. Jewelry taken. Not common in this neigborhood. Be vigilant and keep a look out for things that don't look right.

RDS

In Memory of James Kerstetter

Two years ago, today, Elyria lost a great Officer. Officer James Kerstetter gave his life for the community he served. Please, say a prayer or send a good thought to his widow and their three daughters.
The life of a police officer is never an easy one. James Kerstetter was an amazing officer and an amazing person. His loss not only effected our city but the cities around us. Show respect to the men and women who lay their lives on the line for you every single day.
R.I.P. Jimmy.

Car break ins at funeral homes

If you saw the paper this morning you saw the article about this. This happened in N. Ridgeville. Sadly, it happens all over. There were not unlocked cars. They actually smashed the windows out of the cars.

LADIES if you take a purse with you then take it WITH YOU..where ever you go. Purses were stolen out of these cars. If you don t feel you need to take it into the funeral home, then leave it home.

GENTLEMEN do not leave wallets in the cars.

NO ONE should leave anything of value in their cars..its just an easy target. Also, watch what you leave in the ashtrays. Many don t smoke anymore and use the ashtray to hold money, jewelry or keys. Just because its closed doesn t mean they won t enter your car and check.

CEMETARY: This is another hot spot for theft. People get out of their cars to go to the grave. Many leave belongs in the seats and many do not lock the doors. While you are at the gravesite, most of the time with your back to your car, it s an easy target.

The best defense is to lock the car. There s is nothing you can do if they opt to smash your window, but most just look for an unlocked door.

Up coming shred day

Protect your identity! by participating in City of Elyria "Shred Day"

On Saturday April 7, 2012 from 9am - noon.



City of Elyria residents can bring sensitive documents such as: Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks, Credit Card Statements and others to the City Hall parking lot to be shredded while you watch! For free!

Residents can bring up to six bags or boxes of paper to be shredded. (Bags preferred)

Note: Participants may be asked for proof of residency



For more information contact the Safety Service Director's office at 326-1404

Good News for the E. Heights area.

There have been zero robberies in Eastern Heights in February 2012.

Next E. Hts. Block Watch Meeting

Our March meeting has been changed to MONDAY, March 12th at 7 pm at EPD. The change is due to training session, scheduled March 13th at EPD. See everyone NEXT MONDAY.

Deadbolts

Do you have a deadbolt lock? You know, one of those where you turn the back and a rod goes into the door frame. The average ones have a short rod. They are OK but if someone wants in your home it's fairly easy to kick that door open. Go to a locksmith or a place that does home security and see what they have. There are deadbolts with long rods that go much deeper into the wood. Kicking open a door with one of these is practically impossible.

Report of house egged

I received an e mail about a house on the 200 block of Cornell being hit by eggs. If anyone else has recently had this issue, please, let me know.

Thank you Morning Journal

Today, Feb 21, 2012, the Morning Journal ran a GREAT story about Elyria Block Watch. Hope you get a chance to check it out.

Wasp Spray

I know some of you own GUNS but this is something to think about...

If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. Did you know this? I didn't. I never really thought of it before. I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.

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. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades.

It's also one he wants everyone to hear If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray. "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 who are precious to your life

Did you also know that wasp spray will kill a snake? And a mouse! It will! Good to know, huh? It will also kill a wasp.

I had someone e mail me to ask if this was legal. I referred the question to the EPD. Below is their answer:

Deb,
I was not aware of the use of WASP Spray to fend off attackers. If your life is in danger and someone is armed with a weapon that will kill you or someone else then Deadly Force is justified. It really doesn’t matter what type of weapon or aerosol you use to neutralize the threat. That being said, the incident will be presented to a Grand Jury to determine if charges will be filed if deadly force was used. The thing to remember is to only use that amount of force necessary to protect human life.

I hope this answers your question.
Jim

As you can see by what Jim said, it is fine. This spray is not going to kill anyone, unless they have an allergic reaction and even then the chance is slim. If you are being attacked you may use whatever is needed to protect yourself.

Thanks for the question, it is always good to find out where you stand on a matter like this

FREE home check while on vacation

If you are going on vacation you can call the EPD( Elyria Police Department ) and tell them when you are leaving and when you are coming back. They will add patrol time to your home. They will do a drive by a couple times a day. They will also assign auxillary officers to your home who will stop, daily, and actually walk around your house to see that all is OK. If they see anything out of order they will call the police.
This service is FREE.

Learn about Block Watch.

Just about every city has block watches. If you want to find out if your city does, call your local Police Department. The Elyria Block Watches are part of the Elyria Police Department. Block Watches serve a few good things. First, we are extra eyes for the police department. The police can not be everywhere. The citizens need to keep their eyes open and call the police when things seem out of order. Secondly, it helps neighbors get to know each other. The time when neighbors all knew each other has passed. No one has the time or takes the time to be "neighborly" like they use to. Now we have neighbors who know each other, know their schedules, know how things normally look around their homes. All of this helps, incase something goes wrong.
In Elyria, if you want to join a Block Watch or start a Block Watch you can e mail
kellykimjohnson@yahoo.com. Or if you forget her e mail address, simply call the Elyria Police Department for the information. Kelly is the city volunteer coordinator for Block Watch. She can tell you if there is one in your area or send you a packet of information to set one up. All the Block Watches will assist you in getting going, if you want.
Don't live in Elyria? Call your city Police Department and inquire about Block Watch.
It makes a difference!

FREE self defense training

Information sent to me by a Block Watch Member:

For those interested in FREE Karate classes, at College Heights Baptist Church they are doing Karate classes for Free which are teaching self defence to people and there are a lot of kids in the class. It is on Mon and Fri from 6-7:30. I do it for exercise and I have my kids do it so they learn how to protect themselves. We enjoy it. The class is growing everyday.

Lock your house and turn on the lights

It is important to turn on your porch light in the evening. You can get low cost bulbs, so it doesn't have to cost a fortune. The benefit is that a burgaler will think twice about going to house that is well lit because they can be seen. Keep in mind THIS WILL NOT 100% PREVENT A BREAK IN. Let's face it, the thieves are getting more daring. However, the lights are still a great way to add safety to your home. It not only makes the thief more noticeable to you but to any neighbors who may be looking outside.

Make sure you are locking your doors. This also means locking the storm doors at night. Every barrier you put between a thief and your property is a help to you. In the summer, if you are in the backyard, make sure the front door is locked. The same if you are out front, lock that back door.

My doors are locked 24 / 7. Those who should be in have a key and those who don't can knock.

LOCK YOUR CARS

Read the police log any day for any city. You are going to find a number of entries for items stolen from unlock vehicles. Even if you hide something under your seat it will be taken if you do not lock the door. NEVER leave your purse, a gps, laptop, jewlery, credit cards, cash or anything of value in your car. It is all portable. You need to take it with you when you leave the car. Most of the time, theives will simply walk by and try the handle. If the car is locked they move on to check others, looking for the one left open. Lock it or lose it.