New Series, Volume I, Number 1.

April, 2002

Website: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~sarhaus/NIS/bromley1ndex.html

Marie Kilbane, Interim President, 761-3177; MKILBANE146781MI@comcast.net

Neighborhood Watch: Vital to Security in Bromley

Ann Arbor’s new Police Chief, Daniel Oates, brings with him (from New York City, as Chief of Intelligence for 15 years and more recently as Deputy Police Chief) a wealth of knowledge in developing and maintaining effective neighborhood security. The Neighborhood Watch network is being restructured to be more active. If you were once a block captain and would like to remain one, you must be trained according to new guidelines. Call Adele ElAyoubi, 994-8775, to schedule a session. Join your colleagues—more is better!

Here are a few suggestions—call Adele to learn more!

· Do not hesitate to call 911 to force peddlers or others to leave—they are trespassing. Solicitors may be representing the group they say they represent; however, people casing a place to rob later have been known to pose as representatives of religious or other organizations. There is a City ordinance in place defining such activities; check the City website (http://www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us) to find it if you are interested in the existing code.

· City-wide, more that 80 percent of thefts occur when homes or vehicles are left unlocked: the obvious solution is to lock up!

· Consider a “buddy system”—when you are not there, give a key to a neighbor as well as details about how to reach you and how to handle your alarm system. Communication is critical.

· If you have an alarm system, use it. If you have a phone answering machine, use it (even when you are out of town but do not post your itinerary, or announce that you are out of town on a recorded message or website). In brief: use it, or lose it!

· Clean up for your neighbor—keep driveways, porches, and door handles free from flyers and magazines that do not come in the U.S. mails. Of course, make arrangements to have your mail, newspapers, or expected deliveries taken in or stopped.

As the new system becomes established, you can look forward to Newsletters issued by AAPD. In addition, Bromley might consider various social events that foster neighborhood unity and help, indirectly at least, to promote a more secure community. Watch for future BHA newsletters announcing a meeting to discuss constructive neighborhood ideas; consider reading our website to reconsider old ones! If you wish to join the BHA eNetwork, send Marie your email address, to her email (above).