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Neighborhood Watch
The Neighborhood Watch Program is a successful effort that has been in effect for over thirty years in towns, cities and rural areas across the country. Based on the concept of cooperation, neighborhood watch programs bring together law enforcement, city officials and residents and ask them to work together to provide protection for their homes and communities. Crimes such as burglary, vandalism and mischief threaten every member of each community and crime watch efforts such as The Neighborhood Watch Program help discourage this type of activity. Supported by the National Sheriff’s Association since 1972, the Neighborhood Watch Program is helping the public eradicate residential crime in their neighborhoods.
The success and effectiveness of a Watch Program depends on the participation and dedication of its residents. Residents not only take care of their own homes and businesses, but also those of their neighbors. By taking an active role in the protection of their families and possessions, residents are better able to discourage criminal activity and keep their neighborhoods safe and a less inviting target for crime. The Wellesley HOA Security/Enforcement Chair is currently seeking Block Captains. If you are interested in working with others to provide a safer community contact the Chair via email at security@wellesleycommunities.com.
The Board of Directors and Security Chair have designated one Block Captain for every fifteen homes within the community. These individuals act as liaisons between block residents and the Security Chair. They are also responsible for establishing and maintaining a “telephone chain” or current list of residents which includes names, addresses, phone numbers and vehicle descriptions. Block captains are also responsible for distributing this list to the Security Chair. In an effort to gather this information, the Board is asking homeowners to update their information in the Resident Directory.
In addition to the efforts of the community, the Fulton County Police Department has partnered with the Neighborhood Watch Program and assigned Corporal Todd Alexander to our jurisdiction. Corporal Alexander has spoken at past Watch meetings and provided crime statistics information as well as continued encouragement and guidance to the Security Chair and block captains.
As part of community awareness, all homeowners should sit down and talk with their children and let them know homeowners are on the look out for any suspicious or unlawful activity (including loitering and vagrancy) and will report such activity to the police and/or security guard on duty at the amenity area. If there is probable cause, both the police and guard have the authority to question an individual and take appropriate action.
The following is the second in a series of tips and tidbits posted on this website to aid homeowners on how to be more alert and aware of their surroundings:
ATM TIPS
York Daily Record
15 November 2007
- Always pay close attention to the ATM and your surroundings.
- Be wary of people trying to "help" you with your ATM transaction.
- Do not use an ATM that appears unusual looking or offers options with which you are not familiar or comfortable.
- Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter your PIN code.
- Do not re-enter your PIN if the ATM "eats" your card -- contact a bank official immediately.
- Never write your PIN on the back of your card.
- Do your automated banking in a public, well-lit location.
- Never count cash at the machine or in public. Wait until you are home, in your car or in another secure place.
- When using a drive-up ATM, keep your engine running, your doors and windows locked, and leave enough room between your car and others in the ATM drive-up line.
- Closely monitor your bank statements, as well as your balance, and immediately report any problems to your bank.
Source: Electronic Funds Transfer Association
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