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WESTON PARK GRAYSON SQUARE |
Suggestions
HELP
CRIME
Black Insulation - Bright Blue Paint - PVC Pipe
Black insulation around the hose bib helps to conceal.
Bright blue paint made for piping makes the hose bib less desirable to some salvage shops though not all.
PVC Pipes to replace the copper piping is another deterrent.
CAGES or CABINETS
The Weston Park HOA has approved the installation of either a locking cage or locking metal or wooden cabinet. It must be made to the specifications 36" H x 18" D x 24" wide. It must be secured and painted the same color as the wall.
SCAM ALERT
Type: Online Auction/Classified Scam
Method of Delivery: Online
Primary Region Effected: All Regions (National)
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation- www.FBI.gov
Scam Characteristics:
At any given time, millions of dollars worth of merchandise is bought and sold through online auctions and classified ads. While the vast majority of sellers are legitimate, cyber criminals have begun using these popular methods of commerce to steal the personal and financial information of people looking to find a great deal. Here's how it works: The thief sets up a fraudulent auction for a product they do not actually have in stock. Once the auction has ended and the buyer has paid, the thief will use a stolen credit card to purchase an identical item from a retailer or manufacturer and have it shipped directly to the purchaser. The thief is out nothing (remember, they used a stolen credit card) and now they have your credit card information.
The following are steps you can take to help avoid becoming a victim of this scam:
� Never provide financial information directly to the seller. Use a reputable third party payment service such as Pay Pal that acts as an intermediary and offers some kind of buyer's protection.
� When using online auction sites, check each seller's rating and feedback, looking closely at sales and feedback posting dates. Try to avoid sellers with 100% positive feedback and a low total number of posts around the same date and time. This may be an indication that the seller is using fake usernames and posting fraudulent feedback to boost their approval ratings.
� If, after purchasing from an independent seller, you receive a shipment from someone other than the seller you purchased from, contact the sender directly to verify the account used for the purchase belongs to you. If the card number does not match, contact the auction site administrator to notify them of the potentially fraudulent transaction.
For more information on this scam or variations of it visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation's website at www.FBI.gov.
New Prevention Guidebook
The link below leads to an informative 54 page booklet from the FTC regarding protecting minors from Internet crime. It is aimed at parents�
Guide Provides Steps To Protect Children Online
"Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online" is a free guide that provides parents with practical recommendations to help them talk with their children about the hazards of navigating the online world. Published by the Federal Trade Commission, the guide includes detailed information designed to reduce such online risks. (OJJDP)
Link to the prevention guidebook: On Guard On Line
NCMEC Cybertipline Reminder
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) operates the Cybertipline for complaints of unlawful images, luring/enticement and other Internet crimes against children (ICAC). Initial non-emergency reports of ICAC offenses when the offender�s whereabouts are unknown may be reported to the Cybertipline. Their phone number is 1-800-843-5678. Reports can also be made on-line by visiting: MissingKids.com
Reports to the Cybertipline are investigated by NCMEC staff and then forwarded to the appropriate local or federal agency for further investigation.
Reprinted from Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol Newsletter -
When The Heat Is On -
The Arizona Auto Theft Authority advises all vehicle owners to perform an auto theft/burglary prevention safety check. The desire to keep vehicles cool often increases drivers� risk of becoming victims of vehicle theft. Whether it�s leaving cars running for a quick stop into a convenience store or allowing vehicles to cool down unattended outside their homes, vehicle owners place themselves and property at risk for theft. The Arizona Auto Theft Authority recommends the following -
Auto Theft & Burglary Prevention Checklist:
� Always lock car, close all windows, take keys
� Do not leave valuables in plain view -
Top 10 items stolen from vehicles include:
1. Stereo equipment and GPS equipment
2. Compact Discs
3. Personal items � clothing, sunglasses, bags, briefcases
4. Coins � parking change
5. Registration Papers
6. Garage door openers
7. Cell phone, portable DVD & MP3 players
8. Work tools
9. Airbags
10. Tires & Wheels
� Park in high foot traffic, well lighted areas or attended lots - car thieves do not like witnesses.
� Don't leave your car running unattended, not even for a minute - convenience stores, gas stations, and ATMs are common hunting grounds for thieves.
� Don�t hide a spare set of keys in the car.
� Always use your emergency brake when parking.
� If you have a garage, use it - and when you do, lock both the vehicle and the garage door.
BUMP-PROOF PADLOCKS
by Master Lock and also Kwikset's new SmartKey.
Taylor Security - Bump-Proof and also Taylor Security - Kwikset
WINDOW GLASS SECURITY FILM
One suggestion for another layer of protection would be to have Window Glass Security Film. It is a safeguard that is not readily apparent also. Looks just like a Low E tint on the glass. Protects against the sun and also glass breakage. Be it by accident or attempted break-in.
For more information Window Glass Security Film
LOCK BUMPING
The criminal mind is always scheming and finding new ways to get to us and our belongings. They now have an ingenuous way of breaking into our homes and small businesses. It is called "Lock Bumping" and it is done with a set of specially cut key blanks that are easily obtainable from the Internet.
Lock bumping is a lock picking technique for opening a pin tumbler lock, the type of lock that most of us have on our homes. This method of entry does not leave signs of forcible entry and most likely will not be covered by your insurance.
The technique involves inserting the bump key into the lock and tapping the key one or more times with a hammer, screwdriver handle, rock or similar device, while applying a slight turning force to the key. The skill level required to bump a lock is almost nil compared to other lock picking techniques so bumping is an easy way to open locks by just about anyone.
Locks having security pins (spool or mushroom pins, etc.) generally make bumping somewhat more difficult, but not impossible. Electronic locks, magnetic locks, and locks using rotating disks are not vulnerable to this attack. Also, restricted or registered keys are much safer from bumping because the key blanks for them can only be obtained from locksmiths' associations.
LOCK BUMPING SOLUTIONS & TIPS
From Ginny Dutson - West Plaza Neighborhood Association
The Bump Guard locks available from Kwikset offer affordable ($21.95 at Home Depot) protection from the widely reported incidents of "lock bumping", which allows an intruder to bypass normal locksets by means of a specially-cut key (readily available and inexpensive on the internet) and a light rapping or tapping of this key while turning it in the lock cylinder. Lock bumping results in unlocking the door just as if the intruder had a key, with no evidence left behind of unauthorized entry. Aside from offering protection against lock bumping, Kwikset represents that their Bump Guard locks are also more resistant to being picked and are offered in a wide variety of styles and finishes.
A side benefit of the Bump Guard locks is that they employ Kwikset's patented Smartkey technology, which eliminates the need for a locksmith to do any re-keying that may be necessary. Thus, if you already have a Kwikset style key you know is secure you can re-key the Bump Guard locks to this existing key; or, if your keys are stolen and you suspect the culprit also has your address you can re-key them promptly and easily. The only tool required to re-key the lock is included (don't lose it) with the new lockset; the process requires no disassembly and is surprisingly easy and fast (about 15 seconds!). It should be noted that the other key must properly fit a Kwikset keyway and there are three or four common manufacturers that use this keyway. However, the keys for Schlage locks (another popular brand that is less regularly seen in the residential market) will not fit Kwikset keyways.
Installation of the Bump Guard lock is very straightforward so long as you are replacing a standard lockset or deadbolt (it does not matter if you are replacing another brand of lock, the standards for installation should be the same unless you have high-end designer locksets). Simply remove the old hardware, which for the lockset consists of both doorknobs and the latch mechanism, and install the new hardware. You can re-key the new lock either before or after the installation, although we found it a bit easier to do before the installation. We offer the general caution of paying careful attention when you remove the old lock, as there are instances where there may be a shim or other adaptive mechanism that may be required to align the new lockset properly. Further, if for some reason the new lock cannot be installed, you would want to be able to reinstall the old one with minimal fuss.
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Lock experts tell us 90% of the locks on residential homes can be bumped.
So what can you do?
According to a lock expert and former locksmith there are two locks on the market right now that are said to be bump proof:
Smart Key with bump guard by Kwikset and the Bump Stop Lock by Master Lock...."
SLIDING DOORS - ALARM SYSTEM & YOU
We heard of a home invasion in our community. The suspects threw a rock through the middle of the glass sliding door. The homeowner has an alarm system but it did not sound. They had to summon the police the old fashioned way. By phone.
This serves as a reminder it may be a good idea to check with your Alarm Company. Do you have the correct system components to alert not only you but the local authorities should something similar occur in your home? If your sliding door or arcadia door is wired similar to your front door you may have the same issues. Breaking the glass will NOT set off this type of alarm.
- Different kinds of deadbolts and locks to install on your windows and doors.
Make it a little more difficult for the crooks and better protect your possessions.
(For more ideas click on Burglary Prevention)
All About Locks How to Install a Dead Bolt Lock
Related suggestions from your neighbors are:
Know your neighbors, know who belongs in your neighborhood.
Join your neighborhoods' Block Watch.
Upgrading the deadbolt on your front door to one that is at least an inch.
Don't forget the door from the house to the garage. Or garage to side yard.
Upgrading the thumbscrews on your windows to drilling a hole in the frame and dropping in a 3" nail, eyebolt or pin, prevents the window from sliding.
A door jammer. It hooks under the doorknob.
Either a snug fitting wooden dowel or a metal rod in your sliding door.
Remember to put a lock on your gate even if you do not have a pool.
Put a lock on your electrical panel.
Never leave notes on your door that says nobody is home.
A locked gas cap for your car.
Turn your porch light on at night. They don't really like the "spotlight".
Getting solar lights for the mailbox areas to protect those checking mail at night.
Motion sensor solar powered floodlights as long as not directed at neighbors' windows.
A reminder the battery back-up for alarm lasts only one year in some cases.
Don't tell a stranger that your neighbor is not at home or volunteer any personal information.
Having patrols of the area by volunteer Retirees.
Check w/phone or alarm company to see if your phone goes out, will your alarm still work.
Keep doors, windows and garage doors closed and locked even when at home.
Trim shrubbery and trees so doors and windows are visible from the street.
Sun Screens. One more obstacle between you and the thief.
Screen door. The Steel Security Screen door type. (That matches your home's color palette.)
| SECURITY/SCREEN DOORS/SUNSCREENS - for Weston Park
Wrought iron security/screen doors need not be submitted for approval provided they are painted to match the base color of the home, or are a neutral "earth tone" color. Silver colored aluminum screen/security doors and/or wire screen mesh doors are strictly prohibited on front doors. Bronze, gray, charcoal, brown or beige sunscreen material may be installed and not submitted for approval provided that the window frame matches the sunscreen material or the existing window frames. Reflective window films are expressly prohibited. Bronze or charcoal non-reflective window tinting may be installed without Design Review Committee review.
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All excellent ideas! Any others?
- Vacation can be another safety issue.
These are easy ones you probably thought of already.
You might want to think again before you announce your vacation schedule on social media.
- A robbery can happen anywhere.
That is why it is important to always be aware of your surroundings.
(For more ideas click on Robbery Prevention)