CRIME ALERT

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=120 BGCOLOR="#0099CC" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0403f781ezuavc.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFF33" FACE="Arial" ><B>VICTORIA PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> <B> </B><B>|    </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="VICTORIA PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>        </B><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OFFICERS COMMITTEES"><U><B> </B></U></A><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OFFICERS COMMITTEES"><U><B> back to </B></U></A><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OFFICERS COMMITTEES"><U><B>COMMITTEE HOME PAGE</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="AESTHETICS"><U><B>AESTHETICS</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CHILDREN"><U><B>CHILDREN</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>CRIME ALERT</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HOME TOUR"><U><B>HOME TOUR</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MEMBERSHIP"><U><B>MEMBERSHIP</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PLANNING ZONING"><U><B>PLANNING & ZONING</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PUBLIC SAFETY"><U><B>PUBLIC SAFETY</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NEWSLETTER"><U><B>NEWSLETTER</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SOCIAL WELCOME"><U><B>SOCIAL & WELCOME</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TRAFFIC"><U><B>TRAFFIC</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="UTILITIES"><U><B>UTILITIES</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MASTER PLAN VISION"><U><B>MASTER PLAN VISION</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>COMMITTEE MEMBERS</B></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:crimewatch@vpca.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:crimewatch@vpca.org"><U>Pat Mayers</U></A>, Chair</div> <div> <I><B>City of Ft Lauderdale Police Department</B></I></div> <div> Emergency 911</div> <div> Non-Emergency  (954) 828-5700 ext 6</div> <div> Detective Bureau (954) 828-5497</div> <bR> <div> <B>OTHER COMMITTEES</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="6" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="138" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFF99 HEIGHT= 376 WIDTH="124"><div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="AESTHETICS"><U><B>AESTHETICS</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CHILDREN"><U><B>CHILDREN</B></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8cc990000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">CRIME ALERT</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HOME TOUR"><U><B>HOME TOUR</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MEMBERSHIP"><U><B>MEMBERSHIP</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PLANNING ZONING"><U><B>PLANNING & ZONING</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PUBLIC SAFETY"><U><B>PUBLIC SAFETY</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NEWSLETTER"><U><B>NEWSLETTER</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SOCIAL WELCOME"><U><B>SOCIAL & WELCOME</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TRAFFIC"><U><B>TRAFFIC</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="UTILITIES"><U><B>UTILITIES</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MASTER PLAN VISION"><U><B>MASTER PLAN VISION</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=360 BGCOLOR="#CCFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="10" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="674" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFF99 HEIGHT= 24 WIDTH="345"><div> <I><B>CRIME ALERT</B></I></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="13"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="24" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="13" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFF99><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OFFICERS COMMITTEES"><U><I><B>return to Committee Home Page</B></I></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="724" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="COLS" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 642 WIDTH="343"><div> <I><B>SCAM ALERT!!!</B></I> </div> <div> We are now aware of 20 Victoria Park residents victimized by "Hellen" in the northeast area of the neighborhood. "Hellen" (tall, slender with long dark straight hair, late 20's) walks a tan-colored pit bull called "Zeus"; usually around 2:00 AM. She looks for neighbors who appear to be vulnerable. One victim had been saying goodnight to guests after her husband's birthday party when she was approached. The female told the victim that her husband was away so she had to take the dog for a walk and had accidentally locked herself out. She claimed to be in need of $75.00 to pay a locksmith to come and let her in. The neighbor lent her the money and has never seen her again. Another victim was observed as she was working on her computer near a window; the female knocked on the door and went inside the home. <B>Letting a stranger into your home is a very dangerous thing to do.</B> To top things off she actually drove the young woman and dog to her ATM and withdrew $100.00. It is nice that we want to assist a neighbor with a problem; however, this is a scam artist. Thank goodness no one has been hurt yet. Please keep your eyes open and your money in your pocket or bank. <B>Please tell your neighbors to be aware of this situation.</B></div> <bR> <div> As far as we know, <B> "Hellen" and her live-in  boyfriend "Gregg" reside at 908 - Rear NE 17th Avenue</B>. He</div> <div> drives a GMC6000 towtruck with Florida wrecker license E2873C.  Police have been notified. <B> If you have any information, please contact Fort Lauderdale Police @ </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>911</B></FONT><B>, and then notify </B><A HREF="mailto:crimewatch@vpca.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:crimewatch@vpca.org"><U><B>Pat Mayers</B></U></A><B> or </B><A HREF="mailto:JTFling@bellsouth.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:JTFling@bellsouth.net"><U><B>Ted Fling</B></U></A></div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=4 WIDTH="368"><div> <B>BOLO:   Be On the Look Out</B></div> <bR> <div> Small, seemingly unrelated, thefts are occurring across Victoria Park.  As Pat Mayers reports in the <A HREF="http://vpca.org/archives/VPNewsMay07.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://vpca.org/archives/VPNewsMay07.pdf"><U>May edition of the Victoria Park News:</U></A></div> <bR> <div> There is another situation that is occurring. People are</div> <div> coming onto private property and taking personal belongings. One of my neighbors had two 150 lb. urns taken from her front entrance, at the same time as her next door neighbor had a child's bike removed from the back yard. The very same day I had placed a white wicker table on my carport, up by the door. I wanted to paint it and there was a threat of rain. I had to leave and go to my mothers; upon my return the table was gone. So please beware and keep your eyes open, for your neighbors also, for people that do not belong. The key is if they look like they do not belong they probably don?t. Call the police <B>954-928-5700 ext. 6</B> and make a suspicious incident report, give them the best description</div> <div> possible.</div> <bR> <div> Also, the following email thread has been working its way through the neighborhood.  </div> <bR> <div> Hello Friends and Neighbors -</div> <bR> <div> I know many of you are out and about here in the hood and I am asking for a personal favor. The two large pots/planters/urns in front of my house at the entrance of the driveway were stolen recently while I was out of town. Best I can determine, it must have been Sunday, April 15th. Nothing else seems to have been bothered. The dirt and plants were dumped out right onto the sidewalk. These were made of concrete, large, and heavy. So far, the neighbors that I have spoken to with dogs did not even notice anything was even missing. they even took the bricks I had in the bottom for weight and filler.</div> <bR> <div> My feeling is that someone has been by my house before (maybe often) and has noticed these. They are very unusual. I suspect they noticed my truck in the driveway and little activity for a couple of days and decided to make their move in the night. Sure it is not wise to have anything near the street of value, but I was trying to make it look nice. I suspect it was someone who either lives or works in VP.</div> <bR> <div> Also while talking with neighbors, I found that in the recent past onehad their solar landscaping lights all stolen, another had a vehicle egged and writing on it as well. I am sure I will find more stories as I knock on doors.</div> <bR> <div> Please keep an eye out for these. They may even end up on the terrace of a townhouse or out back by someone's pool. But they are unusual, so I thought I'd ask you all to keep them and me in mind if you should seen anything like them. There is a reward for their safe return to</div> <div> 1620 NE 5th Ct.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks! - jd</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Hi JD,</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I am sorry to hear of this theft. Let's add it to the list. My car was egged about a year ago and my neighbors rare bromeliad (also in a pot, but tucked securely into surrounding vegetation) was also stolen very early in the morning on a weekend. It is possible that the thefts are from some one who knows plants, perhaps a landscaper whose truck would not raise any eyebrows when parked in front of a house.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>We all have to be the eyes and ears for our neighborhoods with so many transient workers around (I know it is possible, but would be very disappointed to know it might actually be a neighbor). Good luck with their return.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Christine</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Well, I was feeling bad for JD and wandered around my backyard. I then noticed that two of my decorative pots were missing. One of them was a large pottery pot with orchids in it. The orchids were dumped on the ground. The other was a beautiful large pot that Fred painted and signed on the bottom (Fred Sistarenik - 1977). It was a Chinese motif of dragons in blue on a white background. Because it is signed, it is easily identified. </div> <bR> <div> I called the police and reported it. Dammit I loved Fred's pot. I suspect it will show up in a flea market very far from here. </div> <bR> <div> However, I will not let these thieves stop me from making the outside of my house attractive. I will try to make it more difficult. By the way, they didn't take a pot that I painted. Should I feel slighted? </div> <bR> <div> Art</div> <bR> <div> <I>(No Art, you shouldn't feel slighted because of a thief's lack of taste -- ed.)</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 24 WIDTH="343"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="24" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="343" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 409 ><NOBR><div> <I><B><IMG SRC="1e12c900.gif" border=0 width="300" height="400" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 850 WIDTH="343"><div> JD and Christine,</div> <bR> <div> I am sorry to hear about those things happening to you. JD, those pots were beautiful and provided a "signature" entrance to your home.</div> <bR> <div> I want to add another thing to watch out for--a very creepy "scam artist" cruising the neighborhood on a bicycle. He is saying he works for the City and has free gravel to give away to folks who have gravel in their swale, or, as in my case, next to the swale where the driveway begins. He says he needs $20 if you want it spread, because he has to buy some spray stuff at Home Depot to keep the gravel in place.</div> <bR> <div> He has a horrific looking tattoo of the word MOM that looks like it was cut into his neck, and wears a cowboy hat. He says is name is Ronnie Babcock and that his late father owned Babcock Funeral Homes. I've been telling my elderly neighbors, lest they get taken in. He says he lives in an apartment in the 'hood.</div> <bR> <div> And are any of you interested in some land in the Everglades? :)</div> <bR> <div> Jan </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="368"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="368" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>If you have had a problem please make sure you call the</B></div> <div> <B>Police at 954-828-5700 X 6 and afterward you can let me know</B></div> <div> <B>by e-mail </B><A HREF="mailto:pmayers007@aol.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:pmayers007@aol.com"><U><B>pmayers007@aol.com</B></U></A><B>.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="624" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 117 WIDTH="71"><div> !</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="542"><div> <B>We still have a continuing problem with residents leaving valuable or perceived valuable items in our cars in plain sight. This is an invitation to have your car damaged and/or your personal belongings taken. </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099CC" FACE="Arial" ><B>DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING OF ANY  VALUE IN YOUR CAR WHERE IT CAN BE SEEN. Please  do not become a victim of opportunity.</B></FONT></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="7" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="635" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1437 WIDTH="272"><div> The City of Fort Lauderdale has compiled the following tips on preventing home invasion to raise awareness and promote</div> <div> safety among area residents.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>When residents are home they should always remember to keep their doors locked and not open their doors for</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>strangers.</B></I> Home invaders tend to plan their actions ahead of time and give careful consideration to potential targets. They can use convincing reasons to try to gain access to your home, claiming they are making a delivery or investigating a potentially dangerous condition, such as a gas leak. The following is a sample of possible tricks a home invader may use, and what you should do to thwart his plan.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Important Phone Numbers</B></div> <div> Here are some important phone numbers residents should keep on hand in the event that they need to contact the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Emergency 911</B></div> <div> <B>Non-Emergency (954) 828-5700</B></div> <div> <B>Detective Bureau (954) 828-5497</B></div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC WIDTH="326"><div> <B>The Gas Leak Trick</B></div> <bR> <div> Persons will come to your door and tell you that they are investigating a leak in the area and that they need to come into your house to check for the leak.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Exercise Caution</B></div> <div> If there is a leak in your house, you would probably know about it. Also, the gas companies will be concerned with leaks they are responsible for, which would be the equipment and lines outside of your home.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Take Action</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">DO NOT LET THEM IN</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ask for identification, the name of their company and the name of their supervisor</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Look up the phone number of the company, DO NOT use the number that the man or woman provide</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If you discover that there is no such company or thecompany denies knowledge, CALL THE POLICE</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>The Electric Company Repairman</B></div> <bR> <div> Florida Power & Light is the only supplier of electricity in our area and their repair persons do not look for electrical problems inside of privately owned property. If you have an electrical problem in your home, you must call an electrician, in which case you will know they are coming and what</div> <div> company they are from.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Exercise Caution</B></div> <div> If someone knocks at your door claiming to be from the electric company and needs to get in, and you did not call for repairs, something is wrong.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Take Action</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">DO NOT LET THEM IN</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ask for identification (FP&L employees carry photo identification cards)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Call the FP&L repair number in your phone book</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If FP&L denies knowledge of the person or his </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">actions</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">CALL THE POLICE</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Unexpected Delivery</B></div> <bR> <div> If a delivery person is knocking on your door and you have not ordered anything and there is no logical reason for the delivery (i.e., Mothers Day, your birthday), then you should stop and think before you do anything. Typically, a delivery person will want to leave the package at your door and continue on with their other deliveries.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Exercise Caution</B></div> <bR> <div> Only those persons delivering large or heavy objects must enter your home. If any other delivery person insists that they have to enter your house, stop and think.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Take Action</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">DO NOT LET THEM IN</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ask them for identification or at least their name</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ask what company they are from and look the company up in the phone book</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">CALL THE COMPANY to confirm the delivery</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If there is no such company or the company denies knowledge of the delivery,</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc99660000.gif" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">CALL THE POLICE</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>