CeciliaJ (Florida)
Posts: 1
Posts: 1
Posted:
Hi, new to site, however I found 2 posts similar to mine dated from 2009 and 2005. Please forgive me if there is a more recent string.
I live in Miami, in a dodgy neighborhood riddled with crime. Not like horrific crime you see on the news but enough. By joining the Neighbors App I've been able to communicate with my community like never before, the result? Totally been blown away with all the shady things going on right under my nose. Truly does explain just how these criminals are successful at terrorizing our development.
So while we're now being able to one-by-one pick up on patterns (see example below
There's not much we can do about it. Like every time someone is criminalized, we're all just like "oh bro that sucks, glad everyone is safe. Everyone be on the lookout - it could be you next." And then the cycle continues.
*i see updates WEEKLY on usually petty break in's but now I also see updates on suspicious behavior. What is "suspicious" behavior you ask?
- about 25 people have reported in the my community and 2 others right next door, that the same women in the same car have been knocking on their doors. When they answer they say hello and that they're inquiring about the rental. The homeowner says, what do you mean? I don't have my home up for rent. "Is this xxx address?" No. "Ohh!! My mistake, I must have gotten the wrong house, sorry to bother."
Homeowner disregards and goes on their way. Some are shortly robbed in the next upcoming months.
Since a lot of residents have cameras and were posting screen shots, we soon found out that it was the same group, the women and cars sometimes vary.
- An interesting newer discovery, residents with cameras report their cars being broken into...but here's the catch. Nothing gets taken. Another thing we've figured out is that those who had been actually robbed all lived in the larger homes with garages. We're surmising at this point that they're looking for garage door openers to gain better access to the homes allowing them to break in un-noticed.
Some information to take into consideration:
- We have a 24 hour guard who drives around on a golf cart. Sleeps at all hours, just depends who's on shift and what they're in the mood for. Not kidding, I can understand all the posts and pictures of them sleeping at 2am, but 11am? Also, sometimes we just see the cart parked. Where are they? Who knows?
- As far as their ability to lower or prevent crime? I've seen no posts on that. I can however comment on my own experience 3 years ago: My alarm went off while away from my home. When the alarm company calls I say yes, call the police. I immediately call the cell phone for the security person. Guess what? They don't speak English. Ok, call my grandma, explain very quickly what's going on and to call the guard. She calls, he tells her he's unable to locate my home. Can't find the address, sorry. The police arrived 47 minutes later. I arrived as they were leaving. Turns out the security guard did find the house, he said "the lights from the police cars helped me find it."
- a detective was assigned (in vain). He explained that there's a lot of crime unbeknownst to me and that a lot of it has to do with the neighborhood next door to me. They had a lot of forclosures and had since became section 8, increasing some criminals to live right next door.
- he also explained that there is a lot of foot traffic in my neighborhood due to the fact that it's a short cut to other developments, also increasing our crime.
- said the police station is understaffed and as a result, their response time to break in's is delayed and as a result has been greatly compromised. So whether you have an alarms or not, they know they have some time in your home to get what they need.
- in the years since, we've contracted the police and kindly enough, they've partnered with us and sometimes we see them patrolling at night. There are also police who have since moved in and do it on their own which is awesome, but it's not all the time and nothing is consistent.
Some more fun facts:
- I was home one day from work on a Tuesday. I went out on my front porch area to smoke, it was about 11am, I am alone, most neighbors are at work. A man in a white pick up truck stopped in front of me when he saw me. He starts to exit his vehicle and come toward me, I advise him to turn around and speak to me from his car. He says "oh sure no problem. I'm looking for a lost puppy, I have a picture, can you come and take a look and tell me if you've seen him? I didn't look, "no sorry good luck." No lie..."can you come a little closer to see?" I said no I'm calling the cops, get the **** out of my neighborhood.
*please note: any comments about me being mean because "he was probably just looking for his lost dog you bi*ch" will be disregarded. I live in a crap part of Miami, not some podunk town. Watch a couple dateline episodes and call me when life's horrors have finally sunk in. Thanks.
- about a year ago I was alone with my son in the house, it was about 7pm, I was making dinner. Doorbell rings, I go to the door, ask who it is. A man answers saying he is from some church and they have a new group on Wednesday nights he'd like to invite me to. "Oh, another religious solicitor, no biggie." I walk to the window directly in front of the door, just to take a look before I open and politely decline. I see the man, but wait? There's another. Crouched on his knees behind him, out of the view of the door. I say no thank you and call the cops. True story. Oh and the advisory above applies to here too, thanks.
- again, one day smoking out front (yes I know it's a bad habit) I see these little punks, couldn't have been more than 13, walking up to each and every car checking to see if their unlocked (at least they weren't breaking into them by way of smashing windows - I guess they'll move on to that next year when their thieving skills have had a chance to mature). I call the cops.
Cops come by my house about an hour later, thanked me for the good description, let's me know they were caught and stolen items were recovered. Both moms showed up to the scene and were pissed. Police noted they come from the section 8 next door development. Damn, the detective was right.
I've read things about the cost of roads and light posts. Roads, don't know about that or how FL laws are. We do have a maintenance team that does upkeep our front yards and the parks. Keeps the community clean and well kept (well for the most part). Things like light posts are maintained by them. Or at least I've seen them change them.
As far as being able to police people that speed through the neighborhood? Pretty much irrelevant bc it's not like there have ever been something like speed traps set up nor needed. Ok, so someone speeds by a group of children riding bikes. Yeah, I'm going to quickly write down their plate and call the cops to send out a search party for them. Thank gosh there's no gates or else they wouldn't be able to rush over and find the speeder! Also, most of the speeding is done from people using our roads as a shortcut. The last I'll say on this as if it's even worth acknowledging any further, I'd almost rather the evil speed demon be a resident, that way when I see them pull into their driveway, I can go yell at them. Hypothetically speaking bc I'm not actually a pain in the ass, but if the mood were right, would enjoy the chance to speak in person about minding the children rather than scream cus words as they speed by.
I've also read that having a gated community gives criminals the impression we are richer. However completely biased the stupid comment is, we're not in a rich neighborhoood. No one thinks we're rich, gate or not.
I've seen many posts about how ineffective gates are with no attendant. With that being said, I 100% agree. I would propose instead of paying for someone to sleep in a golf cart, they personally greet each visitor, not allowing them in unless they have the approval of a resident via phone. And not just any number, one that has been registered. *ive approached guards before who merely ask for a number, it could be anyone they're calling. Totally pointless.
The issue of emergency vehicles being able to enter would be solved by a live person there. There are like 5 ways in and out of our neighborhood, if one gate breaks, I'm sure another will work. Anyways, I'm good at fighting zombies, I'll be fine in the event of an apocalypse. Thanks.
With the creation of the neighbors app, I'm horrified with all the things I'm now aware of. Get a camera like them I thought. But really what's the point? It's not prevented the crime, but rather documented it for their ironic chance to view it take place. Cars are getting broken into weekly. Just 2 weeks ago in the development across the street, a homeowner unfortunately walked in on his home being broken into unknowingly since they shattered their slider in the back to enter. The thief had the owners GUN in his hand, but thankfully was not hurt. They did however make it out with every nice item they owened - terrifying. I can send screenshots of the posts.
I'm fairly positive our HOV misuses our funds but its their decision how they want to allocate the funds. Yes there's a board, and they're retarded. Meetings are generally depressing and absolutely pointless. I don't even think they still take place and if they do, it with hired actors, not actual residents.
Look people, I want a damn gate. I want to feel safe grabbing something from my car at night, that is if it's still there.
How do I go about doing so?
Are there other options? What have other people been actually successful with doing to prevent crime or at least lower it if gates are in fact a bad idea. Which aside from the financial side, can't really be argued.
I read something about it being kind of "big brother." That tells me it's some suburbian fool who hangs out all day on HOAtalk, but like doesn't even have one.
Thanks
I live in Miami, in a dodgy neighborhood riddled with crime. Not like horrific crime you see on the news but enough. By joining the Neighbors App I've been able to communicate with my community like never before, the result? Totally been blown away with all the shady things going on right under my nose. Truly does explain just how these criminals are successful at terrorizing our development.
So while we're now being able to one-by-one pick up on patterns (see example below
There's not much we can do about it. Like every time someone is criminalized, we're all just like "oh bro that sucks, glad everyone is safe. Everyone be on the lookout - it could be you next." And then the cycle continues. *i see updates WEEKLY on usually petty break in's but now I also see updates on suspicious behavior. What is "suspicious" behavior you ask?
- about 25 people have reported in the my community and 2 others right next door, that the same women in the same car have been knocking on their doors. When they answer they say hello and that they're inquiring about the rental. The homeowner says, what do you mean? I don't have my home up for rent. "Is this xxx address?" No. "Ohh!! My mistake, I must have gotten the wrong house, sorry to bother."
Homeowner disregards and goes on their way. Some are shortly robbed in the next upcoming months.
Since a lot of residents have cameras and were posting screen shots, we soon found out that it was the same group, the women and cars sometimes vary.
- An interesting newer discovery, residents with cameras report their cars being broken into...but here's the catch. Nothing gets taken. Another thing we've figured out is that those who had been actually robbed all lived in the larger homes with garages. We're surmising at this point that they're looking for garage door openers to gain better access to the homes allowing them to break in un-noticed.
Some information to take into consideration:
- We have a 24 hour guard who drives around on a golf cart. Sleeps at all hours, just depends who's on shift and what they're in the mood for. Not kidding, I can understand all the posts and pictures of them sleeping at 2am, but 11am? Also, sometimes we just see the cart parked. Where are they? Who knows?
- As far as their ability to lower or prevent crime? I've seen no posts on that. I can however comment on my own experience 3 years ago: My alarm went off while away from my home. When the alarm company calls I say yes, call the police. I immediately call the cell phone for the security person. Guess what? They don't speak English. Ok, call my grandma, explain very quickly what's going on and to call the guard. She calls, he tells her he's unable to locate my home. Can't find the address, sorry. The police arrived 47 minutes later. I arrived as they were leaving. Turns out the security guard did find the house, he said "the lights from the police cars helped me find it."
- a detective was assigned (in vain). He explained that there's a lot of crime unbeknownst to me and that a lot of it has to do with the neighborhood next door to me. They had a lot of forclosures and had since became section 8, increasing some criminals to live right next door.
- he also explained that there is a lot of foot traffic in my neighborhood due to the fact that it's a short cut to other developments, also increasing our crime.
- said the police station is understaffed and as a result, their response time to break in's is delayed and as a result has been greatly compromised. So whether you have an alarms or not, they know they have some time in your home to get what they need.
- in the years since, we've contracted the police and kindly enough, they've partnered with us and sometimes we see them patrolling at night. There are also police who have since moved in and do it on their own which is awesome, but it's not all the time and nothing is consistent.
Some more fun facts:
- I was home one day from work on a Tuesday. I went out on my front porch area to smoke, it was about 11am, I am alone, most neighbors are at work. A man in a white pick up truck stopped in front of me when he saw me. He starts to exit his vehicle and come toward me, I advise him to turn around and speak to me from his car. He says "oh sure no problem. I'm looking for a lost puppy, I have a picture, can you come and take a look and tell me if you've seen him? I didn't look, "no sorry good luck." No lie..."can you come a little closer to see?" I said no I'm calling the cops, get the **** out of my neighborhood.
*please note: any comments about me being mean because "he was probably just looking for his lost dog you bi*ch" will be disregarded. I live in a crap part of Miami, not some podunk town. Watch a couple dateline episodes and call me when life's horrors have finally sunk in. Thanks.
- about a year ago I was alone with my son in the house, it was about 7pm, I was making dinner. Doorbell rings, I go to the door, ask who it is. A man answers saying he is from some church and they have a new group on Wednesday nights he'd like to invite me to. "Oh, another religious solicitor, no biggie." I walk to the window directly in front of the door, just to take a look before I open and politely decline. I see the man, but wait? There's another. Crouched on his knees behind him, out of the view of the door. I say no thank you and call the cops. True story. Oh and the advisory above applies to here too, thanks.
- again, one day smoking out front (yes I know it's a bad habit) I see these little punks, couldn't have been more than 13, walking up to each and every car checking to see if their unlocked (at least they weren't breaking into them by way of smashing windows - I guess they'll move on to that next year when their thieving skills have had a chance to mature). I call the cops.
Cops come by my house about an hour later, thanked me for the good description, let's me know they were caught and stolen items were recovered. Both moms showed up to the scene and were pissed. Police noted they come from the section 8 next door development. Damn, the detective was right.
I've read things about the cost of roads and light posts. Roads, don't know about that or how FL laws are. We do have a maintenance team that does upkeep our front yards and the parks. Keeps the community clean and well kept (well for the most part). Things like light posts are maintained by them. Or at least I've seen them change them.
As far as being able to police people that speed through the neighborhood? Pretty much irrelevant bc it's not like there have ever been something like speed traps set up nor needed. Ok, so someone speeds by a group of children riding bikes. Yeah, I'm going to quickly write down their plate and call the cops to send out a search party for them. Thank gosh there's no gates or else they wouldn't be able to rush over and find the speeder! Also, most of the speeding is done from people using our roads as a shortcut. The last I'll say on this as if it's even worth acknowledging any further, I'd almost rather the evil speed demon be a resident, that way when I see them pull into their driveway, I can go yell at them. Hypothetically speaking bc I'm not actually a pain in the ass, but if the mood were right, would enjoy the chance to speak in person about minding the children rather than scream cus words as they speed by.
I've also read that having a gated community gives criminals the impression we are richer. However completely biased the stupid comment is, we're not in a rich neighborhoood. No one thinks we're rich, gate or not.
I've seen many posts about how ineffective gates are with no attendant. With that being said, I 100% agree. I would propose instead of paying for someone to sleep in a golf cart, they personally greet each visitor, not allowing them in unless they have the approval of a resident via phone. And not just any number, one that has been registered. *ive approached guards before who merely ask for a number, it could be anyone they're calling. Totally pointless.
The issue of emergency vehicles being able to enter would be solved by a live person there. There are like 5 ways in and out of our neighborhood, if one gate breaks, I'm sure another will work. Anyways, I'm good at fighting zombies, I'll be fine in the event of an apocalypse. Thanks.
With the creation of the neighbors app, I'm horrified with all the things I'm now aware of. Get a camera like them I thought. But really what's the point? It's not prevented the crime, but rather documented it for their ironic chance to view it take place. Cars are getting broken into weekly. Just 2 weeks ago in the development across the street, a homeowner unfortunately walked in on his home being broken into unknowingly since they shattered their slider in the back to enter. The thief had the owners GUN in his hand, but thankfully was not hurt. They did however make it out with every nice item they owened - terrifying. I can send screenshots of the posts.
I'm fairly positive our HOV misuses our funds but its their decision how they want to allocate the funds. Yes there's a board, and they're retarded. Meetings are generally depressing and absolutely pointless. I don't even think they still take place and if they do, it with hired actors, not actual residents.
Look people, I want a damn gate. I want to feel safe grabbing something from my car at night, that is if it's still there.
How do I go about doing so?
Are there other options? What have other people been actually successful with doing to prevent crime or at least lower it if gates are in fact a bad idea. Which aside from the financial side, can't really be argued.
I read something about it being kind of "big brother." That tells me it's some suburbian fool who hangs out all day on HOAtalk, but like doesn't even have one.
Thanks