Officer Griffin, APD district rep. for Allandale, Brentwood and Crestview talked about what people can do to reduce the likelihood of being a victim of a crime. Tagging and burglaries are the biggest crimes in Crestview. Officer Griffin will give security surveys for free (974-8392, gary.griffin@austintexas.gov). There is a 10pm noise curfew. He recommends people get security cameras and motion-activated lights. People should let other people on the listserv know when something suspicious is seen or they have been victimized. Call if a street light is out. Use krimelabb.com.
Laura DiCarlo, head of Allandale’s safety committee, Neighborhood Watch, and CLASP talked about doing patrols ($30 for magnetic car signs for patrollers) in the neighborhoods and forming a Neighborhood Watch. Mary Arnett, head of patrols in North Shoal Creek, recommends replacing old Neighborhood Watch signs with new signs. You can get them and the installation free from the City. If someone in Crestview would step forward to lead these programs, Laura and Mary would help them to get started. You can get graffiti on a sign or profanity cleaned immediately by calling 3-1-1. Otherwise, you have to wait around 2 weeks. Record serial numbers of all valuables to that you can reclaim them from pawn shops if they are stolen. CNA could provide an etcher to etch items with a personal identifier at social events.
Treasurer’s Report:
Beginning January 2012: $14,438.30
+ $120 (memberships)
+ $767 (ads)
- $412.92 (newsletter printing)
- $35 (ANC annual membership)
TOTAL: $14,877.38
Executive Committee business
Voted to refrain from supporting the Sustainable Neighborhoods bond initiative until we know more.
Voted to donate $100 to the Memorial Fund for Renald Ferrovecchio, as the purple martin tree house memorial had already received enough money to cover its costs. Tim will be out of town on the date of the memorial, and would like someone to ask the Ferrovecchio family where to have the $100 check sent to and to whom it should be made payable.
Tonia and Denise have yet to coordinate on membership renewals.
Laura is taking over for Kat at newsletter editor. It is unknown if she would be willing to fill the vacancy on the executive committee.
Next meeting – gardening. Can we get Paige to talk about Urban Patchwork, Emily to talk about wildlife habitats, farmer’s market vendors?
April meeting – volunteer appreciation dinner. Can announce May elections then. Brainstorm non-newsletter volunteers to contact for the dinner (patrollers, graffiti removers, etc.)