[Highland Park] Recent Public Safety Posts
Several postings came in responding to the ones about stolen items, vandalism, and kids, and I decided to hold them for a day or two and send them out as one email. Below are the responses and suggestions:. ************** ----- Original Message ----- From: Dieckmann, Brian (SOUTH HILLS, PA) Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 12:04 PM Subject: Thefts I agree with Marcy. It is our neighborhood and thus I think it is our responsibility to protect and police it and to make others aware that we will not tolerate that type of behavior in our neighborhood. I believe that it is ok to call the police to let them know about the kids and hopefully, if they are confronted enough times, either by residents or police, they will find a new route to walk. Brian M. Dieckmann, CFM, CFP, CRPC Assistant Vice President Wealth Management Advisor 412-854-7704 888-231-9479 Fax 412-567-0036 ************** ----- Original Message ----- From: Jessica Miller Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 12:33 PM Subject: Re: [Highland Park] Re: Stolen bikes/vandalism/car break-ins This won't help a lot of these situations but may come in handy a time or two. Things are a lot tamer on Chislett in general but once in a while, often a summer evening, a large congregation of teens or so will be hanging out. The danger is they are all in the street and seem to challenge cars driving by rather than avoid them. Sometimes they can get into little "play" altercations bt each other (often a boy girl thing) and that seems to escalate to a slightly concerning level. Once that happens, the testosterone can lead to other acts of minor mischief and destruction. I find I can set off my car alarm through my window without anyone on the street knowing I did it. I try to time it so they think they have set it off. They disperse pretty quickly. They may gather again somewhere else, but for some reason they tend to go off in both directions so it may actually break them up for the night. I've also read that the car alarm can be handy for late night noises you may hear, if you feel vulnerable in your home. Jessica Miller **************** ----- Original Message ----- From: CLWDS9@aol.com Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 1:39 PM Subject: Caring for our neighborhood I, also, really think we have to be proactive in resolving the problem of unsavory activity in our neighborhood. We need to locate the indivduals who are ransacking our neighborhood's reputation and take action to end the problem. We need to not be intimidated by youth who curse at us and need to watch where they go, as several people have done. If their destination is within Highland Park, we can alert police as to the specific area or location, contact the landlord if they live in rental property, anything else that is not illegal. We should study all of the e-mails that have come in regarding thefts, cursing, breaking windows and see if there is any pattern that helps us locate the streets or houses where these problems have occurred and take it from there. **************** ----- Original Message ----- From: smallworld5619@comcast.net Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 3:04 PM Subject: Re: [Highland Park] Re: Stolen bikes/vandalism/car break-ins We experienced a roving, cursing group of kids last summer riding bicycles down our street. I called the police to report it and they drove by within 10 minutes or so and the kids scattered. I think the police are happy to cruise the streets if they know there is a problem ... if you don't call they'll never know. ********************* ----- Original Message ----- From: Ellen Botkin Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 5:17 PM Subject: let's work together to make this a neighborhood for everyone! Hi Neighbors, I've been reading the postings regarding theft and vandalism these past few weeks and have increasingly felt that I needed to provide a somewhat different response to the unfortunate issues that some our fellow neighbors have experienced. I love Highland Park because it is a diverse neighborhood with people from a variety of backgrounds who sit out on their porches, talk to, care about, and really look out for one another. Being "known" and involved in your neighbors lives (in a good way, of course!) is a way to build community, an inclusive community. Do you know the names of your neighbors? All your neighbors? Genuinely said hello as you walked your dog at night, weed your garden, get in to your car or wait at the bus stop in the morning? Said hello to the teenagers? Looked them in the eye and asked them how they were? Building community, where everyone looks out for everyone else, is built one sincere acknowledgment at a time. That, I believe, is what will reduce vandalism, petty theft and make our neighborhood one known for it's inclusive, caring community. If anyone would like to talk further, please don't hesitate to let me know... I'd love to open up a dialogue. Sincerely, Ellen Botkin Glenview Place ebotkin@gmail.com ********************* ----- Original Message ----- From: <kevin@wahila.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:56 AM Subject: Bike Theft
Dear Neighbors,
Much to my dismay, I witnessed a bike theft by a teenage male yesterday evening at 8PM on Jackson Street. It took me a second to realize what was happening. I came off of my porch and started sprinting after him, but my legs couldn't keep up with his pedaling. I only wish my own bike was at hand (it was locked inside)... The police were called and I gave a description, etc. I am hopeful that we will be able to retrieve the bike. The suspect was walking/talking with another teenager from our street before the theft and several others know him from working at the Highland Park pool. Bike returned or not, it is upsetting for something like this to happen. We have a wonderful street and neighborhood. I urge you to please keep your bikes inside if at all possible. Although shocking, it is just too easy for someone to grab a bike and take off when it is in plain sight.
Regards, Kevin on Jackson!
Building upon what Ellen wrote, if we can approach the problem proactively instead of reactively, by knowing our neighbors and lending a hand, we might make a bigger impact. The underlying problem seems to be lack of other activities for kids and teens. Once the pool closes everyday, what other options do they have? What are we as a neighborhood doing to provide a place for kids and teens to go, to keep them off the streets? You can say parents who can't or won't provide proper supervision are not your problem, but the kids become everyone's problem eventually. I'm not so pollyanna as to believe that providing more activities will completely turn around crime and vandalism, but it is a start. Holly holly.anderton@gmail.com Jackson Street On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 7:16 AM, Bob Staresinic <bob.63@netzero.net> wrote:
Several postings came in responding to the ones about stolen items, vandalism, and kids, and I decided to hold them for a day or two and send them out as one email. Below are the responses and suggestions:.
************** ----- Original Message ----- *From:* Dieckmann, Brian (SOUTH HILLS, PA) <Brian_Dieckmann@ml.com> *Sent:* Monday, June 22, 2009 12:04 PM *Subject:* Thefts
I agree with Marcy. It is our neighborhood and thus I think it is our responsibility to protect and police it and to make others aware that we will not tolerate that type of behavior in our neighborhood. I believe that it is ok to call the police to let them know about the kids and hopefully, if they are confronted enough times, either by residents or police, they will find a new route to walk.
Brian M. Dieckmann, CFM, CFP, CRPC Assistant Vice President Wealth Management Advisor 412-854-7704 888-231-9479 Fax 412-567-0036
************** ----- Original Message ----- *From:* Jessica Miller <kekikamiller@yahoo.com> *Sent:* Monday, June 22, 2009 12:33 PM *Subject:* Re: [Highland Park] Re: Stolen bikes/vandalism/car break-ins
This won't help a lot of these situations but may come in handy a time or two. Things are a lot tamer on Chislett in general but once in a while, often a summer evening, a large congregation of teens or so will be hanging out.
The danger is they are all in the street and seem to challenge cars driving by rather than avoid them. Sometimes they can get into little "play" altercations bt each other (often a boy girl thing) and that seems to escalate to a slightly concerning level. Once that happens, the testosterone can lead to other acts of minor mischief and destruction.
I find I can set off my car alarm through my window without anyone on the street knowing I did it.
I try to time it so they think they have set it off. They disperse pretty quickly. They may gather again somewhere else, but for some reason they tend to go off in both directions so it may actually break them up for the night.
I've also read that the car alarm can be handy for late night noises you may hear, if you feel vulnerable in your home.
Jessica Miller
**************** ----- Original Message ----- *From:* CLWDS9@aol.com *Sent:* Monday, June 22, 2009 1:39 PM *Subject:* Caring for our neighborhood
I, also, really think we have to be proactive in resolving the problem of unsavory activity in our neighborhood. We need to locate the indivduals who are ransacking our neighborhood's reputation and take action to end the problem. We need to not be intimidated by youth who curse at us and need to watch where they go, as several people have done. If their destination is within Highland Park, we can alert police as to the specific area or location, contact the landlord if they live in rental property, anything else that is not illegal. We should study all of the e-mails that have come in regarding thefts, cursing, breaking windows and see if there is any pattern that helps us locate the streets or houses where these problems have occurred and take it from there. **************** ----- Original Message ----- *From:* smallworld5619@comcast.net *Sent:* Monday, June 22, 2009 3:04 PM *Subject:* Re: [Highland Park] Re: Stolen bikes/vandalism/car break-ins
We experienced a roving, cursing group of kids last summer riding bicycles down our street. I called the police to report it and they drove by within 10 minutes or so and the kids scattered. I think the police are happy to cruise the streets if they know there is a problem ... if you don't call they'll never know.
********************* ----- Original Message ----- *From:* Ellen Botkin <ebotkin@gmail.com> *Sent:* Monday, June 22, 2009 5:17 PM *Subject:* let's work together to make this a neighborhood for everyone!
Hi Neighbors, I've been reading the postings regarding theft and vandalism these past few weeks and have increasingly felt that I needed to provide a somewhat different response to the unfortunate issues that some our fellow neighbors have experienced. I love Highland Park because it is a diverse neighborhood with people from a variety of backgrounds who sit out on their porches, talk to, care about, and really look out for one another. Being "known" and involved in your neighbors lives (in a good way, of course!) is a way to build community, an inclusive community. Do you know the names of your neighbors? All your neighbors? Genuinely said hello as you walked your dog at night, weed your garden, get in to your car or wait at the bus stop in the morning? Said hello to the teenagers? Looked them in the eye and asked them how they were? Building community, where everyone looks out for everyone else, is built one sincere acknowledgment at a time. That, I believe, is what will reduce vandalism, petty theft and make our neighborhood one known for it's inclusive, caring community. If anyone would like to talk further, please don't hesitate to let me know... I'd love to open up a dialogue. Sincerely, Ellen Botkin Glenview Place ebotkin@gmail.com
********************* ----- Original Message ----- From: <kevin@wahila.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:56 AM Subject: Bike Theft
Dear Neighbors,
Much to my dismay, I witnessed a bike theft by a teenage male yesterday evening at 8PM on Jackson Street. It took me a second to realize what was happening. I came off of my porch and started sprinting after him, but my legs couldn't keep up with his pedaling. I only wish my own bike was at hand (it was locked inside)... The police were called and I gave a description, etc. I am hopeful that we will be able to retrieve the bike. The suspect was walking/talking with another teenager from our street before the theft and several others know him from working at the Highland Park pool. Bike returned or not, it is upsetting for something like this to happen. We have a wonderful street and neighborhood. I urge you to please keep your bikes inside if at all possible. Although shocking, it is just too easy for someone to grab a bike and take off when it is in plain sight.
Regards, Kevin on Jackson!
-- <http://lists.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>
participants (2)
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Bob Staresinic
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Holly Anderton