Neighborhood Watch Update
Say Hello to the Annapolis Police walking the beat
You may notice that there are Police walking the beat in Eastport. This is a stepped-up effort to keep our neighborhood safe during the holiday season.
Please take a minute to say hello to our officers who walk by, get to know them, and let them know how much we appreciate their service.
Neighborhood Watch Signs
ECA has installed 11 more Neighborhood Watch signs at the locations listed below. Thanks to Sharon Durland, Neighborhood Watch Chair, and Paul Simms from the City of Annapolis for getting this done. If you haven’t signed up for Neighborhood Watch, please do so TODAY! Please use this form to sign up now.
If you notice any current signs are blocked by trees or shrubs, let Sharon know at sharonelise@gmail.com.
Newly Installed Signs:
Boucher - Madison
Jefferson - Windsor
Adams - Bay Ridge
Brashears - Jefferson
Bill Jones – Chester
Sam Lewnes Way - Creek Drive
Bay Ridge - Burnside
President St - President Pl
#324 Burnside
Van Buren - President
Kimber Ridge
Van Buren - President
Neighborhood Watch is still growing! The ranks of NW now include over 200 households (more individual members)! The need for watchfulness is still apparent, however, as we’ve recently had incidents, including burglary and robbery at gunpoint, within our community. While we can’t prevent every crime, we can lessen the chances of their happening. Please use this form to sign up now – don’t let it sink to the bottom of your to-do-pile! Contact Sharon Durland with any questions or concerns at sharonelise@gmail.com.
A number of people have asked, “What is the difference between calling 911 and calling 410-268-4141.” Here are some guidelines:
911 is easy to remember, especially during an emergency or stressful situation. The Anne Arundel County call taker will stay on the line with you until the APD dispatcher answers. If you are disconnected before you speak with the APD dispatcher, AACO will relay to APD anything you have said before you were disconnected. The 911 number should be used in an emergency only. Complaints, such as parking, blocked driveways, panhandler calls, or thefts that occurred earlier should not be made on 911.
Calling 410-268 4141 will get you straight to an APD dispatcher. If you think you would have the time to call the 4141 number and would be able to give your reason for a call and location during a stressful time, this would be the number to call. Just remember that your location does not come up, so you will be asked a few more questions about where you are. Calling 410-268-4141 does diminish the chance of being disconnected during the transfer from AACO. All types of calls can be called into 4141: Complaints about parking etc., serious events, suspicious behavior. All calls made to 410-268 4141 are anonymous if you choose so. Your name and location is not displayed to the dispatcher when you call this number.
Crime Prevention Tips
Suspicious
Activity and Crime Reporting Number 410 268-4141 |
Tip #1 - Use caution when conducting transactions at ATMs. Nationwide, there have been cases reported where PIN numbers have been obtained by criminals standing behind the ATM user with a cell phone camera. Usually you can shield your PIN number by placing your body between someone behind you and the keypad - or better yet, if someone is standing in very close proximity to you, ask the person to exercise proper etiquette by standing further back- or leave and conduct your transaction at another time or place.
Tip #2 - Leave the ringer volume on your telephone at a low level when you are not home- especially if away on vacation. Hearing an unanswered phone can be a tip off that your home is empty. Similarly, if you use an answering machine, leave the volume on that down also so that someone on the outside cannot hear it.
Tip #3 - Help your senior citizen friends and relatives avoid being the victims of fraud. Remind them to always check with a trusted friend or relative before committing to any substantial financial transactions. They should be advised to follow this practice even if it is a family member involved in the proposal.
Tip #4 - If you are going on vacation, take crime prevention with you. For starters, prepare for your trip if you are going to unfamiliar areas by obtaining maps and formulating a travel plan with directions beforehand. This could help prevent you from getting lost in possibly dangerous, unfamiliar territory. Stopping for directions in such conditions could be hazardous. If you must ask directions, do so at a busy public area such as a gas station or travel plaza, rather than from pedestrians.
Tip #5 - Inventory and mark your valuables throughout your home and store the records in a safe place. This can help with insurance claims and recovery of property in case your home is ever burglarized. Use your driver's license number as an identifier rather than your social security number- law enforcement cannot readily trace property through social security numbers.
Tips are extracted from various Annapolis Police Department Neighborhood Watch Community Policing Reports, which are available daily at Annapolis Daily Police Report.