Rethink Security
Submitted by TMCC Security Committee
What comes to mind when you think of a safe, secure neighborhood? Is it a place where you can leave your doors unlocked and the garage door open without concern of a burglary or theft? Maybe it's a place where kids can play in the front yard or walk the block without concern? How about a neighborhood where we all know and watch out for one another? Whatever it is for you, a safe, secure neighborhood is something we all desire.
In the last 6 months, the TMCC Security Committee has been taking a hard look at our neighborhood security strategies to see what is working and what isn't. This includes an in-depth analysis of crime stats from both before and during private security patrols. The results of that analysis were presented at the TMCC general meeting on September 10. View the full presentation here. In short, we want to make sure we are effective and spending your financial resources responsibly and private security patrols in its current form may not be the answer.
As part of this we have set off on a path to Rethink Security in our amazing little slice of Houston. We put out a call for residents to sit down with us for an idea-generating session and the results far surpassed our expectations. A good showing of residents turned up at Cactus Cove in early October for a short social followed by a one-hour session of idea generation where “no idea was a bad idea”. The results: Over 50 potential ideas for improving security in TMCC! Ideas ranged from creating new and different versions of citizens patrol where dog walkers “patrol” during their walks to more national night out events to some out-of-the-box ideas like drone patrols.
The complete list is currently being organized by the security committee after which each idea will be ranked based on expected costs, personnel resource demands, and effectiveness. More to come soon. Interested in participating in future Rethink Security discussions?
New Security Data from HPD
The Houston Police Department switched to a new crime reporting system mid-2018. In this new system, more incidents are reported than in the previous. To learn more about the new NIBRS system please check out the July 2019 Timbergram.
Crime in September was notably lower than previous months with only one incident reported. Halfway through October, only one other incident was reported. Unfortunately, one of those incidents was a residential burglary and another was an aggravated assault. The aggravated assault was the fourth this year all occurring along T.C. Jester near the intersections of Waltway, Shirkmere, and Bryce. Let's keep an eye out for one another and report suspicious activity especially in this area.
TMCC 2019 Notable Incidents Reported to HPD (January - October 13)
Neighbors Celebrate National Night Out
Submitted by Matt Kern, Security Committee
I'll be the first to admit that I don't spend as much time getting to know my neighbors as I would like to. Our calendars stay double booked and we often live in this frenzied coming-and-going kind of life. But knowing each other helps us to better watch out for one another and in my opinion, makes our great little neighborhood home just that much better of a place to live. Within the security committee, we have been repeating this saying: “Refocus on US” where “US” stands for Unity and Security.
On Tuesday, October 1, Timbergrove Manor residents again took to the streets to unify and visit with neighbors as part of the annual crime awareness National Night Out event. Many thanks to the more than 20 households who hosted block parties in their driveways at locations throughout the neighborhood. You guys really rocked it (again)!
Most visited with representatives from the Houston Police Department, SEAL Security (provider of private patrols in TMCC territory), and the Houston Fire Department. Kids not only loved checking out the police cruisers but also enjoyed TMCC provided sidewalk chalk, coloring books, and bubbles. One home even set up a bounce house! While the kids played, adults shared appetizers, stories, and contact information. I was personally rewarded with some amazing quality time with several of my amazing neighbors along with the exchange of contact information so we can better watch out for one another. It went so well again this year that the Security Committee is in talks about organizing more frequent events. Stay tuned for more.
Photos courtesy of Laura Bradham
