Last updated Jun 26, 2022 | Published on Apr 5, 2012 | Featured, Neighborhood Watch
Greetings Net,
Thanks to you, the Neighborhood Watch Integrated E-mail Network is moving into its sixth year of volunteer support. I want to thank all on the net for their spirit of volunteerism. The net now includes the points of contact for more than 53 Rockledge neighborhoods, a hand full of Viera neighborhood contacts, representatives of local law enforcement agencies and a myriad of others wanting to be in the loop. Having successfully maintained the integrity of this communications tool for the benefit of all involved over the past years, it is time to briefly revisit what this network was founded on and some of the guidelines pertaining to what and how information is passed along.
The Neighborhood Watch Integrated E-mail Network is a volunteer initiative that stands alone, operating independently of any agency, including law enforcement. In the beginning two Rockledge residents from different communities got together and started e-mailing information to one another about their neighborhood watch efforts and the criminal activity, suspected or actual, in their vicinity. Over the years the net expanded to include other willing community points of contact. Local law enforcement saw that the net could serve as a means to reach out to residents, complimenting, not supplementing, other media resources already in place, such as newspapers and broadcast agencies. The advantage of the net is that the information passed is sent directly to linked residents and the information sits, waiting to be viewed on individual computer monitors, smart phones, etc … . Each resident then has control of passing the information along to others as well. There is no promise or guarantee by any agency, law enforcement or otherwise, that the net will be provided information, but there is an awareness that the net is available to assist as a volunteer resource for neighborhood watch related topics, including law enforcement responses to criminal activity. As important, the net also serves to link residents within their own neighborhood, often operating independent of the integrated e-mail network that Kevin and I administer. It pretty much mimics the “phone tree” practice in many ways, each serving their own purpose.
The information provided via the net is taken at face value, that is, what is provided is passed, although it may be stripped of some information that could be considered privileged or personal (to some degree), such as a specific house address or an individual’s birth date. When the information is sent out via the net, there will be an identifier provided on the subject line, including three letters and eight numbers to identify the source of the information and date of release:
– POL: The information is provided by a law enforcement resource in which the net has been asked to disseminate the information. This can typically be the same information being released by a law enforcement Public Information Officer (PIO) to local news media.
– COM: The information was provided by a net community point of contact or individual on the net acting as a good Samaritan, passing information along to share with others. The credibility of this information is not verified so care is taken as what is distributed.. Typically, it is provided as an observed situation or scenario with little detail. An example is, a community point of contact putting out that – – – a large white van is making its rounds, dropping off solicitors that try to sell security systems. When asked for a permit to solicit in Rockledge, they quickly left the neighborhood. Police were called (non-emergency) to check the individuals out, but the van left before the patrol arrived.
– NET: The originator or drafter of the information is the network administrator (Kevin or me), such as me sending this e-mail to the net.
– ASH: This is me sending out info to those in my own community. Seldom would this be seen on a net release, but I could share it if I felt it was value added.
The eight numbers represent the year, month and day the e-mail is sent via the net, such as 20120319, meaning 2012 MAR 19.
My best to each of you and my thanks for your spirit of volunteerism that make the net possible.
Please be vigilant, be involved and be safe,
Network Administrator
Last updated Jun 25, 2022 | Published on Apr 5, 2012 | Neighborhood Watch
Greetings Net,
The following is based on the information provided by our net point of contact in Wellington Station. It is a good heads up to all residents city-wide, especially those living near abandoned properties. Fellow residents are to be commended for their vigilance and prompt reporting of the incident to the Rockledge Police Department.
Incident (My thanks to SM for the information):
Residents noted a gathering of young people outside an abandoned home in their neighborhood late last night. There were lights on outside as well as in the interior of the home. This house has been empty for over a year now. The Rockledge Police Department was called, the dispatcher took down the information and alerted the patrols; they responded very promptly. As the Police Officers entered the residence 20 to 25 people scattered out of the back of the house and ran in numerous directions. Some of them lingered around the corner by their vehicles. The police detained a number of individuals in the house and also escorted some back to the house.
Apparently the individuals identified the house as being abandoned and a suitable place to have a party. Somehow the individuals gained access to the house, probably through the rear. This sort of use of vacant properties by juveniles is not unique.
The Rockledge Police Department did an outstanding job of responding quickly. I have a greater level of comfort knowing that they are just a phone call and minutes away. Please pass on our appreciation to this wonderful group of people that keep us safe! SM
Net, there are two positive points that we can ascertain from this report:
1- That Wellington Station has vigilant neighbors that are active in the Neighborhood Watch Program.
2- That we have a top notch police department that responds immediately to our calls.
This is not the first such incident that I have been made aware of. Ashwood Lakes had a recent incident in which juveniles were apprehended in the morning by the Rockledge Police Department after they had gained access to a vacant house and were using it to hang out in.
Please be vigilant, be involved and be safe,
Network Administrator
Last updated Jun 25, 2022 | Published on Apr 5, 2012 | Neighborhood Watch
Greetings Net,
While the below pertains to Brackenwood, this could easily be any of our neighborhoods.
The Rockledge Police Department has responded to a number of vehicle burglaries which occurred in the Brackenwood neighborhood. The burglaries took place in the early morning hours today, 28 March. All vehicles that have been reported as being burglarized were left unlocked, allowing easy access.
For those in the vicinity of Brackenwood, if your vehicle was burglarized or if you suspect your vehicle was tampered with, contact the police immediately. If you have information regarding the burglaries, even if it is just based on a suspicion or gut feel, make the call, it could make the difference in the investigation: non-emergency number is 321-690-3988. Please consider that your neighbors may not be receiving e-mails such as this, so check with them, let them know what is going on around your community – perhaps they will then elect to strengthen your neighborhood watch effort by adding their e-mail address to your neighborhood distribution, bringing them into the loop.
Vehicles are an easy target and leaving them unlocked and unattended is that much more an enticement to the criminal element. One of the street terms for this criminal act is “car hopping”, that is, an individual walking down the street flipping door handles, moving from vehicle to vehicle until an unlocked one is found – – – car hopping. It takes just seconds for it to be swept clean of its valuables.
Please be vigilant, be involved and be safe; report the suspicious acts of others to local law enforcement timely.
Network Administrator
Last updated Jun 25, 2022 | Published on Feb 27, 2012 | Neighborhood Watch
This e-mail is being passed to all communities on the net, although it is specifically intended for the residents of:
- – Plantation Point
- – Ventana
- – Ashwood Lakes
- – Chelsea Park
- – Jameson Place
This bulletin is provided based on the observations of a resident in Plantation Point. Should you observe a scenario such as this in your community, contact the Rockledge Police Department timely at 321-690-3988.
On 23 February 2012 (Thursday) at about 7:00 pm, a resident leaving Wynfield Circle in Plantation Point noticed four young Black / Hispanic males walking down the middle of the road. The individuals walked to the cul-de-sac on Waterford and then went past the side of the last house. About 15 minutes later the individuals were seen walking back on San Beluga heading toward the Ventana neighborhood. When they reached the island barricade in the road separating Plantation Point and Ventana, they got into a car on the Ventana side of the barricade and drove toward Murrell Boulevard.
This type of activity is common among someone who is ‘casing’ a neighborhood:
- – the individuals were not recognized as neighbors
- – it was late when they were observed
- – they walked along several streets with apparently no objective
- – they parked in an adjoining community that allowed for ease in departure.
Rockledge Police were notified of this incident and they responded. However, it is not known whether the patrol was able to catch up and question the individuals while in the neighborhood.
Timely reporting of such occurrences is essential to allow for a non-emergency response by local law enforcement. While this scenario does not warrant a 911 call, it is important and the Rockledge Police Department will respond to check out such individuals if you ask them to.
As to getting feedback as to what the officer finds out, you should always consider telling the dispatcher that you want the officer to contact you either in person or by phone to pass along their findings. If you do not hear back from an officer in a reasonable time (you have to determine what is reasonable) call dispatch back and ask for the name or badge number of the responding officer and then ask again that they contact you (in person or by phone). Please consider the number of 911 and non–emergency calls being handled at any given time, a non-emergency response may result in a patrol’s arrival after the fact or an officer not getting back to you timely.
Be on the lookout for unusual behavior in your neighborhood and do not hesitate to call the non-emergency number for Rockledge Police (690-3988), even if based on your gut feeling that something just doesn’t seem right. As stated by the Rockledge Chief of Police, “No call too small”.
Please be vigilant, be involved and be safe,
Network Administrator
Last updated Jun 25, 2022 | Published on Feb 24, 2012 | Communitiy Updates
The following article from Rockledge Police Department Neighborhood Watch may be of interest to residents wanting to determine if a solicitor or contractor has followed the proper procedure to canvass the Three Meadows subdivision. ** See also: Rockledge Solicitor Peddler Canvasser Reference **
(Some guidelines to consider.)
As of late, I have received a number of inquiries from residents pertaining to contractors, solicitors, peddlers, canvassers and those promoting their religious belief. The information involved to respond to each of the five categories can be a little lengthy, but well worth my time to send out and possibly worth your time to review. The weather is about to get better and there will be more strangers walking our streets going door to door, promoting their business.
The attached file was sent out in March 2011. It covers most of what you need to know about permits for solicitor, peddlers, canvassers and those promoting their religious belief. Please remember, the Rockledge Police Department does a criminal history check on all applicants and has stringent requirements for endorsements.
The new category of interest by residents is the contractor, such as those hired to do landscaping, lawn care, fertilizing and tree trimming, taking the opportunity to promote their business by going door to door while in the area. Contractors are not addressed on the attached, but they are discussed below.
Note: The two city of Rockledge departments that will respond to enforce city codes / ordinances are listed below; their response pending the circumstances and time of the call (working hours / after hours):
– 690-3984: Code Enforcement, Building Department
– 690-3988: Rockledge Police Department (for non-emergency)
Here are some guidelines:
– A contractor working within a community, whether they are working for an HOA Board on common grounds or a resident on private property, does not need the permit discussed on the the attached unless they are going to solicit, peddle or canvass.
– If a contractor is walking the streets with a list of clients that are currently using their service in that community and approaches residents that are not on their listing, they need a permit. However, if a contractor is approached by a resident and invited onto their property, the contractor does not need a permit. .
– If an individual is going door to door hanging advertisements on doors or throwing sample packets on driveways, they need to have a permit to solicit, peddle or canvass. If you discover such an advertisement on your property and it has the contact information on it, get it to Rockledge Code Enforcement Office. They will check to see if the individual has a permit, contacting the company / individual as appropriate. Keep in mind, while the discarding of advertisement material may have already occurred in your community, your actions may prevent other communities from the inconvenience. If you have a NO TRESPASSING sign posted on your property and the individual has ignored it when making their delivery to your door, ensure you include that information when contacting the authorities.
– On a side note, if you have a contractor doing landscaping, such as mowing your lawn or trimming your trees, they must remove the yard waste. Contractors are prohibited from leaving the yard waste for the city to pick-up. So, if someone drives up in a sedan with a ladder tied to the roof and gives you a great deal on trimming your trees, your first question should be, how will the yard waste be removed by the contractor. It could be a show stopper, but it is the requirement and a licensed lawn care services knows this, some elect not to oblige.
– Landscape entrepreneurs are plentiful and those that are not licensed or insured are a risk – how lucky do you feel? It is highly recommended that you ask any contractor you are considering for hire for their license and proof of insurance. To verify a contractor’s license you can contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 866-532-1440 or www.MyFloridaLicense.com .
The big take away is:
– If someone comes to your door to talk about their service, they need a Rockledge city permit (attached), even if they just finished a contracted job next store. A Brevard County permit does not work in Rockledge.
– If someone comes to your door, permit or not, and you have signage posted for no soliciting, they are being rude by bothering you; but, if you have no trespassing signage posted and they have come to your door, then you have a more serous issue. Contact either the Rockledge Police Department or code enforcement immediately and provide what info you have – allow the authorities to investigate.
– It is never advisable to confront a stranger at your door (or in the street) other than to say, you are trespassing, leave my property (if that is the case). Let the authorities do their job by investigating, And, it is never a good idea to allow someone at your front door to think that no one is home as they might be a sixth category of individual that goes door to door, the criminal element – and that is a whole different topic.
I hope this helps those that have asked or who were wondering. Please remember, some of the best scams have been played out by individuals who state that they can provide a service for a low price, while they are not licensed or insured to do so. And then there are those that will say that they were referred to you by a friend. The best referral is when an individual tells a friend about a contractor and then provides the friend the contractor’s contact information; not when a stranger shows up at your door and says they were referred to you by a friend or neighbor.
PLEASE BE VIGILANT, BE INVOLVED AND BE SAFE.
Network Administrator
