Leona Heights Neighborhood News

by Gordon Laverty

The time has come for Leona Heights residents to improve Home Alert efforts, to fight the rash of home entries recently reported. It is vital that every resident contact the three or four closest and trusted neighbors, exchange phone numbers, watch the neighborhood, and call each other at the slightest suspicious activity observed. They should call 911 on a home phone, or 777-3211 if on a cell phone, to notify police. Even if the police cannot respond immediately, the incident will be recorded and will let the Oakland Police Department know we should be given higher priority.

When a suspicious event is observed, it is important to write down personal appearance and characteristics of people, dress description, and what seems about to occur. Vehicle descriptions including make, estimated year, license number, color, and type of vehicle are important.

It is also time to review what, if any, outside and inside motion-alarm equipment you should install. Recent problems include breaking windows to gain entry. Inside-window bars at latched windows can be quickly removed in the event of emergency for exit from your home. Sensing devices can trigger alarms, lights, or turn on sound producers to make an unwanted person go away. Ace Hardware on MacArthur Blvd. is offering motion-detector equipment at a cost reduction to cooperate with surveillance programs. Some of our neighbors are installing pole- or home-mounted video recorders to record persons and events near their property.

You may want to install a front door peep hole or a more sturdy metal, lockable screen door to see who is at your door so you will not have to open it or expose yourself to danger. Despite the outward negativity of these suggestions, they can assure you and your neighbors of a more happy summer!?

Gordon Laverty can be reached at lavertyhillmob2\@sbcglobal.net.