Leona Heights Neighborhood News

by Gordon Laverty

I hope 2009 is off to a great start for you. Leona Heights residents can carry these words with you today and throughout the year: vigilance, appreciation, and action.

Vigilance seems to be of ongoing importance lately. Please continue to keep your eyes open for mail stealers, car thieves, and burglars. If you see someone suspicious, don't hesitate to get on your phone and call the Oakland Police Department. These crimes happen so fast, our responses have to be equally fast. And don't forget, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Do all you can to make sure you and your property are secure as possible and not inviting to criminals. As a reminder, don't leave any valuables in your parked cars. Consider getting a locking mailbox. Make sure all ground-level doors and windows are secure, especially when you're not home. And avoid leaving anything of value lying around your property. Even garden hoses have been stolen lately.

I think we all appreciate our neighborhood immensely, especially the above-and-beyond contributions that some of us make as neighbors. Many of you, by your simple act of taking a walk through the neighborhood, add so much to a feeling of community here. We're grateful for the tireless care and efforts of Marilyn King as she's shined her light on countless issues and concerns here. Thanks also to Jurgen Braungardt for maintaining the invaluable Leona Heights Yahoo Group networking vehicle. Martha Hill has worked very hard on coordinating actions around our Neighborhood Watch. And once every month, an army of volunteers delivers this newspaper to you and we thank Julie, Lyn, Stan, Marge, and Ross for that.

I encourage you to consider your neighborhood a resource. Take action here. Go for a walk, talk with your neighbors, share information, listen to the birds sing. Here's to a great 2009 for each of you here in Leona Heights!

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