70 turn out for the Education Hill Crime Prevention Meeting.

Over 70 citizens turned out for Education Hill neighborhood crime prevention meeting tonight, including Councilmembers Cole and Stilin. The meeting was quiet.  But, a couple of things stood out.  A poll was taken on  how many police patrol the city at any one time.  Most citizens guessed between 15 and 30.  In actuality, usually 4-5 police patrol the city in a shift.  I'm guessing the number on patrol goes up during the day when the population rises to over 90,000 per day.  According to the police patrol speakers, the police receive over 500 calls/week.

Two patrol policepersons rattled through a slide program on car prowl, robbery, and burglary prevention.  The crime statistics were interesting.   In 2009, 205 car prowls, 42 burglaries, and 4 robberies were reported on Education Hill.  So far this year, 40 car prowls and 5 burglaries were reported on the Hill.  Thus, the crime trend is up year over year.

My wife and I heard some anecdotal crime stories:   A block watch captain reported a multiple tire slashing incident and two burglaries in her neighborhood.  A van posing as a landscaping company burglarized a  house.  Last month five cars were broken into at Redmond Junior High during an athletic event.  Five purses were stolen.  A neighbor rubber-banded a boy scout payment envelope to his front door to pay for Christmas tree removal.  The check was stolen and forged.

The following police advice was given:   When in doubt, call 911.  Don't be a hero.  Remove all possessions from your car when it's parked.  GPS devices are the #1 car prowl target.  Only one business has a "peddler's license" at this time.  (TrueGreen).  Say NO to solicitors.  Leave an exterior house light on all night.

 I'd heard much of the lecture from my Block Watch training; so my wife and I left half way through the Q&A.  It was difficult to hear the speakers. To verify and learn all the facts, will you please contact Jim Bove of the Redmond police: jbove@redmond.gov?  Ask him for has event handout, too. They were in short supply. 

By Bob Yoder
Photo by Yoder