Police Department Offers Free Home Security Assessments

The police department offers free home security assessments to help prevent you from becoming a burglary victim. Assessments take about an hour and cover a wide range of crime‐preventive strategies.

To schedule a home security assessment, call Jim Eicher, Police Planner, at 318 – 8693

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Police calls for Service to Chester Village Green for January, 2010

Police calls for Service to Chester Village Green for January, 2010 by Hundred Block Address, Incident Type, Disposition One, & Disposition Two


All addresses represent hundred blocks, not specific addresses.


A disposition of "No Report" indicates that no written Police Incident Report was made.


A disposition of "Offense Report" indicates that a written Police Incident Report exists in the Police Records Management System.


Please realize that the existence of a record of a call for service to any address many not necessarily be indicative of any violation of law. Often times police are dispatched to an address for reasons unrelated to unlawful conduct. Additionally, you should not draw a negative inference simply because a disposition may be listed as "offense report" or "arrest made". It is possible that these dispositions were unrelated to the initial call and may have resulted from completely independent circumstances not involving the situation. We caution you to keep this in mind when considering the following informaiton:


01/09/10, 04300 VILLAGE CREEK DR MISSING PERSON POLICE SERVICE NO REPORT


01/11/10, 11500 CHESTER VILLAGE DR SUSPICIOUS SITUATION CANCEL ABANDONED 911


01/21/10, 04400 VILLAGE GARDEN CR DISTURBANCE DISTURBANCE NO REPORT


01/28/10, 04400 VILLAGE CREEK DR ABANDONED VEHICLE ABANDONED VEHICLE NO REPORT
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Helpful Hints from Neighborhood Watch

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:



1. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week.  While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.


2. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway.  And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.


 3. Of course I look familiar.  I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator. 


4. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard.  Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake.  I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.



5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house.  Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.


6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.


7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink - and the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry.  It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.


8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable.  But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.


9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters.  (Don't take me up on it.)


10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer?  I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.


11. Here's a helpful hint:  I almost never go into kids' rooms.


12. You're right:  I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables.  But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.


13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system.  If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.  (Find it at faketv.com.) 


14. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have inside. 


15. I love those empty boxes on the curb, particularly the TV and computer ones.  They tell me just what new stuff you just bought.



8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:


1.  Love those flowers.  That tells me you have taste ... And taste means there are nice things inside.



2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.


3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise.  If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again.  If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing.  It's human nature.


4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?


5. I love looking in your windows.  I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like.  I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.


6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.


7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air.  To me, it's an invitation.


8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door.  Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in - and just think about it  - you may be home!  Keep your doors locked at all times!


Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security
consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.



What to take to bed with you:



Put your car keys beside your bed at night



Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, & everyone you run across: Put your car keys beside your bed at night.



If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.



This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it.


It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain....



It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around.



After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.



And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime. 



Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem

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Art Classes at the Arts Center Office

The Chester Artista Association is pleased to announce art classes to be offered at 11801 Centre St., the home of the Chester Foundation for the Arts.



This is also a call for volunteer instructors, for two, 2-hr classes for April and May. Then all of the works will come together for an evening indoor/outdoor Art Opening in May.


Please call if you are interested in being an instructor, 530-1547 or 895-0199.
Art Classes:

Thurs. Feb. 11 & 18, 10am-12, Pastel Painting. A technique using watercolors and pastel together on watercolor paper. Bring a photo of a landscape, or other reference material, watercolor paper, sm plastic containers for water, brushes, watercolors, chalk pastels and pastel pencils. No fee, Carolyn Jolly, Instructor.


Thurs. Mar 4 & 11, 10am-12, Mixed Media Painting Techniques w/ Marti Fann.
Bring out the creative side w/Marti teaching us. A supply list will come later. No fee.


Sat. Mar 27 10am-4pm, BATIK w/Carolyn Jolly $65.per for this class, fee shared.
A fun medium to learn and you'll treasure your creations from this class. All supplies included.
You will have two pre-drawn cotton cloths to work from and create a silk scarf using stamp patterns.


Space is limited. Please email me (cjolly@comcast.net) or call (530-1547 or 895-0199) to register for classes.

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The Feb. 5, 2010, Snow Storm and Snow Removal

Snow falling, Feb. 5

Snow falling Feb. 6

Snow removal will begin as soon as the snow fall stops. All homeowners are requested to::

1)  not park on the streets so that the snow can quickly and efficient be removed from the streets;


2) park inside garages to allow for cleaning of the driveways.


Unlimited has been reuested to remove snow from the streets, alleyways, driveways and sidewalks in that order. Unlimited was also advised about mailbox accessibility and making sure that car driveways were cleared to allow for two cars to exit.


Until we can resolved the issues with the density of the concrete and ice melting materials, we will not apply any salt or chemicals for ice.


Remember, the faster the clean up, the lower the cost to the Association.
Any questions or problems, please contact our Manager, Florence (356-7999) or Howard Corey (454-0602).

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Report on Feb. 3, 2010, Board Meeting

The Chester Village Green Homeowners' Asso. Board met on Feb. 3, 7:00 PM, in the Arts Center office.
Board members present:

Howard Corey, President,
Robert Tierney, Vice Pres.,
Jack Mayer, Treasurer,
Arlene Ripp, Secretary,
Andrew McCauley,
Also present: Association Manager: Florence Harrison.
Homeowners present: 13


1) Minutes of the January meeting were read and approved.
 
2) Treasurer's Report: Our cash reserve is in good shape, but snow removal is eating into it.
 
3) Snow Removal: few complaints --generally seen as done well and timely. Unlimited Landscaping's contract responsibility with us is to remove snow from the back alleys, the driveways, and the sidewalks. VDOT is responsible for the streets. They came on Monday, Feb. 1. Chemicals and rock salt are no longer being applied to sidewalks, because of the damage caused in the past.
 
4) Dogs: Both residents and visitors are failing to clean up after their dogs, especially in the grassy areas between the sidewalks and the streets.
 
5) Verizon FIOS: They are once again digging up lawns in order to connect new customers to the fiber optic lines they buried in the Fall. Sometimes they
dig up a non-customer's lawn in order to bring the line through to the new customer. Some home owners have had very disturbing experiences with both Verizon and its subcontractors during this process. For this reason, Verizon management will be invited to be present at the next Board meeting to answer questions from both the Board and home owners.

6) Future tree replacements: As the trees along our sidewalks grow, they may have to be replaced if their roots begin to damage the sidewalks. A committee will meet with experts on Feb. 18 to determine the best trees for replacement.

7) Sidewalk & driveway deterioration: About 10 homes have been affected. Apparently, the concrete mix was too thin, and chemicals are accelerating the deterioration process.

8) Geese: The board has contracted with a goose management company to control the geese. Trained and controlled collie dogs will be used. Please do not call Animal Control if you see them working.

Once again, the Board reminds everyone of the obligation to:
--walk dogs on a leash and pick up after them
--park cars in garages so that streets and driveways can be cleared
--do not park on the wrong side of the street --a ticketable law violation
--do not park in front of your neighbor's home.

The Village Book club will hold a BOOK SALE for the public on Sat., March 13, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, at the Chester United Methodist Church, 12132 Percival St., - and everyone is encouraged to come and buy books for your own enjoyment. It is for the benefit of the Central Asia Institute, which builds hundreds of schools in Aghanistan and Pakistan. Please also donate books. You can leave your book donations in a box or grocery bag on Carol Ray's front porch, 4408 Village Garden Cir.

Artists will be at work  on their paintings in the Arts Center office on Thursdays, March 11 & 18, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. You are welcome to come and observe.

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The Snow of Jan. 29 - 30, 2010

Above, the Snow of  Fri. & Sat., Jan. 29 - 30, 2010, as seen late on Mon., Feb.1.      BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL WALKING OR DRIVING; BEWARE OF BLACK ICE (which is almost invisible).

The deep snow of Dec.18 was almost (but not quite) all gone when the deep snow of Jan. 29 - 30 arrived. Most of it will probably still be with us when the predicted snow of Feb. 5 - 6 arrives (and more snow/mix is forecast for Feb. 9 & 10). And we have so often bragged to our Northern friends and relatives that, "it hardly ever snow in Virginia, and when it does, it is all gone in a day or two."

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