Last month there was an email sent out on the Abernethy Elementary parent email list alerting neighbors to a few burglaries or attempted burglaries in the area. Thanks to a curious neighbor’s reminder, we asked to our awesome Southeast Crime Prevention Coordinator Havliah Ferschweiler with the Office of Neighborhood Involvement about these concerns.
Havilah looked at the crime stats for March 1-April 27 (basically two months). Here’s what she found: There have been 7 residential burglaries in the last two months in the HAND neighborhood (which wouldn’t necessarily include the Waverleigh Heights portion of the neighborhood – this is technically part of Richmond).
However, Havilah looked back through her notes and found that HAND fluctuates (just like every other neighborhood) on residential burglaries. Last spring there were 7 in one month and she found notes of 2 in another month.
Regardless of the numbers, when you hear about a burglary in your neck of the woods, it’s always a great reminder to talk with neighbors about organizing a block watch.
“It’s always a good time to have neighbors looking out for each other, but especially when there is fear of crime in the neighborhood,” said Ferschweiler.
For more information on organizing a block watch, please link to http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=53530&a=320557 or feel free to contact Ferschweiler or her jobshare partner Jacob Brostoff at 503-823-0540.
Here is a link for our Do-It-Yourself Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) evaluation for your information http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=53530&a=320554. The CPTED form helps you look at ways to improve the security of your home through effective use of natural surveillance, strengthening the security of your entry points and more.
Ferschweiler also reminds neighbors to keep an eye out for any unusual activity. If you see ANY suspicious activity, please contact non-emergency at 503-823-3333. If you see someone breaking in to a home, please call 9-1-1. Either way, try to record as much information for the Police as possible without putting yourself in harms way. Things such as car license plate numbers, suspect description, direction that suspect is leaving, etc.
Also, it’s a great reminder to engrave their valuables and keep serial numbers when possible. If you have valuables such as jewelry, take pictures and keep those in a safe place in case you ever need to file a police report. This will help reunite you with your stolen merchandise when it shows up. I would also add that its important to keep valuables such as computers, cameras and electronics out of sight, if possible. It’s important to minimize any interest in breaking into your home. It’s the same concept that we share when we talk about car prowls. Keep valuables out of sight. Pull curtains or blinds when needed.
Any additional questions, please contact Havilah or her jobshare partner Jacob Brostoff at the emails below.
Havilah Ferschweiler
Southeast Crime Prevention Coordinator
Office of Neighborhood Involvement, City of Portland
(503) 823-0540
havilah.ferschweiler@portlandoregon.gov
Jacob Brostoff who can be reached at the same phone number or at Jacob.Brostoff@portlandoregon.gov. Please include both of them on all correspondence.