Plaza Midwood Neighborhood

Watch Update - Fall 2008

from Robert Willis, Watch Coordinator

Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Watch We continue to build our email/phone trees and I am working on setting up text message groups for each grid that will send out cell phone text messages to those who subscribe. I hope to have details for the next quarterly meeting. We are also currently testing several home security items, such as cameras and motion detectors. I will have them set up during the quarterly meeting. Lynn from Carolina Civilian Safety will be there to demonstrate her personal taser. It is a small hand held taser/stun gun that can be used for your protection against an intruder or attacker.

We still need grid captains in grids 2, 7, 8 and 10. Please someone step to help cover these areas. We recently had a police chase through the neighborhood and information was passed out quickly through the message board and phone/email trees. This information could have kept our families out of harms way if we could have gotten to the right people. Any breaks in the chain stops the flow. I am asking for your ideas for future meetings and initiatives. If you have something send or would like to get involved email PMNWATCH@AOL.COM or contact your grid captain directly.

National Night Out was a Huge Success!

Plaza Midwood turns out in droves to help support America's Night Out Against Crime!

- photos -

25th Annual National Night Out", a crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), was a great success here in Plaza Midwood. About 150 neighbors came out and enjoyed an extremely hot evening socializing. We talked about things going on in the neighborhood, future plans of the Neighborhood Watch and just got to know each other. Everyone enjoyed refreshments, giveaways, and door prizes provided by our sponsors Target, Something Classic, Zeda Janes, Villa Francesca Pizzeria, the Charlotte Bobcat's, Harris Teeter, Midwood Baptist, Kilgo United Methodist, Nova's Bakery, and the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association. Thanks to everyone for their support and efforts to fight crime in Plaza Midwood!

What is a Neighborhood Watch?

The Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association actively pursues a safe, responsibile living environment by supporting our law enforcement officers and their efforts. To put as many “eyes on the street” as possible, we also support and facilitate an active Neighborhood Watch effort. Anchored by grid-captains, the network sets up phone trees and email lists that help Plaza Midwood stay better in touch with each other and get the word out about suspicious activity.

Three Goals of a Neighborhood Watch Program

Build a partnership with the community to reduce crime and improve livability.
Instill a greater sense of security while reducing the fear of crime.
Create a strong sense of community and put the “neighbor” back in neighborhood.

Neighborhood Watch Meetings

The neighborhood-wide watch meetings and crime updates are held prior to each Quarterly Association Meeting, which are on the 4th Thursday of the month in January, April, July and October in the basement of the Kilgo Church. The Neighborhood Watch meeting is at 6:30pm and the Quarterly Association Meeting begins at 7pm.

In addition, Block Captains organize monthly meetings to exchange ideas and information among the group.

How can I help?

An organized Neighborhood Watch program is a big step towards making Plaza Midwood a safer place to live and work. However, these efforts require a commitment from the entire community – businesses and residents. If you are interested in helping your neighbors to control crime in our area, please e-mail pmnwatch@aol.com to get in touch with your neighborhood watch officers and your grid captain. In addtion, it is important that everyone follow these simple rules and responsibilities:

Don’t be a victim.

Protect yourself, your home, your property, and your vehicle.
Have a security inspection done by law enforcement professionals.
Upgrade doors, locks, hardware and outdoor lighting.
Keep valuables secure.
Lock doors and windows and set your security system when leaving.
Mark valuable property and record serial numbers.

Be a good neighbor.

Get to know the people who live near you.
Have a way to contact neighbors and one for them to get back in touch with you.
Watch out for suspicious activity at neighbors’ homes and ask them to do likewise for you.
Attend the quarterly Neighborhood Watch meetings.

Report any and all suspicious activity.

Call 911.
Call 311.
Share information with your neighbors and block captain.
Calling your block captain is NOT calling 911. 911 should always be the first call!

Report street light outages.

Criminals like shadows so, if you see a light out, take note of the closest intersection or residence address and do one or more of the following:

Grid Captains’ Responsibilities

Contact your grid captain

Serve as a liaison between your neighbors and the Neighborhood Watch coordinators.
Establish a phone or email “communication chain” for neighbors on your block/in your grid.
Create and maintain a block map with current contact information for your neighbors.
Share information such as safety and security guidelines and reports of suspicious or criminal activity.
Visit new neighbors and encourage them to participate in the Neighborhood Watch Program.
Serve as a resource or point of contact for your neighbors.*

*From “Neighborhood Watch: A Manual for Citizens and Law Enforcement” by the National Sheriffs Association and “Establishing a Neighborhood Watch in Your Community” by CMPD.

Neighborhood Watch Contacts

Watch Coordinator

Robert Willis

Watch Grid Captains:

Neighborhood Grid Map

Grid 1	Grid 9
Grid 2	Grid 10
Grid 3	Grid 11
Grid 4	Grid 12
Grid 5	Grid 13
Grid 6	Grid 14
Grid 7	Grid 15
Grid 8	Grid 16

CMPD Community Coordinators:

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Community Crime Response Team
Eastway Division, CMPD

Supervisors:

Sergeant Mike Sloop, Regional Area Commander
Sergeant Brian Cunningham
Captain Dale Greene