Category Archives: Neighborhood Security

Dumpster Divers and Recycling Bin Explorers, Paper Shredding Anyone?

Neighborhood Security

I was talking with one of my neighbors when they told me that people had been observed in Manorwood going through the recycling bins.  It occurred to us both that the only reason people would be interested in what was in the recycling bins would be if they were looking for personal information, in order to steal identities.

It seems that every day there are more reports of identity theft. What we throw away in our recycling bin may be just what the identity thief is looking for.

For example, occasionally credit card companies will include a blank check in their credit card statement, to enable their customers to get cash advances simply by filling out the check and cashing it. The check is usually at the end of the statement along with some uninteresting verbiage, and is easy to overlook.  If you happen to throw that check away and along with it a sample of your signature, you may have given an identity thief an early Christmas present.

If you don’t own a paper shredder, perhaps it is time to think about getting one.

[1] Drawbacks – (1) You have got to discipline yourself to take the time to shred documents.  (2)  Shredded paper can no longer be recycled, it must be put in a sealed bag before it is put in the garbage.

[2] Positives – You may just save yourself a LOT of grief (but if you do you’ll probably never know that you escaped the crooks).

Squatters Evicted; House Condemned!

Neighborhood Security

Sunrise Terrace Neighbors,

Squatters occupying the house at: 11915 136th Ave E, have been evicted.  On December 17th the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department boarded the house and posted a condemned notice.  Unlawful entry may be considered trespass.   Please call the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department if you suspect any unauthorized persons or activity on this property or any other property.  Code Enforcement Condemned Notice below:

Condemned Notice

  • Pierce County Case Notification, case number 68128.
  • Community Liaison Program Coordinator, Amanda 253-798-4814
  • Officer Jason Arbogast, Code Enforcement, 253-798-8582
  • Pierce County Sheriff’s Non-Emergency number, 253-798-4721
  • Emergency number, 911

See earlier posts “Update on 11915 136th Ave East” and “Vacant House?  Be Alert for Squatters” for specific details on contacting Pierce County Authorities.

Notice about Missing or Stolen Mail

Neighborhood Security, Public Service Announcements

At the October 2019 Sunrise Terrace annual meeting neighbors expressed concern about their mail being stolen or not delivered.  To know which pieces of your mail are delivered the United States Postal Service has a free feature called Informed Delivery.  It is available in our zip codes and is working well for our neighbors who use it.

To sign up for Informed Delivery go to https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action  You will create an account, verify your identity, and then start receiving daily notifications.

Here’s how it works:

“Informed Delivery is a free and optional notification service that gives residential consumers the ability to digitally preview their letter-sized mail pieces and manage their packages scheduled to arrive soon. Informed Delivery makes mail more convenient by allowing users to view what is coming to their mailbox whenever, wherever – even while traveling – on a computer, tablet or mobile device. To automate the sortation and delivery of mail, the United States Postal Service® (USPS) digitally images the front of letter-sized mail pieces that run through automation equipment. USPS is now using those images to provide digital notifications to users in advance of the delivery of physical mail. Informed Delivery benefits the entire household, ensuring that everyone has visibility into mail and package delivery each day.”

To avoid mail being stolen after it’s delivered get a sturdy locking mailbox.  There are many options for locking mailboxes but if you aren’t sure what to get several neighbors have a brand called Fort Knox.  More information is available at https://www.fortknoxmailbox.com/product-category/products/

Just as important, do not put mail out the night before.  There have been cases in the dark early morning hours where mail has been removed from boxes in our neighborhood.

Update on 11915 136th Ave E

Neighborhood Security, Safety

If you have been reading this blog you know we wrote on October 16, 2019 about people not authorized to be living at 11915 136 Ave. E.  At the annual neighborhood meeting in October the sheriff’s department reassured us that code enforcement has investigated and has a plan in place to mitigate the situation .  On November 8th a “for sale” sign was placed at the property.  When the realtor was contacted by one of our neighbors he said he is aware that he can’t show the house due to the unauthorized occupants.

Last week Code Enforcement deputies had to deal with an emergency which caused a delay.  However the program coordinator reassured us on Tuesday, November 12, that resolution will still take place in November regardless of the “for sale” sign. 

 Continue to report emergencies by calling 911 and file reports with code enforcement (see directions in October 16 blog).  Long range, keep in contact with your neighbors and keep the directory information up to date.  If your neighbor’s vacant house suddenly appears occupied talk to the owner asap.  If no one is suppose to be there report it and tell the owner to report it.  

STACC Board

Celeste Hurst, Chairwoman

Celestehurst1@aol.com

 

Julie Hrivnak, Secretary

Jewelsriv@hotmail.com

 

Nancy Jo Williams, Treasurer

Nancyjo51@comcast.net

 

Kyle Sidor, ACC member

Kyle.sidor@sslandinc.com

 

Luke Rambo, ACC member

Lukerambo@rambopest.com

 

Vacant House ? — Be Alert for Squatters!!!

Neighborhood Security
As many of you know there is a problem on 136th Ave E.  Squatters have moved into a home and there have been two serious Police interventions there in the last two months.

It appears that once Squatters have settled into a house for a while it is much more difficult to get them out than if the problem were addressed in the first day or two of their occupancy.  For this reason, we are requesting residents of our Neighborhood to be especially vigilant about vacant houses on their street.

We would offer these suggestions:

1. If a real-estate sign goes up, make a note of the agent’s name and phone number.  If someone moves into the house, call the realtor to make certain that it has been sold or rented. If the realtor says the property is supposed to be vacant, call 911 and report a possible burglary in progress.

2. If there was never a sign, call the owner to make certain that the new occupants are not Squatting. ( This is one of the reasons we need to keep the Neighborhood Directory up to date.  ) If the owner says the property is supposed to be vacant, request he call 911.

3.  If you can’t do either 1 or 2 above, then call and e-mail Kirk Hall (253) 840-0411, kahalljr@comcast.net . I will pass the message to  one of the Architectural Control Committee members, and give them all the information you have (house address; when people living there showed up; how many people; what sex are the people; number of vehicles present; changes they have made to the property ( example: garage door removed/ broken; windows/doors broken ); whether you have already called the realtor or owner, and what kind of answer you received.

4. There is a lady named  “Amanda” at the Sheriff’s Department.  She is the  Community Liaison Program Coordinator.  Her number is 253-798-4814.  She said to call her if we notice any further damage to the house or any criminal activity.  If necessary she will pass the message along to the Community Liaison, Deputy Jeff Papen.

If someone calls in a crime they should take the Deputy’s name and phone number and request a follow up from him/her. That way they know an officer checked on the situation.

Note:  Many of our neighbors do not read the post we put on the Blog.  Sometimes it is because they do not get the Alert Notifications we send out when something new is posted, because they never asked to be on the Alert Notification List.  This is a particularly important post.  Please take time to ask your nearest neighbors if they get the Alerts and if they have read this post.

Please Come! Neighborhood Meeting. Important Guest Speaker.

Neighborhood Events, Neighborhood Security, Safety

Sunrise Terrace Neighbors,

Please come to the annual neighborhood meeting this Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7pm, at Sunrise Baptist Church.  We just got confirmation that a deputy from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office will be a guest speaker.  He will update us on changes in the department and a new code enforcement program.  He is familiar with our neighborhood issues.  Bring your questions and concerns about safety.  We will also get a brief update on sr162.org.  Meet your neighbors, enjoy some cookies, and vote for new board members.  We suggest a $5/household donation to the neighborhood fund.   

Neighborhood Alert!!

Neighborhood Security, Safety

Some of you may be aware that there are problems with the people who are currently occupying the house at 11915 136th Ave. E. (North East corner of 136th Ave. E. and Military Rd. E. { Parcel # 8015000031} ). Several weeks ago, there was a large (7 car) Sheriff’s presence at the house and at least one person was taken away in handcuffs.

Several attempts were made to alert the property owner and when he was reached, he said that no one was supposed to be living in the home. It was subsequently learned that the house is scheduled for Foreclosure by Quality Loan Service Corp. of Washington;108 1st Ave South, Suite 202, Seattle, WA 98104, Phone Number (866) 925-0241.

We were given the name of one of the deputies who responded to the house on August 22.  His name is Deputy Phil Wylie and his number is (253) 377-1764.  Deputy Wylie was called on Oct. 11, and in summary, we were given to understand that the occupants at the house at 11915 136th Ave. E. are “Squatting” and are “bad people.”  We were advised not to approach the house but should report any suspicious activity to Deputy Wylie.

We think it’s also good to follow through on the reporting neighbors started with Pierce County Code Enforcement. To file a report you can start at (https://pals.piercecountywa.gov/palsonline/#/app/srs/issue). At the Pierce County website, under code enforcement, there is an option to search for a case by case number (https://pals.piercecountywa.gov/palsonline/#/app/srs/srsSearch#auto4 ). We did that yesterday and saw the property has case number 68128 and has been assigned to Jason Arbogast, jason.arbogast@piercecountywa.gov. Jason’s number is listed as (253) 798-8582.   We are assuming the more people that file a report, the better.

—– Car Prowler —– New Tricks to Enter Your Car

Neighborhood Security, Safety, Technical Suggestions

A friend just let me know about a new trick thieves have to get into your car. You may remember a series of car break-ins in Seattle where several cars parked outside of condominiums were entered without damage, and the owners swore that they were locked when the owners went to bed.

The trick for entering a modern locked car depends on two things: (1) The car must be new enough that it only requires that the car key fob be present in the vicinity for the car to unlock and be started. (2) That the thief has a new  device which captures the fob signal and amplifies it so that it appears to be in the vicinity of the car.  The whole thing is explained in an article on the Edmunds.com web site: https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/technology/how-to-protect-your-car-from-keyless-entry-hacking.html

Vandalism in Crystal Ridge Estates

Neighborhood Events, Neighborhood Security, Safety

Last night (3 Sept.) I received an alert that  occupants of a vehicle somewhere near the intersection of Crystal Ridge Dr. SE and 39th St. SE had shot out the window of a vehicle.  The persons in the vehicle shown below had used a BB gun of some sort to do this act of vandalism.  Unfortunately even though the reporter provided a picture of the vehicle used in the crime, it was not clear enough to distinguish the passengers.  However the strange white markings on the right rear wheel make it very distinctive thus easy to recognize.

I have been monitoring the crime situation in our area and there a lot of car prowls and package thefts happening.  If at all possible, put your vehicle in a locked area at night and have someone at home when you are expecting a package. Of course having someone at home will not guarantee that you will not lose a package to a thief.  In one incident I know of the package was on the porch less then 3 minutes before it was stolen.  Obviously by thieves who were following the delivery truck.

Vandals_1445

Doorbell Cameras

Neighborhood Security, Safety

Doorbell cameras are advertised everywhere these days. They are convenient if you wish to be able to see who is at your door.  Most of them record to the cloud if you pay a fee, so that you can review what happened if you do not receive the direct feed.  “Ring” brand doorbells have a feature which sends out notices when other “Ring” owners post about bad things which have happened to them, like mail thefts or car break-ins. Unfortunately I see many people commenting that their “Ring” did not pick up the bad guys. They seem annoyed by this failing.

The simple fact is that doorbell cameras are meant to serve one function, to give you a visual of the people who have come to your door, and (if you are a subscriber to their cloud service) give you a record of who they are.  To do this satisfactory, the doorbell must be positioned so that it is able to observe people approach the doorbell directly. Many houses have the doorbell off to the side so that its field of view is limited.

I personally have a “Ring” doorbell installed at my home.  However I also have a full CCTV security system that I have just upgraded to 4K  (8MP) cameras.  This system gives me a full 360 degree coverage of my home, with one of the sharpest pictures on the market today. Because the cameras have a 131 degree field of view my neighbors benefit from  coverage by some of my cameras.