Concerned about crime in 32828 (Miami, Orlando: condo, houses, neighborhood)

[Brenda101]

To report crime and gang activity i.e. graffitti new number is 407-836-4357

[brookehaven]

there was a break-in in the Brookehaven subdivision on tuesday 1/22/08. 2 males were arrested thanks to a neighbor who called the police. This happened around 2:00 in the afternoon.

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by orlando'an

for some of you who live in 32828 areas, waterford/stoneybrook/avalon i think we would all agree it's a nice area overall. one concern i have is for the number of break-ins in the area, but even more concern is for the few "strong arm to person robberies" we are having. one is too many, but i check the crime reports for the area every once in while, and although i did know of a couple in the past, i saw that there was another one at 1024 N Avalon Pk Boulevard, which is that shopping center there with the cvs, tiajuana flats, etc...

Crime, no matter where it is can be blamed largely on two elements: opportunity and ease of access. The perpetrators are most often looking for something to pawn to buy drugs.

Drug addicts are dangerous and desperate. They will look for soft targets such as women, unlocked cars and the elderly.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Roll your windows up and lock your car.

When you are home at night, close your curtains. Don't let someone study your in-home pattern from outside.

Lock your doors - even if you are just going to check your mail at the post office or are taking your dog for a walk.

Need a key outside? Put it on a lanyard or chain around your neck - inside your blouse. Wear it like a pendant or medic alert. NEVER put it on top of the door frame, in or under a flower pot, under the doormat, nor in the in a little magnet box attached under or behind the mailbox attached to your house. These are all obvious places.

Need to have an extra key to your car in case you lock yourself out? Lanyard or chain around your neck - inside your blouse. Wear it.

Don't be "a creature of habit." Drive a different way to work at least twice a week. Don't leave at the same time every day. Don't check your mail the same time every day. Use timers to turn lights on and off during evening hours. Change the times and lights each week or every few days.

During evening hours, keep your curtains closed.

Leave a tv or radio on when you aren't home.

Don't leave mail in your car with your address facing up that someone can read by looking in a car window. This just gives a stranger ammunition you don't want them to have - your address. Don't leave catalogs or magazines in your car that cater specifically to women, such as women's clothing, Good Housekeeping, Single Parent, seed catalogs and such. When you get these things in the mail, put them in a cloth bag so they cannot be seen until you get them home.

Don't dress up your car with fuzzy stuffed animals on the dash or inside the rear windows. This screams "SINGLE WOMAN'S CAR" to strangers.

Don't have stuffed animals looking out a window inside your house, either.

If you have a house with a yard, have a chain or cable attached to something outside with one end (and a swivel snap) right outside the door. This tells strangers that you have a dog - INSIDE. Each week, park a different dog toy on the porch. Keep a large dog dish with water on the same porch. Keep it clean and full.

Invest in a security system. Dummy cameras are for dummies. They rarely fool anyone other than your mother.

Take self defense classes.

Take your phone off the hook when you leave. Nothing screams "NOBODY IS HOME" like a constantly ringing phone.

Get a cel phone and keep it with you.

Don't leave a window open when you are not home. Don't leave a window open when you are asleep, either.

Have an unlisted phone number.

Get a PO box and divert your mail to that rather that to your address - or worse, your apartment number.

DO get a copy of any manly magazine (Wrestling, Boxing, Guns & Ammo) every couple of months and make sure it IS visible inside your car.

These will keep you from looking like a soft target.

Don't forget the clothesline. A clothesline with skirts, blouses, bras and stockings isn't going to fool anyone casing your place. You'd be surprised how many thieves determine who or how many and gender of people are in your home just by watching the attire hanging on the line. Get some men's clothes from a garage sale and include them every time you hang clothes. They don't have to be wet - just visible.

Call the non-emergency number to your local police department. Tell them you would like an officer to assess your home to see if it is or how to make it look like anything but a soft target. Most of the police departments are on the same page and have non-uniformed officers that will come to your home and let you see it how they see it and how a burglar might see it, and offer you suggestions how to toughen the curb appeal / appearance.

Where do you think I got a bunch of my suggestions listed above? Orlando Police Department.

[xtoolmaker]

Does anbody know what the police were looking for Friday nite. They circled around our Cypress Bend area for over 30 min.This is the second time in the past couple months this has happened. Who do you call to find out? I would like to get a daily police report for our area has anyone found a place or number to get this?I tried calling the police but it was to darn confusing. Some area police depts. list daily crime logs on there web sites.Anybody out there that can help please reply. Thanks. Waterford Lakes made the news Thursday night about the gang crime increase we must all help to put a stop to it before we all live in fear.

[Forum Guy]

I think we are all missing the big picture here! Do you think local law enforcement is more concerned with setting speed traps than patrolling for Gang activity? I have seen a consistent amount of speed traps setup in the area on 50 during morning work traffic, than patrolling at night period. I can't recall the last time a police officer has driven the area in Avalon while I am there eating out. If you see something suspicious be sure to report it, and don't stop until you see improvement in the area. It amazes me how much we all care to point out speeders and do whatever it takes to involve law enforcement, but when it comes to potential violent crimes everyone sits quietly.

[iloveBBQ]

"xtoolmaker,"

check out this website: Orange County Sheriff's Office - Home ... scroll down to the property crimes... if you live in the area, as i do, we are zone 22b. after you click on "property crimes and robberies in your area," it will then ask you which zone you are in... 22b is avalon pk/waterford lakes/stoneybrook... it's eye-opening.

[**NoodLes**]

It looks like all the crime went from Metrowest to you guys on the East!!

[iloveBBQ]

i live in the area of 32828... i live in the areas we are speaking of above... about 5-6 weeks ago (guessing), a helicopter was over our neighborhood AGAIN. there was this guy driving insanely throughout the neighborhood, and i mean he was driving like an idiot. he may have been running from the helicopter, and he was in our neighborhood, perhaps trying to lose the helicopter.

i thought when i moved out here i wouldnt have to deal with this stuff, but i guess i was wrong. it could be worse, but stronf arm to person's throughout av. park, red light running, blasting radios at night and squeeling tires at night; and kids that try to act like gang members walking around.

[iloveBBQ]

month of december:



scroll down to get month of jan.



Stolen Vehicle080006051115 Aunt Polly Ct12/30/2007residential Burglary08000045213412 Bradwater Ct12/29/2007commercial Burglary0701288194070 Creswick Ci12/28/2007auto Burglary07012801014662 Water Locust Dr12/27/2007residential Burglary07012724413635 Waterhouse Wy12/25/2007commercial Burglary07012734112315 Lake Underhill Rd12/24/2007residential Burglary0701271622125 Stone Abbey Bv12/24/2007commercial Burglary070127366601 Spring Oak Ci12/23/2007residential Burglary07012656212944 Downstream Ci12/22/2007residential Burglary070126535814 Laurelcrest Dr12/21/2007residential Burglary070126574449 Casting Ct12/21/2007residential Burglary08000173012612 Huckleberry Finn Dr12/21/2007auto Burglary07012602012807 Waterhaven Ci12/20/2007auto Burglary0701253441843 Branchwater Tl12/19/2007residential Burglary07012558910281 Andover Point Ci12/19/2007residential Burglary07012584313225 Lake Live Oak Dr12/19/2007residential Burglary0701265241751 Malon Bay Dr12/19/2007auto Burglary07012490613012 Jewelstone Wy12/18/2007auto Burglary07012519013500 Tanja King Bv12/18/2007auto Burglary07012538810947 Mill Pond Wy12/18/2007auto Burglary07012539210933 Mill Pond Wy12/18/2007auto Burglary07012539610933 Mill Pond Wy12/18/2007auto Burglary0701254011983 Branchwater Tl12/18/2007auto Burglary0701254221866 Branchwater Tl12/18/2007residential Burglary07012502413544 Emeraldview Dr12/18/2007residential Burglary070125242560 Terrace Cove Wy12/18/2007commercial Burglary07012498512188 Lake Underhill Rd12/17/2007residential Burglary0701247753779 Cassia Dr12/17/2007stolen Vehicle07012495212819 Waterhaven Ci12/17/2007auto Burglary070123829310 S Alafaya Tl12/14/2007residential Burglary0701237823809 Blazing Star Dr12/14/2007auto Burglary07012469212573 Waterhaven Ci12/13/2007auto Burglary07012496112819 Waterhaven Ci12/13/2007auto Burglary070407718245 Bluejay Wy12/12/2007residential Burglary07012305516830 Cedar Run Dr12/12/2007residential Burglary07012314613100 Cog Hill Wy12/12/2007residential Burglary07012446716267 Bristol Lake Ci12/12/2007stolen Vehicle07012297511800 Meadow Branch Dr12/12/2007stolen Vehicle07012298411800 Meadow Branch Dr12/12/2007auto Burglary070123123421 Woodbury Pines Ci12/11/2007residential Burglary07012416813800 Morning Frost Dr12/11/2007commercial Burglary0701226095225 Young Pine Rd12/10/2007residential Burglary07012238711375 Moonshine Creek Ci12/10/2007auto Burglary07012184414265 Sapphire Bay Ci12/09/2007stolen Vehicle0701220333211 Crosspine Wy12/09/2007stolen Vehicle07012221013763 Canopus Dr12/09/2007auto Burglary0701219413155 Atwater Dr12/08/2007auto Burglary07012097812253 Lake Underhill Rd12/06/2007commercial Burglary0701222715225 Young Pine Rd12/06/2007auto Burglary07012507412139 Waterstone Ct12/05/2007commercial Burglary07012071511309 Lake Underhill Rd12/05/2007residential Burglary07012057915049 Waterford Chase Py12/05/2007residential Burglary07012060013000 Heming Wy12/05/2007auto Burglary07011955515732 Montesino Dr12/03/2007auto Burglary07011976113825 Townsend Dr12/03/2007residential Burglary07011987116018 River Pointe Ct12/03/2007

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by AliceT

Be aware of your surroundings.

Roll your windows up and lock your car.

When you are home at night, close your curtains. Don't let someone study your in-home pattern from outside.

Lock your doors - even if you are just going to check your mail at the post office or are taking your dog for a walk.

Need a key outside? Put it on a lanyard or chain around your neck - inside your blouse. Wear it like a pendant or medic alert. NEVER put it on top of the door frame, in or under a flower pot, under the doormat, nor in the in a little magnet box attached under or behind the mailbox attached to your house. These are all obvious places.

Need to have an extra key to your car in case you lock yourself out? Lanyard or chain around your neck - inside your blouse. Wear it.

Don't be "a creature of habit." Drive a different way to work at least twice a week. Don't leave at the same time every day. Don't check your mail the same time every day. Use timers to turn lights on and off during evening hours. Change the times and lights each week or every few days.

During evening hours, keep your curtains closed.

Leave a tv or radio on when you aren't home.

Don't leave mail in your car with your address facing up that someone can read by looking in a car window. This just gives a stranger ammunition you don't want them to have - your address. Don't leave catalogs or magazines in your car that cater specifically to women, such as women's clothing, Good Housekeeping, Single Parent, seed catalogs and such. When you get these things in the mail, put them in a cloth bag so they cannot be seen until you get them home.

Don't dress up your car with fuzzy stuffed animals on the dash or inside the rear windows. This screams "SINGLE WOMAN'S CAR" to strangers.

Don't have stuffed animals looking out a window inside your house, either.

If you have a house with a yard, have a chain or cable attached to something outside with one end (and a swivel snap) right outside the door. This tells strangers that you have a dog - INSIDE. Each week, park a different dog toy on the porch. Keep a large dog dish with water on the same porch. Keep it clean and full.

Invest in a security system. Dummy cameras are for dummies. They rarely fool anyone other than your mother.

Take self defense classes.

Take your phone off the hook when you leave. Nothing screams "NOBODY IS HOME" like a constantly ringing phone.

Get a cel phone and keep it with you.

Don't leave a window open when you are not home. Don't leave a window open when you are asleep, either.

Have an unlisted phone number.

Get a PO box and divert your mail to that rather that to your address - or worse, your apartment number.

DO get a copy of any manly magazine (Wrestling, Boxing, Guns & Ammo) every couple of months and make sure it IS visible inside your car.

These will keep you from looking like a soft target.

Don't forget the clothesline. A clothesline with skirts, blouses, bras and stockings isn't going to fool anyone casing your place. You'd be surprised how many thieves determine who or how many and gender of people are in your home just by watching the attire hanging on the line. Get some men's clothes from a garage sale and include them every time you hang clothes. They don't have to be wet - just visible.

Call the non-emergency number to your local police department. Tell them you would like an officer to assess your home to see if it is or how to make it look like anything but a soft target. Most of the police departments are on the same page and have non-uniformed officers that will come to your home and let you see it how they see it and how a burglar might see it, and offer you suggestions how to toughen the curb appeal / appearance.

Where do you think I got a bunch of my suggestions listed above? Orlando Police Department.

It's sad that life in and around Orlando.... well, most of Florida from central down to Miami has come to this. This sounds like advice that someone in south central Los Angeles would need. Or people who live in the Bronx. I refuse to have to live life like this. Noone should have to. And crime to the point where someone has to live like this is not everywhere either. There are plenty of alternatives out there.