SECTOR 2 CRIME STATISTICS

From the Criminal Investigation Unit

Listed below are the May 2013 crime statistics for Sector2 of the Orange County sheriff,s office. The Fairways Country club is inside zone 22, Of all of the 6 different sectors, sector 2 is by far the largest sector in Orange County. Sector 2 is  over 400 square miles in size. 

SECTOR 2
Zone	Auto Burglary	Residential Burglary	Commercial Burglary	Auto Theft
20	33	47	8	12
21	4	15	2	3
22	97	48	10	10
23	8	11	6	5
24	31	15	12	13
25	33	19	6	17
TOTAL	206	155	44	60

       A GOOD LESSON FOR EVERYONE!
One of the credo,s for Neighborhood Watch is '' WE LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER'' On the evening of June 24, on Spyglass St,a caring ,thoughtful neighbor proved that the above policy is a valuable  asset.
 Fairways Watch received a call around 5:30 pm from a resident, who had not seen their neighbor in several days. We advised the concerned neighbor to call the non emergency number and ask for OCSO to dispatch an officer, for a ''well being check''to the Spyglass address. . An officer was dispatched, under the requested code.
  Fairways Watch, also went to the address. Upon arrival, we found that the officer had arrived and determined that the resident was in the house and incapacitated. The officer, soon had EMS on the scene. The patient was stabilized and transported to Florida East hospital. The officer also took care of notifying the patients family.
  What could have ended in a tragedy, did not. A life was saved because some one cared enough to get involved. The OCSO officers are well trained to handle such situations, we the residents are not. As Captain Meade and others have said, many times CALL 911.
  A special thanks to the unnamed Spyglass resident--Fairways Watch does not publish names or addresses, out of respect for the privacy of the involved parties.

A MESSAGE FROM CAPTAIN BRETT MEADE

Captain Brett Meade of Sector 2 requests this information be shared on behalf of Sheriff Jerry L. Demings

The East Orange County Crime strategy will include:

•  Driven by Intelligence Led Policing techniques of active crime analysis, information sharing and targeting known criminals, additional resources will be deployed throughout the summer to focus on current and specific crime trends and citizen complaints.
• Each Patrol Squad in Sector 2 has been tasked with developing, implementing, and measuring an innovative anti-crime strategy.
•          Specialized units such as Criminal Investigations, Motors, Gangs, Problem Oriented and Tactical Policing units are actively engaged in the Sector 2 anti-crime strategy. 
•          We are seeing increases in property crimes, especially in auto burglaries and residential burglaries of which are crimes of opportunity, meaning the vehicles are unlocked or garage doors are left open.  This is what has been occurring in Avalon Park, as the vast majority of vehicle burglaries were from unlocked vehicles with valuables in plain sight.  Suspects are merely going through neighborhoods lifting door handles and entering those which are not secure.  Unfortunately, this is very common and is driving up our auto burglary numbers.
•          In Sector 2, we hold weekly crime intelligence meetings and communicate daily with other law enforcement agencies, citizen and business groups, homeowner associations, and neighborhood watch.  This communication and partnership is critical to the success of any anti-crime initiative through community and neighborhood buy-in and active involvement of encouragement to call in suspicious people, vehicles, or incidents.
•          Neighborhood Watch, HOA’s and concern citizens are vital in sharing the message of “See Something, Say Something”, but also in encouraging effective crime prevention techniques such as target hardening; which means ensuring vehicles are locked, valuables left in vehicles are left out of sight, securing residences, looking out for your neighbors, and getting involved.
•          Currently, the crime rate in Sector 2 is 4% less than this time last year, however during the past two months we are trending toward positive numbers. The goal of our summer anti-crime initiative is an all-inclusive effort with law enforcement and the entire community to reverse this trend and to end the summer with a greater crime reduction.  This will only be possible by active community involvement of getting the message out, helping your neighbors, and reporting suspicious activity.

                      IT IS WORKING !
  This site went on line May 24 2013. Today we celebrated our 2000th visitor.The mission of this site is three fold. #1 the site is designed to inform Fairways residents of security issues ,both positive and negative in our community. #2 we have created an assortment of informative and advisory ''links'' for residents to research and obtain answers to their safety and security issues. #3 is a system and method  for residents to communicate , anonymously and effectively with law enforcement.
  The national 911 system is an effective, simple means to report emergency issues. Since the inception of the 911 system ,in the early 1970;s ,it has saved a countless number of lives. However, there are times when criminal situations are better served by a personal contact with ranking law enforcement officers. Everyone who attended the Fairways Watch security seminar last January. heard captain Meade, commander of Orange County; s sector 2, extend an invitation for direct contact with him on special problems. Since that meeting, Fairways Watch has used the captains suggestion, several times. Each time that special assistance was requested, the results were very quick and positive.
   We have already received some good tips and discoveries through the third part of our blog. All information is handled discreetly and privately.Any resident that knows of a problem of a criminal nature, post it anonymously on the tip line section.All such information is passed to the proper authorities.

      ANOTHER LOST PROPERTY REPORT 
We have had another lost property report filed, in the Fairways. Fairways Watch received a call from a distraught resident theft victim several days ago. We  advised the resident to call OCSO immediately and file a report. The report was filed and is recorded on the OCSO website. [link on the right side of our home page]
 The reported crime was an auto burglary involving the theft of 2 guns and other items.The area of the crime was the far east end of Firestone St.
Approximately 2 1/2 years ago, we were having the same type of activity, in the same area. There were several perpetrators caught and convicted. The thieves were young males from the Deerwood ''trailer park'' ,across the road.--- they came in on bicycles.
  An attendant at our gate,looks better all the time, does it not ?
  Please folks --keep your eyes open, especially for the young male walkers and bike riders.--WHEN IN DOUBT CALL 911  That is how the last bunch of ''hoodlums'' were caught ! Their bicycles can not out run the 4 legged deputies !

    WE HAVE ADDED ANOTHER VALUABLE
                 LINK TO OUR LIST

Thanks to the suggestion of an intelligent, caring, resident, we have added a link to the Orange County fire rescue website. With this link, a user can immediately determine the location of EMS and Fire units in our area.--How many times have you seen the good guys trucks, from ''station 80'' come into our park and say to yourself, I wonder where they are going ?
  As I have said before,this is the residents site for security information.--no debate or political agenda,is welcome here. I encourage suggestions, like the one we just responded to.
  FYI----the orange county 911 call center is located in a large two story building, in the back of Sonny s barbecue on University Bld
 The 911 room is divided into two sections the OCSO is on the left side and the fire rescue is on the right side. In a normal day the handle 4000+ calls, between the 2 operations.--it is quite a system. I had the pleasure to spend an evening there ,while attending the sheriff s civilian academy last year.
 The two links on this site gives you the opportunity for an inside look, at emergency activities in our ''backyard''

              WE DO NOT NEED THIS !
Sunday afternoon, June 9, around 1PM, Fairways Watch received a call from an alert resident. The resident reported that 2 sheriff;s cruisers were at an address on Muirfield Dr. We checked the ''calls for service'' website [link on this homepage]. The site showed a dispatch to the 14200 block of Muirfield, for ''suspicious activity'' . We went to  the area ,and found 2 sheriff units on the scene. The officers were questioning a middle aged, white male in the driveway. After almost an hour, it became evident that the officers were investigating the presence of an undetermined number of MARIJUANA PLANTS ! The person, being questioned was a non-owner, resident of the Fairways. After a period of time, and some phone calls, the officers said that they were removing the contraband plants for evidence. At this time, the female owner, resident arrived and more questioning ensued . At this writing, the outcome of the officers investigation is unclear.
 Owner residents need to be aware that they, the owner may be held legally liable for the actions of guests or renters on their property!
 Folks, as the title says, we do not need this kind of activity! One might ask, was the intent of growing the plants ,for personal use ? or for generating personal income for the grower?
 We guarantee ---that this incident will draw increased surveillance from OCSO-- the good guys,cover our backside.

FAIRWAYS WATCH COMMUNITY UPDATE           AND NEW LINK INSTALLATION
  The community has been relatively quiet with no known OCSO reports.
  Fairways Watch  always tries to be careful in everything, we print or publicize. The last thing that we would ever want to do ,is interfere, in any way with the wonderful service given to us by the Orange County Sheriff;s Office. With this in mind ,last week I sent an Email to Captain Meade , commander of Sector 2. In my Email I told the captain about this new blog site, with a link to it. The captain responded back, rather quickly with this remark ''Bill this is great '' I noted that he also forwarded it on to other officers at OCSO. I am very happy with his endorsement.
  We have added another very interesting link,on the right side of our home page. The new link is to the ''SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX''. As all the other links on our site ,it is free. With a little time and practice, you can find answers about old friends and relatives. I have found that it is not mandatory to fill in all the blanks.You need first and last names and also important is the location by state. This is an intriguing site.I hope that it gives answers to questions, readers have often wondered about.

                              THANK YOU RESIDENTS !
  This new site, went on line May 24. In this short period of time ,it has received over 1000 views. This statistic comes from the official Google Blog counting system.
 The Fairways Watch blog is for the Fairways residents use. This site is not intended to be used as a debate forum, or a platform for local political discussions.This site is designed to give residents, accurate, truthful, and helpful information, regarding community security.
  Along with current security happenings, we are providing some interesting,and helpful links, on the right side of this page. I would like to point out that these links are all public record.There is nothing of a classified or confidential nature, contained in the links.
   In addition to  Fairways watch giving information, there is also a provision for receiving  information and tips in an anonymous manner from the residents.
   One last comment ,if you are out and about, and you happen to see an EMS vehicle or a sheriff:s cruiser, in the park---give them a friendly wave ,or better yet --a ''thumbs up''
     Once again, thanks folks for a good start   
  Bill HELDRETH   FAIRWAYS WATCH COORDINATOR

ALERT--ATTEMPTED, DAYLIGHT BREAK IN
THERE WAS AN ATTEMPTED BREAK IN ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE 14300 BLOCK OF WINGFOOT RD.
THE ATTEMPT WAS MADE BETWEEN 12PM AND 4PM SUNDAY ,JUNE 2. HERE IS WHAT IS KNOWN,--A NEIGHBOR REMEMBERS, HEARING A LOUD BANGING SOUND AND A DOG BARKING [TIME WAS NOT NOTED] WHEN THE RESIDENTS RETURNED HOME, THEY NOTED MARKS AND MINOR DAMAGE TO THE DOOR.THE DOOR WAS A NEWER TYPE, WITH A PROPERLY INSTALLED DEADBOLT LOCK. THIS ONLY PROVES, WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD MANY TIMES BY THE CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS AT THE SHERIFF;S OFFICE.--''USE DEADBOLTS-- AND A GOOD DOG HELPS''----WE WOULD ADVISE EVERYONE TO FILE A REPORT WITH THE SHERIFF;S OFFICE ON ANY SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT.--PLEASE--PLEASE EVERYONE --HEADS UP WATCH OUT FOR YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBOR.
  

               ''WALKING AFTER MIDNIGHT !''
    Some residents may remember the hit record from the 1950;s titled ''WALKING AFTER MIDNIGHT''.The subject of this post is not what Patsy Cline was singing about.
  On Friday morning this week, I received a call from one of the ladies, in the front office.A new resident had stopped by the office to discuss strange people, walking down Pebble Beach, at odd hours of the night. I asked the office to get me a phone number, and tell them that I would contact them I received the phone number and made contact with the residents, I was told the following,---Between the hours of 1AM and 3AM, young couples [est age late teens and 20;s] are seen walking down Pebble Beach in the direction of the Tavern. This has occurred numerous times.
  Folks,--I can think of no LEGITIMATE or logical reason for this !
WHO and WHY ?
 In the past, Fairways Watch has asked and received extra patrols ,with both marked and unmarked cars from our friends at OCSO Sector 2.--It may be time to do this again. Our resident deputy,Tod Owens is great to help us watch in the early morning hours,when he is returning from work.
  The long term answer to the problem is not both residents, and the sheriff, playing ''cat and mouse'' with unwanted visitors . The answer is --PUT AN ATTENDANT AT THE GATES--ALL WE DO IS TALK, TALK,TALK
 It would seem that our community has some of it s priorities mixed up! We seemed to be more concerned about social festivities and amenity use scheduling ,than we are the BASIC SECURITY ISSUE!
  Think about it --which is more important?--- Over a year ago , Mr Braun, president of Hometown America, made a simple non detailed proposal to put an attendant at the gate --ON A 90 DAY FREE TRIAL BASIS. All that become of his proposal was just a little more ''LIP SERVICE''
  Several months ago, a committee was formed to discuss many resident concerns and issues in the park. The security portion of the agenda has not been discussed to this day.
  As you may note, in another post below, we had a burglary on spyglass. Was there any connection between the ''after mid night walkers'' and the stolen goods? ---THINK ABOUT IT!
  May God bless our good friends at OCSO, Sector 2--keep them safe, while the keep us safe.
   BILL HELDRETH FAIRWAYS WATCH COORDINATOR