THE CRIME PREVENTION MEETING

The cold rainy weather Thursday evening, did not prevent a nice turn out of dedicated ,concerned residents.The poor weather did cause postponement of the helicopter landing and display.
  Rotary wing aircraft with a few exceptions, are usually flown VFR
[visual flight rules] only.Residents will be kept advised of the schedule changes.
 Once again we were honored by having Captain Brett Meade as our key speaker. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with the Captain for several years.I assure you that there is not a nicer ,or more dedicated command officer than Brett Meade.
 The captains message stressed the need for residents to watch and to help each other. We need cooperation and communication between all of our neighbors and law enforcement.
 The Captain went so far as to tell the residents to call him directly, on special concerns and issues.. The Captains CELL PHONE number can be obtained by contacting Fairways Watch. The Orange County sheriffs office has a total of 6 sectors. I know of no other commander that accepts calls from ordinary residents.Believe me our Captain is something special.
  The Captain made the point that he knows what goes on in our community. He reads the ''EAGLE'' every month, in addition to Emails and texts from Fairways Watch.Also on occasion he reads this blog.
 The one major ''eye opener'' that the Captain gave residents was this---On Monday, January 27--he had NARCOTICS AGENTS dispatched to the Fairways ! He went on to say that narcotics investigations take time. This type of work will be ongoing in our community.Previous to coming to sector 2 , the Captain was on the command staff of the special investigation unit.--He is well qualified in recognizing narcotic problems.
  After the Captains initial presentation, Detective Christine Shaw spoke about burglaries. My working relationship with Christine, goes back even farther than with Captain Meade. Detective Shaw does not present the appearance of the typical TV detective.  She is a very petite , attractive young lady.-- But looks can be deceiving.This little lady is a 19 year veteran officer, with quite a track record. Detective Shaw is also well versed on the Fairways. She is also a pleasure to work with. The detective stressed the locking of your car door. Car burglaries and car thefts are rampant in east Orange county.
  In the second segment of the Captains presentation, he spoke of the tremendous growth in our area. The starting of the RT 50 widening was also an issue discussed.
 The Captain gave some interesting comments on his SPECIAL SQUADS. He has one unit that visits known criminals after they are released from jail. The deputies goes to the ex prisoners residence, unannounced,---to see how he is getting along, and to just say hello!.
  In summary ,we might say this---we all need to get along and work together with law enforcement. We do not need ''hair brained'' ideas like being vigilantes, and running around with some kind of weapons.---Ask George Zimmerman--that does not always go well!
 From what we are hearing, we will soon have our COPS patrol, back functional with regular night patrols. --The Captain was glad to hear that.
  A special note of thanks to our manager Priscilla Herrick. She went and ordered a great complete ''turn key''  donut and coffee feed from Dunkins

COME ONE---COME ALL

SPECIAL NOTE---DUE TO WEATHER THE HELICOPTER LANDING HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY FEB 13 AT 4PM.

COMING THURSDAY! FEB 13

THE SCHEDULED LANDING TIME IS 4PM  TAKEOFF IS SCHEDULED SHORTLY AFTER 5PM


All residents will have an opportunity to see this unusual event.
It seems that the Fairways residents have a great interest, anytime a sheriffs helicopter is working in our area. Here is a chance to see one of these amazing ''birds'' outside and inside. You will find the air crew to be open to questions and comments.
 This will only be the ''opening act'' of the great program the sector 2 office has for us Thursday evening at 7PM at the MASTERS.
  We will have a crime prevention program presentation by Captain Meade and his staff. 
 After the formal meeting, as always, Captain Meade will be available for one on one conversations with any resident, wishing to speak to him privately.
 In the past several weeks there have been rumors and inuendo, concerning drug activity in our community. --Any resident that has seen such, or has direct knowledge of same,can and should talk to the captain. Captain Meade was a narcotics officer, before coming to our sector 2.--HE KNOWS THE GAME !

    REMEMBER ALL THIS AND COFFEE AND DONUTS!

SOME UPDATES AND AND SOME ODDS & ENDS

         

                                            THE GATE ISSUE

    

OTHER KIOSK ENTRIES          

FAIRWAYS KIOSK ENTRY






Recently we have had several comments made on our blog about unsafe conditions at the gate [see comments under the ''downside of public'' ] we believe that this is partially due to poor signage ,in the gate approach area.It is becoming evident that HTA is NOT going to revise the entry system.
  With all of the increased traffic, created by the ''open to public'' sign,we will have more and more unfamiliar non residents entering the park. THESE PEOPLE NEED DIRECTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS!
  The small blue placard  on our kiosk is not even visable until after the driver passes our clearance point.
  I have sent an EMAIL to our local management ,with the enclosed picture of a kiosk ''stop sign..

    UPDATE ON THE LAWSUIT AGAINST US
The court proceedings, seem to be doing nothing, but running up the attorneys fees.It is the same old legal ''jibberish'' that normal folks are not supposed to understand.
 It was reported at the last board meeting that the FHOAI WAS CHANGING ATTORNEYS. The new attorney will be working ''pro-bono''--meaning free. The court records do not reflect the change yet.I believe that the attorney, representing HTA  is an attorney, being paid by their insurance company, 
 I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND,--HOW A LONG TIME RESIDENT COULD FILE SUCH RIDICULOUS ACTION ,AGAINST THEIR FELLOW NEIGHBORS!

 HOW THEY MAY DO IT---THIS IS SCARY  !
  A good civic minded resident sent me this link to a video. I was so amazed that I sent it with a note to our good friend Captain Meade at our sector 2.---CLICK THE LINK AND YOU WILL SEE WHY!
              Click here: See how car thieves are getting in - YouTube

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL FAIRWAYS RESIDENTS

       

        COMING SOON TO OUR COMMUNITY!        







         

Fairways Watch has been working on our annual security and crime prevention seminar for several months.We are pleased to announce that tentative arrangements have been completed with the Orange County Sheriffs Office to fly in one of their helicopters for display, in the ''cart barn'' parking lot. It is planned that the air crew will fly an approach from the south, over pebble beach, for a touch down in the parking lot in front of the washer and dryer room.The arrival is planned around 4 pm January 30. The air crew will be available to talk to residents and answer questions.It is planned that the aircraft will depart at dusk.
  The OCSO fleet of aircraft is kept in a well secured facility at Orlando executive airport. This facility is not open to the public. Please plan to see this ''bird'' on the ground---it is truly a rare opportunity.
  our inside program, will start at 7 pm,at the masters. There will be an educational ''power point'' program, presented by officers from the aviation department as well as a crime prevention program, presented by Captain Brett Meade and his team of supporting officers.
  Over the past several months the Fairways has expierenced an 
increase in criminal activity. This your opportunity to listen, learn, and ask questions of people who have answers.
  The wonderful folks at OCSO are here for us 24/7 --365 days a year ----SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THEM!

    ALSO last but not least --COFFEE AND DONUTS!!
   

THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING ''PUBLIC''

                                          YOU ALL COME ON IN!



Your Fairways Watch coordinator would like to share an example of a risk created by the inviting ''public'' sign ,shown above.
  It was on Sunday afternoon, January 5, about 1pm. I was entering the park in my truck, when I saw 2 young ,white males, aimlessly, riding their bikes in a circle near the outside of the inbound gate.
  Being of a suspicious nature, I pulled into the office parking lot and waited. Sure enough, they ''tailgated'' a car and came down Pebble Beach. 
  I very politely stopped them and asked their intentions. They replied in broken English that they were coming in to ''play golf'' [no clubs] I played along and asked if they had a T time.They asked what was a T time ? At that point I asked them to leave. The 2 went back out the gate. I knew that they would return. Later I was advised that they re entered the park, and went down Inverary.
  Was this ''profiling''?--you betcha--with good reason. 
  Abiding by the rules of neighborhood watch, there was nothing more that could be done. If this would have happened at night, with the golf course closed, --yes-- 911 would have been called for ''suspicious persons''
 In view of the criminal activity in our community, over the past few months, we have every right to be extra observant of all non residents.
  The above narrative is a classic example of why we need a reliable security system at the gate. The system offered by HTA does not even meet the basic requirements.
 Fairways Watch submitted a sensible gate security system to Hometown. The counter offer was an employee, standing at the gate with a ''clicker'' with a monthly price tag, higher than the cost of the plan we submitted.----''AND THE BEAT GOES ON''
                                            

   

AN ALERT FOR OUR EAST ORANGE COUNTY AREA

THE FOLLOWING POST CAME FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF,S OFFICE. THIS ARMED CRIME WAS COMMITTED AT ''OUR'' NEARBY WALMART.. THE SUSPECT COULD BE IN THE AREA WOODS!

REWARD

OF UP TO

$1000

FOR INFORMATION

If you know the whereabouts of the person, or details of the crime featured below, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1000.

On December 13, 2013, an unknown white male, pictured below, described to be in his late 20’s, 5’10” 180 pounds with minor scruffy facial hair and short blond hair, entered the Wal-Mart located at 11250 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida, 32817.  He selected items and left out the garden entrance without attempting to pay.  A loss prevention officer confronted him and a fight ensued.  A witness observed the suspect pull a knife and swing it at the loss prevention officer.  The witness yelled out that the suspect had a knife and the loss prevention officer let him go.  A witness advised that the suspect may live in the woods somewhere in Bithlo.

LATEST CRIME STATISTICS FROM SECTOR 2

"Please update your Crime Prevention Officer on any recent changes to your information"

(always reply with Sector, Zone & subdivisions name)

Are you an active Neighborhood Watch? Prove it! Respond

~Sign up for a FREE SECURITY SURVEY~
for Residential & Commercial Properties by appointment.
CPO's are Certified by the State to do these surveys that take about 60 minutes, call her...

PROPERTY CRIMES 11/1/2013 TO 11/30/2013  THE FAIRWAYS IS IN ZONE 22         SECTOR 2 Zone Auto Burglary Residential Burglary Commercial Burglary Auto Theft 20 30 38 6 6 21 11 9 3 2 22 63 64 8 16 23 6 12 4 4 24 15 28 9 10 25 9 20 8 10 TOTAL 134 171 38 48

SPYGLASS STREET RESIDENTS BEWARE!

  Early Sunday morning Fairways Watch received a call from an alert Spyglass resident. The resident reported the following incident, At approximately 5;30 AM ,she saw a young male in her backyard. She called out to him as to what he was doing. [NOT RECOMMENDED ] ---The subject, replied,''I am taking a short cut''--The  young, very athletic male, climbed the 6 foot fence, with ease and disappeared onto CONGRESS ST.
 The good resident,promptly and properly called 911. Within a very short time a deputy arrived to investigate the strange situation. It was discovered that the young male, had left behind several large electrical cords. [ SEE PHOTO ]
  The deputy left the area and went over to Congress st . It is speculated that the electrical cords were stolen from a resident, in the Spyglass area.
 For those residents, not familiar with the other side of the Spyglass fence, just let me say this---IT IS NOT A NICE AREA. Congress st is home to registered sex offenders, felons, and wanted persons with warrants. On a related matter, directly behind the pictured fence, is a ''HOG PEN'', containing a live ,large pig. This is strong testimony to the class of the Congress st .neighborhood. The pig has been reported to code enforcement.
 Anyone missing the pictured electrical cords, please contact Fairways Watch, for the return of the cords.

SOME GOOD ADVICE!

	Orange County Sheriff's Office  Crime Prevention Unit

Doing your last minute shopping?  Keep drapes closed and avoid leaving wrapped presents in plain view.

Heading out of town?  Be sure your home appears occupied.  Place lights on timers, and ask a neighbor to park in your driveway and pick up mail.  Request a free "House Check" to have a deputy do regular checks on your home while you are away. Call 407-254-4800 between the hours of 9am-4pm to schedule this service - we provide it all year round.

Don't broadcast your upcoming travel plans on social media sites and don't "check in" at locations when you're away from home. 

After the holidays, place empty boxes from TVs, electronics, and other new purchases inside garbage bags.  Leaving them by the curb could tip crooks off to the fact that pricey items are inside the home.

Car parked outside or on the street?  Lock it, remove all valuables, and don't leave the garage door opener inside the vehicle.

Does someone or something look out of place?

Report suspicious activity immediately to 407-836-4357 (non-emergency) or 911 (if you feel it is an emergency).

Thanks,

DFC Melissa Belmont 

Orange County Sheriff's Office
Crime Prevention Unit
Sector Two
Office:  407-254-4838
melissa.belmont@ocfl.net

THE ANNUAL FAIRWAYS WATCH SECURITY SEMINAR

         In keeping with our tradition of promoting a strong relationship with the Orange County Sheriff,s office, we will have an exceptional seminar this year. We try to highlight a different division of O.C.S.O. every year. This year, we will feature the aviation division. It seems that many of our residents are fascinated by the ''SHERIFF,S HELICOPTER'' 
  In the past the helicopters have played a key part, in apprehending some ''bad guys'' in and around the Fairways.This is a rare opportunity to learn first hand the mission of these marvelous ''birds'' One of the pilots will be there for a presentation and to answer your questions.  We are working on the logistics to actually  land one of the helicopters near the masters for display.   We will update and confirm this at a later date
  As always ,the officers from our sector 2 group will also be on hand. Sector 2 commander, Captain Brett Meade will give a detailed presentation in regards to the mission of his uniform patrol. 
  After the presentations, the officers, will be available for comments and questions  from the residents.
  Any resident that has a question or comment of a private nature ,can discuss this directly, in private with Captain Meade 
  Please plan to be at the MASTERS ---7PM JANUARY 30 2014
 YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!

                      




                                          

AN UPDATE ON THELAWSUIT AGAINST ALL OF US

                                                     

WE ARE FOLLOWING THROUGH ON OUR COMMITMENT TO KEEP RESIDENTS ''UP TO SPEED'' ON THE LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST OUR HOA, WE COPIED THE FOLLOWING LATEST FILINGS IN THIS SAD SAGA. JUST ABOUT EVERY ENTRY ,REPRESENTS ANOTHER MONETARY CHARGE AGAINST OUR PITIFUL LITTLE HOA LEGAL FUND Much of the filings below is only ''jiberish'' to most of us, but it is part of a long and expensive process.The main point of interest, so far is that OUR ATTORNEY filed a motion to dismiss the charge against us. The judge has not ruled on that motion yet. The clock keeps ticking and our legal fund is about, running on empty.---THEN WHAT ?. IT WOULD SEEM THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO SHAME !

                                                   

                                         

DO NOT LET THE ''GRINCH'' STEAL YOUR CHRISTMAS!

We would like to pass along some holiday time tips from the Orange County Sheriff,s office. At a special, annual meeting last month, at sector 2 headquarters, the following tips were put out for all residents and shoppers. 
 Be very guarded in the shopping areas and their parking lots. Do NOT LEAVE YOUR PURCHASES IN AN UNATTENDED CAR.
 Do not carry your cell phone in a outside purse pocket.
 Be watchful of anyone that seems to be following you home.
  Please take special note of the reposting below, sent by the sheriff,s office. 

                                          

Press ? for keyboard shortcuts.

Burglary Box

Melissa.belmont@ocfl.net

To Me

Dec 2 at 8:57 AM

	Orange County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit

Greetings From Sector 2!

Did you know that the Sector 2 substation located at 11000 Lake Underhill Road, Orlando FL, has a green in color recycle bin in the front parking lot? How does this help you as the resident? Gather all of your tv, stereo, iPad boxes and instead of placing them at your curb in front of your house advertising your belongings, bring them to the substation 24 hours per day. That's right, let us help you stomp out residential burglaries! Bring your electronic boxes here to dispose of them.

When bringing your electronics boxes, please break down the boxes to give others room to dispose of their items as well. No trash please, only cardboard boxes.

Happy Holidays!


Thanks,

DFC Melissa Belmont

Orange County Sheriff's Office
Crime Prevention Unit
Sector Two
Office:  407-254-4838

IT IS TIME TO ''FISH OR CUT BAIT''

   

The title of this post is an old saying, which simply means,---''DO SOMETHING OR GET OUT OF THE WAY !''

We are all aware of the TV news story that came out over the weekend.There may be some that do not agree, as to all of the subject matter in the news story.----BUT--- The story pinpointed the main weakness in the Fairways security system, and it is the FRONT GATE ! 

There has been a lot of conversation lately as to how to catch the perpetrators of the crimes, after they enter our community. A much better solution to our problems is to keep them from entering our neighbor hood. We hear things like---''they are coming out of the woods''---maybe in isolated instances that is true,--BUT-- THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR PROBLEMS, COME RIGHT THROUGH THE FRONT MAIN GATE --AND--THE NON LOCKING,PEDESTRIAN GATE ! 

There is indisputable proof that non residents have been entering our park, on bicycles between 1am and 2am ---through the unsecured pedestrian gate !----who are they, where do they go ?

It seems logical to assume that the last two burglaries, were NOT committed by people on bicycles or  ''walking, woods people''  I can not imagine, someone ,on a bicycle or a person walking, going down the street, carrying a big flat screen  TV.!----NO--they came in to our park, through the ''easy to penetrate''  front gate system, in cars or trucks!
  I would ask readers to scroll back through my posts, to one titled--''time for a new beginning''. Please read the details of the proposed options.--- NO --The options would not guarantee total success, in keeping the bad guys out, but it sure would improve our overall security.
  The proper approach to improving our security, should be themed,---TOGETHER WE CAN!.---the residents, and the board need to reach out to Hometown America and attempt to get the gate security that is urgently needed. ----TOGETHER--- not only means the residents ,side of the coin, but HTA as well!
  Lets start with a clean slate, and forget what may have been voted on 20 years ago.-----2014 ---is right around the corner.
  In recent days, I have communicated several times with Captain Meade, the commander of sector 2. We can ask for no more than what this officer, is doing for us, and has done for our community. The captain has assigned extra uniformed patrols to the Fairways, and other forms of  surveillance.. Yesterday in a phone conversation the Captain said, and I quote--''I will do everything I can, but I can not put a deputy at the Fairways gate 24 hours a day.'' ---It is the responsibility of all of us to put a guard system at the gate---not the Captains.
  When Fairways Watch sent the 13 page packet of gate security options to Chicago, we sent a cover letter with the information. We closed the letter on a positive note, saying ''TOGETHER WE CAN''---We still firmly believe in that statement !

UPDATED CRIME REPORT FOR ZONE 22A

THE REPORT COPY,SHOWN BELOW IS A REPRINT OF THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFFS CRIME REPORT FOR OUR AREA, KNOWN BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AS ZONE 22A. THE FAIRWAYS STREETS AND COURTS ARE MARKED BY RED XX.
  WE BELIEVE THAT THESE REPORTS, ONLY REPRESENT ABOUT 30-40 % OF CRIMES COMMITTED IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT SEEMS OUR RESIDENTS ARE RELUCTANT TO FILE REPORTS, AS THEY SHOULD.
  A SPECIAL NOTE---THE RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, SHOWN ON ''FIDDLESTICKS'' WAS THE THEFT OF A MOTOR CYCLE.

Case Number	Crime	Location	Date
130101851	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[14301 - 14399] FOREST OAKS DR       XX	11/20/2013
130101297	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[3600 - 3898] CHULUOTA RD	11/19/2013
130100941	AUTO BURGLARY	[12201 - 12399] E COLONIAL DR	11/18/2013
130100784	COMMERCIAL BURGLARY	[15050 - 15098] OLD CHENEY HY	11/17/2013
130100866	AUTO BURGLARY	[14100 - 14198] BENT TREE CT         XX	11/17/2013
130100872	AUTO BURGLARY	[14400 - 14498] PINE VALLEY RD      XX	11/17/2013
130100688	AUTO BURGLARY	[14601 - 14773] E COLONIAL DR	11/16/2013
130100354	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[14301 - 14399] FIDDLESTICKS CT     XX	11/15/2013
130099749	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[2200 - 2698] BONNEVILLE DR	11/14/2013
130099960	AUTO BURGLARY	[1951 - 2099] WARWICK HILLS DR      XX	11/14/2013
130099338	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[14901 - 14999] SUSSEX DR	11/13/2013
130099345	STRONG ARM TO PERSON	[2101 - 2199] SORORITY CT	11/13/2013
130099350	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[2200 - 2698] BONNEVILLE DR	11/13/2013
130098617	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[12500 - 12636] PARKBURY DR	11/11/2013
130099320	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[14301 - 14399] ALLISON DR	11/11/2013
130098368	AUTO BURGLARY	[16701 - 16909] E COLONIAL DR	11/10/2013
130098095	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[2800 - 2898] BONNEVILLE DR	11/09/2013
130098142	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[14900 - 14998] LYMINGTON CI	11/09/2013
130097316	COMMERCIAL BURGLARY	[13701 - 13783] E COLONIAL DR	11/07/2013
130097125	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[1500 - 1698] RIVER REACH DR	11/06/2013
130096830	STRONG ARM TO PERSON	[UNKNOWN] WARWICK HILLS DR       XX	11/05/2013
130099318	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[14301 - 14399] ALLISON DR	11/05/2013
130096202	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[1451 - 1699] CRICKET CLUB CI	11/02/2013
130095834	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[11001 - 13099] LAKE CYPRESS CI	11/01/2013
130095318	COMMERCIAL ROBBERY	[11801 - 11999] E COLONIAL DR	10/31/2013
130095572	AUTO BURGLARY	[2300 - 2322] JUSTIN AV	10/31/2013
130097031	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[11001 - 13099] LAKE CYPRESS CI	10/31/2013
130095055	HOME INVASION	[12603 - 12619] VICTORIA PLACE CI	10/30/2013
130095434	AUTO BURGLARY	[1952 - 2098] WARWICK HILLS DR      XX	10/30/2013
130096209	AUTO BURGLARY	[1952 - 2098] WARWICK HILLS DR     XX	10/30/2013
130095092	AUTO BURGLARY	[12200 - 12398] E COLONIAL DR	10/29/2013
130095170	STOLEN VEHICLE	[12641 - 12899] PARKBURY DR	10/29/2013
130095632	AUTO BURGLARY	[1451 - 1699] CRICKET CLUB CI	10/29/2013
130094397	AUTO BURGLARY	[1200 - 1498] SHERMAN ST	10/28/2013
130094304	AUTO BURGLARY	[14401 - 14959] FIRESTONE ST          XX	10/27/2013
130094335	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY	[2061 - 2099] PEBBLE BEACH            XX