Christmas Crime Prevention Tips

-- excerpted from Tracy Crime Prevention Officer

Irene Rose

With the holiday season upon us, now is a good time to remind people to take a few extra steps to make sure your Christmas isn't spoiled by criminals.

Criminals take the opportunities afforded them by the extra shopping we do, the hustle and bustle of town centers as we rush around, and the value of the goods we buy as presents and store in our homes until the Big Day. We might also be more trusting and generous this time of year when requests for charity are made, giving the unscrupulous a chance to collect for their own "causes."

So what can we do?

Here are some crime prevention tips and advice applied to Christmas time:

Out Shopping

When the shops are crowded, the pickpocket has more chance to steal from you. Shop during less busy times if you can. Stay alert, and be extra careful with your wallet or purse. Keep them close to your body, in a front pocket (if you can), and don't carry too much cash. This also applies when you're out on crowded buses, BART, or trains.

If you have too many bags to carry around, you might not be as aware of anyone trying to steal from you. Make smaller shopping trips.

If you travel by car, be sure to park in well lit areas. Lock all doors and windows, and don't leave presents in view. Try not to return to your care to leave purchases in your trunk to continue shopping. Thieves often watch parking lots for just such a chance. Arrange to pick up heavy items from stores when you've finished all your shopping.

Keep you checkbook and your check card separately.

Out on the Town

With office parties and general holiday celebrations, bars, restaurants, and other venues are often crowded. Again, be wary of pickpockets. Don't leave bags or your purse over the back of your chair unattended. Stay alert. Be sure you've made arrangements on how to get home. Avoid any potential disturbances in the street, and stay with friends when you can. Walk in well-lit areas. Make sure someone knows where you're going and when you'll be home.

Keep your cell phone charged, especially in cold weather which can drain batteries quicker. And don't drink too much. Intoxicated people are judgement-impaired and make easy targets for thieves and those who would wish to cause you harm.

At Home

Having bought all those wonderful presents, don't make it easy for someone to steal them from your home. Keep them out of sight until you plan to open them. If you "hide" larger items like bicycles in a shed or garage, be sure they care secure.

Video tape the things in your home. Take inventory. Write down serial numbers. Mark items with an identifying number like your driver's license number (never your Social Security number) or your name. Check to be sure you have adequate insurance on your property.

Collapse and dispose of packaging carefully. Empty boxes left outside advertise all the new stuff you have inside.

If you leave the house, leave a few lights on (get a timer), or turn on the TV so it looks like someone's home. Close the curtains and blinds, even if you want the neighbors to see all your great decorations and your tree. As a fire precaution, turn off the inside Christmas lights (and the tree lights) while you're out.

If you're gone for a while, ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home. Take a plate of homemade cookies as a thank you. Don't forget to cancel newspapers and your mail delivery, or have that neighbor take your mail into the house or keep it for you until you get back.

Finally, be wary of strangers knocking at the door. Not everyone wants to sing you a Christmas carol. Check for uniformed delivery people. Ask for identification if you suspect someone isn't who they say they are. If someone asks for a charitable contribution, ask if you can send it in or route it from your bank rather than writing them a check.

Be safe and careful this holiday season. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Crime takes no holiday

Here's a list of recent incidents of crime and other activity of note from the Tracy Police Log:

Wednesday, December 12
1:22 a.m.: A caller reported that 19- and 21-year-old men pulled a knife on the caller’s friends on the 900 block of Chestnut Avenue.

10:39 a.m.: Someone broke the front window of a home that’s supposed to be vacant, and busted glass was also found in the backyard on the 900 block of Chestnut Avenue.

8:38 p.m.: Someone stole a large bag of recyclables from a backyard on the 700 block of Sequoia Boulevard. The resident reported that the crime happened during daylight hours, with their large dog inside the house, barking, as the perpetrator(s) hopping over the back yard fence.


Tuesday, December 4
9:27 p.m.: A 12-year-old was reportedly in possession of drugs on the 800 block of Chestnut Avenue.


Wednesday, November 28
5:09 p.m.: A truck hit and injured a dog but did not stop on the 700 block of Sequoia Boulevard. Resident Kevin Carter filed this additional report: The truck that ran over the dog was white in color, large tires, four doors, lifted or 4-wheel, Blazer or Suburban. The vehicle was traveling very fast down the street. The dog ran into the street. The vehicle had time and space to move around the dog. The vehicle proceeded to run over the dog with both the front and rear passenger side tires. The vehicle did not stop, and it sounded like he/she accelerated after he/she ran over the dog. The dog did not die instantly; he suffered before succumbing to death.

Safe toys mean a safer holiday

Earlier this year, the toy industry recalled more than 22 million toys because of serious safety issues. Many of the products posed possible choking hazards, while some were outright deadly. The common denominator in all these items seems to be that they were all made in China, where labor is cheap and manufacturing costs are a fraction of what they'd be elsewhere.

Mattel, Inc. recalled 675,000 Barbie-related accessories due to high levels of lead in the paint used on them. Exposure to lead causes learning and behavior problems and even death.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled over 4 million units of "Aqua Dots" because the craft-kit dots, if ingested, broke down into a toxin similar to the "date-rape" drug.

And an additional 175,000 Curious George dolls made by Marvel Toys were recalled because of lead on the monkeys' cute plastic faces.

What can you do about all of this? Check out the CPSC website for the latest recalls at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html to know what toys to avoid this holiday season. And go toysmadeinamerica.com, a website created by a parent who single-handedly took up the charge to help you find USA-made toys.

Tracy Crime Stoppers offers Reward for details in Klent shooting

as reported by Staff Writer Mike Martinez in the Tri-Valley Herald on 11/22/07; photo by Enrique Guiterrez of The Tracy Press:

Reward offered in Tracy homicide

42-year-old man was found shot in head on Sept. 9

All the family of Steven Klent wants is a little closure.

The 42-year-old San Leandro resident was found dead shortly before 10 a.m. on Sept. 9 in Alden Park with a single gunshot wound to the back of his head. Investigators are still seeking his killer.

Tracy Crime Stoppers has offered a reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of anyone involved in Klent's homicide. His death was the second of three this year in Tracy but the only one left unsolved. Investigators have spent much of their time chasing tips that have led them to the East Bay but nothing of significance has surfaced.

"We're still checking some leads, but anyone with information should contact us," Tracy police Detective Dean Hicks said. Klent was shot in the base of the skull with an exit wound on his left forehead and was found lying on his back in a pool of blood with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, the autopsy report said. His younger sister, Suzanne Klent, read his body language, even in his death.

"When he was in trouble, or being reprimanded, he would be standing with his head down and hands in his pocket," Suzanne Klent said. "He probably got into an argument and (someone) blew him away."

She said her brother was "incredibly intelligent," except he didn't know how to put it to good use. She said he could make anyone laugh, even when he didn't feel like being funny. She also said he had a talent. "He was really able to get his personality across on the things he would write," she said. "We were camping in Mexico when he made up a story and acted it out inside the tent with a flashlight on. It was called 'It came from beneath the outhouse.'"

Suzanne Klent said her brother was "a troubled guy," who was good-hearted and helped a lot of people get off of drugs. Unfortunately, he couldn't help himself. According to court records, there was an active warrant for his arrest out of Sonoma County after Klent violated the terms of his contract with Project Intercept, a drug and crime prevention program in the county, a Sonoma County court clerk said. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper reported Klent was charged with one misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance in 1998 which led to his enrollment in the program. The warrant for his arrest was issued in October the same year.

As part of his autopsy, a blood screen detected "potentially toxic" levels of methamphetamines and amphetamines in his system. "Most kids from my generation smoked pot at some point," Suzanne Klent said. "My brother was clinically depressed and took a lot of time to get out of bed. I think the meth helped him be normal, whatever normal is. He had a lot of trouble with it. He wanted to do things his way and didn't like being told what to do. I don't know if he felt the world owed him or what."

Tracy Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization which provides police assistance by offering rewards of up to $1,000 in exchange for information, even from anonymous sources. Anyone with information about Steven Klent's murder is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 209-831-6847 or the Tracy Police Department at 209-831-4550.

Notes from the Tracy Police Log

Here are a few of the reported incidents of crime in the Alden Park area in the last two months, as listed on the Tracy Police Log:

Monday, November 12

10:43 a.m.: Tracy police checked out a vacant house, where the front door was left open, on the 400 block of Sequoia Boulevard. Police found graffiti on the walls inside and also found a 1997 BMW, with its tires removed, in the garage.

Thursday, October 25

3:29 p.m.: A battalion chief in the fire department followed a hit-and-run driver who hit a car and took off near Lincoln Boulevard and Lowell Avenue. Police arrested the driver at a house on Palm Circle.

Monday, October 15

8:30 p.m.: Police went to the 1000 block of North Hickory Drive and cited one man after someone reported a group of men yelling that they had all kinds of drugs for sale.

Wednesday, October 10

9:07 p.m.: A woman reported people selling drugs near Sequoia Boulevard and Hickory Avenue.

It pays to keep our eyes open, especially during the holidays when there may be an increased amount of traffic (and those looking for crimes of opportunity) through our streets. Be sure to report any suspicious activity to the police department right away, and watch out for your neighbors so they'll watch out for you.

Turkey Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving Holiday

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’d like to pass on a few safety tips to help you get through the weeks ahead with little worry or incident. These tips have been compiled from the America Academy of Pediatrics, the National Safety Council, and the US Product Safety Commission.

Food and Cooking
The holidays often mean preparing large meals for family and friends. Wash hands, utensils, sink, and anything else that has come in contact with raw poultry. Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.

Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.

Keep in mind that a stuffed bird takes longer to cook. For questions concerning holiday turkey preparation and cooking call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.

Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child's exploring hands.

Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same. To know (and teach your children) how long to wash, humming one chorus of "Happy Birthday" gives adequate sanitation in most circumstances.

Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.

Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered shallow containers (less than two inches deep) within two hours after cooking. Date the leftovers for future use.

Monitor your children's intake of holiday sweets. It's okay to let them indulge for a special occasion, but be sure to balance it out with healthier food choices the rest of the time.

Alcohol, Parties and Driving
Being a smart party host or guest should include being sensible about alcoholic drinks. More than half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related. Use designated drivers, people who do not drink, to drive other guests home after a holiday party.

Stress and the Holidays
The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year. You can't avoid stress completely, but you can give yourself some relief. Allow enough time to shop rather than hurry through stores and parking lots. Only plan to do a reasonable number of errands. When shopping, make several trips out to the car to drop off packages rather than trying to carry too many items. Take time out for yourself. Relax, read, or enjoy your favorite hobby at your own pace.

Happy Visiting
Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.

Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.

Keep a laminated list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include your pediatrician and the poison control center. and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222.

Ask your neighbor if he has a gun before sending your kids over to play. If the answer is yes, you need to make absolutely sure that all guns are stored unloaded and locked - ideally in a gun safe - with ammunition locked separately. Include the question along with other things you might normally discuss before sending your child to someone's house.

Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Sticking to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.

With a little planning and common sense, you can be sure to make your Turkey Time safe and fun. Happy Thanksgiving from the Alden Park Neighborhood Watch!

Cinderella presides over Halloween Costume Parade today

Halloween came early to the community of Alden Park as resident ghouls, gobblins, and the occasional little princess came out on Sunday, October 28th, to follow Cinderella around the park in our first-ever Costume Parade. Nearly 50 children arrived in costume, along with their parents, and played games, collected candy, got their faces painted, and admired each other's outfits.

See if you can find Obi-Wan Kenobi, Austin Powers, Strawberry Shortcake, SpongeBob Squarepants, a zebra, and a witch or two in these pictures from the event. Even a few of the neighborhood dogs came to the party dressed in their finest.

Ketchup and Mustard, Winnie the Pooh, and a unique cross between vampire-hunter Blade and the intrepid Indiana Jones also joined in the festivities.

With a preview like this, you can bet this Halloween is going to be great one! Thanks, Debbie DelDotto and friends, for organizing this wonderful event.

Tri-Valley Herald reports new details in Alden Park shooting

Mike Martinez, Staff Writer for the Tri-Valley Herald, has posted the latest information in the investigation of the murder of San Leandro resident Steven Klent, found dead in Alden Park on September 9th. The 42-year-old, who attended high school in Fremont, was killed by a single gunshot wound to the back of his head, according to a report by the San Joaquin County Coroners Office.

The report said he was shot in the base of the skull and had an exit wound on the left side of his forehead. He was found lying on his back, in a pool of blood, with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, according to the report. He was identified by police through his fingerprints.

Investigators don't know how long Klent had been dead before he was found around 10 o'clock that morning, but their report noted that a second pool of blood collected a few feet away from his body at the base of a water fountain. Residents of the Alden Park area are befuddled by this little fact, as there is no "water fountain" anywhere in the park.

The report also noted that potentially toxic levels of methamphetamines and amphetamines were detected in his system by a blood screen.

According to court records, there was an active warrant for Klent's arrest in Sonoma County after he violated the terms of his contract with Project Intercept, a drug and crime prevention program in the county. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported Klent was charged with one misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance in 1998, which lead to his enrollment in the program. The warrant for his arrest was issued in October the same year.

Document searches list Klent as a Sonoma County resident until November 2000. A spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriff's Department said Klent was in their custody in 2000 on theft and drug charges.

The Tri-Valley Herald article also noted that Steven Klent had two MySpace.com web pages and that he had written about creating the second one after someone "he trusted" had changed his password on the first.

"... of course, I can never trust this person again ... with anything. cant trust em with my stuff, in my house ... just plain cant trust em," he wrote. "... of course what I probably need to do is get these kinds of people out of my life. aint got room for anybody I cant trust."

Tracy investigators continue to try to find out why he was in the park and how long his body was there before being discovered. Several nearby residents reported hearing a single gunshot between 3 and 3:30 a.m. Tracy Police Detective Dean Hicks said investigators have been in the Bay Area working on the case since the beginning.

"It seems like every day we're there doing interviews and turning over every rock to see what we uncover," Hicks said. "We're still working on some leads that are taking us in a certain direction, but nothing we can talk about."

Within hours of the discovery of Mr. Klent's body, residents in the Alden Park community came together to form a neighborhood watch, which has been chronicled on this weblog.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Tracy Police Department at 209-831-6501. Mike Martinez can be reached at 209-832-3947 or at mmartinez@trivalleyherald.com.

Avoid the scares of Halloween with these Safety Tips

This Halloween, take these few extra steps to make is a safe and sane time for all:

Help your child pick out or make a Costume that:

• Is Fire Proof
• Has large eye holes for good peripheral vision
• Is brightly colored. (If the costume is dark, add reflective tape.)
• Is easy to walk in without tripping.
• Is warm enough in cooler weather. (Wear warm clothes underneath if it gets chilly on Halloween night.)

On Halloween, go Trick-or-Treating during daylight hours, and with a responsible adult. Plan a safe route. Set a time to return home.

Don’t cut through back alleys and fields. Be careful crossing the streets. Use the sidewalks, and stay on the left side of the road, facing traffic. Carry a flashlight.

WALK from house to house. Use sidewalks and walkways, and do not cross yards or lawns where unseen objects or terrain can cause you to trip. Stop only at familiar houses in your neighborhood unless accompanied by an adult.

Eat before going out so you’re less likely to snack on the candy you collect. Inspect all treats when you get home before eating it. When in doubt, throw it out.

Now’s the time to remind kids to NEVER go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Stay in groups. Be respectful of others. And have fun!

-- a message from the Tracy Police Department and your friends at the Neighborhood Watch

Keeping track of your stuff is easier with "StuffSafe"

If you're a home owner or renter, a secure inventory of your possessions should be a big part of your theft or disaster recovery plan. Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your home owner insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for your income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance.

Creating a home inventory can be a challenge. StuffSafe makes it easy by offering you. Check out this online service at http://stuffsafe.com/ or click here StuffSafe : Online Home Inventory Software

Watching out for your neighbor works...

Manteca neighbors help stop burglary
Police laud action as good example of how Neighborhood Watch works in Manteca

MANTECA — Local police have often said that perceptive neighbors are one of their best means of fighting crime. On Thursday, the alert reactions of some in a Manteca neighborhood helped nab four would-be burglars. Around 10:45 a.m. Manteca police received two separate calls from residents on Jasmine Hollow Drive reporting a burglary in progress, said Rex Osborn, a police spokesman. While the suspects were piling into a blue Ford Expedition, another neighbor took a digital picture of them and the vehicle, he said.

One caller told police dispatchers about the sound of glass breaking, while another reported four individuals walking out of a neighbor's house, said Sgt. Ralph Colin. Police patrolling in the area were able to locate the vehicle that matched a description of the one at the scene. The Expedition was reportedly followed onto Woodward Avenue by a witness, police said. The vehicle was stopped and the four people inside were arrested, Osborn said.

Police arrested Jose Bustamante, 24, Vicente Bustamante, 18, and two male juveniles ages 17 and 16, all of Stockton, on charges of burglary, possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime. They were taken to Juvenile Hall and the San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp.

The case is an excellent example of how Neighborhood Watch works in Manteca, Osborn said, lauding the neighborsfor alerting police without putting themselves in harm's way. "Police can't be everywhere at once, but neighbors looking out for neighbors and alerting police if something doesn't seem right, helps create a crime-free community," Osborn said. The victim on Jasmine Hollow, who asked not to be identified, told police the she loves her neighbors and that is why her family chose to live in Manteca.

Community Garage Sale in Alden Park a BIG SUCCESS!

Just a quick 'thank you' to everyone who participated in our first-ever Community Garage Sale today! Many of you opened your yards or came down to Alden Park to sell your stuff and put a little extra jingle in your pockets. Now that it's over, what should you do with all that leftover stuff you didn't sell? Here are some good ideas:

• Donate it to your local thrift store. You can help the needy with your old clothes.
• The Animal Shelter could always use those extra towels, blankets, and throw-rugs for the dogs and cats there.
• Perhaps the local library or school could use your used books.
• Or the neighborhood doctor's office might want your old magazines, if you don't recycle them.

Be sure to get a receipt for your donation(s); you can write it off on your taxes if you itemize. If you just plan on just throwing it away, remember: Tracy's "Fall Clean Up Event" is Monday, October 22nd, so you could put out some of your leftovers at the curb with your garbage pickup that morning. "eWaste" like old computers, TVs, and cell phones, (and anything else with a battery) should disposed earlier on Saturday, October 20th, at 520 S. Tracy Blvd., from 9am to 1pm. Don't put it out with your regular garbage; dispose of it properly. Help save the planet and let the Tracy City-Wide garage sale theme "Make Every Day Earth Day" live on!

Alden Park Community Garage Sale to coincide with Tracy's city-wide event

Families in the Alden Park neighborhood are invited to participate in our first-ever Community Garage Sale on Saturday, October 13th, in Alden Park, from 8:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.

Here's your chance to get rid of some of that stuff that's been cluttering up your home and garage, to make a little extra money, and to support your Neighborhood Watch program.

It's also the time for the City of Tracy's City-Wide Garage Sale, which is happening on the same day, and we've registered our event so it will be listed in the City's maps and publications promoting the event under the theme "Make Every Day Earth Day." For more on the City-Wide Garage Sale, go to http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us/news/front-page/2007/10/08/city-wide-garage-sale/.

Each family will be able to "set up shop" in Alden Park. Just follow these simple rules:

1. Bring a Queen-Sized Sheet to the park with you, and check in at the Neighborhood Watch table. Your sheet will be used to mark your space in the Community Garage Sale. All items you wish to sell should fit on your sheet to allow your friends and neighbors space for their stuff, too.


2. If you have large items to sell, open your own garage or yard for the sale. This is the time to get to know each other and to enjoy your neighbors and community. By coordinating our event with the City-Wide Garage Sale, we should get a lot of foot-traffic.


3. There is a suggested $3.00 donation from each family that participates in the Community Garage Sale in Alden Park. This donation will help cover costs of our new Neighborhood Watch signs, which the City provides to us at a cost of $25 each.

So, start cleaning out that garage and those closets! See you on Saturday, October 13th!

Your own 4-legged house alarm system

As I walked around the neighborhood today, passing out reminders for our upcoming Neighborhood Watch meeting (this Tuesday, October 2nd), I was greeted by the barks and growls of the many dogs we have here in the community.

I've been a dog lover all my life, and I can't imagine my life without one. My little Basenji/Min Pin mix, Ubu, made the rounds with me, and together we quickly affirmed what you probably already know: a dog, no matter what size, makes a great home security system, quick to alert you to something (or someone) amiss, and cheap to maintain with adequate food, water, and the occasional chew toy.

And rescue dogs, or those from the local animal shelter, are the best. What better way to protect your house and get some unconditional love in return?!

I'm adding a link to the Tracy Animal Control website, to help make adopting your new guard dog that much easier. This blog will also feature the Adoptable Pet of the week, and other links on the City of Tracy site can take you to other shelters in the area. Check it out!

Your Neighborhood Watch Block Captains

At our September 13th meeting, you elected the folks who volunteered to be your Neighborhood Watch Block Captains. Here are their names and their phone numbers if you need to get in touch with them:

For Sequoia Boulevard:
Patricia Arrona… (209) 879-3299... Spanish calls welcome
Debbie Del Dotto… (209) 629-0259
Rita Madding… (209) 914-1983
Mike Shibley… (209) 832-8651

For Palm Circle:
Gabriela Cebreros… (209) 835-7798... Spanish calls welcome
Dustin Johnson & Elyse Najera… (209) 229-8297

Coordinator:

Jeff Gamble… (209) 833-0166

REMEMBER: In an emergency, call 911.

We still need volunteers for Chestnut Avenue/Cottonwood Avenue, Birch Drive, Hickory Avenue/Maple Court/Pine Court, Locust Drive, Cypress Drive, and Centre Court Drive. Drop us an email, or come see us at our next scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 2nd.

We can’t do it without you!

Mark your calendars for our next meeting on Tuesday, October 2

On Thursday, September 13th, you and your neighbors began the important first steps in making Alden Park and our surrounding streets safer for all of us. Your Neighborhood Watch Block Captains have been working hard since then to plan our next series of events in the Alden Park area.

Come to our next meeting of the Neighborhood Watch on Tuesday, October 2nd, at 6:30pm, in Alden Park, and find out what’s in store!

Things to bring with you:

1. Your friends, neighbors, and family members
2. Your own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on (unless you don’t mind standing)
3. Your completed “Family Data Sheet” if you got one at the last meeting. If not, we’ll have more for you on October 2nd. Each household should provide us with your basic information so we can help watch out for you and your family.
4. A few dollars. Each $1.00 donation buys you a Raffle Ticket for a fun prize that will be given out that night. Proceeds will go to cover copying expenses for our fliers and to pay for our “Neighborhood Watch” signs from the City.
5. A short list of things you want to see get better in the community.

On Tuesday, October 2nd, we’ll be announcing our plans for a Community Garage Sale (scheduled for Saturday, October 13th), and a pre-Halloween Costume Parade for the kids (scheduled for Sunday, October 28th). Come find out more!

Report Crimes with your Computer

Mike Shibley, Sequoia Boulevard resident and Neighborhood Watch Block Captain, wants you to know that you can report incidents of crime to the Tracy Police Department by making a report online through their "ePolicing" web site.

The City of Tracy website allows you to submit a report to the police for non-emergencies relating to:

• Lost Property
• Identity Theft
• Vehicle Burglary
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Harassing Phone Calls

Online reporting is right for you if this is NOT an emergency, the incident occurred within Tracy city limits, there are NO known suspects, and the incident DID NOT occur on a State freeway.

Go to Departments :: Police Department :: ePolicing for English and Departments :: Police Department :: ePolicing for Spanish to find out more and to make your report. Or check out our links on the side of the page.

Remember, if it's an emergency, call 911. Otherwise, Tracy's ePolicing might be the easiest way to go!

Thanks, Mike!

Taking our First Step

You couldn't miss it. The interest in starting a Neighborhood Watch program for the community around Alden Park was amazing.

Over 150 residents, neighbors, and friends came out last night to "take back our park" and to get to know one another. More than 100 signed in on clipboards, providing us with the initial information necessary to begin our fight for a safer place to live.

"Our police department is going to be on this," said Tracy Mayor Brent Ives, addressing the crowd with Irene Rose of the Crime Prevention Unit, and two of Tracy's policemen. "I've asked the Chief today to put extra patrols around this area for the near term to make us feel better about things."

Nearby resident Tom Collins, security consultant for Protection One alarm services, also acknowledged the importance of everyone in the crowd. "Look around you," he said. "Get to know each other. Your neighbors should be your first contact in the event of a problem in your community."

Sequoia Blvd. residents Shelly and Jason Brown stepped up to help distribute the "Family Data Sheet," so that the police department and Neighborhood Watch volunteers could have a record of who lived in which house, and other important information about each of our neighbors so we can better look out for one another.

Some took the time to complete and turn in the forms as the evening went on. Others took them home to fill out later. Completed forms can be brought to our next meeting (Tuesday, October 2nd, at 6:30pm in Alden Park), or you can drop them in the mailbox at Neighborhood Watch chairman Jeff Gamble's house at 732 Sequoia Blvd. If you still need a "Family Data Form" for your household, please send an email with your name and address to WatchAldenPark@aol.com.

A number of neighbors volunteered to serve as Block Captains for our program. The job of the Block Captain is to help coordinate future events for our neighborhood and to serve as the communications link to all of the Alden Park residents on their street. The names and phone numbers of our Block Captains will be listed in a separate post.

Meanwhile, we're getting ready for our next set of actions. Our next meeting will be led by Irene Rose and will be held in the park on Tuesday, October 2nd, at 6:30pm. Other residents expressed interest in future neighborhood events like Block Parties and a Community Garage Sale at the park. Check back here and watch for signs and fliers announcing the details.

Also, be sure to check out our latest online poll and register your opinion. We'll start prioritizing the things you want to see improved in our community, and together, we can make them happen.

Finally, here are a few more pictures of your friends and neighbors who helped make our first Neighborhood Watch meeting a great success. Thank you all for your concern and your dedication to a safe community for all of us.