PHNA Security Program
The Pemberton Heights Neighborhood Association has a Security Program. Participation is voluntary but the entire neighborhood is served whether you participate financially or not. All neighbors are invited and encouraged to participate.
The Threat. Pemberton Heights has recently experienced a changing pattern of crime — petty crime and professional crime. This has included such things as:
- Repeated car break ins in which thieves have stolen small valuables from both locked and unlocked cars;
- Professional burglaries in which seemingly professional burglars have targeted jewelry and have purposely overlooked other valuables;
- Smash and grab burglaries which are distinguishable from professional burglaries by the nature of their forced entry and the items stolen; and,
- Stolen packages — particularly during holiday seasons — from neighborhood front porches taken almost immediately after delivery.
Of particular note are the following:
- A whole house ransacking in which an organized team of thieves stripped a newly furnished home of a substantial amount of its furnishings including artwork hung on the walls. This burglary was extensive, focused, targeted and both a timing and logistical challenge.
- A number of jewel robberies in which the thief entered through French doors, went immediately to a location apparently known to the thief and exited in the face of a sounding alarm. These thefts were very time sensitive indicating a lot of preparation by the thief.
- A burglar who entered a residence second floor with a babysitter and children at home on the second floor. The babysitter and children fled to safety.
- · Two criminals who approached a homeowner sitting just inside their back porch with a gun from which the resident fled on foot to safety.
- A number of stolen guns and a pattern of looking for guns from returning hunters unloading their vehicles; and,
- In a neighborhood just one block from Pemberton Heights an early morning forced entry robbery in which the victim received life threatening wounds.
One burglar was apprehended due to the wisdom and vigilance of a local homeowner.
A gang of professional thieves was recently apprehended just one block across Windsor.
A small time gang of professional thieves admitted burglarizing Pemberton Heights homes by watching for folks leaving keys under mats and other ways to illegally access the home.
The Security Program. A total of approximately 235 households are participating financially out of a universe of 640 homes in Pemberton Heights. The average annual investment has been approximately $210. Investments are solicited in February to October of each year.
Many generous Pemberton Heights have contributed far more than the average. Thank you.
The PHNA had a Security Program which went dormant and it was reconstituted again approximately two years ago by Jeff Minch. Minch is the volunteer Security Coordinator.
The program has several elements including:
- Intermittent security patrols of approximately 20 hours per week and 40 hours per week during peak threat times or when many neighbors are absent from the neighborhood. These patrols are mounted by paid off duty Austin Police Department Officers.
- The Away From Home List identifies all homes that are unoccupied because of vacations and other reasons. This list is checked whenever the Patrol Officers are out on patrol.
- A communication mechanism for the entire neighborhood through the ListServ or Neighborhood List. The Neighborhood List is a work in progress while the ListServ is currently functioning.
Milestones and Development. In the last two years, the following milestones have been accomplished:
- We negotiated a written contract with the Austin Police Department to provide uniformed officers to patrol our neighborhood for 20-40 hours per week.
- We obtained a competitive liability insurance policy protecting the neighborhood from liability and have been able to renew it annually.
- We handpicked some studly Patrol Officers and then educated them about our neighborhood. Our Patrol Officers are particularly skillful and professional. Handpicked!
- We developed written Patrol Orders, an on/off check-in system with a daily after action report.
- We have tailored the pattern of our patrols to the perceived criminal threat to our neighborhood based on actual experience.
- We have marshaled more man hours on patrol during time periods in which neighbors are traveling. This has typically entailed a doubling of man hours.
- We developed an Away From Home List — not a single Away From Home List home has been burglarized — through which neighbors can ensure that patrols check their homes while they are away.
- We developed an “on the fly” ability to update the Away From Home list to ensure that even a late notification — on the way to the airport late — can be covered in real time.
- We have communicated with and engaged directly with the University of Texas and the fraternities on the subject of stolen Halloween decorations and Christmas decorations.
- We have developed a working relationship with over 225 families in our neighborhood and they have invested more than $200 each annually. That is a gratifying vote of confidence.
- We have developed the ListServ into an effective communication tool. Much more work to be done here.
- We have effectively communicated patterns of criminal activity to the entire neighborhood thereby arming them and alerting them to “harden the target”.
- We have assisted victims in dealing with the Austin Police Department.
- We have conducted annual town hall style meetings to allow neighbors to meet each other and to relate to our Patrol Officers.
- We raised approximately $47,000 to fund this program in CY 2011 YTD through the generous participation of approximately 225 families.
Away From Home List. To place your home on the Away From Home List, please provide the following information in an e-mail to jminch@littlefield.com and nadams@littlefield.com:
Name:
Address:
Departure date:
Return date:
Emergency phone number:
Special notes: