Hello Neighbor,

My name is Bob Stephan. I live at 1021 San Carlos Road and I am willing to be your Neighborhood Watch representative for our "Mexican Hill" (San Carlos, Broncho, Matador, and Sombrero) area. This is just a brief outline of some of the features of Neighborhood Watch and some safety tips.

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program which enlists the active participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. It involves:

• Neighbors taking the time to care for each other in a program of mutual assistance.

• Recognizing and reporting suspicious activities in their neighborhoods.

• Home security and Operation Identification.

At a meeting on November 18, 2004 the Sheriff's Crime Prevention Specialist mentioned these points:

We live in a very safe area here in the forest. Home burglaries are rare. Automobile burglaries and vandalism are somewhat more common but still infrequent. If you leave your car outdoors be sure it is locked with the keys removed and no visible removable objects left inside.

Of course if there is a real emergency of any kind call 911 without delay. If you want to report some suspicious activity that is not an immediate emergency call 647-7911. This number is answered in the same location as the 911 calls, but is recognized as not an immediate emergency and may take a bit longer to be answered. Anytime life or property is in danger call 911. If in doubt err on the side of caution and call 911.

If you arrive home and detect or suspect a burglary, leave the house immediately, go to a neighbor's house and call 911. The culprit might still be inside and dangerous to confront.

Be sure you have a phone in your house that will work if the electric power is out. This can be either a cell phone or a "land line" phone which means a corded phone which plugs directly into a telephone jack. Your cordless phones will not work without electric power and there are many types of very inexpensive land line phones to be had.

If you make an emergency call with a cell phone be prepared to give your location. The location of land line calls to the numbers above are recognized automatically, but a cell phone can be in any location. If you are in your car pay attention to street signs, mileage markers, and other location indicators. Be aware that 911 calls on cell phones go to the California Highway Patrol. If you want your call to reach the Sheriff's Department you will have to ask to have it transferred.

If you want to talk to the Sheriff's Crime Prevention Specialist (Donna L. Galletti) you can call her direct line at 647-7909. You will probably get her voice mail so leave a message.

You can also make non-emergency reports by phone at 647-7702 or on the Sheriff's office web site: http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/sheriff and click on "Public Report Form" or on "Report a Crime Online (Anonymous)" if you prefer.

We were reminded that it is necessary to get a permit if you have a burglar alarm. There is a stiff fine if law enforcement responds to a burglar alarm when there is no permit for the alarm. See more information attached.

Operation Identification. Mark your property with your driver's license number to make it easier to identify it if it is stolen. The Sheriff's Department has provided us with an engraver which can be borrowed from the DMFPO office^* to make it easy for each of us to take care of this important task.

• Mark items such as television sets, video players, computers, and stereos for example. Engrave your driver's license number preceded by the letters CA on your personal property. Do NOT use Social Security numbers. Example: CA999999

• Make a list of all such items as well as firearms and other valuables along with serial and model numbers. Keep the list in a safe place such as your safety deposit box. It will come in handy in case of a fire as well as a burglary.

• Photograph items which can't be marked such as jewelry. Use a video camera to photograph items in each room of your house. Keep the photos and videos in a safe location such as a safety deposit box.

Several informational brochures are available from the DMFPO office^* on the subjects of Identity Theft and Mail Fraud, Megan's Law, Home Security, Personal Security, Vehicle Security, Vacation Security, and Crime Prevention Tips for Seniors.

Knowing more about your neighbors will help you to recognize unusual or suspicious activities. Exchange information with your neighbors such as home and work phone numbers, names and ages of family members, work hours, school or day care hours, pets, vacations, and deliveries or repairs. Of course, you will have to consider your personal privacy in deciding how much to share, but every little bit can help keep you and your house safer.

WHAT TO DO?

• Be alert for unusual or suspicious activity and call law enforcement immediately if warranted. Write down descriptions, license numbers, and other information about the activities you observe.

• Inform your trusted neighbors if your house will be unoccupied for an extended period. Let them know how to reach you or someone who can reach you in an emergency.

• Keep an eye on your neighbors' homes when they are away. Pick up mail and newspapers, roll trash containers back into the yard, and try to keep the property with a "lived in" look.

• Do not try to apprehend suspicious people yourself. Just make the reports as soon as possible.

^*Note that the DMFPO office has moved to the newly expanded PBCSD building near the fire station. The new location is adjacent to the Del Monte Forest Foundation office facing Lopez Road at the opposite end of the building from the PBCSD Boardroom. As a result of the move, the phone numbers have changed. The voice line is 831-373-1618 and the fax line is 831-373-1619.

You might also be interested in taking a look at these web sites:

Sheriff's Crime Prevention Page http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/sheriff/cpunit.htm

Crime Stoppers of Monterey County http://www.crimestopmc.org/

Del Monte Forest Property Owners http://www.dmfpo.com/ On the Library page you can find the minutes of the Neighborhood Reps Committee Meetings for example.

I'm not a home security expert and have not received any special training, but I will be glad to try to obtain answers to any questions about our Neighborhood Watch that you might have. You can reach me by phone at 646-1373 or email to bstephan-mail@spamarrest.com. I am also posting this information to my web site http://www.bobstephan.net for reference (click on the Neighborhood Watch logo). If you want to be notified of any future changes or new information please email me and I will keep you informed.

At a subsequent meeting on March 31, 2005 we received the handout pages that I have attached to this memo which you may find useful. If you have an alarm system please take special note of the "NOTICE OF FALSE ALARM" information.

Sincerely,

Bob Stephan