Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Sergeant McFatridge and Timory Sayne from Laguna Hills Police Services led the Neighborhood Watch start-up meeting at the Nellie Gail Ranch Clubhouse last Saturday, March 23, 2019. The meeting had 86 attendees with 61 homeowners signing in from 49 households. Police Services will follow up with those who signed in to recruit block captains to formalize a program. 
 
If you were unable to attend the meeting and you are willing to volunteer to be a Block Captain please reach out to Police Services at crimeprevention@lagunahillsCA.gov. 
 
Below are links to the following:
 
 
Much of the meeting was spent in town hall format with Sergeant McFatridge sharing information regarding law enforcement efforts to service Nellie Gail Ranch and the Laguna Hills Community. Select the following link for more detailed information on the meeting.
 

Police Services Resources

Anonymous tips related to criminal activity may be reported on http://occrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/. Tips are anonymous and may be placed online or by phone. Visit the website for more details.

Text to 911 is available in Orange County. Voice calls remain the primary method to report emergencies. However, if you are anywhere in the county and unable to make a voice call, in a loud concert or sports venue, for example, you may text the emergency report.

Neighborhood Watch Start-Up Meeting Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. (Association Clubhouse)

Citizen involvement is essential to combat crime. Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that promotes cooperation between citizens and law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. Laguna Hills Police Services will be presenting information to the Nellie Gail Ranch community on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. at the Association Clubhouse. The presentation will include an overview of what it takes to start and participate in an effective Neighborhood Watch program. Effective crime prevention techniques will also be presented. Homeowners will be encouraged to participate, get to know their neighbors better, and volunteer to be Neighborhood Watch Block Captains. Below is a link to additional information. Please plan to attend this important community meeting and select the RSVP link so we can know how many to plan for!

https://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/1106/Starting-a-Neighborhood-Watch

RSVP HERE

Nellie Gail Ranch Security Update

The Board President has a meeting scheduled next week with the Laguna Hills Chief of Police to discuss recent break-ins and community concerns. In follow up to this meeting Board Members will meet with the Security Committee to discuss what opportunities may be available for Nellie Gail Ranch and its homeowners to assist the police in effectively deterring criminal activity. These two meetings are in preparation for review by the Board at its March 19th meeting. The Saturday following the Board Meeting, the above-referenced Neighborhood Watch meeting will take place. The most recent Neighborhood Watch presentation was held at the Association Clubhouse April 26, 2017, with 30 homeowners attending. We are seeking an increased participation commitment to really kick off the program this time. Please plan to attend and participate in this meeting.

How Can You Protect Yourself From Property Crime? 

Criminals are looking for an easy opportunity with the lowest risk; if you provide it, they will take it! These simple preventative steps can go a long way toward eliminating crimes of opportunity and reducing the frequency of burglaries and thefts in our community.

If you see something suspicious, call immediately so we can act fast. The longer you wait, the harder it is to catch the criminal.

  • Persons loitering in the neighborhood – in a vehicle or on foot.
  • Persons and/or vehicles in the same location for a long or unusual period of time.
  • Persons carrying or concealing something suspicious.
  • Persons peering into cars.
  • Valuables being removed from home or vehicle.
  • Strange vehicles parked at the neighbors home.
  • Light or flashlights in homes while neighbors are away.
  • Suspicious sounds such as breaking glass, alarms, screaming, loud bangs, or gunshots.
  • Prying, pounding or forcing sounds.

Vacation Home Safety and Security Tip

Laguna Hills Police Services reports that a recent break-in appears to have been targeted as a result of trash containers being left on the street in front of the home several days after trash pick-up. This tip-off that someone may not be home resulted in a break-in and theft. Police Services requests we remind Nellie Gail Ranch homeowners to bring in their trash cans promptly and have someone pick up newspapers or flyers daily if you are going to be out of town.

This link has other tips to prevent crime:
http://www.ocsd.org/documents/sheriff/staysafe/StaySafeOCBrochureOutreach_PR.pdf

And remember, if you see anything suspicious please call 911 if an emergency or Sheriff Dispatch at 949-770-6011.

Sheriff’s Patrol Update

The Orange County Sheriffs have ongoing mounted patrols on trails scheduled this month to maintain a presence in the community as a deterrent. Over the holidays they successfully detained an individual on a City trail with outstanding warrants so the patrols are effective and the additional effort being made on the communities behalf is appreciated.