Neighbors, join Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Facebook group!

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 2/1/13

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Items appearing in the HNA E-News are deemed to be of general interest to neighbors but do not necessarily reflect the views of Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA), its Steering Committee, or the Editor. The Editor’s introductory comments express her personal viewpoint.

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Contents

1. Thanks to Those Who Responded to HNA Annual Fundraising Appeal!

2. Progressive Potluck Thank-Yous

3. Disaster Planning for Families, Mini-Workshop, Sunday 2/24, 3-4 p.m.

4. Crime-Watch Updates

5. Whole Foods Market News: Community Meeting, Weds. 2/13, 9:15 a.m.

6. Upcoming Free CERT Classes & Other Disaster Prep News

7. Neighbor Seeking House-Sit in mid-February

8. January Issue of Neighborhood Update from the BPD Available for Downloading

Editor’s Introductory Note:

So sorry I ended up having to miss the Progressive Potluck due to one of those viruses going around. It sounds like a good time was had by all (see item 2). Thank you to our HNA Potluck Coordinator Tory Finn for organizing it, and to our Flyer Distribution Team for helping spread the word, and of course to our generous hosts. Heartfelt thanks are also due to all who’ve contributed to HNA’s Annual Fundraising Appeal (see item 1). Hopefully those of you who haven’t yet heeded the call will feel inspired to do so!

Have a happy and safe February!

—Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-News Editor, halcyon92@gmail.com

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1. Thanks to Those Who Responded to HNA Annual Fundraising Appeal!

Editor’s note: Many thanks to the two dozen-plus neighbors who responded to HNA’s Annual Fundraising Appeal. Your support will help make possible HNA’s forward movement in 2013. In addition to the generosity of individual neighbors who donated, we also very much appreciate the contribution from a few of our business neighbors: CBCB and its clients and staff collected $267 to contribute to HNA, along with some much-appreciated in-kind donations for our disaster supply cache (first aid supplies, batteries, a couple of flashlights, duct tape, and even three hard hats for light search and rescue). We also very much appreciate the ongoing in-kind support we receive from Whole Foods Market and from Mokka Café (Telegraph and Dowling), both of which donate to our neighborhood work parties and special events throughout the year. Thank you to all!

If you haven’t yet made your contribution for the year, it’s not too late, and you can be sure we’ll make good use of your contribution:

Name _____________________________________

Address _____________________________

Email ________________________________

Donation amount: _________________

Make your check out either to HNA (gives us maximum flexibility but isn’t deductible) OR, if tax deductibility is important to you, to Berkeley Partners for Parks, our nonprofit fiscal sponsor (tax i.d.# 94-3228356), earmarked Halcyon in the lower left.

Mail or drop off envelope with donation to HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Ct., Berkeley CA 94705. THANK YOU!

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2. Progressive Potluck Thank-Yous

Editor’s note: HNA Potluck organizer and Steering Committee member Tory Finn sent the following note. (Also, if someone lost a special hat that night, one of the potluck hosts found it. Please email halcyon92@gmail for information, or check the photo on the HNA Facebook page.)

Thank you again to this year’s hosts -- Sonya, Lynn, David, John, and Michelle -- for opening their homes and welcoming the neighborhood for last Sunday’s Progressive Potluck. It was a fun evening where we got to mingle with our fantastic neighbors and be reminded of why we love living in the Halcyon neighborhood. As usual, attendance was high for this popular event, with approximately 40 to 50 people at each course, including a great variety of people, ages, and tenure in the community. We particularly enjoyed meeting our newer and younger neighbors -- a quarter of attendees have lived in the neighborhood for less than a year. Thanks to all of you for coming! See you in the neighborhood, in the park, and at the next Halcyon event.

Tory

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3. Disaster Planning for Families, Mini-Workshop, Sunday 2/24, 3-4 p.m.

Editor’s note: This announcement was received from HNA’s Disaster Preparedness Coordinator Susan Snyder about an upcoming mini-workshop to be held in our neighborhood focused on disaster preparedness for families.

Disaster Planning for Families

Sunday, February 24, 3-4 p.m.

A short, practical session focusing on family disaster plans. We’ll discuss what to include in your grab-and-go bag/earthquake supplies, how to plan for different scenarios (kids at school, daycare, etc.), and begin to create a Neighborhood Disaster Childcare Plan. Space is limited. Reply to Susan for address/more info: susan@un-scripted.com

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4. Crime-Watch Updates

Editor’s note: Our HNA Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=292160762499 often shares breaking crime reports in between E-News editions. If you’re a neighbor who isn’t yet part of this closed Facebook group, you’re missing out! Remember, we rely on neighbors to fill in the details of crimes in our neighborhood, so, in addition to being sure to file a Police report, please email halcyon92@gmail.com to pass the word on to your neighbors, or share it on our Facebook page, so we can all stay aware and vigilant!

HNA Steering Committee member Mikel Delgado submitted the following summary of crimes in or near the neighborhood. Thank you, Mikel!

12/21 larceny theft, Prince & Fulton

12/23 vehicle theft, Prince & Tremont

12/24 robbery, Fulton & Ashby

12/27 theft, Telegraph at Ashby

12/28 larceny theft, Fulton b/w Prince & Ashby

12/29 vehicle theft, Fulton at Ashby

(Also note vehicle theft on Dana at Dowling on 12/29 -- seems to be a trend.)

12/31 vehicle break-in, Fulton between Prince & Ashby

1/9 vehicle theft, Shattuck at Essex

1/15 theft, Telegraph & Woolsey

1/18 theft from person, Woolsey & Whitney
1/19 burglary, Woolsey near Shattuck

1/20 theft, Telegraph & Ashby
1/20 car break-in, Prince & Fulton car break-in
1/20 assault, Telegraph & 66th
1/20 robbery, Telegraph & 66th

A Webster Street neighbor reported the following:

“Between 10 a.m. and 12 noon [on January 25], burglars came through latched side gate (and left it open), and came into house through dog door. Typical house burglary -- everything gone through and spilled out, all electronics, antique gold jewelry taken. I saw six African American teenagers walking past my house as I was leaving this a.m., and I wondered why they weren't in school. We filed a police report. Pretty bummed about our car was stolen [at the Ashby BART] three months ago and now a home burglary.”

A Woolsey Street neighbor reported:

“My neighbor’s car got broken into last night [January 30] on the 2100 block of Woolsey.”

A Fulton Street neighbor reported on the Le Conte Chat:

“Four Toyota trucks had their catalytic converters stolen last week -- all within days. . . . Ours was on Prince south of Ashby. [Our catalytic converter] was not only painted silver -- by Ron’s Muffler -- but he had welded some metal for extra security with very hard bolts. Nothing worked, these guys were pros -- they cut the bolts, they cut the extra metal, and took the catalytic converter.”

And here’s another crime watch report from the Le Conte chat (the robbery took place north of Ashby but too close for comfort):

“A teenaged girl was robbed at gunpoint [January 23] at 2:30 p.m. at Fulton and Stuart. As she was walking, someone jumped out of a car, jammed a gun into her belly, and demanded her cellphone, then jumped back into the car and sped away. She was very badly frightened but otherwise not further harmed. The police who responded said a lot of this is going on right now, and urged extreme caution. According to the police, people texting or talking on their cell phones are particularly vulnerable, especially as the light on the phone makes it visible."

Editor’s note: Also reported to the HNA Facebook group in the past month were several cases of strange knocks on the door, with the man or men knocking leaving before neighbors could answer. While there are a variety of possible explanations, this could also be behavior linked with casing (that is, checking to see if anyone’s at home in advance of a burglary). If it feels suspicious or wrong in your gut, please take the time to call the Police nonemergency number (or the emergency number if you feel there’s an imminent threat). We’ve been advised by our beat officers to pay attention to our gut feelings and let the Police follow up. The burglary in our neighborhood a week ago (see above) seems to have been proceeded by casing.

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5. Whole Foods Market News: Community Meeting, Weds. 2/13/13, 9:15 a.m.

Editor’s note: News from Whole Foods Market. Note the change in time for the drop-in meeting (things are in flux following the promotion of Jim Hallock to the regional office, so watch the E-News for updates).

Drop-In Progress Meeting, Wednesday, February 13, 9:15-9:45 a.m.

(community meetings are typically held on the first or second Wednesday of each month)

Whole Foods Market (check in at Customer Service)

These meetings are held at the Community Table at the front of the store, and the purpose is to share our plans for ongoing changes in the store, street litter control, and progress on any of the ongoing issues we discuss [with HNA reps and nearby neighbors]. The Store Team Leader is usually present, and anyone is welcome to join us. Of course there will be complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks. Our goal is to follow up immediately on any issues that we hear about, and to hear how the store can be a better neighbor.

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6. Upcoming Free CERT Classes & Other Disaster Prep News

Editor’s note: Check out the City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class schedule now available online. Classes fill quickly, so sign up now! Currently there are still some openings for February and March classes. The following announcement is from the City’s CERT Program Manager Khin Chin. Neighbors are also encouraged to email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining our Halcyon listserv focused on disaster prep. And please save the morning of Saturday, April 27, 9-11:30, for our Halcyon neighborhood participation in the annual citywide disaster preparedness drill; our neighborhood and the City are hoping for a much bigger turnout this year!

Hi CERT Community,

Just a notice that more classes have recently been added to the CERT Class schedule. See the Berkeley CERT website for the current schedule of classes: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=57314

Thank you,

Khin Chin

CERT Program Manager

Berkeley Fire Department

Office of Emergency Services

510.981.5506

2013 CERT Citywide Exercise

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/cert/exercise/

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7. Neighbor Seeking House-Sit in mid-February

Editor’s note: Longtime Prince Street neighbor (and HNA Steering Committee member) Stephen Pitcher submitted the following announcement.

“House-sit needed by Prince Street neighbor, one month’s duration, beginning mid-February or soon thereafter. Tidy and quiet person who plays flute but otherwise would go unnoticed, great with pets and plants, twenty-year resident of current home, references available. Please contact Stephen at pitchbat@gmail.com or 510-845-3965. Thanks!”

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8. January Issue of Neighborhood Update from the BPD Available for Downloading

Editor’s note: The Berkeley Police Department has recently put out a multipage newsletter full of useful information (see excerpts below; the newsletter itself includes great graphics). It’s available at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Police/Home/Neighborhood_Update.aspx

KEEPING YOUR HOME SECURE

Make sure you secure all of your doors and windows: Over half of the burglaries that get reported involve an unlocked door or window.

Consider photographing and recording the serial numbers of your valuable items.

Increase Natural Surveillance: Make certain the lighting at entryways are lit from dusk to dawn. Criminals do not want to be exposed. Do not let criminals have a place to hide in the darkness.

Territorial Reinforcement: Make it clear in your neighborhood that the community is watching through signs, notices, and postings. Crimes happen when you have a motivated offender, a suitable victim, and there is no one to watch what is going on.

Maintenance: Keeping up properties, cleaning off graffiti, etc. are all ways a potential criminal will know that people in the community are watching/caring about the neighborhood.

Create a Security Plan for your household: Have a family sit-down to discuss how your family plans to keep your residence secured. Decide which persons have the responsibilities to do what -- such as locking doors, windows, setting the alarm, etc.

HELP PREVENT MAIL THEFT

Here are some tips from the US Postal Inspection Service on what you can do to protect your mail from thieves:

· Never send cash or coins in the mail. Use checks or money orders.

· Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery, especially if you are expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items. If you will not be home when the items are expected, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.

· Have your local post office hold your mail while you are on vacation, or absent from your home for a long period of time.

· If you do not receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.

· If you change your address, immediately notify your post office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.

· Always deposit your mail in a mail slot at your local post office, or hand it to your letter carrier.

· Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. If you observe a mail thief at work, call the local police immediately, and then call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.

· You may also want to consider purchasing a locking mailbox.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING CRIME

On a weekly basis, strategists from BPD’s Operations and Investigative Divisions meet with the Department’s Crime Analysts to discuss crime incidents that have occurred throughout the city. As crime patterns are identified, strategies are discussed and then directed for implementation.

For some time, auto burglary has been the most persistent crime challenge for the City of Berkeley -- with the neighborhoods near Interstate 80 entrances/exits being the most frequently targeted area. While addressing this crime challenge over time, the department deployed both plain-clothed officers and uniformed officers to the area -- with mixed results. Always looking for a new or better way to address crime, departmental strategists sought advice from other police agencies. After communicating with other police departments with freeways in their jurisdictions as well, Departmental strategists learned that auto burglaries near free-way entrances/exits are not just unique to Berkeley -- they are happening all over the Bay Area.

Moving from communication to collaboration, the Berkeley Police Department formed a partnership of shared resources with our neighboring police agencies (Emeryville PD and Albany PD) this fall to prevent these auto burglaries.

Recognizing the benefits of shared resources and staffing, departmental strategists are building on our preexisting South Campus Safety Patrol collaboration with the University of California Police Department (UCPD) -- now including a joint patrol for Robbery Suppression.

According to some Neighborhood Watch Block Captains, they frequently have encountered community members who are reluctant to report crime incidents -- often because of time restraints, value of the item(s) taken/damaged, etc. To address the crime challenges of the future, it is imperative that police agencies have an accurate account of the crime incidents that are happening so that we can appropriately address them.

In the event you have a crime to report where you do not have a suspect description and do not wish to directly report the crime to a police officer, please consider reporting the crime via BPD’s Online Report System (located on the department’s website at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/onlinepolicereport/). The system is available 24 hours a day and will send you a case/police report number via your email -- thus allowing you to report the crime incident at your convenience and allowing the Berkeley Police Department to adequately address crime incidents happening in your neighborhood.

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