Page Links

November 2007

Thanks to everyone - about 230 according to our count - who attended our all-neighborhood crimewatch meeting at Northwood Hills Elementary School. In addition to getting two hours of information, all attendees got an NHHA whistle, for use when walking the neighborhood! Our special guests included Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle and several DPD Officers; Dallas City Councilmember Linda Koop; a locksmith explaining "bump keys"; our CWEB liaison talking about the VIP (voluntary patrols) program; and representatives from NHHA Security (our private security firm).

Several of the recent (November 2000) quick hit robberies have several things in common.

• Remove/ break a medium large window (less likely to trigger alarms).
• Sunday afternoon (traveling often begins and ends).
• They go right for the bedroom (like they've observed the jewelry stash)
• Near a main thoroughfare (Spring Valley, Hillcrest).
• Two men in a vehicle.
• Workmen at or near the site.
• They know the victims are not home.
• In and out in less than five minutes.
• They didn't have a dog.

Things you can do:

• Going for a trip?
  • notify the NHHA Security Patrol (NHHA members only)
  • ask a neighbor to fetch your mail and newspaper.
• Come and go at different times and routes.
• Vary your appointment times for personal care.
• Organize two-person teams of daytime block watchers.
• Call 911, without hesitation, about anybody who makes you the least bit suspicious. That includes peddlers, contractors, salespeople, and vendors. Use the magic words: "SUSPICIOUS PERSON"
• Put padlocks on your fence gates.
• Use deadbolt locks on all inside doors that lead in from a guest, laundry or game room with a window on the non-living side of the house.
• Consider storm windows for all bedroom windows.
• Photograph all jewelry, sterling and other valuables and store prints.
• Note the serial number of all electronic equipment.
• Don't put expensive presents under the Christmas tree, visible from the street.
• Turn radios on to "talk" stations and put lights on timers (someone home?)
• All windows should have small panes (too small to crawl through).
• Have a hiding place in the house (not the dressing or bedroom) for your jewelry and excess cash (a safety deposit box is better)
• Understand that most thieves will go directly to your master bedroom in search of guns; jewelry; cash; and small items that be easily carried/pawned.
• Paint your garage windows.

Mon, 21 Feb 2000

The NHHA board voted to suspend the posting of crime information on this website; it will now be available only via email --- and only to dues-paying NHHA members. To sign up, complete the form on our email alerts page. All new (non-violent crime) information will be posted to the (new!) Scam Watch page.

Sat, 5 Feb 2000

The NHHA Board is considering not posting Crime Watch info to the website, but only to the email distribution. Please email your feedback to one/all of the NHHA Officers.

Sun, 29 Jan 2000

There was one Burglary of Motor Vehicle at 6800 Spring Valley. No details available.

Thu, 27 Jan 2000

AGGRAVATED ROBBERIES AS REPORTED BY DPD FOR  
NORTHWOOD HILLS AND SURROUNDING BEATS DURING 
THE PERIOD 1/15 - 1/26. (0 in Northwood Hills)


5200 SPRING VALLEY               HANDGUN


13000 MEANDERING WAY """"

        LATIN MALE,20'S, 120LBS, XXX,PAUL TATTOOS ON            
        BOTH ARMS, TATTOO TEAR DROPS UNDER LEFT EYE 


13500 KIT """

        SUSP VEHICLE 94 4DR RED VEHICLE, DAMAGE                         
        FRONT AND LEFT REAR PANELS,

        SUSPECTS LATIN MALES 25-30YEARS OLD, 180 LBS,           
        SHORT HAIR



13100 N.CENTRAL          HANDGUN

        SUSPECT BLACK/MALE/30'S 180 LBS, 6' STOCKING            
        MASK


8400 & 8300 MIDPARK      HANDGUN

        2 BLK/MALE SUSPECTS/30'S/, IN A WHITE HONDA                     
        ACCORD, 4 DOOR PARTIAL LICENSE PLATE G19???,            
        TINTED WINDOWS,


10600 STEPPINGTON        CARJACKING                                             
        2B/M SUSPECTS, 20'S, VEHICLE BLUE,NISSAN                        
        PATHFINDER WITH TINTED WINDOWS


3200 DARBYSHIRE                 STRONG-ARM

Email Crime Watch Editor note: It's shocking to think this activity goes on so close to all of us in Northwood Hills. But we're not alone. Actually, we're very fortunate that these criminals tend to prey on targets in their own neighborhoods - mainly people living in older apartments. Kit Lane (E of Coit & S of Spring Valley), Steppington (S of Walnut Hill & W of Central Expy) and Meanderingway Way (N of LBJ) are hot spots.

Communities like Plano, University Park, and Lakewood are also surrounded by high density apartments, with many transient residents. This seems to be a breeding ground for crime. NHHA could bury its head and not highlight these outside activities unless they are in Northwood Hills proper. After all, don't we have a Dallas Police Patrol that keeps out this kind of activity? Supporters of just featuring NH lowering crime rate, not the reality around us, may be missing a lesson. "Knowlege and awareness fosters safety."

Tue, 25 Jan 2000

14000 blk of Brookridge - Smashed bedroom window strikes again - except this time, 2 Hispanics escaped thru the garage as the resident returned home. Apparently they were in the house for only 30 seconds or so because only drawers in one bedroom were rifled. A neighbor had alerted our member and resident, who was away for just a few minutes, that a strange vehical was in his drive. This prompted his return home.The culprits' Red Dodge Caravan was found abandoned in a hotel lot at LBJ & Coit. It was probably stolen because the plates didn't match those that were suppose to be on the van. The resident reported he'd not set the alarm because he was going to be right back. This is the second breakin like this along or near to Hillcrest.The first one was on Gateridge a few months ago.

Mon, 24 Jan 2000

The was a smashed front window last week in the 7200 blk of Briar Cove. We didn't report it because it seemed to be an isolated incident and nothing was missing. But another related incident occured a block away, last night(Sunday), in the 6900 blk of Gateridge. This time it was a window in a car parked on the street. Folks, do you know where your children are late on Sunday night?

Sun, 23 Jan 2000

6600 blk Glenhurst - Rabid cat/kitten bites NHHA family members. They are being treated with rabies shots, a very painful and dangerous procedure. Dr. Gary Pounds (local vet) and D. Turner, Dallas Animal Control Officer say, "be careful and stay away from all roaming animals; get/keep your pets rabies vaccinations updated asap; keep pets inside and walk them on a leash when necessary. Incidently, Gary reports it's a city ordinance that pets should never be out unless they are on a leash, particularly cats. They are the most susceptible to becoming rabid. Call the City of Dallas Animal Control office at 214-670-8226 or 311 to report any further situations or for more information.

10 Jan 2000

7600 blk Oakbluff - Follow- on story to Car window break-in on Gateridge. When seeing this Alert, a member reports his neighbor's and his mailboxes were smashed late at night, about a week apart. He feels it was drive-by vandalism.

6900 blk Cliffbrook Vandals Get Cash with Garage Door Opener that they rifled from a vehicle that was left outside overnight. Member and owner suggests setting the alarm; parking inside or removing opener from the parked car; deadbolt locking the door between the garage and the house.

December 1999

December NHHA Crime Summary listing;

Residential crimes:  
3 rear/side window break-ins, 2 yard thefts, 1 garage entry.
Losses: 2 currency, 2 motorcycle/minibike, 1 art collection, 1 none
Locations: 13800 Hillcrest, 7000 Dartbrook, 6500 Ivy Glen,
        6800 Meadowcreek, 6900 Cliffbrook, 7000 Oakbluff.
Days of Wk: 1-M, 0-Tu, 1-W, 2-Th, 2-F, 0-Sa, 0-Su
Hour of Day: 2-Midnight, 2-11am, 1-6pm, 1-11pm
                  
Comment: No obvious patterns will emerge for a couple of months. But it is 
interesting that no incidents were reported on Sat. or Sun.

Advisory: Monday, December 06, 1999 5:57 PM

Last Friday's strong wind blew open a member's yard gate and their 9+ year old small dog got out. Several hours later, the dog came home but had been in a fight with another animal. They took the dog to the vet but the dog died of the bites. She passed this along as information for other dog owners in the area of 6800 Cliffbrook.

It's that time of the year again ... try to be extra cautious, especially around the shopping malls. If you suspect someone is following you to your car, either flag down an officer, go back inside or simply YELL for help. Most folks are more than willing to help someone in trouble. Also be careful unloading your packages when you get home; thieves tend to prey on you when you're bundled up (both clothing and package-wise).

The following article appeared in the Summer 1999 NHHA Newsletter:

CRIME NEWS AND TIPS FROM YOUR NORTHWOOD HILLS PATROL

Recently there have been several robberies in our area. Cars parked in garage driveways have been broken into and, on two occasions, stolen. The cars stolen have been recovered. Also, several homes have been entered or had entry attempted. These activities have mostly occurred between midnight and 5 AM. Your patrol, along with the North Central Station, are actively seeking to apprehend the persons involved. In the meantime, please be certain that when you retire for the evening or leave your home that all exterior doors and windows are securely locked. If you open your garage door during the day to relieve the summer heat, make sure you close it. An open garage door is an invitation to enter your property.

We have also noticed too many bikes, children's toys, lawn mowers and other yard equipment left unattended in front and back yards. If you want to keep it, keep it secure.

Many NHHA homeowners have asked us, "What can I do to help reduce crime in our neighborhood?" We can come and give your home a security inspection. But for the entire neighborhood we suggest that you just be aware. If you see a suspicious car or person in your area, dial 911 and report it. Then call our Patrol number and give us the same information.

Watching out for one another is the best way to fight crime!

The two things that would do the most to enhance Northwood Hills security would be a street light on each corner, and encouraging the homeowners to close their front drapes or blinds in the evening.

Email updates to NHHA Crime Watch

If you hear of a crime in our neighborhood, please call us (we will alert the neighborhood by e-mail). If you want to be added to our alert list, sign up online. You can also call our NHHA Homeowner's Hotline.