Semi-Annual Meeting: Safety
Like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree the attendance was “humble, but sincere.” If nothing more, it provided the opportunity for more of us to get to know each other. That’s really important in a community like ours.
The highlight was definitely a neighborhood watch presentation by SGT.s Jeff DeHan and Dave Odegaard of the Thurston County Sheriff’s office. They outlined numerous safety tips for both the individual home and neighborhood as a whole. (We will include a sample or two of each tip in every newsletter.)
In response to our safety questions, they suggested we implement a community wide neighborhood watch and outlined the various steps needed to do so. The program needs to run efficiently without placing too much responsibility on any one individual. To that end, we need to divide the community into manageable blocks of 20 to 30 homes. Each block needs a block Captain and alternate to head up that particular group. The Captains needs to personally meet each resident in his/her section and really get to know each one’s ages, health status, life patterns (for instance, do residents work full time, travel a lot, spend time at home during the day or evening hours, etc.) The Captains needs to obtain phone numbers and emergency contacts for all residences. Set up a telephone tree. Identify Block Captains to Thurston County Sheriffs office. Use telephone tree to alert neighbors/law enforcement agents of unusual, suspicious or dangerous activity.
Bob Moore, Homeowner Association Trustee, will head up the efforts to set up our neighborhood watch program and coordinate Block Captains activity. Besides being an outstanding deterrent to crime, this type of neighborhood watch proves invaluable in any crisis or emergency. It certainly would have helped during the horrendous January snowstorm. In case of an earthquake, fire, or similar event, it could actually save many lives.
We are attempting to find a clear, readable map of the community to begin laying out the natural blocks of homes. If you have one or know where to find one, please let us know.
Also if you would be interested in serving as a Block Captain or alternative, we would love to hear from you. It will only work with your help. You can contact Bob Moore with input.
Mike Derda says, “Thanks for the Help!”
It was a really scary time for a lot of us that were hit sohard with the big January snowstorm. Power out, enormous damage to trees and shrubs and no way to get in or out for groceries. But so many in our community came to the aid of their neighbors. They really deserve a thank you. Our own Tom LaVack and Bob Moore were out and about, checking on residents, clearing debris and shoveling.
Neighbors, Don and Lynda Backman, contacted us to see what they could do, then spent hours and hours cutting up trees and branches and piling them out of the way, then contacted us to see what else they could do. Hats off to you folks!
Mike Derda and his son brought volunteers from Mike’s wrestling team and put in countless hours cleaning and clearing the most severe damage. If you’d like to thank the wrestling team, you can send a small donation to River Ridge Wrestling
ATTN: Wrestling Coach Mike Derda
River Ridge High School
350 River Ridge Drive SE
Lacey, Washington 98513
I’m sure there were other “unsung heroees” out there, so a huge “thank you” to you all.
More on Safety by Mike Derda, President
As warm spring weather approaches, I want to remind you about some tips to help keep you and your home safe moving into summer.
- Keep doors locked at all times. If you are working in the back yard, keep your front door and garage door closed and locked. Lock your back door when you are in the front yard. Always lock your door when you leave, even if you only plan to be gone for a few minutes.
- During the spring, many people open windows or sliding glass doors while they are at home. Just remember to close and lock your windows and doors when you go to bed or leave your house.
- If you can, install motion-activated lights in your front and back yards, so when someone approaches your home at night, the lights automatically come on, illuminating that person.
- Trim all shrubs and trees so that doors and windows are in clear view. Bushes should be neatly trimmed and low hanging tree limbs should be trimmed up to 6 ft from the ground. Nothing should block the view out your windows or allow someone to hide.
- Put all ladders and other tools back into a secure storage area after using them. Ladders and other tools can be used by criminals to access your home.
- Always lock any storage units or shed on your property.
Remember to roll up your car windows, take any valuables out of your car and lock your doors every time you exit your vehicle, even if it’s parked in your driveway. In these lean times, even spare change can motivate someone to break into your car.
I’ll be back to you in the next issue with more valuable safety tips. Enjoy your spring and summer.
Our First Annual Community Party! RSVP! RSVP! RSVP! June 16, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
OK, you wanted it, so here it is! A community party for all ages. Please join us for an afternoon of fun, food, drinks and laughs! You’ll find us between Armour and St. Andrews Dr on the very back of the golf courses 13th tee, where the course manager, Steve McNelly, will have set up beverage stands. They’ll be selling beer, wine and soft drinks. Your HOA is providing burgers, dogs, chips and all the fixings. (Follow the barbecue smell!)
Please bring your favorite picnic salad or dish, cookies or other goodies. If you could bring a blanket or acouple of folding chairs, that would be great.
We need to know how many are coming and their ages, so please email Kathy Wheeler with your name, your phone number, the number of adults and children coming!
