This event occured on April 26 and is posted as an awareness for our neighbors. This is a description of what happened given by the person who reported the incident to the police. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Betty:
A very disturbing inicident happened this morning and I wanted to use it as a reminder to our community to be careful when they leave the stores. I was in Chevron on Ellis Creek getting coffee this morning and noticed a man was smiling at me. I thought nothing of it except I noticed he couldn't open one of his eyes all the way.
About ten minutes later someone rang my doorbell. It was a familiar looking young man with a magazine in his hand and he asked if my address was something like 1306 ?? - something. Mind you my street sign is RIGHT in front of my house. That was a red flag for me. I looked closer and saw his eye and I realized he was the same man that was smiling at me in the store. He watched me get into my truck and he followed me home!
I told him wrong address and then he asked me if I was single and I walked away from the door and called the police. He walked away on foot but a few minutes later drove past my house with another car right behind him. He was in a small newer model Toyota Matrix I think, light colored. And he was a young clean shaven male African American, medium complexion.
I paid no attention when I left the store, wouldn't even have thought someone was following me. But he did and now he knows were I live and I hope I don't see him at my front door again.
Be careful and be aware.
Betty's response:
You did the right thing by calling the police. Remember, at all times: DO NOT open your door if you do not know who is on the other side. DO let the person know someone is home by saying you can't come to the door, please leave, or some such message so they do not break in thinking no one is home. If the person does not leave or continues to knock or ring your doorbell, tell them you are calling the police, and do so (call 911)! I know this is against our nature to be friendly and answer our door, but this is for our safety.
Neighbors, please don't be distracted by cell phones and such while out and about. Look around to be sure no one is following you. If you feel you are being followed, pull into a busy place and call 911. In our community, help is just minutes away!
2010 NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY
Due to recent safety issues in our community, the New Territory Public Safety Committee would like to make some suggestions:
· Please make an extra effort to ensure that your elementary age children are supervised walking to and from school.
· If you own a Toyota truck or SUV, parking it in the garage will prevent the possible theft of your catalytic converter.
· Talk with your children about bullying and ways to deal with it.
· Please don’t encourage solicitors. As long as residents continue to buy, they will continue to come. You can respond through the door that you’re not interested so they know someone is home. (Knowing someone is home will also discourage potential burglars.) If any resident feels pressured or threatened by a solicitor, you are encouraged to call 911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch, 281-341-4665.Also, a “No Soliciting” sign on your door may discourage bell ringers.
New Territory is still rated as one of the safest communities in Fort Bend or Harris counties – BUT we still need to practice common-sense safety.
· Make sure you’re not followed home while walking or driving.
· Carry your cell phone/pepper spray/whistle when walking alone.
· Lock up and be vigilant.
· Keep your garage door closed unless you are in the front yard.
· Don’t leave tempting items in your car (phone, GPS, backpack, etc.).
· When leaving home, be on the lookout for strangers or unknown vehicles.
If you see someone suspicious, contact Sheriff’s Dispatch immediately. This number reaches both the Constable and Sheriff’s deputies and the closest unit will respond. Call 911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch, 281-341-4665.
If you have questions for the Safety Committee, e-mail
The Polly Klaas website has a free Child Safety Kit to help you teach safety to children of all ages. You can click here to order your kit.
At www.McGruff.org there are kid friendly tips on home safety, community safety, vandalism, bullying and many more topics.
For teens & tweens, visit Netsmartz kids online for safety tips. The site has opened up the world to us. Along with other potential dangers, children often don't realize that actions they take online now can be found later and may influence how they are perceived by future employers or the community. Learn how to help your children make good choices online.
Summer is a time of freedom for school age children! They can be anywhere and everywhere. Please practice safety around cars. You can go to www.kidsandcars.org. for statistics and other information.
SOME SAFETY TIPS Some things we can do to protect our families and property:
•
While driving through the community observe your surroundings for suspicious activities
•
While driving home, check the rearview mirror occasionally to be sure no one is following you. If that is the case, make several turns to see if they also turn. If so, don't go home and drive to the nearest well-lit busy area and call the police
•
Keep your cell phone nearby, even when working in the yard
•
A home alarm system is good, a monitored system is better. Put your alarm on entry mode alert so you can hear a beep whenever an outside or garage entry door opens, even when the alarm is off.
•
If going on vacation consider requesting a vacation watch, setting a light timer and asking neighbors to keep an eye out for strangers around your home.
•
Remove valuables from inside your vehicles BEFORE you arrive at your destination as thieves can see when you lean down to put an item under the seat. Covering items with a shirt still gives thieves an incentive to break in.
