General Update: This past month, property crime has subsided to the lower levels that we have normally seen since instituting the constable patrol. Unfortunately, that is not to say that there was no crime at all. A home on the 1600 block of Missouri Street experienced a break on June 21st between 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm when perpetrators jumped fence from the alley, kicked in the back door, and stole several items from the home.
As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While no home can ever be completely “burglar proof” we encourage each of you to take advantage of the security audit opportunity provided to constable patrol subscribers. In addition, one specific step you can take to make it harder to kick in your doors is is to replace the small screws in your door frame with long, screws (3-4 inches) that reach through the door trim all the way into the door frame and connecting studs. This is an easy and cheap precaution. All you need are long screws and a screw driver for an easy switch out.
Lastly, as we are right in the middle of our key fundraising time for Mandell and Winlow Place, we wanted to say a special “THANK YOU!” to those of you that have already renewed your constable patrol subscriptions for the upcoming year. For current subscribers that have not resubscribed for next year, we want to encourage you to do so ASAP so that we can get next year’s contract signed and ensure that we retain the benefit of the constable patrol service well into the future.
Scam Alert: Be on the lookout for these common door-to-door scams, which are much more common than home burglaries:
- The Alarm Company Scam: In this scam, a polite, official looking man spots your alarm company yard sign and claims he is there as a representative of the company. He will claim that he 1) is there to upgrade you system, 2) needs to check the keypad, or 3) represents the manufacturer and that your provider has been sold and stopped service. All of those things are false. He is trying to trick you out of your current agreement and into a contract you never wanted through a false affiliation with your provider. He will offer to waive some of the up-front fees and have an installer – who is finishing a job nearby – come right over.
- Free Water Testing Offers: Be aware that such offers are almost always part of a sales promotion to sell you a water treatment device, whether you need it or not. Because there is no charge for the “testing,” some consumers are willing to allow a company rep into their home to check for impurities, dangerous heavy metals, etc. Fraudulent salesmen may claim that the government has recommended a particular company or treatment method. Those claims are false.
- Magazine Subscriptions: The most common front porch solicitations are peddled by young people sponsored by a “non-profit” and eager to tell you their hard-luck stories. They say you can help them earn “points” by buying a subscription or two, and if you don’t need the magazines, you can have them sent to a charity of your choice. In reality, they are for-profit efforts and the subscriptions are often overpriced…if they even arrive at all.
Security Tips: The constable patrol is most effective when we all take common sense steps to deter crime:
- Activate your security system at all times, and connect it directly to the Constable Dispatch (you must call your alarm company and have their responding agency listed as Harris County Constable Precinct One at 713-755-7628).
- Report crime and suspicious activity to the constable’s office at 713-755-7628. Make sure to mention that you are calling from a “contract neighborhood.” (For emergencies in progress, dial 911).
- Take down license plate numbers or take a cell phone photo of suspicious cars or people you notice around the neighborhood.
- Go to the website and sign-up for security alerts.
- Lock your garage and car.
- Do not leave items in car.
- Never disclose Constable Patrol hours of operation via online social networks (like Facebook or Nextdoor). We are disadvantaged if potential criminals are aware of our vulnerabilities.
In addition, the Constable offers other security services that we encourage you to take advantage of:
- Vacation watch – Go to http://pct1constable.net/
sign-up/vacation-watch/ to sign up you home for vacation watch if you are going out of town. The constables will stop by your house every day to make sure that all is well while you are away. - Crime Alerts – You can receive immediate crime alerts directly from the Constable’s office by signing up at http://pct1constable.net/sign-
up/crime-alerts/. - Security Audit – Please email Deputy Mathews-Segura at Mathews-Segura@cn1.hctx.net
to schedule a security audit. Deputy Mathews-Segura will come to your home and let you know how you can be more secure
For complete list of the constables services and information visithttp://pct1constable.net/.