We have had a lot of new neighbors move to Southland Neighborhood the last few months! We want to welcome all of you and let you know that we work together to keep our neighborhood safe and crime-free. Don't hesitate to email us: neighwatch at yahoo.com - if you have questions or concerns. Those of you who have new neighbors, introduce yourselves so that they will be familiar with those who live around them.
Some of our newer neighbors wonder exactly what The Southland Neighborhood Watch Association is. If you're not quite sure, go HERE.
Remember that keeping our neigborhood safe is a GROUP EFFORT. You cannot expect one or two people in the neighborhood to be responsible for this. Don't be afraid to call 911 whenever you see a crime in progress, or see something suspicious. If there are loud disturbances that are disturbing your peace, call the police AT THE TIME THAT IT IS HAPPENING, no matter what time it is, day or night! They are more than happy to come and check things out for us. It takes them only minutes to get here usually. You are also welcome to email your concerns or suspicions to our neighborhood watch email address: neighwatch at yahoo.com
Many of you are confused as to when to call 911, and then what to say, once you've called them. Don't ever be afraid to call the Portage Police if you see a crime in progress or if you think something suspicious is going on. If you're confused as to when to call 911 and when to call non-emergency dispatch (329-4567), go to our How To Report A Crime area HERE
We still have branch pickup the first Monday of EVERY month, for limbs and branches that have fallen or that you've trimmed. Please remember that they don't pick up grass, or leaves, nor do they take vines, or ornamental scrubs, logs, and branches larger than 4 feet in length and 3 inches in diameter. You can set your things out no sooner than three days prior to pickup. Occasionally, they are late, so given them an extra day if necessary. If you have any questions about what they will or will not take, call 329-4444.
The weather is getting nicer and summer is just around the corner. Understandably, there will be more activity outside. If you have kids, please make sure you know where they are. Sadly, no matter where you live, it's no longer safe to allow children to play outside without supervision. Portage has also spent a lot of money creating really nice parks for kids to play in. Children are NOT allowed to play football, baseball, basketball, hockey, etc. in the middle of the streets, in our neighborhoods. It blocks traffic, and is very dangerous for the children. Children are to be playing in their own yard, or with friends in their yard, or in one of the great parks Portage has created for us.
If you have teens, make sure you inform them that loud music from their cars or from their home is against city ordinances. People in this neighborhood WILL report them...also remind them that speeding in Portage neighborhoods, is prohibited! Older kids also need to know that "hanging out" in the streets is not allowed in Portage...especially if they are with a group of friends. Walking down the middle of the streets is also not allowed. We have sidewalks, and they're supposed to be used. We've had complaints in the past about teens walking in groups across the entire street, blocking traffic. What is worse, they disrespectfully take their time moving out of the way. This sort of behavior will NOT be tolerated and they WILL be reported. The City of Portage has loitering laws. Make sure that your teens know that they can't be just hanging out on corners, or just walking around. They will need to have a specific destination. Chances are, if they're roaming around in our neigborhood, someone is going to report them, and they will be stopped and questioned by the police.
We WILL have a number of police drive-throughs in our neighborhood, at various times of the day and night. This doesn't mean, however, that we are to become lax and careless about locking up and leaving things out, that could tempt a would-be thief! I just heard reports this morning of a number of car and garage break-ins in Portage...more of this will be going on as the weather gets nicer.
I cannot repeat this enough! It is IMPORTANT to remember to keep your car doors locked AT ALL TIMES when left in your drive or street. If you normally leave your car in your drive, take in anything that may tempt a would-be robber. DO NOT LEAVE purses, laptop computers, or any other kind of electronics, on your car seats! LEAVE A PORCH or POLE LIGHT ON AT NIGHT! LOCK YOUR DOORS and windows on the ground floor of your house before you retire for bed in the evening, OR when you're not going to be home during the day. This is how they are entering...through unlocked doors and windows. They have been breaking windows in the BACK of houses, too. ( I just caught a young man, high school aged, at 10:47 a.m., two days ago, snooping around in the back of my neighbor's house!! Yes...I called the police and he ran fast when he saw me!)
If you have shades or blinds, close them at night, so that no one can see inside. During the daytime, if you're going to be gone, it would be wise to close your blinds slightly, or pull your shades on the windows in the back of your house, and maybe even on the sides...anywhere that your neighbors would not be able to easily see someone breaking in. Cover windows on doors that lead into your garage. Anytime you have a window, it gives a would-be thief a look at what's available inside, for him to steal. If you have sliding doors off your patio, or a deck, make sure to lock them, and insert a pole or bar in the runners to keep it from sliding. NEVER leave your purse in the kitchen, on the counter or table, where it can be seen from a window, day OR night! Do NOT leave your stove light, or a night light on, on the ground floors, in the evening. This enables a would-be robber to see what's in the room from a window, before he breaks in. If you can afford it, install some sort of alarm system in your home and car. Dogs are valuable for protection...just make sure you train, and take care of your dog properly.
The Southland Neighborhood Watch Association hopes all of you have an enjoyable and safe summer. If you have any questions, feel free to email us. We'll get back to you.