Thursday, December 11, 2008

November 2008 Safety Committee Report

Turn Lanes at Braun and Finesilver: Long Time Coming

The FSR HOA Board approached city traffic engineers in an attempt to remedy the increase in collisions at Braun Rd. and Finesilver Dr. As noted last month, the city quickly vetoed a traffic signal due to the proximity of existing devices at the Tezel and Silverbrook intersections with Braun Rd. Though San Antonio engineers recommend turn lanes, the intersection rates a very low priority due to a low traffic count.

The FSR Safety Committee will continue to monitor reports of collisions and other neighborhood traffic safety concerns to ensure neighborhood leaders and city officials maintain awareness.

Cellular on Patrol

Certified volunteers continued COP patrols during November. At least one two-person team is scheduled to patrol for about one hour each week. Thankfully patrols are generally quiet. An open garage door is spotted on occasion and the volunteers are usually successful in notifying grateful residents.

On Friday, 14 November at about 11:30 pm, a COP team observed a careless driver on Finesilver Dr. who narrowly avoided a crash among a caravan of young drivers departing the neighborhood. A check of the license plate registration through Blue Armor Security resources was inconclusive.

Finesilver Ranch residents interested in COP may call Association Management Services, 829-7202, for more information.

Blue Armor Provides Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

Blue Armor, Finesilver Ranch's private security contractor provides crime prevention awareness tips in time for holiday preparations. The first installment was released via the safety blog during Thanksgiving: Holiday Crime Prevention Tips. Check the blog for future articles.

Blue Armor Patrol Summary

Security officers reported illegal parking of a commercial truck at the community center over the course of several days during late November. The board renewed emphasis on preparing appropriate signage to notify drivers of parking restrictions and will soon establish a towing contract to improve enforcement options. Meanwhile, by simple letter request, the commercial vehicle parked at the community center was removed from the lot.

A Blue Armor officer responded to a resident's report of solicitors in Finesilver Ranch, 10 November at about 7:15 pm. The officer contacted a person selling auto parts door-to-door on Ferris Creek. Investigation revealed a total of five people were soliciting in the neighborhood, at least one wearing a Sky Media logo. The solicitors departed at the officer's request.

SAPD Responses

San Antonio Police made 12 calls for service within FSR during November. The typical call volume for the neighborhood averages 15 per month overall, though police responded to just eight calls during November last year.

Notable among these was the 14 November residential burglary on Birchbrook where the theft of a $600 radio from an open garage was reported. In separate incidents, officers also took two threat reports and a complaint of credit card fraud.

Other police responses included disturbances at the community center on 22 and 28 November, three burglar alarms (presumably false), and three unspecified miscellaneous calls.

For the second time this year, the Greenbriar neighborhood near Nichols ES recorded no SAPD responses. Greenbriar averages two calls per month.

Greenbriar, with about 1/4 the number of homes of Finesilver Ranch is the closest gated community and, presumably, has similar demographics for crime reporting comparison purposes.

Sex Offender Watch

As of this post, no documented sexual predators reside in FSR.

SAFD Responses

According fire department records, firefighters made one medical call to Finesilver Ranch during November.

Return to the FSR Safety Blog for updates throughout the month.

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