February 2011 Safety Committee Report

USAF Crosswalk Safety Message

• Auto vs. pedestrian survivability at 25 MPH or less:  89%
• Auto vs. pedestrian suvivability at speeds greater than 25 MPH:  11%
• Pedistrians:  Be aware of your surroundings; don't assume drivers see you
• Drivers:  Yield to pedestrians and don't driver faster than 25 MPH on FSR streets

The FSR HOA Board is considering adding crosswalk stripes at key intersections along Finesilver Dr.  Let's emphasize pedestrian safety now that walking and jogging weather is here.

Cellular on Patrol
Neighborhood volunteers conducted three scheduled patrols during February. One team noticed an open garage door late at night but was unable to alert the occupants of their vulnerability.

The COP would like your help. Report suspicious activity to SAPD.

Interested in joining COP? Call AMS (829-7202) or email FSRsafety@yahoogroups.com for more information.

Blue Armor Patrol Summary
On Thursday, 24 February at about 6:30 pm a resident approached a Blue Armor patrol officer to report a suspicious man with a knife at the playscape.  On questioning the "young adult," the officer learned the man was merely tending to his cigar with his knife.  The man agreed to be more discrete, especially in the presence of children.

Security officers attempted to slow FSR speeds by making their presence known on Finesilver Dr.  On Saturday, 12 February an officer observed five speeding violations and was able to stop three offenders.  The remaining two continued off the property.  One of the drivers cited was delivering pizzas.

Again, on Sunday, 13 February at about 6:45 pm a Blue Armor patrol observed a vehicle speeding and running stop signs on Finesilver Dr.  The driver did not stop but the license plate was recorded and a letter sent to the registered owner at an out of town address.

Finally, at about 1:00 am, Wednesday, 9 February a speeding driver eluded a security officer on FSR streets.  Rather than engage in pursuit, the officer posted at the gate to await the driver's departure.  As the speeder was forced to stop for the gate, the officer recorded the license plate.  Unfortunately, the plate did not return a current registration. 

SAPD Responses
The city Police Calls by Neighborhood website has not been updated this year.

Sex Offender Watch
As of this post, there are no registered sex offenders residing in FSR.

SAFD Responses
There were no Fire/EMS calls to FSR during February.

Receive Safety Committee Updates Throughout the Month
Subscribe to the FSR Safety Committee Blog and follow FSRsafety on Twitter for area safety and crime prevention news throughout the month.

Questions or concerns? Post a comment on the Blog, email FSRsafety@yahoogroups.com, or call Association Management Services (829-7202).

Join the conversation with your neighbors on the Finesilver Ranch Facebook Group.

Follow-up: Missing Teen...Found, Safe & Sound

Brianna Winter, the teenager missing from the Silverbrook neighborhood earlier this month, was found.  According to a 15 February post on a forum within LayItLow, an auto hobbyist website, a person representing himself as the girl's uncle exclaimed the happy news.  San Antonio Police assisted in finding her, and "she is okay."

January 2011 Safety Committee Report



 Leave it; Lose it 

More Vehicle Burglaries in FSR
At least three vehicle burglaries were reported during January.  All occurred on the south side of the neighborhood; one on Birchbrook overnight 1 - 2 Jan, and two more between midnight and 5:00 am 23 Jan on Burnwood and Bentwood View.  A third break-in occurred the same night, but the location of that incident is unknown as of this post.

Vehicle burglaries are pervasive in San Antonio.  The last rash of burglaries occurred in FSR during November.  These smash-and-grabs offer low risk and easy pay-offs to thieves at the expense of owners who underestimate their vulnerability.  Don't leave valuables in your car.


Teens Allegedly Burn Some Greenspace
On Tuesday afternoon, 11 January, a resident observed six or seven teen-aged boys playing with a fire they had allegedly started in the greenspace behind Edgecreek.  While on the phone with authorities, the resident saw one of the boys stomp out the flames after burning a  "large section of grass."  A fire department response was not necessary, but SAPD took a report.

Cellular on Patrol

Neighborhood volunteers conducted two scheduled patrols during January. One team called SAPD to check on a suspicious vehicle parked at the community center, 14 January. 

The COP would like your help. Report suspicious activity to SAPD. 

Interested in joining COP?  Call AMS (829-7202) or email FSRsafety@yahoogroups.com for more information. 

Blue Armor Patrol Summary

On 11 January a resident on Edgecreek reported five youths aged 9-14 years were playing with paintball weapons in the greenspace behind the property.  The security officer contacted the youths and determined they were Silverbrook residents armed with "Airsoft" weapons.  It is unknown if these were the same boys involved with the above fire, reported the same day.  They were instructed to stay clear of Finesilver Ranch.

Compared to paintball and other "toy" weapons, Airsoft guns have a lower muzzle velocity and use less harmful plastic BB's.  Nevertheless, in some cases these too are illegal in San Antonio.  Previous posts summarize the ordinance prohibiting children under 16 possessing any weapon that discharges a "missile" or bullet by compressed air or spring action.

A patrolman escorted two solicitors off the property, 15 January.

On 16 January, an officer received a complaint of speeders on Finesilver Dr.  Since then, Blue Armor increased traffic enforcement resulting in a few citations and several warnings.  A couple of drivers questioned the authority of FSR HOA's contracted security officers to issue citations for speeding on private streets.  See this post for information on authorities and appeals. 

SAPD Responses
The calls for service website is not updated for January as of this post.  According to an officer at the Prue Substation, a new program used to load the data isn't working properly.

Sex Offender Watch
Fox29 and KENS5 reported a Stevenson MS teacher was arrested 24 January on charges of indecency with a child.  The 13 year old female victim is a Stevenson student.

As of this post, there are no registered sex offenders residing in FSR. 

SAFD Responses
San Antonio Fire/EMS responded to one medical call in FSR.

Receive Safety Committee Updates Throughout the Month
Subscribe to the FSR Safety Committee Blog and follow FSRsafety on Twitter for area safety and crime prevention news throughout the month.

Questions or concerns? Post a comment on the Blog, email FSRsafety@yahoogroups.com, or call Association Management Services (829-7202).

Join the conversation with your neighbors on the Finesilver Ranch Facebook Group.