The Bexar County Commissioners declared a ban on all fireworks effective through the New Year's holiday due to the drought conditions in the San Antonio area. The ban is in addition to the normal fireworks restrictions always enforced within San Antonio. This places even more limits than those imposed July 4th. http://fsrsafety.blogspot.com/search?q=fireworks.
For official statements regarding the fireworks ban and other restrictions due to the drought, see the Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office website: http://www.co.bexar.tx.us/bcfmo/
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Holiday Crime Prevention Tips #3
Blue Armor Security, Finesilver Ranch's security contractor, provides several holiday crime prevention tips for your car, home, and family. As Christmas shopping wraps up, Detective Willie Ng, SAPD and Chief, Blue Armor Security Services, Inc., offers these tips on receiving home deliveries and child safety.
Deliveries
Go to these links for previous crime prevention and safety tips:
Holiday Crime Prevention Tips #2
Holiday Crime Prevention Tips
Deliveries
- Be aware that criminals may pose as delivery drivers, so take notice of the delivery vehicle to assist in establishing their credibility
- Ask for identification or call police if you observe suspicious behavior
- If unable to be home, make arrangements to have deliveries left with neighbors
Child Safety
- Teach children to go to a clerk in case your child is separated from you while shopping
- Never allow your child to take unaccompanied trips to the restroom
- Read and heed safety instructions before allowing a child to play with a toy
- To prevent burns or shocks, give battery operated toys over toys requiring an electric outlet
Go to these links for previous crime prevention and safety tips:
Holiday Crime Prevention Tips #2
Holiday Crime Prevention Tips
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Google "Maps" FSR
Google recently made available ground level photographs of all streets and addresses in Finesilver Ranch for use in their "Street View" online mapping utility. Street View uses special cameras mounted on a moving vehicle to record 360 degree imagery to be used in conjunction with Google Maps http://maps.google.com/ and other Google services.
Google Maps Street View was initially introduced to assist routing on major thoroughfares in the largest cities. The presentation of such detail on residential streets, especially within the gates of FSR is surprising. Google's own photographs indicate the left entry gate was stuck in the open position allowing them access to the neighborhood. The imagery is at least one year old.
The technology allows ground level views of FSR properties that users may correlate with Google's popular satellite imagery and other mapping features. This may cause privacy concerns for some, so residents are encouraged to check their address for displays of a personal nature.
Google will honor requests to remove the Street View photos when notified of privacy concerns or otherwise objectionable photographs. For more information, go to http://www.google.com/press/streetview/privacy/
Now, why did they have to take all those nice pictures of the neighborhood on garbage collection Tuesday?!
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.
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.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Holiday Crime Prevention Tips #2
A review of San Antonio Police responses to Finesilver Ranch during the month of November revealed two instances of theft that take on added significance during the holidays. In one case, a $600 radio was stolen from an open garage; in another, a credit card holder recognized fraudulent activity.
These incidents bring credence to the crime prevention tips offered by SAPD Detective Willie Ng, who is also owner of FSR's private security contractor, Blue Armor. Detective Ng adds home safety crime prevention ideas and cash/ credit transaction precautions to last month's Holiday Crime Prevention Tips.
Crime Prevention Around the Home
These incidents bring credence to the crime prevention tips offered by SAPD Detective Willie Ng, who is also owner of FSR's private security contractor, Blue Armor. Detective Ng adds home safety crime prevention ideas and cash/ credit transaction precautions to last month's Holiday Crime Prevention Tips.
Crime Prevention Around the Home
- Keep large displays of gifts out of view through doors and windows.
- Always secure garage doors and keep in mind that standard garage door locks are often the weakest -- presents are better secured in a second story closet or the attic.
- Always lock the garage doors leading to your house.
Cash and Credit Precautions
- Monitor credit card activity more closely during the holidays.
- Keep cards and cash in a safe place when not carried.
- Take only the cards and the amount of cash needed for shopping.
- Avoid "flashing" cash in public -- count your bills without taking them out of your wallet.
- Be alert to your surroundings when using an ATM; well lighted, public places are best -- even police stations have ATMs.
Check back for more crime prevention tips. Happy holidays!
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