Bio-Diesel and a Nap, Bad Mix for Braun West Resident

A homeowner on the 9300 block of Wickersham in Braun Station West awakened to an explosion and fire in his backyard storage shed Saturday morning, 27 March.  According to an SAFD report, the man was processing bio-diesel by heating a vegetable oil concoction in a sealed container.  Having fallen asleep, the container eventually exploded resulting in damage to the shed and its contents.

A district chief responded with three engines, two of which expended their supplies of a special agent to abate the consequent vegetable oil spill.  They were on the scene for about an hour.  No injuries were reported.

Auto on Ferris Creek Vandalized, Bins Tipped

A vehicle on Ferris Creek was vandalized overnight Thursday, 25 - 26 March.  The victim reported foreign material was thrown on and sprayed inside his jeep.  A message written on the vehicle indicates the victim was mistakenly targeted. 

Also that night, at least three recycle bins were tipped over, one on Finesilver near Willow Heights and two on Cove Creek. 

Blue Armor and FSR's volunteer Cellular on Patrol were notified for patrol emphasis.

Electrical Problem Ignites Fire at "The Crest"

The San Antonio Fire Dept. dispatched an engine yesterday morning to a home in The Crest neighborhood on Breanna Oaks near Braun and Tezel Rds.  Firefighters found a sofa, chair, and other items on fire, accidentally sparked by an arcing wire or appliance.  Property and contents losses were estimated at $2300.  There were no injuries. 

February 2010 Committee Report

Residents Team with SAPD to ID Hit & Run Driver
HOA Board and Safety Committee members worked with an SAPD community policing officer and a traffic investigation detective to identify the driver who crashed into the gate 13 January.  Police contacted the teen driver's mother at a Braun Station residence to confirm the identity of the person behind the wheel.  Auto insurance information was obtained.  The matter was referred to FSR's insurer for resolution.

Stop Sign, Lighting Damaged
On 2 February an unknown vehicle knocked over the stop sign at Braun and Finesilver and damaged the lighting fixtures facing the "Finesilver Ranch" stonework.  A city crew re-posted the sign within hours, and an Association Management Services contractor replaced the lighting shortly thereafter.

Camera Upgrades Offered
The HOA Board recently considered bids from two surveillance camera vendors to improve gate video.  Initial bids were turned down due to the high cost of the camera type specified in FSR's request for proposal.  FSR Safety's camera "experts" are considering a wider range of options and will readdress the board later this year.

FSR Safety Registers for National Night Out
The National Association of Town Watch opened registration for National Night Out 2010.  The worldwide event will take place 3 August.  Texas neighborhoods will participate Tuesday, 5 October. 

National Night Out heightens crime prevention awareness, generates support for anti-crime programs, strengthens community spirit, and encourages police-community relationships.

Last year 36 million people attended an NNO event with San Antonio ranking second worldwide for participation and program quality.  Minneapolis ranked first; Houston, Austin, and Arlington also made the top 10.

Cellular on Patrol
Two patrols were conducted during February.  Five garage doors were noted open late at night.  Homeowners were contacted in three of these cases.

On 19 February at about 11:20 pm, COP members reminded three teens of the city's 11:00 pm curfew for youths under 17 YOA.

Blue Armor Patrol Summary
Security officers also reported an open garage door, and the community center service window was found unsecured.

SAPD Responses
Police responded to nine Finesilver Ranch service calls during February, compared to 11 during February last year. The monthly average for 2009 was 12 calls. This is down from the previous two years' averages of 14 (2008) and 15 (2007).

There was a minor accident at Braun and Finesilver, Tuesday evening, 23 February.  Police also responded to three burglar alarms, took three harassment reports, one report of threats, and were dispatched to one miscellaneous call.

A burglary of a residence was reported in the Greenbriar neighborhood near Nichols ES.  Police also responded to three burglar alarms and took one miscellaneous report.

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

Sex Offender Watch
No registered sex offenders reside in Finesilver Ranch as of this post.

SAFD Responses
SAFD/EMS made one medical call to an FSR residence.

Follow FSR Safety on Twitter
During February, FSRsafety issued 11 "tweets" on public safety interests occurring in and immediately surrounding Finesilver Ranch.

Join Twitter and follow FSRsafety to receive time sensitive announcements of neighborhood safety and crime prevention concerns online and via text message.

Subscribe to the FSR Safety Committee Blog and follow on Twitter for updates throughout the month. Contact the committee via email: FSRsafety@yahoogroups.com. Call Association Management Services (829-7202) for more contact options.

Greenbriar Home Burglarized

According to a recently released SAPD report, a home on Standwood in the Greenbriar neighborhood was burglarized Tuesday, 2 February between 9:00 am and about 12:30 pm.  The rear door frame of the house was damaged, indicating the method of entry.  Guns, jewelry, and cash were among the items stolen.

A check of Google Maps shows the house abuts a wooded area just north of Braun Rd.  The residence may have been specifically targeted due to the off-road access to the gated community, while also offering the burglars concealment from the trees.

The case highlights an inherent vulnerability to the Finesilver Ranch properties along Braun Rd, especially those near wooded areas.  Keep a wary eye out for vehicles parked along Braun.  They may innocently belong to utility workers, as has been the case in the past, but the apparent M.O. of the Greenbriar burglar(s) may be repeated against FSR residents. 

Call 207-SAPD when suspicious activity is observed or 911 if you believe a crime is in progress.    

Trash Fire Extinguished Near Bandera Rd Carwash

Firefighters knocked down a trash fire on a vacant lot near the Shade Tree Car Wash on Bandera Rd yesterday afternoon.  Two units responded.  There was no property loss.