News4 Chopper Orbits FSR

WOAI File Photo

Some FSR residents noticed a news helicopter overhead this morning at about 7:15.  According to a WOAI staffer, their SkyNews 4 was tracking a minor accident at 1604 and Braun which was "causing some major traffic on 1604."  The wreck exacerbated already heavy traffic on this first day back to school.

City Garbage Truck Topples Gate Pillar

A San Antonio Solid Waste Management Dept. truck knocked down the pillar separating the FSR entry gates at about 1:15 Friday.  Video shows a worker riding on the back of the truck attempted to warn the driver then dismounted before the right rear clipped the pillar. 

A city supervisor arrived shortly after the accident.  Association Management Services and police were notified.

The pillar was struck four times in seven months last year which elicited questions on whether entry modifications were necesary.  The pillar was also struck once in 2008.  This is is the first time for 2010.

Dry Grass Kindles Fire Near Braun & Tezel

SAFD extinguished a small grass fire near Braun and Tezel early Monday evening.  Crews also made two trash fires Wednesday in the Guilbeau and Bandera vicinity between 5:00 and 8:00 pm.  They made quick work of these minor incidents. 

It's unknown to what extent the dry weather contributed to the fires Wednesday, but the dry ground certainly kindled Monday's.  Just as last year, be mindful how easily brush and grass fires are sparked these dog days of summer:  Don't toss your butts out the window.  Also, avoid driving off paved surfaces since the vehicle's catalytic converter provides enough heat to ignite natural tinder.

According to a Braunridge amateur weather station there's been virtually no rain since early July.  Forecast?  More of the same.

July 2010 Safety Committee Report

Third Outbreak of Vehicle Burglaries this Year 

Another string of vehicle burglaries occurred in Finesilver Ranch during July.  Based on SAPD reports alone, this is the third outbreak this year and the fourth since December.  Continuing the trend, the three break-ins that occurred overnight 24 July were on the south side of FSR.

Blue Armor Security and FSR's neighborhood watch group were notified, but the best defense against vehicle burglaries is to park in the garage or to remove valuables.

Quick Repair to Damaged Braun Rd Stop Sign
A resident found the stop sign at Braun and Finesilver laying on the road Sunday, 11 July.  She called Association Management Services and within a couple hours the city had a temporary in place.  Neighbors, don't hesitate to call AMS (829-7202) or the city of San Antonio (311) when something is out of place.  They'll work to fix the problem as soon as possible. 

Cellular on Patrol Activity
Volunteers conducted four late night patrols during July.  No unusual activity was spotted, though some residents were warned of open garage doors.  The COP is always open to new volunteers.  Call AMS (829-7202) or email FSRsafety@yahoogroups.com for more information.
 
Blue Armor Patrol Summary
Security officers and SAPD responded to a report of approximately 12 people drinking and fighting in the vicinity of the pool at about 3:00 Friday morning, 30 July.  The group left the area by the time officers arrived.

During routine patrols, Blue Armor monitored Finesilver Dr for speeders and cited suspected abandoned vehicles and parking violators.
 
SAPD Responses
Police responded to 17 calls for service in Finesilver Ranch.  There were 12 calls during July last year, matching the 2009 call average of 12 per month.

The calls included the three vehicle burglaries, the aforementioned fight, two reports of an assault, a disturbance, an unspecified theft, one identity theft case, six burglar alarm responses, a miscellaneous report, and one unspecified burglary. 

Of note, three of the 17 calls were reported at one address on different dates for assault, disturbance, and burglary.

Police responded to the Greenbriar neighborhood near Nichols ES for a disturbance and a credit card abuse complaint.
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
As of this post, there are no registered sex offenders residing in FSR.

SAFD Responses
Firefighters made three medical calls to Finesilver Ranch during June.

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 over 60 neighbors on the Finesilver Ranch Facebook Group.

Arson Investigated at a Chase Oaks House

An unoccupied house on the 9200 block of Peuplier in the Chase Oaks subdivision was set afire 26 July.  Firefighters arrived at about 9:00 that Monday morning to discover two small fires on the first floor of the two story house.  An arson investigator was summoned due to the suspicious nature of the fire.   

According to an SAPD report the owner of the house near New Guilbeau Rd moved out four years ago. The arson investigator learned kids were observed running from the scene but she was apparently unable to develop the lead.

The fire department dispatched a ladder truck and three engines.  Most firefighters were on location for about 90 minutes. SAFD estimated $10,000 in damages, largely due to smoke.  Nobody was injured.

More Changes for 1604 & Braun

A blogger reports more improvements for the 1604 and Braun intersection. 

Earlier this summer, lanes were added for north- and southbound 1604 traffic.  Probably some time this month, a new westbound lane will be added to Braun Rd to alleviate the back-ups caused by the dedicated left turn lane to southbound 1604. 

This work is part of a larger project to improve flow on the northwest portions of 1604, from 151 to Braun.  See On the Move by the Texas Highway Man for more information on these projects.

Three Vehicle Burglaries Reported, Late July

According to police records made public this week, vehicles parked at residences on Finesilver Ranch's southeast streets were burglarized, probably overnight Saturday, 24 July.  In one case entry was apparently made by breaking the driver's door lock.  A high-end car audio system was stolen.

The burglaries were reported on Bakerswood, Birchbrook, and Bentwood View.

A post on the Finesilver Ranch Facebook Group notes another vehicle burglary occurred overnight Tuesday 6 July, in the same part of the neighborhood.  In that case nothing of significant value was taken, according to the Facebook contributor.

Vehicle burglaries previously occurred in FSR during May, when at least two thefts were reported on Atwell Park.  See the flyer distributed by FSR's Cellular on Patrol neighborhood watch group for vehicle burglary prevention tips.