January 2009 Safety Committee Report

Board Approves Camera Upgrades
During their January meeting, the Finesilver Ranch Board of Directors approved a $3900 upgrade to the cameras monitoring the gates. The budgeted expense brings new cameras, a new computer, and a supporting video card to improve image resolution at higher speeds. The existing cameras proved a worthy investment considering the successful recovery of repair costs resulting from hit and run drivers striking the gates and stone work. The upgrades will increase the success of determining the registration of hit and run vehicles.

An FSR Safety Committee member with expertise in this field is providing free labor. The existing equipment will be stored for possible future expansion at the FSR Community Center.

Pranksters Throw Tennis Balls at Passing Motorists
On at least two occasions during January, unidentified youths hiding in the drainage culvert at Finesilver Dr threw tennis balls striking passing vehicles. Both incidents occurred on weekend nights, around 8:00 pm. As of yet, no damage is reported, but horseplay with moving vehicles presents an obvious safety concern. Also, drivers say the experience is very disconcerting.

Security officers and Cellular on Patrol are monitoring the area.

Cellular on Patrol
The COP conducted four patrols this month finding an average of one open garage door per night. The patrols found very little activity in the neighborhood for the month of January. The volunteers recommend turning porch and coach lights on overnight to present a safer environment. Lighted house numbers also assist contracted security officers and city first responders in navigating the neighborhood.

A COP member discovered graffiti on a fence over the drainage easement near Branwood and Ferris Creek. The markings are on the greenbelt side and have been photographed for future reference. The Safety Committee is coordinating the clean up.

Incidentally, graffiti eradication supplies are provided by the city's Housing and Neighborhood Services office. Neighborhood youth may wish to contribute their time as part of a community service project. Please call Association Management Services, 829-7202, or post a comment on the FSR Safety Committee blog if interested.

Eighteen residents are certified to participate in Cellular on Patrol. The next training will be conducted by SAPD at the Prue Road Substation, Thursday nights, March 19 and 26, 6:00 - 10:00 pm. Call AMS for more information.

Blue Armor Patrol Summary
Security officers stepped-up their emphasis to ensure garage doors are secured over night. Unfortunately, some residents awaken to discover their doors inadvertently left open and are disappointed they were not contacted by Blue Armor. Officers will not knock on doors late at night; instead, they attempt to contact homeowners by phone using a list provided by Association Management Services. In some cases, contact is not possible due to unknown or outdated numbers. Please call AMS, 829-7202, to confirm or update your number.

A Blue Armor officer noted a vehicle speeding and running stop signs along Finesilver Dr soon after midnight, 12 January. The license plate was reported to AMS for follow-up action in accordance with FSR covenants.

SAPD Responses
Police responded to ten calls for service within FSR during January compared to 15 calls during January last year. The typical call volume for the neighborhood during 2008 averaged 14 per month, down slightly from 15 per month during 2007.

For January 2009, dispatch logs indicate an assault occurred during a fight at the park. Other responses included a burglar alarm, criminal mischief, a disturbance, three miscellaneous reports, a prowler on Summer Bluff, a suspicious vehicle on Finesilver, and a theft which occurred at a business -- not on an FSR property.

Residents of Greenbriar near Nichols ES reported a disturbance and a suspicious person. The call volume for Greenbriar averaged 3 per month last year.

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 registered sex offenders live in Finesilver Ranch.

SAFD Responses
Firefighters responded to two calls in Finesilver Ranch; an automatic alarm, presumed false, and a medical emergency.

Check back or subscribe to the FSR Safety Committee Blog for updates throughout the month.

Opossums, Squirrels and Skunks - Oh my!

A resident called Association Management Services, 30 January asking if the HOA will pay for a service to trap a skunk roaming the Boundbrook area of Finesilver Ranch. AMS learned such a service costs $89 per trap and would incur unintended consequences, such as attracting stray domestics and even more wild animals to the same bait intended for the skunk.

The FSR Board of Directors defers to the city's approach in handling nuisance wildlife. According to the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services website, citizens are referred to Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, a non-profit whose services may be reached at

698-1709 or (830)336-2725. The organization offers these Tips for Dealing with Urban Wildlife.

Residents are urged to use discretion when protecting their property and pets from this nuisance. Texas Parks and Wildlife says the best advice is "leave skunks alone;" conventional wisdom for humans -- less so for our pets, unfortunately.

San Antonio Animal Control Officers will respond whenever a wild animal has bitten or scratched a person or pet. In such cases, call them immediately (207-4PET).

Possession/ Use of Air Guns Prohibited

On Monday afternoon, 19 January, a resident reported several youths were firing air guns in the park in the vicinity of other children. City ordinances prohibit the possession or use of these weapons. See the April 2008 Safety Committee Report for details.

Residents should call SAPD whenever they are concerned for their safety.