Block Captains
2006 Annual Neighborhood Watch Meeting Minutes
Security Tips
Home Security Tips
Vehicle Security Tips
What is Operation Identification
Crime Information
How to Report an Incident to the Police
Safety Information
Forest Lakes Safety Message
Traffic Circle Navigation
The Security Tips were developed based on information from the Albemarle County Police.
Going on vacation?
Going to be away for awhile?
Make your home look occupied!
- Lock all outside doors before you leave or go to bed.
- Lock all windows.
- Leave lights on when you go out. A radio playing is a good burglar deterrent. If you are going to be away for any length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers so that your lights turn on at dusk and go off at bedtime.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked. An empty garage is a good sign that no one is at home.
- Don't allow daily deliveries to accumulate when you are gone. Cancel them in person or by phone or ask a neighbor to take care of the mail, newspapers, and advertising circulations. Never leave notes that can tip off burglars to your plans.
- Arrange to have your lawn cut in the summer and walkways shoveled in the winter, if you are going to be away for an extended period of time.
- Lower the bell on your telephone so the ringing cannot be heard outside.
- Never leave keys under flower pots, door mats, inside unlocked mailboxes or in other "secret" hiding places, burglars know them all.
- If you are going on vacation:
b) ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your house and leave them a key so the home can be periodically inspected and ask them to vary the position of the shades and blinds from day to day; and
c) don't publicize your travel plans and don't tell strangers about them.
Vehicle Security Tips
- Always lock your vehicle(s).
- Never Leave anything valuable in your vehicle. This includes:
-
- Cell phones
- Money
- Backpacks
- Wallets
- Purses
- Packages
- Etc.
- If you must leave something in your vehicle, lock it in your trunk.
- When possible, park in a well-lit area.
- Report all suspicious vehicles and activities. If possible, write down license
plate numbers. - Coordinate information and activities with your neighbors. A good neighbor is the best crime prevention tool.
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Operation Identification
Operation I.D. is a nationwide program designed to discourage burglary and theft of valuables and provide an easy way to identify stolen property. Most burglars steal property for re-sale. With proper identification, the burglar will be unable to sell the property to others for profit. Electric engravers are available to Albemarle County residents free of charge on a loan agreement. All necessary forms, equipment and additional information can be obtained by called Albemarle County Police Department at (434) 296-5807.
Crime Information
Call "Crime Line" for residential crime information in Albemarle County. Call the "Crime Line" at (434) 296-5880 and choose "option #1 - Sector C" for Forest Lakes.
How to Report an Incident to the Police
(emergency or non-emergency)
- Call 911
- Give your name and address
- Briefly describe the event - what happened, when, where, and who was involved.
- Describe the suspect(s): sex and race, age, height, weight, hair color, clothing, distinctive characteristics such as beard, mustache, scars, or accent.
- Describe the vehicle if one was involved: color, make, model, year, license plate, and special features such as stickers, dents, or decals.
Forest Lakes Safety Message
Our many lakes, trees, and paved trails help make Forest Lakes special. However, all these attractions have inherent hazards. Please note the following:
- Stay off any ice on the lakes.
- Wear reflective clothing if you walk, run, or bike in the dark. Use head and tail lights on your bike.
- Wading and swimming in the lakes is forbidden.
- Residents who put boats into our lakes do so at their own risk.
- Paved paths are not perfectly flat due to tree roots and terrain. Recognize this and take care when walking, jogging, and riding bikes.
- The paths cross roads at many points. Be alert for traffic!
- During high wind conditions, trees can suddenly fall. Be alert when in close proximity to trees during these conditions.
- Avoid construction sites, which can have dangers that are not always obvious.
- When driving, watch for the many pedestrians and bicyclists in Forest Lakes.
Traffic Circle Navigation
You've probably traveled through the traffic circle at the entrance to Springridge. VDOT has begun using traffic circles (roundabouts) to improve safety and traffic flow and you'll be seeing more of these in the County. In a traffic circle, vehicles and bicycles in the circle have the right-of-way. Cars entering the circle must yield to cars in the circle.
Copyright © 2008 FLCA. All Rights Reserved
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