PSA: “Taping, hanging, or placing any items, including flyers or advertisements, on or inside a mailbox by anyone other than a USPS carrier is illegal. Mailboxes are considered federal property, and violating these restrictions can result in fines up to $10,000 per incident for individuals or up to for organizations. This includes lawn care, housekeeping, tree removal, gutter cleaning, power washing, etc. companies.
Thank you
A Car in our neighborhood was recently robbed of some loose change, maybe looking for more. The owner had left the car unlocked.
A reminder to all to please keep your parked cars locked and stay alert. If you have not invested in a motion detector camera, would strongly recommend as ours works great and covers the driveway and front yard / porch.
Hello neighbors. You are invited to join us in the Durham Big Sweep to clean up our streets. See the link below:
Howdy all neighbors, please enjoy the following blog article from the Durham County Master Gardeners on gardening in October in our area of NC:
Enjoy the month, the color changes and Happy Halloween!
Jeff, Durham County Certified Master Gardener
Unfortunately due to a lack of interest, our annual NNO gathering will not happen this year on the 06 August 2018. This would have been our 9th annual celebration.
Many factors, but primarily an overall lack of interest in having the event, have resulted in the event being cancelled. It takes time and participation in order to plan and coordinate for those who have worked on NNO event committees the past 8 years.
This national celebration is also celebrated during the hottest time of year for us and on a Tues evening as well.
All is not lost however. We were thinking of having a neighborhood picnic in early October perhaps when the weather less hot and on a Friday or Sat evening. Feel free to comment with thoughts, interests and suggestions.
Stay cool and enjoy the rest of the summer.
UE Durham Community Watch Team.
Finally, cooler weather.
There have been some sporadic reports of theft from vehicles of personal items the past weeks.
A few tips:
Be safe and enjoy the fantastic weather and changing colors.
The below is a quick review of how to report suspicious activity that can be found on this website
Hello Neighbors,
The Rosen Report on NBC this morning interviewed an incarcerated home burglar who gave some great tips for homeowners on crime prevention:
> He and other burglars usually make their hits during the day between 8 AM and 2 PM . Usually by 8 AM adults are off to work and kids off to school, so no one is at home. By 2 PM or later the risk increases that homeowners will return home. Most burglars do not want to get caught. However, there are those fewer cases where thieves may break in to an occupied residence.
> Homes that have visible uncollected mail, packages, or newspapers and no car in the driveway are prime targets as they indicate no one is home.
> Keeping lights on timers always good and may deter but do not make much difference during daylight hours, when many burglaries occur.
> Homes often found to have open and/or unlocked windows, sliding doors and even main entry doors. This burglar said he frequently gained easy entrance without any ‘tools.’
> Homes with video cameras may be considered more attractive as they indicate there may be something more valuable in the home, and the burglar would put on a mask to be unrecognizable.
> Homes with an alarm system may help deter a break-in, or speed up the time a burglar ransacks the home. However, this burglar burglarized homes with alarms activated. Usually a thief hits and runs, getting in the house, moving quickly, seeking items of value and getting out within 1-3 minutes, and are long gone before the police arrive.
National Night Out 2016 was a fun Hawaiian Luau event this year. Even with the bad weather and threats of flash flooding, many neighbors turned out for a smashing event and brought some fantastic food. Thanks to all who attended and made this our signature community event. Check out some initial pictures in our photo gallery.
Special thanks for our financial donors:
Joe Garza; Jeff Kanters; Carey Sharpe, Mary Ann Innacchione; Elizabeth and Fletcher Maynard.
Special thanks for those neighbors who stepped up and contributed their time and effort in the planning and working the event:
Adele and Savannah Addison; Joe Garza; Pauli Hensen; Mary Ann Innacchione; Kevin Jermyn; Jeff Kanters; Carol McKnight; Aidan Quigley; Lynn Shapiro; Michael Strader; Carey Sharpe; and Jay Zenner
A late thank you to Stewart Riley and Jennifer Taylor.
These neighbors are what makes this neighborhood great and are all to be commended. Aloha to all!
ATTENTION all dog owners
Please Please Please bring your dogs inside during the 4th of July fireworks. Every year we have reports of dogs jumping fences, running off, being terrified because of fireworks.
As one horrific example, last year during fireworks explosions, a dog, left outside jumped the fence, got hit by a car, thankfully was found by a neighbor, needed major $$$$ for surgery but DID recover.
All of this would have been avoidable, if the dog had been left inside.
Please consider this option: Play music, put the TV on loud, use a Thundershirt http://www.thundershirt.com/, whatever it takes to spare your dog and you the trauma of fireworks!
If you are out of town and need a pet sitter to care for your pets on the 4th weekend, call someone. There are plenty of pet sitters in the neighborhood.
Have a safe and fun 4th! And No emergencies, please! 😉
I hope this finds you doing well. I am reaching out to all homeowner associations & registered organizations in Durham on behalf of the County in the hopes you can share the following information about the new Canine Waste Removal Ordinance with your residents/neighbors:
Starting September 14, 2016 dog owners who do not clean-up after their animals can be fined $50-$150. This law applies to any public property, public right-of-way or private property without the permission of a private property owner.
This ordinance does not apply to a guide dog, service dog or hearing dog accompanying any person with a disability.
FAQ’s About the New Law
When does the new ordinance go into effect?
The new ordinance was passed by the Board of County Commissioners on March 7, 2016. The Board declared an educational period until September 14, 2016, at which time enforcement may begin on this ordinance.
Who can enforce this new ordinance?
As this ordinance is a non-criminal offense, the only enforcement action can be administered by the Durham County Sheriff’s Office.
What are the fines associated with this ordinance?
The fines will fall within the guidelines established under Article I, Sec. 4-9 which are as follows:
A civil penalty of $50.00 shall be assessed for the first violation.
A civil penalty of $100.00 shall be assessed for the second violation.
A civil penalty of $150.00 shall be assess for habitual violations.
Who do I call to report a violation of this ordinance?
Call the Durham County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at 919-560-0900.
What is the criteria needed to prove a violation of this ordinance?
The determination of whether there’s a violation of the ordinance is at the discretion of the deputy who responds to the call for service. The decision of whether a violation has occurred, and whether there is sufficient evidence to identity the responsible party is determined on a case-by-case basis following an evaluation of all of the facts available.
What options do I have to refute a civil penalty?
A civil penalty can only be appealed during the process for collecting it.
Where do you pay a civil penalty?
There are two options for paying a civil penalty:
You can pay the civil penalty to Durham County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Division located at 3005 Glenn Road, Durham, NC 27704
Or you can go to the Durham County Tax Collector located at 200 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701.
For more information, please send your residents/neighbors to: dconc.gov/caninewaste
Also, we have printed infographics (see attached) that we are giving out to communities, please let me know if you would like some and how many you need.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
BRIANA LANEUVILLE, MBA | Public Information Specialist
blaneuville@dconc.gov
200 East Main Street, Second Floor
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Office (919) 560-0003 | Fax (919) 560-0020