Hello District Three Community,

The has been an uptick in motor vehicle break-ins on Erwin Road. In each case the victim’s property was in plain view of the thief. Please take your time and secure your valuables before leaving your vehicle.

 We are still noticing a spike in burglaries in the Snowcrest Road community. The suspect enters the residence through an unlocked sliding glass door and while the victims are sleeping the suspect enters the bedroom and steals small items (IPAD, jewelry, cash…etc) then takes the car keys on the way out. In each case the stolen cars turn up in East Durham completely wiped down (they do this so that there is no forensic evidence) with the keys still in the vehicle.

 For the last two months we have experienced an increase in armed robberies. They are happening citywide and in no specific locations. Right now the description of the suspect(s) is 2 or 3 black males wearing hoodies brandishing handguns. So please be aware of your surroundings, try to park in well lit areas and always shop with a friend or group. And if you happen to be a victim of an armed robbery, don’t argue, don’t fight them or resist them just give them what they are asking and call 911 immediately after the robbery.

Well, that’s all for now…be safe.

 Until next time,

 Keith

Sergeant K.L. Johnson
Durham Police Department
Criminal Investigations Division
District 3
8 Consultant Place
Durham, North Carolina 27707
919-560-4583 ext 29359 (Office)
919-907-9810 (City Cell)

Greetings Neighbors.  I hope everyone is staying safe and warm during our snow weekend.

On the topic of safe we wanted to pass on a warning that our neighborhood may be being watched by persons looking for easy homes to target.  One of our reliable neighbors reported that last week on Tuesday during the night a suspicious truck was noticed going up and down Oxford and passed their house at least 8 times.  Since a window was opened at the home a voice possible speaking on a cell phone was overheard coming from the truck and the person stated “there was a woman in that house”.  The police were called and while on the phone with the police the truck was seen one more time.  Eventually a squad car did come and patrol the street but we don’t know if the police found the truck or not.

With that said we wanted to have all neighbors aware of the incident and to be sure to secure your home when away and when at home especially at night.  Criminals will at times enter your home even if you are at home if they see an easy entrance.  Consider an alarm system if you don’t have one and if you do have an alarm do not forget to arm it.

Dear PAC3 Members,

We hope you will join us next Saturday-January 14, 2017  for the monthly PAC3 meeting.  Our meetings are held from 10 am to noon in the Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park, 1309 Halley St., Durham.

Our guest speakers for the meeting will be Bertha Johnson and Ben Kittelson with the City of Durham’s Budget and Maintenance Services.

One of the objectives of Goal 4 of the Citywide Strategic Plan is to “Foster a Culture of Innovation to Promote Operational Efficiencies and deliver the best outcomes for residents    The City of Durham Budget Department wants residents to have more of a voice in the FY 2018 budget process.   The Department wants to take input from residents and use it as decisions are made in crafting the next budget.

To gather that information PAC3 will participate in a short exercise to assist the Budget Department in learning what residents think should be the first priority of the city:   they will ask our members to weigh the value of one service, like parks and open space, against another service, like bike lanes. The goal is to gather data from all PACs and present it at the Coffee with Council meetings which begin next month.

PAC3 will be hosting Coffee with Council at its February meeting.  We will resume the Journey Through the Justice System programming at our March meeting.

Stay warm!

PAC3 Executive Committee

Good morning, 

The Durham Police Department released information last week about a sexual assault that happened on Swift Ave between Campus Drive and Duke University Drive. On November 30 at approximately 10:00 a.m. a male suspect pulled a knife on a female victim, who was walking on Swift Ave, sexually assaulted her and took her debit card. The suspect is described as a black male in his late teens to mid-20s wearing jeans, a gray T-shirt and a black flight jacket with a hood. He was approximately 5 feet 9 inches to six feet tall and was clean-shaven. A photo of a male using the victim’s debit card at a local store is attached. 

Also, Duke University Police are investigating a robbery that happened in Duke Gardens on December 10th around 12:24 p.m. This suspect used a knife and taser during the robbery. Although the race was not released, the suspect is described as standing 6 feet tall with a thin to medium build. He was reportedly in his late 30s, clean-shaven, with short to medium hair. The victim told police the suspect was wearing a black sweatshirt with white lettering on the front and dark blue jeans. If you have any information please contact Duke Police at (919) 684-2444. 

At this time it is not known if these two cases are related. 

The National Crime Prevention Council has the following tips related to personal safety: 

– Don’t walk or jog early in the morning or late at night when the streets are deserted 
– When out at night, try to have a friend walk with you. 
– Carry only the money you’ll need on a particular day. 
– Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing. 
– If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If the person continues to follow you, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid to yell for help. 
– Try to park in well-lighted areas with good visibility and close to walkways, stores, and people. 
– Make sure you have your key out as you approach your door. 
– Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway; never leave your motor running. 
– Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car or to keep a stranger from forcing you into his or her car. 
– If someone tries to rob you, give up your property—don’t give up your life. 
– If you are robbed or assaulted, report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. 
– Your actions can help prevent someone else from becoming a victim 

I have attached a robbery prevention flyer and a photo of the suspect from the November 30th assault/robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200. 

Please be safe and if you see something suspicious call 911. Lets look out for our neighbors.

Captain M. K. Bond
Executive Officer to the Chief of Police
Durham Police Department
505 W. Chapel Hill Street
Durham, NC 27701
O:  919-560-4322 (*29202)
F:  919-560-4971
marianne.bond@durhamnc.gov

http://Facebook.com/DurhamPoliceDepartment

Area of break-in; 3100 block of Oxford

When: On Saturday night or Sunday morning/early afternoon. The residents were out.

How: The home owner first noted Sunday morning as they were leaving that there were pry marks on the side door. Later the spouse came home and found that a living room window had been broken and the window frame pried.  Next the sliding glass door was found ajar and had been pried loosening the screws to the whole door frame. 

The home owners noted that so far they have not noticed anything missing and the house was not ransacked. 

Police were called Sunday afternoon.

More details to follow when known.

Be vigilant. Pay attention. Know your neighbors. Keep the alarm activated when not at home during the day. Get an alarm if you do not have one. Set the alarm for ‘stay’ at night when going to bed. See further information on crime prevention on our website.

Good Evening:

Last week we had a couple of vehicle break-ins in the area of beat 321 (Westgate Dr/ Chapel Hill Blvd/ Cameron Blvd) where the vehicles were left and the items taken were left in plain sight.  2 handguns were taken in this manner last week.  We want to remind everyone to please not leave items of value in your vehicle and always, always- lock your vehicle no matter where you park it or how safe you think it is.  It is the nearing the holiday season.  This is a good practice to remember as you conduct your holiday shopping.  Packages and gifts in plain sight in your vehicle can make easy targets for theft.

Something else to remember…..according to the weather forecast, it is supposed to get cold at night in the next week.  Many will warm your vehicles while you get ready for work.  In the past, vehicles have been taken while they have been warming up. Please do not leave vehicles unattended while running.

As always, thank you for all of your support and good luck in the next week.  Happy Veterans Day to all who have served.  See you at the PAC meetin g on Saturday.

Best Wishes,

Lt. Mark Morais
Assistant Commander- District 3
919-560-4583 x29354
mark.morais@durhamnc.gov

Neighbors there is a reported break in that occurred this morning on the 3000 block of Oxford. No details st this time. Please take precautions as these events can sometimes repeat.

This weekend a great article was written in the N &O concerning tips from a burglar to keep your home Safe. It serves a great reminder for us all:

1-Alarms-

I you have one, USE IT. Amazing how many don’t activate their alarms. Spend the extra money to have window sensors. Many have the sensor only in the door, and that is NOT a deterrent as a burglar can break the window without the alarm going off.

2-Avoid the Appearance you’ve gone away-

Don’t leave the garbage can by the curbside. If you’re going out of town, have your neighbors move it.

Don’t leave the newspapers for more than one day in front of your house. If you are on vacation or migrating to the Caribbean for a few weeks/months, stop delivery.

Move a parked car on a drive way or car port routinely. A dirty car that appears to have been sitting in the same spot for a long time is a good indicator you are away.

3-Lock all doors and windows-

Have strong locks.

French doors are the easiest to break.

4-Windows-

Always close and lock them. Even on the 2^nd floor.

Close the blinds or curtains. Make sure people cannot see inside the house. Shear drapes during day let light in, but deflect light so the interior is not visible, but blinds should be closed at night when dark outside and the interior lights are on.

If you don’t want to close the blinds, make sure valuable items are out of view. Don’t have the big plasma TV visible from the outside.

5-Install a camera in unusual places-

Even if a burglar breaks in through the back, he usually walks out the front.

6-Store valuables in unusual places-

Keep valuables, such as jewelry, in places other than the master bedroom. The bathroom or laundry room are good places to hide these items. Burglars tend to start in the master bedroom and walk their way back into the living room, then the front door or driveway.

If there is a room burglars will ransack, it will be the master bedroom; that is where most women keep their jewelry.

7-Avoid blocking your house from public-

If you have trees or big bushes, make sure there are gaps between them.

Don’t build a “wall” of greens.

8-If you have a safe, make sure it’s not easily moved-

A heavy safe or built into the wall is best. Most burglars won’t take the time to try to break into it because there are no guarantees there are any goods inside.

9-Avoid dog doors-

They are the easiest way for a burglar to get inside.

10-Don’t leave ladders in your backyard-

Note: If you live in a house hidden from the main streets, you are more likely to get burglarized. Although many love their privacy, a house that is not visible is the best target.