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

Greetings Neighbors,

We are thrilled to announce that University Estates, for a 5^th consecutive year, has won a national award for our outstanding participation in the NNO 2015 crime, drug, and violence prevention program this past August.

This year’s event involved greater than 40 million people in over 16,000 communities from all 50 states, US territories and military bases worldwide.  We were one of a small select number of communities/neighborhoods selected among the nation’s best to receive this honor again.

It is our hope that this degree of success will empower and inspire other communities in building and growing their neighborhood watch programs, and participating in this annual event.

The NNO celebration serves as one of our core neighborhood watch activities that keep us focused in unity with local law enforcement to make our city and neighborhoods safe and crime free, and improve the quality of life for all. NNO is an annual event for our neighborhood and takes a team effort to put together, so please consider joining a team in the planning and hosting the event this next August for our neighborhood.  All are welcome and preparations start in early spring for the summer event. Stay tuned.

Stay warm and have a safe, enjoyable holiday season
University Estates Community

Your National Night Out (NNO) team is thrilled to announce that University Estates, for a 4th consecutive year, has won a national award for our outstanding participation in the NNO 2014 crime, drug, and violence prevention program this past August.

This year’s event involved 38.5 million people in over 16,000 communities from all 50 states, US territories and military bases worldwide. We were one of 20 communities/neighborhoods selected among the nation’s best to receive this honor. We are both humbled and energized by this recognition. It is our hope that this degree of success will empower and inspire other communities in building and growing their neighborhood watch programs, and participating in this annual event.

The NNO celebration serves as one of our core neighborhood watch activities that keep us focused in unity with local law enforcement to make our city and neighborhoods safe and crime free, and improve the quality of life for all.