There is a loose German Shepherd running around at the corner of Yorkdale and Oxford that tried to attack me and my dog as we were walking on Oxford. We were half a block away from the dog when I noticed the dog and we froze not recognizing the dog and not seeing any owner with the dog. The German Shepherd spotted us and came charging after us. I picked up my dog and started yelling at the dog to scare him off. Fortunately neighbors came out and the dog ran back to where he came from.

If someone owns this dog is please collect and secure the dog. Animal control will be called if the dog continues to stay loose.

A neighbor in the 3200 block of Oxford is in need to contact the owner of two cats that keep wandering on to their property.  One cat gives the appearance of being all black and the other is grey.  They look relatively healthy so they seem to be cared for cats.   If you have any information on who may own these cats please reach out to the neighborhood coordinator at joegz9101@gmail.com

Greetings Neighbors,

We wish all a very safe and joyous holidays and New Year.

Your area captain (also listed on the contact page) is always available if you have any concerns or questions.

Your neighborhood watch team,

Joe Garza
Jeff Kanters
JoAnn Comis
Carey Sharpe
Mary Ann Iannacchione
Susan Brodgen

Honored to announce that University Estates Durham has been awarded as a  National Night Out award Neighborhood/Community winner for 2017.

This is our 7th successive award recognition which goes to show that we have one of the best communities because we have the best involved neighbors that want a safe and friendly place to call home.  A round of applause to all our participants, contributors and attendees as your involvement is what makes this honor possible.  Thank you!

Hi neighbors,

Work has apparently begun to extend Stanford Drive through the woods to connect up with Winton Road, which will be followed by construction of approximately six new homes on lots on the east side of the extended street.

Those living on the 3200 Block of Stanford and cul de sac and/or who access their homes via Dixon/Princeton should anticipate significant construction truck traffic in the coming weeks.

A neighbor on Yorkdale reports of sighting a fox on Yorkdale at 3 PM on Weds.  Animal Control was contacted and stated that it would be normal activity unless the fox was acting drowsy.

There is awareness of a fox or small coyote in the area that will more normally comes out at night as it has been spotted several times.  It will more typically run away when it sees you. A reminder to secure pets at night as a fox will be out looking for an easy meal and it will not discriminate between domestic and wild animals.  At times a fox has preyed on chickens that were being raised by neighbors.

If walking your dog at night always carry a light to make yourself more visible.

Durham County Animal Control Services responds to calls from 8-10 M-F and can be contacted at 919-560-0630.  Outside of those hours Durham County Sheriff should be contacted for emergency services (i.e. animal is threatening) at 919-560-0900.

The Scrap Exchange has obtained permission for citizens of Durham to remove the campaign signs from the roads.

Bring used signs to the donation door of The Scrap Exchange at 2050 Chapel Hill Road.

Everyone is welcome to remove signs from the following campaigns:

Ali, Alston, Barnes, Cole McFadden, Freelon, Freeman, Huggins, Kovalick, Middelton, Moffitt, Schewel, Rooks

Thank you for helping keep Durham clean and keeping waste out of the landfill!

If you missed our NNO Round-Up or just wanted to relive the event then this video is just for you.  We see many smiling faces on our little cowgirls and cowboys which thrills the heart to see having a good time.  To all our neighbors, the band wanted to let you know that you all can really cook up some great food.

A huge (and well overdue) thank you to all the volunteers that helped with the NNO event setup, greeting table, food table setup and clean up.  This is a community event so one person alone does not make this a success without our volunteers input and hard work.  A special recognition to all the financial donors for their generosity and support to the annual event.

This is part of our submission to the National Association of Town Watch.  We hope you enjoy.

What a rousing successful night we had for National Night Out.  The music, the food and the ice cream was the best ever.  It was great to meet the new faces and some familiar faces who have returned to NC.

A big congratulations to our drawing winners for the Ring video doorbell.  Ring was a NNO sponsor for this year and I know there were many who wanted to win.  I can’t get you a free one but I can share with you a promotional discount just for our neighborhood starting August 2nd and expiring  August 3.

Below is the information for the 48-hour promo code.

The Durham Police Department (DPD) encourages residents to observe the July 4th holiday with safety as a priority.  As families and friends prepare to gather for fireworks, concerts, festivals, cookouts, etc., the police department promotes awareness of, and adherence to, the following laws and tips related to gun, pedestrian and motor safety and reporting non-emergency and nuisance issues.

Gun Safety

> celebratory gunfire (the act of pointing a gun towards the sky and firing shots into the air to commemorate an event or holiday) is unsafe and against the law. Bullets shot in to the air eventually come down and can damage property or cause serious injury or death.  In Durham, anyone caught firing a gun into the air could be charged with a CLASS 3 misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $500.

> Keep firearms away from children and in a safe location.

> If leaving town, hide and lock your gun(s).

> Report any illegal firearms activity immediately. CALL 911.

Pedestrian and Motor Safety

(from http://www.watchformenc.org/)

Did you know that on average, about 160 pedestrians and 20 bicyclists are killed each year in the North Carolina, representing about 15% of all traffic fatalities that occur on North Carolina roads?  One in four vehicle-pedestrian crashes in the Triangle happen when the car is turning at an intersection or driveway. Nearly one in three vehicle-pedestrian crashes in the Triangle happen in parking lots. More than half of all vehicle-pedestrian crashes in the Triangle occur near bus stops or on roads with bus routes.

 Driver Laws

> Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians at marked crossings and unmarked crosswalks at intersections except where there is a traffic or pedestrian signal.

> Drivers must stop for pedestrians at stop signs and flashing red lights and must yield for pedestrians at flashing yellow lights.

Drivers making right or left turns must allow pedestrians to cross first, unless pedestrians are prohibited from crossing.

Pedestrians or bicyclists on sidewalks have the right of way, so drivers must let them pass before turning into or out of driveways and parking lots.

> State law prohibits drivers from passing vehicles stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks.

> It is incumbent upon drivers to make sure the road is clear of pedestrians before pulling forward or backing up.

>  Do not drink and drive.

Pedestrian Laws

> Pedestrians have the right of way at marked crossings, meaning cars must yield to pedestrians. (§20-155 and §20-173)

> State law requires pedestrians to use marked crosswalks when they are provided, and it is unlawful to cross a street outside a marked crosswalk if the pedestrian is between two signalized intersections.

> When NOT at an intersection or marked crosswalk, pedestrians must yield the right of way to all vehicles.

> At crosswalks with pedestrian signals, state law requires that pedestrians obey the Walk and Don’t Walk signs in the same way a driver must obey Red or Green lights.

> State law requires pedestrians walking along the road to use sidewalks when available.

> When sidewalks are not available, pedestrians are to walk to the far left edge of the road facing traffic. Walking in this direction gives pedestrians the best view of traffic.

Use the Non-Emergency Number for Noise and Illegal Fireworks Complaints

The Durham Emergency Communications Center increases staffing on the July 4^th holiday as call volume registering fireworks complaints increases. Such calls can overwhelm the personnel resulting in delayed answering of high priority emergency 9-1-1 calls. The highest volume occurs between the hours of 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. on July 4. Durham 9-1-1 is asking residents to use the non-emergency number of (919) 560-4600 to report noise complaints, illegal fireworks and anything else that can wait during these hours.

James Soukup, Emergency Communications Director, asks, That if is more of a nuisance call to call the non-emergency line. The 9-1-1 Communication Officers are trying to keep 9-1-1 lines clear for residents calling to report medical emergencies and other urgent calls. “We’ re asking that the public determine if it’s something they can wait to report. However, if it is an emergency, we still want you to call 9-1-1. The non-emergency line can be overloaded as well, however extra staff will on duty to minimize the wait time.

For additional holiday safety tips visit: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Have-a-Safe-Fourth-of-July.     

Kimberly Walkier, DPD Public Affairs