Valley Street Problems ( Stray animals, vandalism, pick-pocketters going scot free )
Introduction: Recently, there have been numerous cases of unreported petty crimes in our neighborhood. Many of our neighbors are complaining of vandalism and pick pocketing occurrences. These
petty criminals are getting away Scot free and some of our residents are starting to worry
for their safety. In this post I will teach you guys how to prevent some of the problems occuring and try to raise awareness among Valley Street residents of
these problems.
STRAY ANIMALS
About stray dogs:
- A strange, frightened, and possibly sick or injured animal can behave unpredictably. So the actions of the jogger might make the dogs feel threatened thus causing them to retliate causing injuries.
How to repel stray dogs:
- Home remedies - Place ammonia or vinegar soaked cotton balls around the jogger ( Will drive the dogs back )
- Try applying a liquid or granular-based repellent on your shirt or shoes or just somewhere on your body that targets a dog’s keenly developed sense of smell and taste.
How to protect yourself against stray dogs:
- Try to notice their emotions at the time being
Signs of aggression include: baring teeth, lifted tail, raised ears and the fur behind the neck,
Signs of fear include: tucking the tail, laid back ears and also snarling or barking. Barking is a sure sign that the dog doesn't want you any closer than you already are.
- If there is nothing that can safely remove you from an aggressive dog, you should use your arm to deflect or absorb any bites. Do not aggravate an aggressive dog by shouting at it or staring into its eyes. Eye contact is aggressive and will likely spur an attack
- Very few dogs will actually bite a human being, if unprovoked. Stay calm and try to keep your stance tall and confident. Walk away, if you aren't being chased, and call animal control at the first opportunity. Dogs are pack animals. When they are alone, they are not usually looking for confrontation
- Do not talk in an angry voice, this might frighten the dog and could lead to aggressiveness.
- Don't try to pet the dog.
- Dogs may like the smell of fear that is released when people are scared causing them to more likely follow you. If this happens try to distract yourself from the dog by looking at something else and not standing there staring at the dog. This will show the dog that you are not too afraid of it and it should hopefully loose interest
Why you should feed stray cats:
Since cats became domesticated they are no longer wild animals that can fend for themselves outside. They don't survive very well outdoors on their own without human intervention.
Common misinterpretation for people not to feed stray cats is they are afraid they would breed BUT that strays can breed out of control whether or not they are fed.
Not feeding stray cats will NOT reduce the stray population. Even very hungry cats can still breed and then they will produce starving and unhappy little kittens.
BUT BUT BUT IF WANT TO FEED JUST CLEAN THE AREA AFTERWARDS because many people have been littering around Valley Street and this is causing a nuisance to our community and it look ugly for the environment.
Vandalism and Pick pocketters
Tips for the community for preventing vandalism:
1.Get to know your neighbors.
-It is important that you know the people around you and in your community. This makes it much easier to spot someone that doesn't belong and may be there to simply cause problems.
2.Form a community association or neighborhood watch program.
-You can't fight vandalism on your own, so it is important that you engage your neighbors and others in your community in your battle as well. This not only helps them take a more active interest, but it also provides them with the opportunity to get to know each other.
3.Hold parties and social activities in your neighborhood.
- Getting to know your neighbors goes beyond knowing their name and face. You should develop a friendship or trust of some type so they know to watch your back while you are watching theirs.
4.Meet new neighbors as they move in.
-A great way to spot new neighbors is by watching homes that are for sale. Once you see the sign disappear go over and introduce yourself.
5.Talk to your neighbors if you see something suspicious.
-Even if it is nothing, talking to them allows them to see you are concerned and take an interest, which will encourage them to do the same.
Tips for the community to prevent Pick pocketters and to prevent them from going scot free:
1. Keep nothing valuable in your back pocket. This is a vulnerable place for pickpockets.
2. Always store valuables in a front pocket or secret pocket. Make sure that it is not sticking out of your pocket(s) either.
3. Avoid walking through large crowds. Pickpockets can easily blend in and snatch wallets without anyone noticing.
4. Avoid touching or fiddling with the pocket where you carry your wallet. This tells a pickpocket where your valuables are.
5. Avoid looking through your wallet or counting money in public. While you are looking through your wallet, someone could snatch it out of your hands and run away with it. If you must count your money or hunt for a card or bill, do so away from crowds.
6. Count your money at home or in a hotel room. Never lay out money and credit cards on a table/phone booth/etc. in a public place, as somebody can snatch it. Counting money publicly also advertises its presence and its location.
7. Shorten the strap on any purse or bag you carry. Don't dangle the purse loose below your waist. The strap should be short enough that you can keep the purse and its openings under your elbow.
8. Carry no valuable items in outer purse pockets. Use any exposed pockets for your Kleenex, your makeup, or your map. Store your wallet and phone in a place where they will be harder to reach.
9.
Close zippers and clasps on purses and backpacks.
10. Carry your purse across your chest. If the strap is long enough, put it over your head so the strap runs diagonally across your chest, with the purse itself under your arm.
11. Pick up credit cards and other valuables as soon as the clerk returns them. When you're done with the card, put it in your wallet right away. When eating out, never give thecredit card to the waiter take the time to go with him/her, As Waiteres sometimes make copies of the credit cards.
12. Whenever you are going out to a public place, only take what you need. Leave behind in the hotel safe some money and any credit card(s), ID, etc. that you don't need to take. That way, if you do get pickpocketed, you don't lose everything.
13. Use a money belt or an inside coat pocket. Concealment may not always protect you from muggers and sophisticated thieves, but it will make it much less convenient for the casual thief. This sort of defense is most effective if it is completely invisible, so avoid accessing such hiding places in public.
14. Leave nothing unattended. Do not hang a bag or purse over the back of a chair (such as in a restaurant or internet cafe), and certainly do not leave it behind while you walk off.
15. Wear backpacks on your front if you must wear one in a crowd. It's best not to have anything important in your backpack, at all.
I appreciate that there will be challenges to this effort too and if you have any constructive comments or opinions against this effort, be sure to post them in the cbox and we can have a healthy discussion.
