Posts: 26
Threads: 8
Joined: Feb 2006
Having read the recent posts, I am becoming more and more concerned about the burglaries in the Puna area, and hope some of you can help shed some more light on the subject.
I was most distraught reading about the burglary that occurred to Joann and more importantly the taking of her dog Niki. That is the lowest form of low. My husband and I have two dogs, and they are our children and irreplaceable. My heart goes out to Joann, and I cannot imagine the pure hell she must be going through right now.
We have been planning on building a home sometime in the near future on our lot in HPP. Is there any way to make sure your loved ones are protected? Do alarm sytems or alarm monitoring systems work?
We plan to get involved in the Neighborhood watch as well, but this latest burglary really has us spooked.
A couple of years ago we rented a house on First Street for a week and never saw any criminal activity. The owner even had a car he kept at the rental home, as well as various items left around the house.
Are burglaries a daily, weekly or monthly occurrence?
Are there any success stories of people who have never been victimized and what is their secret?
Thanks for any help you can provide!
www.photographyaina.etsy.com
Posts: 5,640
Threads: 101
Joined: Dec 2008
It's not something to get overly worried about. If you put some effort into it I'm sure you can avoid or at least greatly decrease the chance of being burgled.
Some tips:
1. Beware of the Dog signs
2. Get an alarm system and signs warning that you have one
3. Make sure it's not easy to spot when nobody is home (eg only closing the gate when leaving, or making it easy to see if there's no car in the garage).
4. Hide all (small) valuables
5. Get to know your neighbors and have them keep an eye on your house for you.
6. Lock all doors and windows (of course) when away
Although it seems dogs are sometimes stolen I think the chance of that is very small.
We have been burgled in HPP (they got nothing of value) but then we did make a few mistakes and don't intend to let it happen again!
Posts: 2,149
Threads: 90
Joined: Feb 2006
Despite my constant exhortations for everyone to get involved in Neighborhood Watch, I do not think that crime is completely out of control in HPP. I don't stay up nights worrying about it. I channel my frustration into doing things instead. Burglaries in HPP are not a daily occurrence by any reasonable statistical measure, but there has been a significant increase in recent months. Within the week, we will debut our new HPP Watch website which will have crime statistics and maps. We will start with four months and eventually maintain six months worth of stats on line at any given time. I have seen the beta version of the site, and it is simple, but effective. We also got it done for free, thanks to Bear.
PaulW's suggestions are excellent, and I would only add joining Neighborhood Watch to his list. Making Neighborhood Watch activity visible in your area is also important. We have magnetic signs for cars and t-shirts for people to wear, but we have a need for signage in areas with functioning Block Watches. Our next iniative will be to raise funds for placing highly visible road signs at each end of stretches of road with our working Watches. We also have plans to help with signage for individual homeowners and "problem locations."
We still need more local Watches and more people helping. Stop lamenting and start doing something. You'll feel better, I promise.
Cheers,
Jerry
Posts: 145
Threads: 13
Joined: Oct 2006
You can't think "HPP" or Puna in a global sense... every thing is local. HPP is kinda big. Some people will want nothing to do with you or anyone else. Some will take NO responsibility for their animals, dogs, trash... don't expect them to be part of Neighborhood Watch, or say "hi", or drive carefully, or ... Other people, they're like pioneer neighbors, they're there when needed no questions asked.
This morning there was a shabby blue corrola type sedan driving very slowly down the street, turned around in our driveway, drove slowly back up the street. I'll let my neighbors know.
Being spooked doesn't make sense to me. Being aware and knowing how to take care of yourself does make sense. There are alot of vacant houses, alot of break ins in these houses, very, very few police, and a distance between houses. We like the distance, alot! So, if your heart is set on moving here... check everything out! You may have not seen any criminal activity before, and there may have been a meth house down the next street.
Posts: 5,640
Threads: 101
Joined: Dec 2008
Thanks again for your efforts Jerry and the only reason I didn't add Neighborhood Watch to the list is because I'm not (yet) a member myself due to reasons beyond my control.
I look forward to the HPP Watch website and I hope you will keep us informed on how we can help you out, in any way that we can.
Posts: 26
Threads: 8
Joined: Feb 2006
Thanks so much for helping to alleviate my concerns. Jerry, I can't wait to see your new website!
Posts: 703
Threads: 37
Joined: Jun 2008
The only thing I would add to the list is to OBVIOUSLY take a photo of any strange vehicles, especially any behaving in a suspicious manner. And no I don't want to get involved in some stupid esoteric discussion of what constitutes suspicious behavior. If you are not comfortable with the way a vehicle or pedestrians are behaving, take a photo.
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
Posts: 1,243
Threads: 55
Joined: Feb 2008
Bottom line, be smart, get to know your neighbors and their vehicles, talk to them often so you all know when comings and goings are happening. Cameras and alarm systems are great. As Dick said, be on the watch and take photos of strange vehicles, be part of a neighborhood watch. All of those things will help you. None of us, even in the safest of neighborhoods can be assured of no criminal activity. It is higher in some areas, and random in others. If you are smart and aware and in constant communication with neighbors all of that lessens your chances of being a victim. You will be fine. Get a good homeowner's policy it is peace of mind.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
www.eastbaypotters.blogspot.com
Posts: 703
Threads: 37
Joined: Jun 2008
The one other thing we have done, actually started doing it back on the mainland. Everything and I mean down to all my sockets, wrenches, etc is engraved with our name and an ID number. Have stickers on the doors and windows advising same. If it does get stolen it will be much harder to fence and if I find some clown selling it at Makuu or somewhere else, the cops can take me to jail and him or her in for major surgery to remove the object from his/her digestive tract.
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
Posts: 62
Threads: 16
Joined: Mar 2009
As someone who was burglarized in July, all I can say is be proactive. I was warned by people when I got here, but I had my head in the clouds and paid for it.
Being burglarized brought out the worst in me and I'd prefer others not have to endure the same.
|
