Another edition of the Pine Rivers Crime Prevention Notice, also a special request from QPS locally;

Crime Bulletin 01-2012

Due to the number of ‘sneak breaks’ in homes recently, please ensure that you lock all your doors and windows, front and back even when you are home

UNLAWFUL ENTRY   - BURGLARIES - Mango Hill North Lakes (3)

1.  Page St, North Lakes- Open garage entered and tools stolen.

2.  Claremont Dr, Murrumba Downs–Bedroom flyscreen pulled out. Nil Stolen.

3.  Goodfellows RD, Murrumba Downs–Entry through rear door. Unregistered Yellow/Black 2010 Suzuki RMZ 450 trail bike, with rear wheel locked, stolen from garage.

UNLAWFUL ENTRY WITH INTENT - OTHER  - Mango Hill North Lakes (3)

1.  Richard Rd, Mango Hill–Front property gate smashed open. Unregistered 1979 Toyota Corolla sedan, and also old 50 to 60 year old Fiat Tractor stolen.

2.  Endeavour Bvd, North Lakes–Wheelchair stolen from underground carpark area.

3 .  Endeavour Bvd, North Lakes– Lawn Bowls equipment stolen from underground carpark area.

UNLAWFUL USE OF MOTOR VEHICLE  - Mango Hill North Lakes (2)

1.  Goodfellows RD, Murrumba Downs– Entry through rear door. Unregistered Yellow/Black 2010 Suzuki RMZ 450 trail bike, with rear wheel locked, stolen from garage.

2.  Richard Rd, Mango Hill – Front property gate smashed open. Unregistered 1979 Toyota Corolla sedan, and also old 50 to 60 year old Fiat Tractor stolen.

Secure your home to avoid, burglary and opportunistic sneak breaks after a number of incidents in Pine Rivers District last week.

Breaks have been occurring during the day and offenders are generally getting in through open doors and windows.

People should ensure their property is locked and secure when they leave the house, and should even have the front door secured if they are in the back yard.

It only takes a matter of minutes for thieves to sneak in through an open door or window and steal wallets, handbags and other small expensive items.

Even if the thieves take only cash from a wallet they usually discard the wallet and its contents and victims then have the inconvenience of cancelling all credit cards and replacing drivers’ licences and other membership cards. This in itself is very time consuming and very inconvenient

There are a number of measures we can adopt to protect our property:

1. Make locking external doors and windows a habit, even when you are in your premises or out in the yard.  Those who occupy multi -residence dwellings be aware offenders who gain access by climbing balconies;

2.  Ensure any doors or windows left open for ventilation during the hot summer months, have the necessary security screens fitted;

3. Objectively view your premises and conduct a basic security survey. Identify vulnerable areas and increase security where necessary;

4.  Take an inventory for all items of value including electrical goods, recording their brand, colour, model and serial number.

5.  Photograph your valuables and size jewellery against a ruler or match box to assist in determining size.

6.  To deter thieves engrave or mark your property with a code made up of your initials, your date of birth as six digits and Q forQueensland. Police can record this code on their computer system to assist in property recovery;

7. Install security sensor lights and fit appropriate locks especially to those doors or windows hidden from public view;

8. Place items such as cash, wallets, laptops and mobile phones out of sight, as these are targeted, quick to remove and dispose of by offenders;

9.  Make sure tools and ladders are kept in a secure place – offenders often use garden equipment and wheelie bins to break into premises.

10.  Car/bike owners should ensure their vehicle is always locked and secured, even at home, with any valuables such as GPS placed out of sight.

It can happen anywhere – roads, creeks, dams, parks or backyards Safe Driving Tips in wet weather:

Ensure you have good tyre tread

Slow down and Turn on your Lights

Double your distance between you and the car in front. This allows for greater reaction and braking time

Take heed of road closure signage; the water may be too deep to cross and submerged objects can damage your vehicle

It only takes 30cm of water for your tyres to lose tread

Water deeper than the bottom of your door is enough to float your vehicle away or splash the engine, causing it to stall. Even gentle moving floodwater can wash away the road surface underneath. Speeding through water can cause loss of traction and aqua‐planing. It will also increase the chance of stalling a vehicles engine

Look out for landslides as many roadsides will have exposed layers of rocks and soil that could be subject to movement

Do not walk or play in floodwaters

Fast flowing water hides all sorts of dangers including slippery surfaces, uneven ground, strong currents, fences, vehicles, rocks, long grass, tree branches, sewage, chemicals, sharp objects and electrical currents

Entrances to drains, pipes and grills are not a place to play. They are slippery, have strong pulling power and are very hard to get out of

Even near the water’s edge the slope of the ground, slippery surface or currents can cause a person to lose their footing. Everyone should stay three (3) metres back from the waterline. Keep a very close eye on children

New Committee for 2012;

Thanks to everyone who attended the 2012 Annual General Meeting and to Cnr Julie Greer for over seeing the committee election and providing an update on all the great things happening in North Lakes and Mango Hill over the next year.

We would like to welcome the 2012 Committee;

   Area Coordinator:  Di Morgan

   Treasurer:   Sally Stinston

   Editor:    Ken Butler

   Secretary/Website:     Nikki Ladd

A very big thanks and farewell to Michele Johnston for her enormous contribution as Treasurer over the years, James Johnston for his work as Assistant Coordinator (again!) and John Carter for his work as a Secretary over the last year.   Thanks for being such great neighbours and part of the NHW family

For more information on the topics discussed at the AGM, including updates on Costco, Ikea, the new library and all the great things we can look forward to in our community –  see the minutes.

The North Lakes and Mango Hill Village (North Lakes 1) Neighbourhood Watch Annual General Meeting will be held soon and you are cordially invited to attend.

When? – 7 pm Monday 6 February
Where? – North Lakes Community Centre, Cnr Lakefield Drive and Endeavour Boulevard
Guest Speaker? – Councilor Julie Greer
Agenda? – Usual meeting business, plus Election of New Office Bearers: Area Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, Webmaster, Editor

Message from Queensland Police Service;

SCHOOLS BACK

With term one only a few days away, it is a timely reminder to please be vigilant around schools, remember the safety of all children depends on it. Use all designated car parks and be courteous to others.

Transport Operations (Road Use Management-Road Rules) Regulation 2009

Stop contrary to continuous yellow edge line $40

Speeding less than 13km/h

$133 and 1 demerit point

Stop unauthorised vehicle in bus zone $40

Remember watch the time and watch the signs

Welcome to 2012!

Are you storm ready?

Severe storms can strike at any time. They are often unpredictable and can cause major damage to property, as well as serious injury and even loss of life.
Cyclones and severe storms can produce hail, flooding rains, lightning, winds greater than 200km/h and storm surge. Pay attention to weather forecasts during storm season (November–April)—keeping informed will help you protect your family and property.  Prepare your home for cyclones and severe storms before they happen

General home maintenance
 Check the condition of the roof and repair loose tiles, eaves and roof screws.
 Clean gutters and down pipes so water can drain away as quickly as possible.
 Trim trees and overhanging branches.
 Secure loose items around your property and garden that could cause damage if blown around in high winds (e.g. garden furniture and toys).

General home preparations
 Ensure your home, contents and car insurance is current and covers your assets adequately—make sure your policy includes debris clean up and disposal costs.
 Identify which room is the strongest part of the house in case you need to shelter there during a severe storm or cyclone (usually this is the smallest room with the least windows).
 Identify where and how to turn off the mains supply for water, power and gas.
 Stock up on emergency essentials, such as:
 containers for drinking water
 fuel for your vehicle (always store it safely)
 wide masking tape to strengthen windows.

Other sites to visit:

http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/pdf/SES_Get_Ready_Guide%202010.pdf

http://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/

http://qldalert.com/

http://www.facebook.com/QueenslandPolice

http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/

http://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/prepare-home.html

Santa Street Visit

Happy Christmas Everyone !

Don’t forget to celebrate with our NHW when Santa and his band of helpers distribute lollies through

North Lakes and Mango Hill Village on

Friday 9^th  and Saturday 10^th December 2011

The Summer Edition of our Newsletter is out!  Check you mailbox today!

Kindness and courtesy is the norm at North Lakes

We feel this anecdote is worth recording. One of our members accidently dropped their set of house keys in Westfield carpark, discovering it only in the late afternoon. They retraced their shopping steps making enquiries at Fabulous Fruit, Coles, Con’s Fish, Best and Less, Target, Woolworths, Westfield Security, and finally, the next day, at the Westfield Concierge. At each place, without exception, they were greeted with courtesy, concern and help and were most relieved to find that a kind person had handed the keys to the concierge the day before. Thank you to that unknown person, and congratulations to the businesses for having such thoughtful employees.

Recent Break and Enter Trends – Be Vigilant

Break and entering happens in our area more often than it should and it often goes unsolved. Frequently it happens in the daytime, late afternoons being not uncommon, even though neighbours and others might be nearby. Afterwards, neighbours will usually comment that “we saw nothing”. Typically, the offenders somehow enter into the fenced yard without being noticed, they then force a security door or screen, force or smash the main door or a window, then pilfer the premises. If you see a stranger around or within your neighbour’s perimeter, watch them from a distance, and if they appear to enter the yard illegally listen for the sounds of a break-in or signs of theft occurring. If you feel that a crime is underway phone PoliceLink on 131444 and explain the circumstances. Be assured that they will not feel you over-reacted.

Do not inadvertently lock your children or passengers in the car

Modern electronic car locks are convenient and secure but there are risks.

Do not –

• Walk away from a car and press the auto-lock button, inadvertently locking another passenger in the car
• Give the car keys to young children in the car while loading the boot, they might press the lock button, locking them in and you out. (Some cars relock automatically if all the main doors are closed, too).

On most cars once you press “Lock” every electrical device in the car is disabled. Windows, doors and the horn cannot be opened or operated from inside.

Any situation with someone locked in the car is life threatening. Get help immediately, phone RACQ or 000 immediately.

To avoid these situations develop and practice disciplines to prevent the problem in the first place –

• Try to park your car in a well-trafficked part of the car park
• Always look at and into the car before you press the lock button and walk away – take extra care if you have window tinting
• Do not give the keys to children as a plaything
• When you load or unload the car ensure that you keep the keys on your self. Perhaps for ladies this means having your keys on a short string of beads to slip over your wrist.

Another risk this discipline avoids is locking your keys in the boot and yourself out of the car when you are loading or unloading the boot.