To Strathcona Block Watches: A note from 700 Hawks about another incident last Monday night. Drug activity around the school and Maclean Park is increasing so, if you see something like the incident below happening, do call 9-1-1.
"Sorry for this late report.....but on Monday (Sept.24th) at approx. 11:30 p.m.
we heard some car doors slamming and guys yelling. We looked outside to see a white, 4 door GM type car with two people sitting in the front seat parked behind the white container parked on the street. A tough looking street guy (caucasian, dark brown hair, beard, baseball cap about 37 years old??) was on the sidewalk yelling at the guys in the car. Everyone was on a cell phones and the street guy stormed off in the direction of Hastings. We watched for a bit and the guy came back and yelled in the car again and then an Asian guy (young, red rain jacket with white stripes down arms, clean cut - college looking guy - about 25 years old???) got out of the car and walked off with the street guy.
More yelling. We called 911 and reported a suspicious vehicle and a possible
drug deal.
Street guy left and now a young woman (blonde hair, white puffy ski jacket, skinny jeans) returns with Asian college dude and they start yelling at each other. She walks off towards Hastings. Asian dude waits by the car pacing, gets inside and waits. Police arrive very quickly and ask the Asian guy to get out of the car. He is handcuffed and the car is searched for about 40 minutes.
Gloves on and they went through every inch of that car. I went to bed....so I
don't know what happened. But it must have been something if they spent so
much time going through the car.
Great to see how fast the police responded!"
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Strathcona Block Watch Alert: 2007-09-25
To Strathcona Block Watches: More indications that we may be experiencing a B&E upswing. It's interesting that these guys are reported to be well-dressed and thus less suspicious. This from 600 East Georgia. Keep watching out.
"I had an experience on Monday afternoon which may be related to the B&E in the 800 block Georgia.
Between 3 and 4pm, there was a loud ring at the front door. It woke me from a nap so I was a bit muddle headed. There was a cleanly dressed man in his early 50's, about 5 feet 6 inches, ball cap, dark unzipped hoodie, button shirt. The most distinguishing thing about his face was that there was a tooth missing from his upper teeth.
Said that he was looking for an apartment with a patio, and could I help him, craning his neck around all the time. On the street was a short, slight very dark South Asian man with a back pack.
It didn't feel right, but I was pretty sleepy and confused."
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
"I had an experience on Monday afternoon which may be related to the B&E in the 800 block Georgia.
Between 3 and 4pm, there was a loud ring at the front door. It woke me from a nap so I was a bit muddle headed. There was a cleanly dressed man in his early 50's, about 5 feet 6 inches, ball cap, dark unzipped hoodie, button shirt. The most distinguishing thing about his face was that there was a tooth missing from his upper teeth.
Said that he was looking for an apartment with a patio, and could I help him, craning his neck around all the time. On the street was a short, slight very dark South Asian man with a back pack.
It didn't feel right, but I was pretty sleepy and confused."
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
Strathcona Block Watch Alert: 2007-09-25
To Strathcona Block Watches:
More information from the neighbour in yesterday's B&E.
"Calling all cars. Yesterday at 3pm approx. I heard from my downstairs office somebody "sounding out" my house. Knocking lightly on the front door and windows. Then I heard someone going between my house and my neighbours on 800 East Georgia. We share a locked iron gate. A tall one that "keys in "and "keys out." When I went to investigate the gate lay open.(?) I had locked it not 30 minutes prior. I was standing in the front yard when I heard the neighbour's alarm sounding and strange noises coming from inside. I put two and two together and proceeded back into the yard armed with a 1X6 board. Half way to the back the perp appeared with my neighbours iMac under his arm. He saw me ,dropped the computer (on the concrete--asshole) and hightailed it for the fence. I managed to drag him down and scuffled with him. I also called him a lot of bad names.
He got away and beat it out to the front again and ran away down Georgia towards Hawks. He was quite well dressed. New dark blue ball cap with white piping, new black hoodie, clean jeans and clean white shoes. He was caucasian, slightly built and had reddish/blond hair about 5" 6". I called 911. The cops arrived.
Keep your eyes out for this guy."
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
More information from the neighbour in yesterday's B&E.
"Calling all cars. Yesterday at 3pm approx. I heard from my downstairs office somebody "sounding out" my house. Knocking lightly on the front door and windows. Then I heard someone going between my house and my neighbours on 800 East Georgia. We share a locked iron gate. A tall one that "keys in "and "keys out." When I went to investigate the gate lay open.(?) I had locked it not 30 minutes prior. I was standing in the front yard when I heard the neighbour's alarm sounding and strange noises coming from inside. I put two and two together and proceeded back into the yard armed with a 1X6 board. Half way to the back the perp appeared with my neighbours iMac under his arm. He saw me ,dropped the computer (on the concrete--asshole) and hightailed it for the fence. I managed to drag him down and scuffled with him. I also called him a lot of bad names.
He got away and beat it out to the front again and ran away down Georgia towards Hawks. He was quite well dressed. New dark blue ball cap with white piping, new black hoodie, clean jeans and clean white shoes. He was caucasian, slightly built and had reddish/blond hair about 5" 6". I called 911. The cops arrived.
Keep your eyes out for this guy."
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
Strathcona Block Watch Alert: 2007-09-24
To Strathcona Block Watches:
After a quiet summer we may be in for a few unwelcome guests in our homes and backyards. Good neighbour alertness helped in this case that happened today on 800 East Georgia. If you see someone like the man described here, watch him and be prepared to phone 9-1-1 immediately.
"While I was at work today, at 4 pm someone scanned the street to determine if anyone was at home. After trying my neighbours, he found a way to get into my backyard and smashed through my back door window to gain entry, even though I had posted security system and audible alarm.
My neighbour confronted him as he left. Although the thief escaped, he dropped the computer he took from the house. I do not know yet what else might have been taken. The police arrived quickly and I was able to get home in time to meet with them.
My neighbour described him as a male, Caucasian, 30ish, short reddish hair, well dressed. Both neighbours heard noise at their front porches before the incident at mine."
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
After a quiet summer we may be in for a few unwelcome guests in our homes and backyards. Good neighbour alertness helped in this case that happened today on 800 East Georgia. If you see someone like the man described here, watch him and be prepared to phone 9-1-1 immediately.
"While I was at work today, at 4 pm someone scanned the street to determine if anyone was at home. After trying my neighbours, he found a way to get into my backyard and smashed through my back door window to gain entry, even though I had posted security system and audible alarm.
My neighbour confronted him as he left. Although the thief escaped, he dropped the computer he took from the house. I do not know yet what else might have been taken. The police arrived quickly and I was able to get home in time to meet with them.
My neighbour described him as a male, Caucasian, 30ish, short reddish hair, well dressed. Both neighbours heard noise at their front porches before the incident at mine."
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
Strathcona Block Watch Advisory: 2007-09-18
To Strathcona Block Watches: As anyone can see from the number of discarded condoms all over the neighbourhood, the sex trade has exploded hereabouts in the past couple of months or so. Women are now soliciting around the school again on Pender and on the north side of Maclean Park. It's probable that pressure from pimps and other prostitutes is driving some sex trade workers away from Strathcona's commercial areas.
Quite obviously this is unacceptable in a residential area but the VPD vice squad seems to be occupied with other areas or endeavours.
Here are some tactics you can use that have worked in this area in the past.
1. If you see a prostitute soliciting outside your front door or on your block, go and talk to her respectfully. Let her know that this is a family area with children and ask her to move away. Usually that works, at least temporarily.
2. Call the non-emergency line --604-717-3321-- and let them know that there are prostitutes soliciting on your block. Also leave a message at Chinese Community Policing Centre so that the constables there know of the activity.
3. If you see a prostitute and john engaging in sexual activity in a car on the street, phone 9-1-1 if it's happening close to the school or park or where children are around. Try to get the licence plate number and colour and make of vehicle. If the prostitute looks like she's a teenager, mention that to the emergency operator. If the activity is anywhere else in Strathcona, call the non-emergency number--unless you suspect the prostitute is underage, in which case call 9-1-1.
4. This takes some audacity and is best done along with one or two neighbours but you can also tap politely on the john's car and ask them to leave. Be cautious because sometimes johns can be drunk and belligerent. At night a bright light shone in the vehicle works. Even if you're feeling frustrated and angry, don't kick or otherwise harm the john's car since you can be charged with damaging private property.
5. Always try to get the licence plate number and report it to the Chinese CPC along with time, date and location, make of car, description of driver, etc.
Some constables have, in the past, phoned the owners of reported vehicles and spoken to wives who were duly shocked.
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
Quite obviously this is unacceptable in a residential area but the VPD vice squad seems to be occupied with other areas or endeavours.
Here are some tactics you can use that have worked in this area in the past.
1. If you see a prostitute soliciting outside your front door or on your block, go and talk to her respectfully. Let her know that this is a family area with children and ask her to move away. Usually that works, at least temporarily.
2. Call the non-emergency line --604-717-3321-- and let them know that there are prostitutes soliciting on your block. Also leave a message at Chinese Community Policing Centre so that the constables there know of the activity.
3. If you see a prostitute and john engaging in sexual activity in a car on the street, phone 9-1-1 if it's happening close to the school or park or where children are around. Try to get the licence plate number and colour and make of vehicle. If the prostitute looks like she's a teenager, mention that to the emergency operator. If the activity is anywhere else in Strathcona, call the non-emergency number--unless you suspect the prostitute is underage, in which case call 9-1-1.
4. This takes some audacity and is best done along with one or two neighbours but you can also tap politely on the john's car and ask them to leave. Be cautious because sometimes johns can be drunk and belligerent. At night a bright light shone in the vehicle works. Even if you're feeling frustrated and angry, don't kick or otherwise harm the john's car since you can be charged with damaging private property.
5. Always try to get the licence plate number and report it to the Chinese CPC along with time, date and location, make of car, description of driver, etc.
Some constables have, in the past, phoned the owners of reported vehicles and spoken to wives who were duly shocked.
Mark Budgen
Strathcona Safety Office
Strathcona Blockwatch Advisory 2007-09-01
To Strathcona Block Watches:
The sidewalk painters are back again, unwanted and unneeded. A reminder from 600 East Georgia again about what to do (first sent in the spring). Please pass on to all your friends and neighbours.
"Good morning neighbours
A man knocked on our door late last night, demanding money as he had just painted our house number on the sidewalk. We didn't pay. We hadn't asked for his services and it isn't sanctioned by the city. If everyone stops paying him, he will stop."
Mark
The sidewalk painters are back again, unwanted and unneeded. A reminder from 600 East Georgia again about what to do (first sent in the spring). Please pass on to all your friends and neighbours.
"Good morning neighbours
A man knocked on our door late last night, demanding money as he had just painted our house number on the sidewalk. We didn't pay. We hadn't asked for his services and it isn't sanctioned by the city. If everyone stops paying him, he will stop."
Mark
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