DREAM HILLS – VECINOS COLABORANDO (NHW)
Meeting held at La Casita on Thursday, 6 October 2005, at 18.00 hrs.
Present: Chairperson - Jan Rennison
Main Co-ordinators - Denise & Gerald Mills
Street Co-ordinators - Bob Harris, John Williams, Colin Arch,
Peter Brooks, Colin Bingham.
Apologies: Tony Chapman, Joe McEvielley, Kath Allen.
Jan opened the meeting and welcomed those attending.
A meeting took place on 16th September of the Orihuela Costa Vecinos Colaborando at the Playa Flamenca town hall, unfortunately although local police representatives were invited they could not attend on the day. There are now 51 groups of Neighbourhood Watchers within Orihuela Costa and the meeting was reasonably well supported. Jan reported on items covered as follows:-
· A translator is now available in the Torrevieja police station in the morning.
· A crime information sheet is to be prepared and given to estate agents to include in their ‘Moving-in Pack.’ All agents approached have agreed to do this.
· Concern from some groups over the July / August period when they received no information from other groups through the network. It seemed this was their problem only as Dream Hills had received all information sent out.
· The importance of submitting Information Reports was again stressed as the authorities are now making more use of our information and have requested a meeting to discuss the crime position in the Orihuela Costa area. Without this data the Guardia Civil and the Ayuntamiento will not take us seriously. Although requested, official figures from the authorities will not be made available to us.
· On three separate occasions house alarms have been activated by placing a cardboard strip between the door and sensor. It is possible this was a test to see if the alarm was activated or working. No crime was committed. Charity collectors were in the area each time this occurred.
· There has been no further action from the town hall on the large Vecinos Colaborando metal signs.
· The Orihuela Costa Vecinos Colaborando has now been operating for 5 years. To keep up to date a questionnaire has been passed to all groups for completion. This was completed and returned to Brian Simpson at that meeting.
Only one report has been made since the last meeting. This was a postal scam advising a named person (Dream Hills resident) of his involvement in a European Prize Draw Registry, with over $2 million reward. All they want is a registration fee of $20. The address on the letter bears the same layout and incorrect postal code as used on the resident’s Telefonica bill. This will be passed on to the Police.
Reports from other Orihuela Costa areas that we should be aware of:-
6th Sept 05 Villa Martin Retragas called without a request or appointment to inspect gas system and charged 90€
18th Sept 05 Virus Alert Do not open email attachment ‘WTC Survivor’ this is a virus.
19th Sept 05 Bag Snatches Silver Nissan Primera operating from San Javier to Torrevieja.
19th Sept 05 Eagles Nest Red Mercedes with 3 Moroccans involved in housebreak.
27th Sept 05 Playa Flamenca Red Renault Chamade 3 Moroccans watching customers in Mercadona car park.
29th Sept 05 Algorfa Dark Grey Mercedes. 2 North Africans looking into properties.
1st Oct 05 Villa Martin Silver Ford Fiesta, 4 robberies. Gas used in one of the houses.
2nd Oct 05 Found Wallet In Villa Martin area. Owner is Bernard Neal Hellawell, call 636376574 if you know him.
4th Oct 05 Villa Martin Silver Ford Focus. Driven slowly, looking into houses.
Registration numbers of some of the above vehicles are available from your street co-ordinator.
Two of the above reports, dated 19th Sept., have come from the Police. They are asking for our help, and to pass on this information within our groups. It is encouraging that the Police now have confidence in our system.
Next meeting: ( AGM – all residents welcome) Thursday, 3 November 2005, 18.00 hrs. at La Casita.
GIM 12 October 2005