DREAM HILLS – VECINOS COLABORANDO (NHW)

Minutes of Meeting held at 18.00 hrs. on Thursday, 10 June 2004, in the Community Centre

Present:                        Chairperson                              Jan Rennison

                                    Secretary                                 Kath Allen - & Bill

Main Co-ordinators                                              Gerald & Denise Mills

Street Co-ordinators                                              Wendy Marks               

                                                                                    Tony Chapman

                                                                                    Roger Ingram

                                                                                    Bob Harris

                                                                                    Gran Annable

Apologies:                     Colin & Irene Arch, John Kerr, Carol Brookes, Peter & Annette Burling

Resignation:                  Peter & Annette Burling

Minutes of last meeting agreed.

Holiday makers still inviting break-ins by leaving windows, shutters, grills and sometimes doors open/unlocked when going out or retiring for the night.  Also, muggings/bag snatches are still occurring, again mainly to holidaymakers.  Keep telling them; they may eventually listen and learn.

Further report regarding proposed vigilante action in one area.  Jan reiterated that if the Police hear about it, they will wash their hands of the urbanisation and will offer no assistance to our group.

The youngsters with pellet guns have not been seen recently, and it was pointed out that it is illegal to take guns of any description (even replicas) into public places.  The Police take a very hard line with offenders of whatever age if they are called to deal with such a situation.  Police patrols continue throughout the night and have been seen in the side roads in the early hours by a few residents.

Orihuela Costa police station (by Mercadona) is open between the hours of 9am and 1.30pm, Monday to Friday for crime reports and the main station at Torre de la Horadada is open from 9am to 9pm – 7 days a week.  When reporting a crime, forms should be completed before taking them to the police station.  They are extremely busy and cannot afford to wait whilst victims complete them in the police office.

Jan, Kath and Gran attended an Orihuela Costa Group meeting at the Town hall last Thursday, as a result of which the police have promised to look into the possibility of putting double yellow lines on the corners by Via Park III.

Reports of people being threatened with knives when leaving restaurants, bars, etc..  Try not to park in isolated places after dark, especially when out alone.

Denise reported the following occurrences since the last meeting:

4 attempted break-ins                                   1 attempted vehicle break-in

2 bag snatches/muggings                               1 house break-in (nothing taken)

4 house robberies                                               3 suspicious vehicle sitings

Also, a table disappeared from someone’s porch and was found in another garden, placed under a window, obviously an attempted break-in.

Unless anything major occurs, the next meeting will be on Thursday, 9 September 2004 – same time, same place.

Jan will be at the Community Centre at 18.00 hrs. on 1, 15, 29 July and 12 & 26 August.  Anyone wishing to join NHW or offer their services as streets co-ordinators, please see Jan on one of these dates.  Should no-one arrive by 18.15 hrs. Jan will leave.

KEA                                                                                                                   12 June 2004

WARNING TO RESIDENTS & HOLIDAY MAKERS ON DREAM HILLS

Most residents are aware of petty crime in the area, but holiday makers should be made aware of security measures which need to be taken when leaving the property or retiring for the night.

DO ensure that doors and windows are securely closed and locked, and that shutters are securely pulled down.  When using the bedroom or roof terraces, ensure that doors and windows downstairs are secure.

DON’T leave handbags, keys, purses, wallets, mobile phones or any other valuables downstairs, or visible through windows in any room.  Would-be thieves are always looking for opportunities to take your valuables and are easily able to ‘fish’ bags and keys through windows and grills with makeshift fishing rods.  If they manage to take your car keys, your car will go too!

LADIES;  PLEASE DON’T CARRY HANDBAGS when you go out.  Thieves are always on the lookout for bags left on the backs of chairs or under tables in bars and restaurants, and bag-snatching (particularly by the public telephones) is a common occurrence.  Also, thieves drive slowly down the roads and snatch bags as they pass. 

DON’T give them the chance to take yours, and perhaps injure you in the process.

DON’T park your car in isolated locations, especially if alone or after dark.  Park in well lit streets and be particularly vigilant when leaving bars and restaurants.

We do not want to alarm anyone but we would rather make sure that people are aware of the problems and try to ensure that people have a safe, enjoyable holiday without experiencing the trauma of robbery or injury.