DREAM HILLS – VECINOS COLABORANDO (NHW)

Meeting held at La Casita on Thursday, 16 December 2004, at 18.00 hrs.

Present:                     Chairperson    -           Jan Rennison

Secretary        -           Kath Allen (& Bill)

Main Co-ordinators     -           Gerald & Denise Mills

Street Co-ordinators   -           Colin & Irene Arch, John Kerr, Tony Chapman, Bob Harris,
                                                            Ian & Kris Stone, Joe McEvielley, Peter Brooks, Colin Bingham,
                                                            Paul Birdsall, John Williams, Doug Hunt, Bill Young.

                                                            14 Residents

Apologies:   Street Co-ordinators    -  Jenny Honer, Viv & Wendy Marks, Roger & Wendi Ingram,
                                                   Roger & Pat Hooton.

Jan opened the meeting, thanked everyone for attending and read out the apologies received.  The previous minutes were unanimously agreed.

1.                  Written reports are now few and far between.  Incidents must be reported to street co-ordinators and, in turn, to the main co-ordinator on written Information Report forms.  This is the only way we are able to forward them to the Police.  Lack of written reports gives the Police the impression that crime has diminished in our area and consequently they move to other problem areas.  We still have some Police presence on the urbanisation and this will increase if we report all incidents by fax/e-mail direct to them.  If you hear of a crime, PLEASE encourage the victim to complete an Information Report and ensure it is passed on as quickly as possible.  Anyone finding stolen goods should also report this to your street co-ordinator.

2.                  Jan thanks both Kath and Denise for their continued support on the committee, following their resignations at the AGM.  We are still looking for volunteers to take on the positions of chairperson, secretary and main co-ordinator, without which the NHW cannot continue.  PLEASE HELP.

3.                  It is important that residents are extra vigilant over the Christmas period.  Thieves are well aware that people have extra food, drink, cigarettes and gifts in their homes, together with extra cash – always an important commodity for thieves!  Also, ladies, take great care of your handbags and if at all possible, don’t use one.

4.                  Residents having work carried out on their houses should not leave wooden planks, iron bars, etc., lying around outside.  These are ideal for thieves to use to prise and wedge shutters open in order to ‘fish’ handbags, keys, etc., left on tables inside your homes.  Always ensure that your shutters are down when leaving your homes or retiring for the night and put handbags, keys, etc., out if sight.

5.                  A black Ford Escort XR3i, registration 4075BMV, has been seen, its driver and passengers behaving suspiciously.  Keep your eyes peeled.

6.                  A hire car was stolen (the keys ‘fished’ through the window of the house)  1.9 VW Golf, registration 0910CZB.

7.                  If you observe a crime in progress, telephone the number on the lamp post stickers – 649 900 304.  This is the number of the Vecinos Colaborando Police mobile unit and they should attend without delay.  You should state ‘Dream Hills Vecinos Colaborando and ask how long they will be.  The emergency number for the Police and Fire Service is 112.  The telephone number for the Guardia Civil at Torre de la Horadada is 966 769 143.  This is the main Police Station for our area, open from 09.00 hrs. until 17.00 hrs. Monday to Friday, and this is where you should go to report crimes (a Denuncia).  The very small Guardia office in the Ayuntamienta at Playa Flamenca  becomes very busy, and people are often turned away and told to go to Torre de la Horadada.

8.                  Notice of a ‘credit card scam’ has been placed by the post boxes, a copy of which was passed around, and there is also a ‘parcel scam’ where people are told to ring an ‘807’ number.  DON’T!

9.                  The ‘charity collectors’ have been around our area again.  Please note:  In Spain, it is illegal to collect from door to door.  Registered Charities receive donations through official bank accounts – either cash over the counter or standing orders.  The ‘official collector’ cards are easily made up, and you are advised to refuse callers.  A threat to call the Police usually sends them on their way.

10.              Owners renting out their property or merely using it themselves for a week here and there, should institute Power of Attorney here to protect their property from squatters.  Also, if owners/residents are going to be away for any length of time, try to let a trusted neighbour know of your plans and let them have details of your insurance company.  If there should be a break-in or other damage to your property, it can then be officially reported and secured.

11.              Jan gave details of a ‘Good Practice Checklist,’ – Home Discipline, and Security and Safety Advice are also attached.  Street co-ordinators, please pass this round with a copy of these Minutes.  We suggest that you put a list of house numbers for which you are responsible on the front of the Minutes for residents/owners to tick off, pass to the next house and return to you.

12.              Please be aware that the Builders are on site again.  Take care – be extra vigilant!

13.              Youngsters have been helping themselves to things from the postboxes.  The postman usually brings mail to the boxes between 12noon and 13.30 hrs.  Youngsters have also been stealing from the telephone boxes on the urbanisation.  Please be aware and report anything suspicious to your street co-ordinator (or call the VC Police mobile unit if it is actually happening).

14.              A welcome was given to new Co-Ordinators and existing Co-Ordinators who are taking on further responsibilities.  Please get to know your street Co-Ordinator and their contact number.  The following are recent changes and additions to Co-Ordinators house number responsibilities.

Colin & Irene Arch  (525)              529  -  548

Gerald & Denise      (568)             549  -  568  ( Temporarily )

Paul Birdsall         (36)                    31  -    44

John Williams       (26)                    18  -    30

Doug Hunt             (17)                      6  -    17

Bill Young               (8)                      1  -      5,      879  -  886

Nick Baum                (813)                813  -  829

Street Co-Ordinators are still required to cover the following areas:-

549     -     568

422     -     451

212     -     229

145     -     161

  76     -       92

864     -     878

848     -     863

830     -     847

Date of Next Meeting:  Thursday, 13 January 2005 at 18.00 hrs. at La Casita.

Street Co-ordinators:  Please advise Jan or Kath if you are unable to make the
                                       meeting, or ask a neighbour/friend to attend on your behalf.

MAY WE WISH EVERYONE A VERY SAFE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

And

A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

KEA                                                                                                     17 December 2004