DREAM HILLS – VECINOS COLABORANDO (NHW)

Meeting held at La Casita on Thursday, 21 April 2005, at 18.00 hrs.

Present:                       Chairperson                   -           Jan Rennison

                        Main Co-ordinators         -           Gerald & Denise Mills

                        Secretary                      -           Kath Allen (& Bill Allen)

Street Co-ordinators       -           Colin Arch, Tony Chapman, Bob Harris, John Williams

Apologies:       None received.

Jan opened the meeting and welcomed those attending.

Apparently, many residents/owners are of the mistaken opinion that NHW has disbanded.  This is NOT so!  Despite many requests for new committee members, no-one has come forward.  Therefore, the resignations of Chairperson, Secretary and Main Co-ordinator were withdrawn in order to keep the organisation going.  However, we are still desperately in need of additional street co-ordinators, and our grateful thanks go to John Williams for agreeing to take a fax machine in order to help NHW members at the San Miguel end of the urbanisation.

The appearance of alleged ‘charity’ workers on Dream Hills prompts the reminder that door-to-door collection of money for registered charities is illegal in Spain.  Don’t give them money and if they become abusive, a threat to call the Police usually sends them running!

Again, we have heard (by word of mouth only) of several incidents – break-ins, bag snatches, muggings, etc., but have received no official reports.  Please remember, if we do not have a written report, we are unable to let the Police know that these crimes are happening.  In consequence, the Police think we have no criminal activity here and they move Police presence to areas reporting crime.  It is in everyone’s interest to make sure crimes are reported to NHW immediately.  This is the only way to get adequate Police presence and back-up on our urbanisation.  Gerald presented a chart showing a significant decrease in crime over the last three years, which is encouraging, but again, he is only able to take into account crimes actually reported to NHW.

See attached details of crime reports received during March and April – 7.

It is almost ‘that’ time of year again – yes!  Holiday makers who have no idea of the criminal activity in the area. They leave grilles, doors, windows and shutters open, and then find that all their holiday cash/cameras/mobiles, even clothes and children’s toys, have been taken whilst they were on the solarium, shopping or at the pools.  We will place warning notices on the notice boards again, but please try to warn these people of the possible outcome if they do not take heed.  We know it’s a thankless task, but if they opt to disregard out warnings they can’t say they haven’t been warned.

A meeting of Orihuela Costa Vecinos Colaborando was held at the Ayuntamiento on 3 March 2005, at which Chris Poole said he had received an invitation to join VC – Torrevieja in their venture to start a National Association, also VC – Vega Baja.  The general consensus of opinion is that VC – Orihuela Costa remains independent, thus enabling us to work with all groups.

Chris also warned that handbag snatching was again prevalent, particularly outside banks, shops and supermarkets, and advised that everyone should put wallets and purses away securely before leaving these premises.

During the past 3-4 weeks, two secondary school children were robbed in the ‘market’ street (towards Mercadona).  Denise has a list of suspicious car registration numbers; people in hire cars have been followed from the airport and after unpacking and settling in, they go out shopping or for the evening.  They return to discover a break-in.  Also, there is a spate of people asking to ‘borrow’ X amount of Euros because ‘they’ have been robbed.  Don’t be taken in by their very plausible stories.

Date of next meeting:  Thursday, 2 June 2005, at 18.00 hrs. at La Casita.

KEA                                                                                                                  1 May 2005