A new Neighborhood Watch Group being organized in Seminole Heights

After a recent burglary, Brandon Mount is trying to start a neighborhood watch program for Grid 58. (To locate your grid see grid maps D-2 and D-3 or zoom in several times on the crime activity map)

He writes:

....Initially my intention is to invite all homeowners and tenants within the boundaries of: Hillsborough Ave north to Hanna, Florida Ave east to 275 to attend monthly meetings.....

.....We are the only grid in our district without one, and I think we Northies need to show our neighbors south of Hillsborough that we know how to organize! :)
Initially we will be canvassing the neighborhood with flyers notifying the neighborhood of our intentions to hold a meeting every month. At these meetings there will always be at least one Tampa PD officer to give advice on crime prevention, and let us know the latest developments.

With the assistance of our neighbors, we can make a difference and help keep our homes safe. Crime is up in our neighborhood, and our burglary Sunday night and the horrible incident early this morning on Seminole near Henry (forced entry/robbery and assault) are an indication that we need to organize and defend our neighborhood so we all feel safe.

If you live within the boundaries above, watch your porches for fliers announcing our inaugural meeting!

Some of the other neighborhood watch groups in Seminole Heights are very strong successful active efforts. The most visible examples of these are the Neighborhood Watch Vehicle Patrols in Old Seminole Heights (spearheaded by Grid 59 - Hampton Terrace and Grid 45 - Evelyn City) and SE Seminole Heights. (Grids 71, 70, 82, 83) that literally have been in the front lines in the fight against prostitution.

By the way, Seminole Heights is split between two police districts. North of Hillsborough is District 2 commanded by Major Jane Castor (a Seminole Heights resident!) and South of Hillsborough is District 3 commanded by Major George McNamara. Both Majors are great boon to Seminole Heights.

Recently, Major McNamara drove through SE Seminole Heights on a crime prevention check and quite properly chastised us for not doing what we need to do to prevent burglaries. He saw purses, bags and other items in visible sight in automobiles, unsecured valuable items in yards or on porches, and unlocked garages and sheds. Tsk tsk. Shame on us.

See the "Watch Word" the TPD Neighborhood Watch newsletter. The most recent issue is June 2005. Also see these TPD pdf files on crime prevention: Operation Inventory , Home Security Checklist, the Move It or Lose It Hang Tag, and these crime prevention tips.

Business owners (and residents too!) see the Trespass Affidavit Program.