The CYCA Watch is a public service of the Cooper Young Community Association that grew out of rising concern for the safety of the residents in the area.The e-mail list has become the quickest way to get information passed along. It has become the proverbial "Cop on the Beat." The police cannot be everywhere all the time, therefore it is up to the citizens to be aware of the happenings in their neighborhood.

We encourage everyone to come to the general meetings of the CYCA second Tuesday of the month 6:30pm at 892 S.Cooper. There you can express your concerns and talk to someone about getting a Neighborhood Watch Group set up on your block. Remember Neighborhood Watch Groups are anonymous. No one will be publicly identified against their wishes. Only the people on your block and the facilitators of the group will know who you are. We,therefore, encourage everyone's involvement.

For more information email Lori Creasy at cycawatch@yahoo.com or call the CYCA office at 272-2922.

.:: CYCAWATCH ::.

CYCA REPORTS

Watch Alert - Tuesday, 06.08.04

1900 Block of Evelyn: burglarized Tues morning, June 1, between 9 - 12 noon; they came in the back door (which wasn't locked); pulled out cushions on furniture, went through every drawer; however, the owner reports no stereo or electronic equipment was stolen. The suspects wore gloves, as in the burglary on Walker last week. Thieves used a loaded pellet gun by the back door to shoot the two family dogs. Luckily, they weren't seriously injured.

900 Block of New York: broken into on Friday June 4th between 7:30 pm and 11:00 pm. At this time there are no witnesses or suspects.

If you saw anything suspicious or have any information about these crimes, please call 528-CASH (Crimestoppers) - this is an anonymous service, so you will not be identified and may receive a monetary award if the thieves are caught based on your information.

Talk with your neighbors; remind folks to keep doors and windows locked and their eyes and ears open! If you see anything suspicious or out of place, call 545-COPS, press "0" when you hear the message, and tell the dispatcher about what you've seen. A neighbor on Felix used the system on May 26th when he saw a man go into his neighbor's back yard and come out with a lawnmower - police picked up the suspicious character and made an arrest! Turns out the neighbors had hired the man to do yard work a week earlier.

Thanks to everyone for sending in reports to help keep their neighbors safe.

Watch Alert - Monday, 05.31.04

1) Saturday, May 29th - 9 am - 10:30 am - 1900 block of Walker Avenue. Homeowners left home at 9 am, and neighbors report that by 9:30 am they noticed a rear window open. As it was not broken, they didn't call
it in, thinking the homeowner had left it open on purpose... Thieves stole a gun safe full of antique and collectible guns, jewelry, coins, a passport,
checkbooks, and savings bonds. They used a pillow case off the bed to carry away the smaller items. The gun safe, which was built into a hall closet, would have been extremely heavy, so best guess is more than
one individual. Police dusted for fingerprints, but the thieves wore gloves. The thieves exited through the same back window, as the security doors were still locked when the theft was discovered. Bent fence wires and some spilled loot indicate that the thieves jumped the back fence, taking the items out on Manila.

If you saw anything suspicious or have any information about this crime, please call 528-CASH (Crimestoppers) - this is an anonymous service, so you will not be identified and may receive a monetary award if the thieves are caught based on your information.

2)Another daylight burglary occurred Thursday, May 27th. A duplex in the 1000 Block of Philadelphia was burglarized through the front doors. Thief broke out a window on each side of the duplex and reached in to unlock the door. A television and small electronics were stolen. Check to be sure your door locks can't be opened by someone reaching through a broken window - don't use a thumb bolt (use keyed locks instead) and
don't leave the keys in the lock.

Summer has brought with it an expected rise in burglaries and petty crimes across the city - keep your eyes open, report anything out of the ordinary to 545-COPS (press "0" when you get the recording to speak to a dispatcher), and don't forget to use the vacation watch service: If you are planning a vacation or business trip, please think about requesting the FREE vacation watch service available from the West Precinct. Once you
alert them that you will be traveling, they will list your home on the officers' checklist for each shift for up to five days. That means an officer will stop in front of your home at least four times in a 24-hour period each day. Call 274-7012 and speak to the officer on duty. They will ask what cars (if any) should be in the driveway, if there are currently any broken windows, if the gate is open or locked. If they find another car in the drive, notice a broken window or busted gate lock, or a person on the premises, etc. they will investigate your property. Having that many patrol cars in the neighborhood may help to deter the bad guys, at the very least. Also, be sure you have left contact info with at least one neighbor, in case of trouble.

The MPD prefers that shades be drawn rather than left open when you are away - too easy for the bad guys to see what you have to steal, what points of entry are most vulnerable, if you have pets or alarms in place,
etc. with the windows bare.

Please pass this information on to neighbors who may
not be online.

Watch Alert -Thursday, 05.27.04

On Saturday, May 15th a young African American couple was in Pete's Treats on Central Avenue. While one party occupied the attendant in the store, the other was able to steal a wallet from the attendant's purse. It is believed that the same couple was in The White Gardenia on Cooper, the following weekend - Saturday, May 22nd. They pulled the same scam there. One person shopped the store and occupied the attention of the store owner, while the other helped themselves to her wallet. These two also visited the Yarn Studio, next store to The White Gardenia on the same day, but were not successful there. No one was hurt in these thefts, but thieves were able to make charges on the stolen credit/debit cards. It appears that in both instances the thieves went to the Mapco on Union immediately after the robberies and used the cards. This couple arrived in all instances close to the end of the business day.

Description follows:

Young African American couple (in early to mid 20's) - In both instances the woman was wearing a very short midriff shirt and very low hip pants. She has a huge tattoo on her stomach, back and chest. They are believed to be driving a 1980's model white sedan (possibly a Cadillac or Monte Carlo). The man involved was described as non-descript and a little short in stature."

Remember to keep purses, wallets, and check books in a secure location away from public traffic areas. This goes for homeowners as well as business owners - particularly if you have workers in your home or garden, or if you're hosting a yard sale! Ideally these items should be kept in a locked drawer or cabinet. Check books are particularly vulnerable, as thieves might steal a check or two at random and you might not realize the theft has occured until your bank statement arrives.

Recent reports are also in of thefts from front porches. Remember to put your TN Driver's License on all items outdoors - lawn equipment, deck chairs, tables, even flagpoles and decorations. If you hang baskets of plants on your porch, use floral wire or even a twist tie to wire the handles onto the nails or hooks they hang from - anything that slows down the would-be thief makes your porch less attractive. And we have proof that 545-COPS works! A neighbor on Nelson called in a suspicious character who offered to sell him lawn care items - cheap. He gave a good description, and police were able to pick up the man later that day. Turns out he was wanted in connection with a number of thefts on the West side of our neighborhood.

Watch Alert -Thursday, 11.20.03

A neighbor on Meda between Young and Walker was robbed at gunpoint Thursday morning, Nov. 13th, around 9:30 am. The suspect took the neighbor's purse and vehicle after firing one round into the air.
From the West Precinct: "According to the report the suspect was described as a black male 20-30 years of age 5'10" tall, 225 lbs, wearing blue jeans and a blue jacket."

Please be aware of your surroundings at all times, and call 545-COPS if you see anyone suspicious in your yard or driveway, or on your neighbor's property. Due to the rash of car break-ins and other crimes in our area, the West Precinct has promised stepped up patrols. The leadership of the West Precinct reports that they are trying to decrease the property crimes
in our area and prevent violent crimes from escalating. There is a significant MPD effort to reduce hand gun crimes throughout Memphis at this time as well.

Let us know if you have additional information on safety in the neighborhood for the email network. Please share this news with neighbors who may not have internet access.

Watch Alert -Thursday, 10.23.03

Calls about Car Break-ins are on the rise:
Over the past two weeks, the community office has had several calls and emails from around the neighborhood about thefts from cars, attempts to steal cars, broken car windows, and more.

A number of these break-ins are occurring overnight or in the early AM. Rocks and screwdrivers are reported to be the tool of choice for breaking in. The West Precinct and the Midtown Co-Act Unit have been alerted and are stepping up patrols, but calls are still coming in.

Suggestions:
1) Be certain not to leave anything in your car - unbelievably, thieves can trade a CD or a pair of sunglasses for enough money to purchase crack cocaine. A purse, backpack, or briefcase is too much temptation for most opportunistic thieves to resist.

2) Some officers are recommending "the Club" as a visual protection - apparently, fewer cars are broken into with "the club" than without.

3) Light in your parking area helps - but does not prevent all thieves. One car was hit parked in a lighted driveway next to the front porch. Motion lights, which come on when someone crosses into the light path, may be more effective than static lights.

4) If you see someone walking down the street looking into car windows or testing car handles, call 545-COPS and report them as a suspicious character. You can remain anonymous! Give the dispatcher a description including as much detail as possible, and a location - on what street, which way is he heading, what's the closest cross street where he might turn, etc. patrols are being stepped up, the odds that an officer might be right around the corner are good. Even if the guy isn't arrested, if he is stopped and questioned at least he will know that we're paying attention - hopefully he'll take his game to another area.

FYI - Data for the crime map in each edition of the LampLighter is provided by the Memphis Police Department from calls of the previous month. Community Safety Alerts are generated when neighbors email or phone about problems - thanks for being the eyes and ears of Cooper-Young!

Watch Alert - Tuesday, 09.16.03

Please be cautious about opening your door to anyone claiming to be cold calling for tree cutting work.

A resident near Cox & Young reports that at 2pm today one man tried to talk her into opening her door to talk about her trees when she spotted two other men hiding on her porch away from the door. They did not
offer any identification, and did not have on company logos or other identifying items. She did not let them in and called 545-COPS immediately.

If you see a Burgundy Cadillac with commercial license plate TN 10985 please call 545-COPS and let them know that this car is in the neighborhood. These guys could be legitimate, and if they are they won't mind answering a few questions and offering their contractor's license for inspection. The men are described as follows:

1) White, heavy-set with longish brown hair and beard
2) White, bleach blond short hair
3) African-American, thin, dark-complected wearing a baseball hat

Thanks for passing the word to neighbors!

Watch Alert - Sunday, 7.06.03

A neighbor on the corner of Cox and Evelyn was working in her yard, went in her house only to find her purse with the contents emptied unto her bathroom floor. Cash and cellphone were missing items. Apparently someone had come into her house while she was in the yard working.

She is lucky she did not walk in while they were there.

Watch Alert - Friday, 6.27.03

Another round of household burglaries is hitting our neighborhood, Central Gardens, and other midtown areas.

Police are looking for a White van, driven by a white male in a cowboy hat. He apparently drops off the burglary crew, drives away, and waits for them to call him on a cell phone to come pick up the goods. They crew makes entry into the house by kicking in a door, either in front or rear of the property. Most are occuring in the day, between 9am - 2 pm.

If you see this van, call 545-COPS immediately and let the dispatcher know that the van/driver matches the description police are looking for. Give them the exact location you saw it, which direction it was headed, and get a license number if possible. In no circumstance should you approach or confront the driver.

Watch Alert - Tuesday, 6.17.03 - SPECIAL VACATION ALERT

Southeast Quadrant Burglaries Monday A neighbor on Meda reports that two homes were hit Monday during the day - one on Meda and one on Cox.

"My neighbor is out of town. The robbers threw a brick though the back window, and gained entry that way. The cops think they left right through the front door! They took their time, cleaning out stereo equip., TVs, computers, and they ransacked the whole place. The homeowner leaves his blinds up and the robbers lowered them to get to work. Apparently this was done morning to mid-day, as the blinds were up when I went running yesterday morning. Neighbors have boarded up the back window, but no one has contact information for the owner.

The other house is behind me on S. Cox, near Cox at Young. Their front door was kicked in and they took computer equipment." If you are planning a vacation or business trip, please think about requesting the FREE vacation watch service available from the West Precinct. Once you alert them that you will be traveling, they will list your home on the officers' checklist for each shift for up to five days. That means an officer will stop in front of your home at least four times in a 24-hour period each day. Call 274-7012 and speak to the officer on duty. They will ask what cars (if any) should be in the driveway, if there are currently any broken windows, if the gate is open or locked. If they find another car in the drive, notice a broken window or busted gate lock, or a person on the premises, etc. they will investigate your property. Having that many patrol cars in the neighborhood may help to deter the bad guys, at the very least. Also, be sure you have left contact info with at least one neighbor, in case of trouble.

The MPD prefers that shades be drawn rather than left open when you are away - too easy for the bad guys to see what you have to steal, what points of entry are most vulnerable, if you have pets or alarms in place, etc. with the windows bare.

And don't stop calling 545-COPS for suspicious characters or activity - even if it seems like the dispatch (or even the responding officer) thinks we are being overly cautious. The only way to stop the opportunistic thieves is to get them off the streets, and you never know when a call from a neighbor will coincide with an officer being available right around the corner.

Thanks for being the eyes and ears of Cooper-Young!

Watch Alert - Friday, 6.13.03

A grenade was found this afternoon at the corner of Elzey and Cooper. It is an old type - pre-Vietnam war era - and right now police and ATF believe it to be unrelated to any crime or terrorist activity.

Current thought is this is probably something kids found on a railroad car transporting old military equipment through our neighborhood, or possibly something found in someone's garage or garbage.

No harm came to anyone in or around it. Police and ATF are still searching the neighborhood and the railroad tracks to insure no other ordinances are left around.
If you find anything unusual or have any information, please call the West Precinct - 274-7012 - or 545-COPS to reach dispatch.

The West Precinct plans stepped up patrols in our area this weekend.

Watch Alert - Thursday, 5.22.03

Community Alert - secure your storage sheds, back
porches, and lock your gates. If you live on an alley, pay particular attention to any access points from the rear of your property. The following reports have come to our office in the just the last 24 hours:

Walker West of Tanglewood Sat.

May 17th: "bike stolen from storage shed behind house - thief cut window screen to gain access."
Evelyn West of Cooper May 20th: "Got home about 6 p.m. found food in front of freezer on back porch. Some one took pickets off fence behind storage room and climbed through. They also got a brand new garden tote bag, with a few tools in it and a pair of gloves."

May 21st: "Seems to be a rash of garage break ins on Walker between Tanglewood and Barksdale. I know of three so far, my lawnmower was taken as was my across the street neighbor and then a bike was also taken. no telling of others were hit and word has not gotten around."
Please keep the emails reporting these and other incidents coming - you are the eyes and ears of the community!
and just a reminder:

Don't forget to inscribe your yard tools with your TN Driver's License number - that way, if it is your Murray lawnmower rolling down the street and the police stop someone with it in their possession, they can confiscate it, return it, and hopefully get the guy out of our neighborhood for at least a little while. You can use a dremel tool or borrow an inscription tool (FREE!) from the West Precinct - call 274-7012.

Watch Alert - Wednesday, 5.21.03

Honda harmony lawnmower and chainsaw stolen from locked shed on Walker near Tanglewood morning of 21 May 2003. Police report filed.

Watch Alert - Thursday, 5.01.03

A neighbor who was the victim of a purse snatching last December recognized the man in our neighborhood this week and called 545-COPS - apparently the call did not yield an arrest.

Here is the description:
Male, 20'ish, black, mid-length curly hair, wearing a Black, nylon, windbreaker type jacket, with white sleeves - actually the top half of the sleeve is white, bottom half is black, and there is a small bit of red trim on the front. This man was walking along her street at 8:30 am apparently checking car handles as he went. Please be aware of folks around you and keep car doors locked. Opportunistic thieves like this guy are thwarted by caution.

If you see anyone fitting his description or anyone checking car handles, call 545-COPS - maybe we'll get lucky! It would be great to know that this purse snatcher is off the streets.

Watch Alert - Thursday, 4.03.03

Wednesday evening, April 2 at approximately 8 pm, a
resident in the 900 Block of Tanglewood was robbed at knifepoint in her home. The assailant jumped her fence and made entry into her back door while she was gardening. The assailant is described as a black male, with medium-toned complexion, 5'10-6' tall, and slim build.

Please be careful to keep doors locked even when you are in your yard. Pass this safety alert on to neighbors, and keep your eyes out for anyone loitering around backyard fences or in the alleys. Call 545-COPS if you see anything suspicious - press "0" when the recorded menu begins to be connected with a dispatcher. Call 911 if you see anyone you don't know jump a neighbor's fence. If you have information about this assailant, you can also contact Crime Stoppers 528-CASH and anonymously make a report.

Watch Alert - Thursday, 1.23.03

Many folks have heard reports of an assault in our neighborhood on Monday, January 20th in the 2100 block of Nelson Avenue. While specific details are not available from the investigating unit, please pass the word along to friends and neighbors to be aware of anything out of the ordinary. Call 545-COPS (and then press "0") to report anything suspicious, including someone looking in car windows, soliciting door to door, or appearing on porches when you know your neighbor is not at home.
It takes the eyes and ears of our whole community to help prevent incidents such as these. Please let us know if you have any information we can pass along to the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you!

Watch Alert - Thursday, 10.17.02

Saturday, Oct 12, two pre-teen boys on bicycles were peddling CDs door to door, stating that their aunt sent them out to see if they could sell some of the CDs that she had just cut downtown. (The CDs were demos.)

A new CY neighbor invited the boys in to play the CD in her living room. She stepped down the hall for a moment, and when she returned gave the boys $5. The boys left.

A short while later her husband noticed that a stack of checks, bills, and $500 cash were missing from the desk in the room where she had left the boys.

Just a reminder to be cautious with anyone soliciting anything in the neighborhood, and to share this story with any neighbors who may not be on the watch list. If you run into the same kids, call the West Precinct at 274-7012 - ask for the lieutenant on duty. Or call 545-COPS to report any unusual activity on our streets.

Watch Alert - Thursday, 8.08.02

This in from the Community Safety Chair - please pass to friends and neighbors. Received Wed. 8/7/02:

I just had a conversation with Officer Gonzales at the West Precinct and he informed me about a call to the Philadelphia/Bruce toward Southern ave. Two small girls were propositioned by a gentleman in a brown work van. He tried to get them in the van with him but they refused and he drove away. There is no further description of the van or driver at this time.

Please warn children not to get into any strangers car and tell an adult immediately if his happens!!

Call 545-COPS if you see this van cruising our neighborhood. You may also contact Major Cole at the West Precinct 274-7012.

Watch Alert - Thursday, 8.01.02

The West Precinct confirms an explosive device was left in a free publication rack located at Peabody and Cooper and detonated sometime after midnight 8/1/02. There were no injuries and the bomb squad is investigating.

Please be sure to call 545-COPS or the West Precinct 274-7012 if you see anything /anyone suspicious in our neighborhood.

More information will be sent as soon as it is available.

Watch Alert - Tuesday, 7.16.02

Our neighbor, to the east of us at 2261 Evelyn AV, came over about
an hour ago to ask if we had seen anyone around his house today. When his girlfriend came home a few minutes before, she discovered that the house had been ransacked. It appeared as if someone was going steal a bunch of stuff but was scared off. The electronics were all disconnected. Someone had been throught the cupboard where they keep their prescriptions and through most of the drawers and closets in the house. There didn't appear to be anything missing. They are waiting for the police to arrive as I write this.

So heads up, Folks. Stay tuned and let us know if you saw anything suspicious on the block today.

Judy

Watch Alert - Tuesday, 7.16.02

I wanted everyone to be aware of recent attacks on cats in the 2000 block of Felix. The attacks are occuring in the evening when the owners of several collie-mix dogs are turning them loose to run the neighborhood. One 17 year old cat was mauled to death by these dogs A neighbor saw the attack happen but could not stop the dogs. Two other cats are missing. It is believed that the dogs live somewhere on Walker. This is a violation of our leash law and animal control will be informed as well as the West Precinct. I urge everyone to call animal control (362-5310) if you see dogs running loose in the neighborhood because if these dogs are mauling cats their behavior is unpredictable. It is possible they could attack small children or adults.

Please inform your neighbors!
Thank you,
Lori Creasy
CYCA Safety Chair

Watch Alert - Friday, 7.12.02

This in from a business owner on Thursday July 11th - please pass to friends in CY and in neighboring communities:

"Wanted to let someone know that we reported a FLASHER at the viaduct on McLean north of Evelyn yesterday. He is a tall, thin black man and stands under the bridge waiting to expose himself to passing motorists. We called 545-COPS to report the incident. I do not know if he was spotted. This is the second day that my employee saw him."

Watch Alert - Thursday, 7.11.02

Be on the lookout for folks peddling shoe polish door to door. This latest scheme features a "salesman" who knocks lightly on the door and then rummages through anything he can find on the porch to lift. A neighbor on Cox caught the peddler red-handed today, and the West Precinct was alerted.

Call 545-COPS if you see anyone unfamiliar on your porch or your neighbors. You may also want to post a "no solicitation" notice on your door to discourage the scheme. You can also participate in Operation Identification (using an engraver to put your Tennessee Driver's License Number on yard tools, porch furniture, and other items) by calling Major Cole at the West Precinct - 274-7012.

Let the CYCA know if you've had this or a similar experience so we can alert our neighbors. This weather brings out a great many opportunistic petty thieves. Let's keep them from ruining our summer fun!

Watch Alert - Monday, 7.08.02

Be on the look out for a light skinned black dude selling furniture polish or something. Heard a slight tap on the front door this morning. Looked through the peep hole and saw him standing there on the porch. We've got boxes everywhere with all the work going on and there are some on the porch. I watched him rummage around in one of them twice. Opened the door beyond fast and nearly gave the poor guy a heart attack, hand in the cookie jar type thing. I think it's just a way of getting on people's
porches and scope things out up close. Or worse, one of those home invasion deals, who really knows these days?

Called the Cops and asked to have a car look around and at least talk to him so he'll know somebody's watchin'. Maybe suggest he not look through things that don't belong to him.......what a concept.

God Bless America, Let's ROLL!
Rik Anderson

Watch Alert - Friday, 6.28.02

Racist literature has been dropped in yards, driveways, and on sidewalks in Cooper-Young and Central Gardens over the last few days.

One CY neighbor, who confronted the man distributing the flyers, describes him as white with sandy brown hair, driving a new silver Honda with Texas license plates. The man was wearing dark sunglasses and did not get out of the car. Children in the area reported that they have seen this man numerous times cruising the neighborhood over the last week.
If you see a car matching this description or find any additional materials, please call 545-COPS or the West Precinct - 274-7012. At the Precinct, please ask for Major Cole or any Lieutenant on duty.

The Commercial Appeal reports that the West Precinct will be coordinating with the FBI on this matter. The local FBI office can be reached at 747-4300.

Please keep the CYCA informed as well - 272-2922 or email: info@cooperyoung.org.

Thank you.

Watch Alert - Friday, 6.01.02
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 00:30:15 -0500
Subject: [tn-bird] West Nile Virus in Wild Birds The Shelby County Health Department in Memphis, TN just issued a warning alert for the West Nile Virus in wild birds.

They want you to call the Shelby County Health Department Vector Control at 901-324-5547 if you find any dead wild birds.

The West Nile Virus was first detected in the US in September 1999 during an outbreak of encephalitis in humans in New York City. The infection is transmitted by mosquitoes. The virus manifests itself as encephalitis, which damages the brain stem of the victim. To track the spread of the virus, they want anyone who finds a dead wild bird to let them test it for the virus. The alert on television only mentioned "Crows and Bluejays". So, it spooked me when I went to my mailbox today and found a dead female English Sparrow in the open mailbox. I bagged it for delivery to the Health Department tomorrow. I then disinfected my mailbox with Clorox, just in case. Note: This is the third dead Passer Domesticus found in my yard in less than two weeks. Two previous female English Sparrows had been decapitated when I found them, but I wonder if they had not been infected by the West Nile Virus before I found them.

Robert Fowler
Memphis, TN

NOTE: If you find a bird, put it in a plastic bag and store in ice. Call the Health Department at 324.5547, they will come pick it up. They cannot test a decomposing bird.

Watch Alert - Wednesday, 5.01.02
This just in from the CYCA Community Safety Chair:For the past few weeks neighbors have had problems with a group of teenagers walking down Evelyn Ave. from Fairview at approximately 2:30pm each day. One block captain reported last week that they were fighting in the street and riding on car hoods and bumpers along the East end of Evelyn (between Parkway and Cooper). MPD was notified.

Last Friday, the same group was fighting and pushing each other out into oncoming traffic on Evelyn between Cooper and Barksdale. Several cars had to slam on their breaks to avoid hitting them. Several neighbors asked the kids to stop, but talking had no effect. The incident was reported to the West Precinct. Wednesday, May 1, another block captain on the West end of Evelyn encountered the group again. This time they were spray painting one of his neighbors trees and sidewalk and were vandalizing other trees down the block, in addition to throwing rocks at parked cars and each other. They were again walking down the center of the street and refusing to move out of the street for cars.

Major Cole at the West Precinct was notified and sent officers immediately, but unfortunately they were unable to find the group, as they scattered once they hit Barksdale. One car of officers made the scene and stopped every child on the street to talk to them about the incidents. These officers will be back the rest of the week about the time school lets out for the day.

Hopefully, the additional police presence will correct this situation. While these incidents may seem small, these kids appear to be getting bolder and more destructive as time passes, and their safety is at risk with the speed of traffic on our sidestreets. Anyone have a contact at Fairview?
Let me know if you need any assistance concerning this problem or any other issues you are having. Email cycawatch@yahoo.com or call 272-2922.

Watch Alert - Wednesday, 2.27.02
Please be on the lookout for a small, faded red car -
the report states that TN license plate is JAA 0972.
This car was in the 2000 block of Oliver around 12:40
pm Monday - the driver pulled up into the drive of a
house on Oliver, and the passsenger, a tall, slim
black man, went around to the back of the house and
tried the back door. The resident was home sick and
called out to the man to ask what he wanted - the man
replied that he was looking for work raking leaves,
then left.
Please call 545-COPS if you see this car back in the
neighborhood. Everyone is urged to keep back doors
locked and to call the 545-COPS number if they see
anyone enter their neighbors' back yard when no one is
home.

Watch Alert - from Tuesday evening, 2/19/02
"A man wearing a red hat, purple sweatshirt and jeans was out looking for extra work in the rain last night about 7:00 PM on Nelson. He was a black man of light to medium complexion, about 5'10'' and had a mustache. I did not open the door, made sure the dogs were visible and sent him away, but I watched to see where he went. Oddly enough mine was the only house he stopped at (looking for work in the rain) despite the fact that I had several neighbors at home. Please ask people to be alert for those who are looking for potential targets. I've had several neighbors and friends burglarized soon after hiring a door-to-door handyman to work around their houses."

Officer Hill from the West Precinct encourages us to call 545-COPS whenever this type solicitation occurs. He may be headed to a neighbor who might not be successful in getting him to go away. The MPD advocates using the 545-COPS number so that, hopefully, these guys will learn that they will be stopped and questioned by the police when they're casing our neighborhood.

Tuesday, February 19 - Monday evening at 9:00 pm one of our neighbors was mugged in the Walgreen's parking lot at Union and Mclean. The perp is a black male, 5'6" - 5'8", stocky, roughly 250 lbs., fair skin - got away in a light colored, four-door, boxy, honda or mazda - type car. The victim was alone approaching the door to Walgreens when the perp ran up to and grabbed her purse. She hung on and he dragged her until she let go. He got into the car, which was driven by another black male. They backed through the drive-through prescription lanes and exited onto Barksdale, headed south. Please be alert and call 545-COPS if you see anything suspicious. Feel free to pass this along to other folks in our area.

Another community watch alert from this weekend - please take extra care while unloading groceries!

800 Block of South Cox Street: Saturday night a prowler was crouched on the back patio hiding behind the grill watching the homeowner come in and out of the house unloading things from her car. It was a black male with a black wool hat on. Police arrived but did not catch the suspect.

Saturday January 19 3:00 am.- Antique metal porch furniture was taken from two houses in the 2200 block of Evelyn Ave. The suspects took advantage of the fact that the porch lights on both of these houses were apparently turned off. Please we encourage you to keep your porch areas well lighted to deter these types of crimes. Also, chain down your furniture if possible and engrave your driver's license number on the furniture. By doing this, the police have the right to arrest anyone on the spot that is caught with your property.

Again on Saturday- in the area of S. Cox a suspect was apprehended by police while trying to break into a shed. The man was known to be someone who frequently mows yards in the neighborhood. PLEASE, we urge you to be very selective about who you get to mow your yard this year. And,again engrave your belongings. Sunday January 20 8:30 pm. in the 2000 block of Nelson three men seen breaking in to a car and lawn mowers reported stolen

Sunday January 20 8:30 PM Three men seen by resident breaking into a car in the 2000 block of Nelson. Resident also reports missing lawn mowers.

If you need information on engraving or how to set up a watch group in your area please feel free e-mail or call cycawatch@yahoo.com or 272-2922.

Thank you all for being the eyes and ears of Cooper
Young.

Lori Creasy

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