White Rock Hills Neighborhood Association 1177 taking off

by Mike Orren

WHITE ROCK HILLS — On November 8, the White Rock Hills Neighborhood Association 1177 had its first Crime watch meeting with more than a hundred residents in attendance.

Sergeant Steve Armand of the Dallas Police Department went over numerous things that individual citizens can do to prevent crime, ranging from checking crime reports online, to neighborhood patrols and registering cars through the H.E.A.T. program.

Armand stressed the importance of reporting all suspicious activity via 911 or 311 (depending on the situation), noting that patrol resources are often deployed based on crime reporting patterns.

Kerry Goodwin, Weed and Seed Coordinator for the Ferguson Road Initiative talked about how the association and FRI could work together. He also informed the group that an uptick in graffiti may be related to the "Felony Kidz Clique," a new gang in the area.

Fran Garcia, Glenda Own and Susan Walker -- all heads of other area crime watches talked about how a strong organization can improve a neighborhood. Walker's group, for instance, has seen crime cut in half over a four-year period.

Association president Eileen Moore introduced other officers including treasurer Bill Horton and secretary James Berry. She also showed the group new crime watch signs that could be placed throughout the neighborhood, saying they are a proven deterrent. Signs must be purchased from the City of Dallas for $18 each.

Eileen also discussed communication methods for the organization. A voice mail and messaging system has been set up at 214-321-9966. Weekly updates on crime will be posted on the voice mail and distributed via the organizations email address: wrhna1177@msn.com. There are also plans for information alert yard signs.

The group is seeking volunteers and block captains to organize neighborhood efforts. It has an annual budget of $2,200 to be funded primarily by $20 memberships. Checks may be made payable to White Rock Hills NA #1177, PO Box 750291, Dallas, TX 75357.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 15.

There has already been an increase in crime reporting since the meeting, with 23 reports filed with DPD in the first half of the month, including four burglarized motor vehicles, an auto theft and four residential burglaries.

And in a bit of numeric serendipity, 23 crime watch signs have been ordered and will be installed at perimeters and intersections in the next month.

Mike lives in WRHN 1177 and is a member of the association.