Identify Theft is rising. When possible, remove the mail from your mailbox as soon as you have an opportunity to do so.

Contact information - please be sure we have your current email address by notifying Susan Schwartz of any changes. Email is the most efficient way for us to relay information to you on urgent matters.

Safety

• Keep your garage doors closed, and cover your windows & exterior doors with shades after dusk.

• Please lock the doors to your vehicle(s) parked on the street or in the driveway.

• Don't ignore strangers ringing your doorbell during the day - they may be "casing the joint". Most burglars won't commit a burglary if they think someone is home. Ask who it is, but don't open the door to someone you don't know.

Speeders! - We have received word of several determined neighborhood speeders. Please slow down before you hit a kid. If that's not enough incentive, check this Plano Police Dept web site to see the cost of a speeding ticket!

Reduce your risk of becoming a carjacking victim - read this article by the National Safety Council.

INCIDENTS

Potential Suspect for Break-Ins - Shady Brook Trail by Phase V, 6/15/2010. Just before 10 am, a resident observed a possible suspect for a home break-in. He was wearing a heavy tan coat, black backpack, black gym shorts with white stripes, and white sneakers, and was heading in the direction of Kings Gate. The individual was described as white, between 6' and 6'2" tall, and had a buzz cut. He appeared to be quite familiar with the area.

With many homeowners taking vacation during the summer, please ensure at least one of your neighbors knows you are away. Also please do not discuss your vacation plans in public.

Burglary of Motor Vehicle - Shady Creek Court, 6600 block, 4/22/09. Homeowner had four wheels taken from truck parked in the driveway. The resident discovered the truck raised with the wheels missing around 6 am. The police have a special task force in place as this is a big problem in Plano right now. If at all possible, park your vehicles in the garage or behind a gate.

Open Mailboxes - 1/20/09. It was noticed that several streets had all their mail boxes "open" all weekend with mail in them. Please close any neighbor's mailboxes you notice are open, as it is an invitation for identity theft and an advertisement that someone may be out of town. If you plan to be out of town, please have the post office hold your mail or have a neighbor collect it. Ask a neighbor to watch your house for suspicious activity, deliveries, unsolicited newspapers, and flyers. You don't want potential burglars targeting your home!

Automobile Vandalism - Canyon Oaks Circle, 6600 Block, 1/17/09. Homeowner's vehicle parked in street in front of house was vandalized during evening hours. The car's four tires were slashed and the vehicle's emblem was taken.

Burglary - Hidden Creek Court, 6500 Block, 12/10/08. Home was burglarized during daylight items, with numerous items of value stolen. The homeowners were not home at the time of the burglary. The case is currently under investigation by the Plano Police Department.
With the downturn in the economy, burglaries are on the rise. Be sure to keep your home secured with dead bolt locks and turn on the alarm/security system when not at home. If you are going out of town, do not publicize your travel plans, and ask a neighbor to watch your house.

Burglary of Motor Vehicle - Whispering Woods Court, 6600 block, 5/18/08. At approximately 2 am, four boys broke into a family friend's Pontiac Grand-Am parked in front of the house (this was recorded by surveillance cameras, and took a radio, backpack, and iPod from the trunk. The entire incident was about two minutes in length, and the boys escaped on foot.
All homeowners should take precaution with vehicles not parked in the garage. Please remove all items not locked down (this includes iPods, radar detectors, and portable navigation units) when leaving your vehicle. It only takes a very short time for burglars to break into cars and take items. Also please remember to keep your garage doors closed at all times.

Possible Explosive Device -  loud bang at door - Indian Trail, 6600 block, 4/6/08. A homeowner reported that at approximately 3 am, the doorbell rang but there was no response when she talked through the intercom. Minutes later there was a loud bang outside. Checking later in the morning, she discovered a water bottle with substances including aluminum foil and chlorine. These are similar to some of the substances in homemade devices used in random attacks in Plano in 2007. Please call 911 immediately if something does not feel right. If you feel the situation does not warrant an immediate response, call the PPD non-emergency line (972) 424-5678. The dispatcher who answers the phone will help you determine the urgency of the situation.

Soliciting after dark - Beginning 2/19/08, we have had numerous individuals soliciting after dark throughout our development. City Ordinance prohibits soliciting after dark (beginning 30 minutes prior to sunset), even with a permit. Don't open the door for people you don't know!  Call the non-emergency Plano Police number at 972-424-5678 if this happens; if that number is not responding quickly,  call 911 at once.

PLEASE take precautions with cars not parked in your garages as they are easy targets. These types of incidents will happen anywhere, so Shoal Creek is no exception! If you have visitors, ask them to put any valuable items out of sight and lock their cars.

URBAN LEGENDS

809 Area Code - See http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp
Perfume in the Parking Lot - http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/perfume.asp

 

	Archived versions of the Plano Police Dept Crime Times Newsletter are available at the Police Dept website.
		Crime Times use PDF format and require Adobe Reader, a free download.
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