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

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.

Theft - Woodland Hills Lane, 6600 block, 9/21/07. Homeowner reported overnight theft of ceramic pottery, two large containers kept just outside the front door.

Theft - Trail Bluff Drive, 6600 block, 9/13/07. Garage door was accidentally left open, and homeowner’s truck was broken into. An iPod and a radar detector were taken from the truck. Please check that your garage doors are closed!

Miscellaneous Incidents - Trail Bluff Drive, 6600 block, morning of 9/6/07. Stranger claiming he was a new neighbor on Fox Chase Lane was soliciting contributions to his "performing arts education fund."  A similar incident occurred at Westover Estates (across from Plano Presbyterian Hospital) the same evening.

Indian Trail, 6600 block, early morning of 9/7/07, two palm trees were taken from a residence. The trees' planters were left behind.

Stolen Planter - Hidden Creek Court, 6500 block, evening of 8/24/07. Taken from front porch. No suspects in this case.

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.