September 27, 2012

Home Safety Tips

Just a few home safety tips--real simple but effective.

  1. When you leave your home each day be sure to check all doors and windows and see that they are locked. The majority of the latest burglaries were committed by opportunists finding windows unlocked and slightly open. The crooks were able to remove or cut screen and raise the windows permitting entry. EASY--NOISELESS
  2. Keep a car in the driveway if you have a second car that isn't being driven. This give the appearance that someone is home.
  3. Keep hedges and trees trimmed, particularly those that are in front of first floor windows and doors.
  4. Purchase strong locks for windows and doors.
  5. Develop good relations with your neighbors and keep in contact reporting any suspicious persons or vehicles.


If you observe a crime in progress, STAY CALM, BE AN EFFICIENT OBSERVER. Many times, victims AND witnesses become so emotionally overcome with fear or anger they can't give an accurate description of the incident or the perpetrators or they may completely forget what happened.

DO NOT confront the criminal. rather stay out of sight and call police immediately. You may be asked to give directions and give a play by play of the activity so officers can zero right in on the act. Stay out of sight, stay in contact and let the police surprise them!!

Remember, you can be an important link in the investigation and in the closure of a case. Use you best powers of observation.

Tips provided by Sgt. Vince Valdez



September 24, 2012

Be Warned: Break-Ins

This message is from our neighborhood Sgt. - Sgt. Vince Valdez

Woodland Heights Residents:


I found the information about the Character Plan to be very interesting. I am a history buff and am always interested in learning about the many historic neighborhoods in Des Moines. My hat is off to Lila and so many of you who take pride in the heritage and preservation of your neighborhood. This is a heritage that should never be forgotten and passed on to the new residents that come to live in Woodland Heights.

I hope the information I presented to you last night was informative and alleviated the fears that are so prevalent regarding the rash of burglaries on the west side and in your back yard.

I'm going to pass along this information again I shared in an earlier e-mail regarding the burglaries as well as last night at the meeting. I'm also including some home safety tips that may sound too simple but that's how burglars easily exploit our weaknesses-by going for the simple stuff.

With the recent wave of home burglaries in the Woodland Heights, North of Grand, and South of Grand neighborhoods there is understandably a serious concern for the safety of the neighborhoods and what the police department is doing or has done to solve this rash of crimes.

I am happy to report that the DM Police Department and it's partners in law enforcement have worked very hard at identifying the suspects and in the last two weeks have made several arrests.

I assisted members of our intelligence unit and members of a fugitive task force on Tuesday of last week as they located a group of individuals responsible for a wave of burglaries, thefts, and fraud cases.

I also wanted to address your concern over the lack of attention to Woodland Heights and their burglaries a couple of weeks when officers of the patrol section and NBSD were concentrated in the area south of Grand during a rash of burglaries. Those resources were called there to respond to a series of incidents that were happening, right then, with suspects still in the neighborhood.

A resident in the area was able to take pictures of the suspects who were later located, positively identified and arrested. They were part of a loosely organized group of young adults and juveniles that were committing crimes in the NOG, Woodland Heights and Sherman Hill neighborhoods.

The investigation is not over as more leads and connections keep coming. Some of the arrested individuals have bonded out and some are still in jail as they had outstanding warrants for probation violation prior to the new charges.

Just a few home safety tips--real simple but effective.

When you leave your home each day be sure to check all doors and windows and see that they are locked. The majority of the latest burglaries were committed by opportunists finding windows unlocked and slightly open. The crooks were able to remove or cut screen and raise the windows permitting entry. EASY--NOISELESS

Keep a car in the driveway if you have a second car that isn't being driven. This give the appearance that someone is home.

Keep hedges and trees trimmed, particularly those that are in front of first floor windows and doors. Purchase strong locks for windows and doors.

Develop good relations with your neighbors and keep in contact reporting any suspicious persons or vehicles.

If you observe a crime in progress, STAY CALM, BE AN EFFICIENT OBSERVER. Many times, victims AND witnesses become so emotionally overcome with fear or anger they can't give an accurate description of the incident or the perpetrators or they may completely forget what happened.

DO NOT confront the criminal. rather stay out of sight and call police immediately. You may be asked to give directions and give a play by play of the activity so officers can zero right in on the act. Stay out of sight, stay in contact and let the police surprise them!!

Remember, you can be an important link in the investigation and in the closure of a case. Use you best powers of observation.

- Sgt. Vince Valdez

September Meeting Notes

WHO Meeting – Sept 18 2012


Bert – Zoning Board of Adjustment, City Planner
  • City notifies Neighborhood Association and residents impacted for zoning issues
  • 689 28th Street – Variance for large garage – 24 x 24 … 24 x 30 (124 sq feet larger than allowed); proposing 4 feet from property line from Pleasant St. (legally 2 feet set-back)
    • Public hearing on Sept. 26th
    • Concerns voiced during the meeting:
      • Character plan for remodeling/building – arts/crafts period, pitches of roof, street appeal, conform to street scape, etc.
      • Sidewalk planned for Pleasant for safety concerns; garage might not be ideal
      • Potential rental property (neighbor believes owner moved back); but rental certificate good through 2013
    • Motion/2nd - Encourage resident to adhere/incorporate more of prairie design (Bert to discuss with resident) – Unanimous
    • Motion/2nd – invite resident to meeting to discuss guidelines (Claudia)
  • Quedoba – wants 3 signs (zoning only allows 2)
John Dean – ISU Graduate – Visioning Session coming up – please make plans to attend!

Vince (DSM Police) – 7 arrests for break-ins. 4 adults/ 3 juveniles
  • Most in neighborhood in South/North Grand – daytime burglaries; open door/open windows
  • Fast/efficient youth – scope/ID house?
  • 18 Burglaries since August – Maroon color car – watch out for it.
  • Walgreens burglary on Ingersoll - professional job
  • Want crime prevention tips; home safety brochure; inventory sheet distributed to neighbors

September 18, 2012

Childcare Provided: Saturday 9/22

Share your thoughts!  Woodland Heights has been selected to participate in the City of Des Moines' new pilot program to update your original neighborhood revitalization plan, approved in 1991.

Neighborhood residents and area stakeholders will work with Masters' students in Community and Regional Planning from ISU and City staff to update our plan.  The updated plan will identify goals, strategies and action steps for improving the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Participation provides us a chance to help shape the future of our neighborhood!

We will have 3 sessions -- all at Mickle Center - 1620 Pleasant Street from 1 to 4:00 p.m.  Refreshments and childcare provided!
  • Saturday, 9/22  - Vision
  • Saturday, 10/6 - Strategies & Action Steps
  • Saturday, 10/20 - Roles & Resources

Our Original Character Plan

Here's the plan we're working to update - check out the progress we've made since 1991!

August Notes

WHO Meeting – August 21, 2012

Mary Neidenbracher – Federal funds with property loans from city (5 loan and 5 year restriction)

2714 Ingersoll – Crattelli building; foreclosure by city
  • Meric – HOME loan; federal loan for development
  • 1919 built by former Mayor of DSM – originally 15 units; in 1944 approx. divided into more units & garages built
  • Loan – 165,000 2012; part of it will be paid back
  • Assist 11 units with payments - most be occupied by tenants below 60% of median income (1 person – income must be less than $31,000); other 11 units not under limits
  • 8 2 bedrooms; 15 1 bedrooms (dogs up to 25 lbs); screen tenants but are liberal; Avg: 650 up to 700/month
  • Maintenance plans – roof, boiler, new kitchens, redo majority of bathrooms; like to keep original fixtures if can (woodwork, tiles, etc.); repair/retexture/repaint walls; update electrical service; new plumbing to street, etc.

See examples of their work - 3451 grand ave – building ½ done – DMU students are in it (corner of 35 & grand) \ 511 29th street \ other examples

Eric and Merle – 3607 Ingersoll (have about 400 units now; been in business for 4 to 5 years an incorporated entity)

Merle Laswell – Meric Property Management – 5157715383
mericpm1@gmail.com | o – 5152559289 | 3607 Ingersoll Ave, 107 – dsm, IA 50312

Ingersoll Square – Sherman Hill – Ingersoll/High/MLK – 63 Units of New construction housing – coming up for planning zoning committee - $3 million grant from state of IA (CGBG) (77% brick; hardy plank; differences in decking) – 50% of residents must be at 80% of median income – 42,100 (32 units); rest of building not restricted. $800 for 1 bedroom; 850 for 2 bedroom

Vince – will set-up meeting with Principal & VP at Callahan; 4:00 p.m. time; bring ideas and concerns to meeting; try something different in 2012-2013 school year; still have ambassadors

NBSD – assigned to state fair duty & court avenue loop ; assisting special ops unit

Neighborhood Planning Process – Dates confirmed for neighborhood workshops – Sat. Sept. 22nd 1 to 4
Oct. 6 1 to 4; Oct 20 1 to 4 (every other week) – location ?? location/snacks/child care (team of 3 students);

- Mickelson Center
- Schools/ 42nd Plymouth Church
- City will have postage list for ISU students – they will send postcards
- These plans are put into action – benefit you – on the ground changes (1 – vision/creating a vision 2 – turning vision into projects & who will take responsibility 3 – how will we know we got there/measure change)
- Homeownership is a commitment for our neighborhood; need a plan – lots of foreclosures; identify problem; get data; assign responsibility, etc.
- Foreclosure response information – financial planning, etc.

Thank you for NNO – great event; great coordination.

Meeting Tonight - 7:00 p.m.

Don't forget to stop by Callanan Middle School cafeteria to discuss issues important to our neighborhood.

Agenda
- Recent break-ins
- Upcoming vision discussions (first meeting this Saturday!)
- Foreclosure information

See you soon!

September 5, 2012

Take a Trip Through History: An Exhibit of Images Since 1879


Presented by the North of Grand Neighborhood Association Sept. 3rd through Sept. 28th, Scottish Rite Park Art Gallery, located at 2909 Woodland Avenue Public hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The North of Grand Neighborhood is researching the people, infrastructure, businesses and churches of part of early Des Moines (between 31st and 42nd, and I-235 and Grand Avenue). Historically-rich neighborhoods encourage residents to take pride in where they live. This safe, affordable, tree-lined area is a desirable part of Des Moines due to its close proximity to Ingersoll shops, restaurants, the bus line, well-established churches, quality schools and historic architecture.

This project is a collaborative effort undertaken by the North of Grand Neighborhood Association and the Community Development Department at the City of Des Moines, and supported in part by the State Historical Society of Iowa, Historical Resource Development Program; Polk County; Drake University; private donations and volunteer resources. Thanks for supporting (we proudly believe) one of the most attractive, mixed-use neighborhoods in Iowa.

Please visit our Facebook page, North of Grand DSM.

September 3, 2012

Sept 6: Join us for a Neighborhood Tour



Please let Doug - President of WHO (at: WHO@mediacombb.netknow if you are interested in joining in on a tour of our neighborhood and identifying potential opportunities for development.  This is an important step for our development plan and vision for the future.

--------------------------

My name is John Dean, and I am the Team Leader for the Iowa State University Woodland Heights planning team.  My team is excited to meet you and to work with the residents of Woodland Heights.  

To gain a better understanding of the neighborhood, my team would like to go on a tour of the Woodland Heights area.  Would you, or another representative from the Woodland Heights Organization, be available to offer an afternoon walking tour of the neighborhood on Thursday, September 6th?  We are flexible in the length and content of the tour, however we hope that this tour will offer us a good perspective of the neighborhood in moving forward.  My team especially hopes to gain a better understand of the Ingersoll business area, as well as the schools in the neighborhood.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you in the near future,

John Dean
Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant
Masters in Community & Regional Planning
MS, Sustainable Agriculture
Iowa State University

Snow Removal: Update




....Letter sent to the organization from the City of Des Moines on August 31, 2012


On June 29, 2012, we shared with you and other neighborhood leaders our plan to request the City Council to restrict parking on all residential streets Citywide until plowed. The plan includes the use of larger, more efficient “wing plow” equipment to plow at accumulations of 2” rather than the current standard of 4” on residential streets.

The City Council has now approved the plan, and as a result, parking is restricted until streets are plowed curb to curb.  A substantial education program is planned to inform residents prior to implementation.  We will be providing information on how residents may monitor developing conditions via the City’s website with quick links to radar and press release information.  In addition, residents may choose to subscribe to our email so they are notified when plowing begins, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for information.  Up-to-date information on snow removal operations will also be available 24 hours at our Customer Service Center at 283-4950.

To help educate residents, warnings only will be issued during the first two snow events. After that, however, vehicle owners will be ticketed if their vehicle is on the street before it is plowed.  The amount of a parking ticket is $35.

Your neighborhood association can participate in this education campaign by including an article in your neighborhood newsletter regarding the new parking restrictions.  Soon you will receive an article you can reprint in your newsletter with an explanation of the new restrictions.

In the event you would like someone to speak at your next neighborhood association meeting to discuss the parking restrictions and possible alternatives for parking, please contact our Street Maintenance Administrator, Sara Thies, at 283-4202, or email her at slthies@dmgov.org as soon as possible.

Best regards,

 

William G. Stowe
Assistant City Manager—Public Works Director

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