Please make plans to join your neighbors in the Dahls cafteria for our March 2013 meeting.
We'll meet from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19th.
Hope to see you there! We'll be voting on new officers - please come and vote!
February 19, 2013
December 4, 2012
Don't forget, there's a party tonight
Don't forget ... join us tonight for dinner, bingo, fun and more!
________________
Make plans to attend the annual neighborhood meeting/gathering on Tuesday, December 4.
The fun beings at 5:30 p.m. at the Mickel Center (1620 Pleasant Street). Bring a dish to share and come to celebrate the season and learn about the future vision for our neighborhood.
Hope to see you there!
________________
Make plans to attend the annual neighborhood meeting/gathering on Tuesday, December 4.
The fun beings at 5:30 p.m. at the Mickel Center (1620 Pleasant Street). Bring a dish to share and come to celebrate the season and learn about the future vision for our neighborhood.
Hope to see you there!
November 21, 2012
Winter is Coming - Snow Removal
Dear Neighborhoods:
On August 31, 2012, we shared with you and other neighborhoods the details of a recently approved ordinance restricting on-street parking Citywide during snow plowing operations. The new ordinance makes it possible to use larger, more efficient “wing plow” equipment to plow residential streets after snowfalls of greater than 2” compared to greater than 4” in the past.
Public Works has provided the following resources in an effort to educate the public on this new ordinance:
The snow season is close at hand. The average date of the first measureable snow in Des Moines over the last five years is November 15.
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 24/7 at our Customer Service Center at 283-4950.
To further educate residents, the Police Department will issue informational warnings only 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.
Laurie Frederick
Executive Administrative Assistant
City of Des Moines Department of Public Works
216 SE 5th St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
For Patrick J. Kozitza, Public Works Director (Interim)
On August 31, 2012, we shared with you and other neighborhoods the details of a recently approved ordinance restricting on-street parking Citywide during snow plowing operations. The new ordinance makes it possible to use larger, more efficient “wing plow” equipment to plow residential streets after snowfalls of greater than 2” compared to greater than 4” in the past.
Public Works has provided the following resources in an effort to educate the public on this new ordinance:
- Article provided for neighborhood newsletters (September)
- Insert in Des Moines Water Works statements (October)
- Insert in the upcoming City Source Newsletter (November)
- Public Works’ employees meeting with neighborhoods upon request
The snow season is close at hand. The average date of the first measureable snow in Des Moines over the last five years is November 15.
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 24/7 at our Customer Service Center at 283-4950.
To further educate residents, the Police Department will issue informational warnings only 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.
Laurie Frederick
Executive Administrative Assistant
City of Des Moines Department of Public Works
216 SE 5th St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
For Patrick J. Kozitza, Public Works Director (Interim)
November 20, 2012
From ISU Students ... Submit your Feedback
Dear Woodland Heights residents,
On behalf of the ISU Planning Team, thank you again to all who helped to make each of the planning workshops a success. We appreciate your valuable insight and leadership. As we stated last Saturday, the information that we received from the workshops will assist us in developing a realistic, yet visionary, neighborhood plan. If you were unable to attend the workshops, please add any comments or questions about the process and results at Revitalize Des Moines: http://www.revitalizedesmoines.com/. We especially want to thank the Woodland Heights Organization in helping to make the workshops a reality.
The purpose of the neighborhood plan is to help the residents of Woodland Heights (you all) to create a community that reflects the vision that its residents have agreed to. A major outcome of the final workshop was the adaption of a neighborhood vision. The vision of Woodland Heights is:
Thanks again,
John and the ISU Planning Team
On behalf of the ISU Planning Team, thank you again to all who helped to make each of the planning workshops a success. We appreciate your valuable insight and leadership. As we stated last Saturday, the information that we received from the workshops will assist us in developing a realistic, yet visionary, neighborhood plan. If you were unable to attend the workshops, please add any comments or questions about the process and results at Revitalize Des Moines: http://www.revitalizedesmoines.com/. We especially want to thank the Woodland Heights Organization in helping to make the workshops a reality.
The purpose of the neighborhood plan is to help the residents of Woodland Heights (you all) to create a community that reflects the vision that its residents have agreed to. A major outcome of the final workshop was the adaption of a neighborhood vision. The vision of Woodland Heights is:
- The residents of Woodland Heights envision a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing, and peaceful neighborhood where families can thrive in a socially-diverse, historically significant community that remains connected to its natural setting and surrounding urban environment.
- The next step is to draft the Woodland Heights Neighborhood Plan! We are working diligently on preparing a draft that will be reviewed by the city on November 16th. We will be presenting the plan to you all for your approval on the evening of Tuesday, December 4th at the Mickle Center Community Room. Prior to presenting the plan, we will be distributing the final draft for your comments. In the meantime, we will be updating you all as to the progress of the draft, and also identifying potential neighborhood leaders to help us reach the vision that Woodland Heights strives for.
Thanks again,
John and the ISU Planning Team
Mark the Calendar: December 4 Holiday Party
Make plans to attend the annual neighborhood meeting/gathering on Tuesday, December 4.
The fun beings at 5:30 p.m. at the Mickel Center (1620 Pleasant Street). Bring a dish to share and come to celebrate the season and learn about the future vision for our neighborhood.
Hope to see you there!
The fun beings at 5:30 p.m. at the Mickel Center (1620 Pleasant Street). Bring a dish to share and come to celebrate the season and learn about the future vision for our neighborhood.
Hope to see you there!
September 27, 2012
Home Safety Tips
Just a few home safety tips--real simple but effective.
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
- 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.
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
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
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