*** Car Theft Alert UPDATE ***

Winona Woods Neighborhood Association has received a statement from our Irondequoit Police Department liaison Officer Andrew Whitaker concerning the larcenies occurring on the evening of January 3rd.  He writes:

 I have been advised that there rumors of numerous car break ins the Winona Woods Association Area, during the New Year holiday. The Irondequoit Police Department has only received 5 vehicle break ins in the associations area. If there are more I would like to encourage individuals to call 911 to make the report or at least let the department be advised of the incident. All 5 incidents were from unlocked vehicles, so I would like to encourage individuals to lock their vehicles and not to leave anything of value in their vehicles. If you happen to see anything suspicious please call 911.

Comparing what we have read and heard from residents to the official reports it has become apparent that many of these break ins are not being reported to the police. Filing a police report is important to us as community. Even if you are untroubled about your personal property being disturbed or perhaps stolen, the reports heighten the awareness of the situation to the police resulting in an increased police presence and greater attention to our neighborhood which is good for all of us.

When calling to report an incident it is important to understand that filing a report and giving an "FYI" to the police are different. We encourage filed reports as they leave a permanent paper trail as well as allow the police to share that information without any individually identifiable factors such as names or addresses with the Winona Woods Neighborhood Watch. The Watch is then able to track incidents, advise residents of trends and advocate for greater police presence if so warranted.

Moving Forward...

Winona Woods has taken specific actions in order to address resident concerns. We have:


- Purchased reflective vests for the Neighborhood Watch Foot Patrol to increase visibility of our efforts

- Reached out to the Irondequoit DPW to get an update on the installation of Neighborhood Watch signs along St. Paul Blvd. and the railroad bed.

- Scheduled a Neighborhood Watch Committee Meeting for Saturday, January, 17th at 10 AM at the Cooper Deli. Please email winonawoodswatch@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

- Set aside agenda time at the February 2nd General Meeting to be held at 6:30 PM at the Trinity Communion Church to gather input from residents.

However...

we can not go it alone. Winona Woods needs all residents to take the following actions in order to put an end to this type of crime:

- Lock vehicle doors

- Remove valuable belongings from your vehicles

- Call 911 and file a police report should you or family become a victim of a crime. (Don't feel embarrassed! IPD does not release resident names or addresses to Winona Woods)

- Volunteer for the Winona Watch Foot Patrol by signing up here. 

- Install and use motion senor lights, placed or secured in a manner to disallow thieves to unscrew the light bulbs.

Yet...

as unfortunate as each of these break ins are it is important for us to recognize the tremendous efforts of so many of our neighbors who have taken time to share information with our group, remind others to lock doors, call in suspicious activity, file police reports and contact Winona Watch with thoughts, ideas or concerns. That's what a Neighborhood Watch is about! Thanks to residents like these, our community is actively engaged and aware.

Further questions, comments or concerns will be welcomed at the February 2nd General Meeting at Trinity Communion Church at 6:30 PM.

Should you like to speak with Officer Whitaker directly, please contact him in the IPD Community Service Department at (585) 336-6000 x2290 or at awhitaker@irondequoit.org

 

Thank You,
The Winona Woods Board 
Brad, Jeremy, Amy, Michele, Eileen & Michelle

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