Security and Safety Committee Minutes June 12, 2008

 
The meeting was called to order by Bill Aldridge.
 
There are currently 21 people signed up to be street captains and more are needed. Bill read a list of what streets still need captains and asked those present to sign up to be a street captain if their street was on the list.
 
Minutes from the last meeting are on the HOA website for anyone to read. Our goal is to have one meeting a quarter in the future as soon as the committee is set up and functioning
.
Corporal Karen Ball from the Sheriff’s office talked about Neighborhood Watch program and answered questions from the audience. Some things discussed included:
 
            -  Be aware of surroundings.
            -  Be specific when calling the sheriff’s office.                                                                      -  Be able to describe any individual or groups of individuals who seem out of place in the community. Note vehicle make, color, model, and license plate numbers. You should be able to read the tags.
           -  Get to know your neighbors - know their phone numbers as well. Don’t leave your doors unlocked. Have someone who can watch your house when you’re gone.
           -  Currently there seems to be some problems with theft of metals in the area.
           -  Cypress Landing has had little crime. What crime we have had includes domestic disturbances, mail fraud, and a stolen lawn mower and an outboard motor from the storage yard.
           -  With the high price of gas and a falling economy, report anything out of the ordinary.
           -  If you dial 911 by mistake, you will be called back to verify the call. There is no charge for a false alarm response to an alarm system call.
           -  For non-emergencies, call the Sheriff’s dispatch at 946-0101.
           -  The Beaufort County Sheriff’s office DOES NOT solicit for money by phone.
           -  We are supposed to have 5 deputies on each shift with 3 cars on patrol at any given time. One officer works southside of the bridge and one works northside of the bridge.  If needed, Washington police and the NC State Troopers may be called in to assist with any problems.
 
Officer Ball had several handouts about neighborhood watch, crime prevention, home security checklist, and preparing for an emergency pamphlet.
 
Bill had met earlier in the day with the Cypress Landing Emergency Preparedness Committee as a member of that committee. All major facilities within CL have detailed plans in case of an emergency. The CL Emergency Preparedness Plan is on the HOA website.
 
The biggest problems here in CL are high winds, tornadoes, and lightning strikes. Therefore it is suggested that each homeowner check around their house and yard for potential problems, such as trees that may need cutting etc. Bill suggested that everyone have an emergency radio that works on batteries. Make sure to check that the batteries are working.
 
It is recommended that pine straw be moved about 3 inches away from your house and wood structures to lessen chances of fire in case of a lightning strike. Check gas powered generators and the gas that’s used in them. Rotate the gas out every three months. The Bay Club has a generator with a 500-gallon propane tank in the lower level, which will help keep community records safe from any damage during a hurricane.
 
We will be given 72 hours notification prior to an impending storm. Beaufort County WILL NOT ORDER A MANDATORY EVACUATION unless a Category 4 or 5 storms is involved. If winds are sustained at 50 mph or above nothing will be dispatched to Cypress Landing. We become self-contained. If you choose to stay during a storm be prepared to be self-sufficient and without power for up to 12 days. Old Blounts Creek Road and Route 33 are not on the priority list for tree removal/cleanup. Route 17 is number one on the priority list for cleanup and Route 264 is number 2.
 
If you must evacuate to a shelter, you will not be able to bring your pets or any firearms. Make sure you have plans for your pets in case of an evacuation. Prepare a phone tree for friends and family to let them know what’s going on.
 
Officers Carson and Campbell with the sheriff’s department live on our side of the county and may be available to help in times of storm emergencies.
 
If everything is shut down and you must leave the community you will probably have to take Route 102 to Route 70 to go towards Wilson/Raleigh.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.       
 
Respectfully submitted
 
Karen Omri