April 1, 2004

Le Mirador hosts local law enforcement officials at Neighborhood Watch meeting

Provides helpful hints in fighting crime

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Approximately 70 Almaden Valley seniors recently learned why San Jose has been named the “Safest Big City” in America. On March 28 Police Chief Rob Davis joined lieutenants Jack Farmer and Rich Calderon along with Vice-Mayor Pat Dando and San Jose Neighborhood Watch coordinator Rosanna Carrasco for a new and improved Le Mirador Neighborhood Watch meeting.

Le Mirador is a senior citizen apartment complex located on Coleman Avenue at Almaden Expressway. To residents and attendees, the police force’s concerned presence made it clear that local leaders are dedicated to preserving the community’s safety.

“San Jose has officially been named the ‘Safest Big City in America’ because we have the best police department bar none,” explained Vice-Mayor Dando. “We are lucky to have a police chief that cares so deeply about the community, coming out to a Neighborhood Watch meeting in Almaden.“

Le Mirador residents listened actively as Davis and his police cohorts explained the complex’s current situation in terms of past problems and unfortunate possibilities, as well as useful techniques and tactics to ensure safety for residents and community members in general.

Despite a safe reputation, Le Mirador has suffered several reoccurring crimes that the San Jose Police Department has already moved toward solving.

First, residents at Le Mirador, which is located no more than 100 yards from several bodies of tulle guarded drinking water, formally manned by the water district, have found that vagrants homestead the land behind their buildings, seeking the warmth and natural cover of the ponds’ foliages. More recently, police have discovered that those vagrants were, in part, high school students finding refuge from class and home.

The city of San Jose, SJPD, and the Santa Clara County Water District have reached an agreement that will solve the problem once and for all. The groups plan to arrange a mass pruning of the overgrown shrubs surrounding the water.

Second, due to the reality of city living, several Le Mirador residents have reported car burglaries after finding windows smashed and items missing from their automobiles parked in the lot outside the complex. The good news, according to Lt. Farmer, is that arrests were made last week in connection to these crimes.

The law authorities present at the Neighborhood Watch meeting were careful to point out that each community member has a responsibility in the continued growth of safety and the reduction of crime.

“There are three things that keep San Jose and the Almaden Valley, especially, safe,” said Chief Davis. “The first of those is assistance from the community.” Davis explained that community members’ cooperation toward solving crimes allows police to catch criminals.

“Last year we had 57 calls from Le Mirador by the third month of the year,” said Lt. Calderon. “This year that number is already up to 62 and next year we hope to see an even larger increase.” According to Calderon, the more calls the better because whether the calls are overly concerned or not, the police force’s presence limits criminal activity substantially.

“It is also very important that you take advantage of technology,” explained Chief Davis, referring to a new opportunity on www.sjpd.org. The site has implemented a map marked with crimes committed and descriptions of those crimes. The Web site is designed to alert residents of clues indicative of criminal activity. “The more people are involved the more likely the crime will be solved. In terms of criminal activity, technology is the quickest and most effective way to exchange information,” said Davis.

Ms. Carrasco concluded the meeting noting several helpful reminders.

“Always remember the three L’s of crime stopping,” said Carrasco. “First is landscaping. Cut the foliage in your yard. Trim it at the top and at the bottom so nobody can hide either themselves or tools behind a bush. Second is locking. Keep all doors locked and don’t hide a key in a place somebody might find it. Rather, give a spare key to a friend. If you lose your key call them. Third is lighting. Always close your blinds so people can’t look into your home and see what you have. You don’t want the fishbowl effect where people see you inside your house.”

Other items touched on at the meeting included 9-1-1 calls, door-to-door solicitors, and garage door openers. In the case of door-to-door solicitors, all solicitors must display a peddler’s license containing a picture of that person. When leaving your car, remember to carry your garage door opener on you rather than leaving it hooked on the visor.

Community members should remember to call 9-1-1 in any emergency situation and 3-1-1 in a non-emergency. When calling from a cellular phone, 9-1-1 calls are free whether the phone is in active service or not. Any charged phone will still connect you to 9-1-1. Unfortunately, however, when dialed from a cellular phone the 9-1-1 call is directed to highway patrol rather than the SJPD and the 3-1-1 non-emergency number works from landlines only. For San Jose Police cellular phone emergencies dial (408) 277-8911.