our newsletter^j 2018-03 (final) - stevenson …stevensoncommunity.org/newsletter2018-03.pdf•...

OUR NEWSLETTER Stevenson Ridge-Halcyon Security Association & Stevenson Ridge-Halcyon Improvement Association, Inc.

THE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES IS THE INSIDE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODTHE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES IS THE INSIDE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODTHE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES IS THE INSIDE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODTHE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES IS THE INSIDE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

In This Issue, Spring 2018

Information to Know

Local Updates

& Snippets from the security reports

Few Accomplishments to Share

Matters of Safety and Security

By the time you get to read this newsletter the majestic Spring will be here

and it will be magical. With the help of a few tooth fairies and gnomes, we

are working on making some additional excitement for you, our neighbors

and friends.

We have a lot to look forward to including:

- Seasonal Yard Sale: turning your junk into cash is called Alchemy - magic by

itself.

- Movie Night (1st ever) at a backyard in our neighborhood. Enjoy family time

for free - more magic!

- Annual Community Association Meeting, on May 1 in the Gym at Ft.

Garrison Elementary at 7 p.m. We are delighted to announce that, as part of

our intent to reach more of you in our community, we will be having a special

evening with musicians from Pikesville Middle School and our beloved

neighbor as our guest speaker, The one and only Stan “The Fan” Charles. If

you wonder were the magic is, in this case, it is the music teacher that does

all the magic with our children!

Details on all of this and more, in this Newsletter!

Oh, and one more thing…

We tell the story of an amazing event

with real life heroes that took place in

our neighborhood. Just saying.

Co-President:

Caren B. Hoffberger

We will continue, for now, to snail mail this Quarterly Newsletter unless you alert a Board

member that you don’t need the hard copy.

As we shift to digital as much as possible, we will publish more and more on our Facebook

page, www.facebook.com/groups/StevensonRidgeHalcyonAssociation/, and by email.

Find us also at: www.stevensoncommunity.org and www.facebook.com/groups/StevensonRidgeHalcyonAssociation/

Stevenson Ridge-Halcyon Security Association & Stevenson Ridge-Halcyon Improvement Association, Inc.

OUR NEWSLETTER; www.stevensoncommunity.org

www.facebook.com/groups/StevensonRidgeHalcyonAssociation/ THE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES IS THE INSIDE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODTHE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES IS THE INSIDE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODTHE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES IS THE INSIDE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODTHE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES IS THE INSIDE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

2

Your Ideas

We assume that as you read this newsletter more ideas and

suggestions will come to mind.

Please write them here and share it with a board member so we

can better plan future activities and events. We also invite each

person to jump in and assist in executing these wonderful new

ideas.

We invite you all to share important life events – happy and sad!

Our community newsletter is only quarterly so for more

immediate broadcasting please share on our Facebook page.

UNLESS SOMEONE LIKE

YOU CARES A WHOLE

AWFUL LOT, NOTHING IS

GOING TO GET BETTER.

IIIIT’S NOT!T’S NOT!T’S NOT!T’S NOT!

The Board Members

Caren Hoffberger, 410-602-3422

[email protected]

Bruce Hoffberger, 410-602-3422

[email protected]

Phyllis Zimmerman, 410-484-1797

[email protected]

Joel Charkatz, 410-653-5333

[email protected]

Susan Hackerman, 410-486-2523

[email protected]

Jack Boonshaft, 410-484-3112

[email protected]

Jayne Charles, 443-870-3170

[email protected]

Barbara Hettleman, 410-484-7811

[email protected]

Deborah Katzen, 410-653-7457

[email protected]

Emelie Schwab, 410-486-0324

[email protected]

Linda Swogell, 410-653-5077

[email protected]

Tzach Asher, 410-580-5444

[email protected]




3

Mr. Thom Biden

“A hero is an ordinary individual

who finds the strength to persevere and endure

in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

(Christopher Reeve)

“Do superheroes launder their uniforms?” a 12-year-old recently asked her father. Well, based on recent

events in our neighborhood, it is clear that real heroes do.

Let’s start this story by reassuring you that all those involved are safe and well.

March 2nd, 2018 began as a clear and windy day, but as the gusts intensified, it quickly became

frightening for one family in our neighborhood. During the roughest part of Friday’s storm, a huge tree

succumbed to the relentless winds and fell directly onto the house of Neal and Melissa Charkatz. Making

the experience even more terrifying is the fact that Neal and Melissa have 2 ½ year old twins who were

home when disaster hit. In the blink of an eye, the roof had collapsed, and Melissa was struck by

branches and debris. While the wind continued to wreak havoc on their home, Thom Biden, our

neighborhood’s longtime mail carrier, happened to be on his route nearby. He witnessed the tree falling,

and immediately rushed into the house to see how he could be of help. He quickly aided Meilssa, and

then made sure to carry the baby twins out of the house to a safer location. Fortunately, Feliks

Leybengrun, the Charkatz’s neighbor across the street, noticed the events and rushed in to assist as well.

Once can only imagine the panic Neal, who was at

work, must have experienced when he heard what

had happened, and the incredible relief to know that

his family was safe, thanks to the selfless efforts of

members of our community.

Mr. Biden and Mr. Leybengrub are heroes whose

superpowers are their courage and care for their

neighbors and the community, even during such

dangerous circumstances.

We are grateful to them both.




4

2018’s Abbreviated Calendar

April

• Clean-Your-Storage-Rooms Yard Sale is back by popular

demand.

When: Saturday, April 14 & Rain Date, Saturday, April 21.

Where: Your driveway

Who: Everyone. But, if you want to be part of the promotional

campaign that Jayne Charles is running, you must be a member of

our security and/or improvement association.

Register: Contact Jayne Charles ASAP to register:

443-870-3170 or [email protected]

Security: Security will patrol the area. This additional service was

started last year, and we got extremely positive feedback from the

neighbors. We listened and made sure to repeat.

• Family Movie Night on Saturday,

April 28 at 3 Harrow Court at 8 p.m.

Walking to the open theater is recommended and if a car is needed

then please park at the school and walk to the movie site. It is a 5

minutes’ walk.

May

• Annual Meeting on Tuesday, 5/1/2018 at Fort Garrison

Elementary, gym starting promptly at 7pm.

Featuring: The Guitar Club of Pikesville Middle and our Guest

Speaker (and neighbor) Stan the Fan Charles

About Stan Charles: Stan is the Founder and Publisher of PressBox

and Host of Inside PressBox on WBAL-TV discussing hot button

issues in the world of sports. We will also discuss several pressing

topics facing our community including Security.

About the Guitar Club of Pikesville Middle: For the past 17 years

they have been teaching beginners through advanced students

various songs in rock, rock and roll, blues, country, and pop on

guitar, bass, drums and vocals. They, under the direction of Ms.

Yadush, perform in the community and for various school and

county-sponsored events.

September

• Community Block Party

October

• Dues for the next year

A snippet from a

Security Report

December is known as a

season of deliveries of lots of

gifts and conveniences. Force

One, documented the dark

side of gift getting and taking:

On December 19th, the

security patrol noticed a Chevy

truck with 2 individuals

roaming the neighborhood

and then stopping at a house.

A person jumped out and ran

up the driveway to pick up a

package. Our security car then

turned on a spot light on that

person, while he was still in

the driveway and he dropped

the package. Warning, the

next paragraph is not taken

from a Hollywood movie: The

person ran back to the Chevy

which drove away at a high

speed out of the

neighborhood. There, a

second car was parked and a

person from the Chevy

jumped into it and they both

drove way.

The mere presence of Force

One’s patrol (which is

intentionally visible to us and

others (patrolling the

neighborhood nightly), is what

prevents properly loss and

keeps our neighborhood safe.




5

A snippet from a Security Report

We, the humans, have warm tea and down blankets to fend off the cold, but alarm systems do not.

The result is many alarms around the neighborhood, both home alarms and vehicles alarms, go off at

the same time. And, knowing that there are several residents who migrate to warmer climates in the

winter, Force One staff is committed to responding to every call, and request, from the security

members. Sometimes it requires observing an adjacent property or even driving around a bit to find

the source of the alarm and even talking directly with the owners’ security services.

This attention to detail is key to the quality of life we get to enjoy thanks to our Security Patrol, Force

one, this is what distinguishes them from other patrol services.

A snippet from a Security Report

The security service is here all year round,

including December 25th.

That morning, a resident called early to the service

asking that her property be checked.

The resident explained that someone just rang the

doorbell, but she sees no one outside and that she

is not expecting anyone that early in the morning.

The patrol not only responded promptly to walk

around and check the property, but also set up a

return to check the property again.

It is clear that through years of supporting our

neighborhood, Force One is keenly aware of the

needs of our population and steps up to assist

those that need it.

C.P.T.E.D. is Free!

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design,

C.P.T.E.D. , is a free service by the Baltimore

County Police.

To schedule an appointment, call our Police

Community Relations office, 410-887-6775.

The first March madness was the

early March windstorms which brought down

large trees and power lines. The results, we all

chillingly remember, were a wide loss of

power in our community and some property

damage.

Residents, who decided to find shelter in other

locations, called security to inform that they

were leaving their houses. They asked Force

One to watch over their homes while they

were out. This is a valid request and our

security services were happy to comply.

However, Force One took it one step above

and not only patrolled these houses more

closely, but made sure to be visible in the

streets, with flashing lights on, to deter

potential adversaries.

Knowing that houses were without power and

hence the alarms are not operational, as an

obvious line of defense, Force One patrolled

our pitch-dark neighborhood and made sure

to escort neighbors on roads blocked by

downed debris.

Our special thanks to Force One Security for

working even harder for us during this storm.




6

Our Home is our Fortress

We, the board members, are always happy to share useful information to help toward protecting

our homes. Here we share 2 optional sets of strategies and welcome you to adopt those that you

feel fit your life style.

Dragon 2000

Your own drone

dragon.

Rumba Porta-Knight

Roaming your

property while

vacuuming the grass

Watch Towers and Torches

Not much to say, just think of what it takes

to dust it and keep it clean when the in-laws

are visiting.

Moat of Danger

Water imported from Flint, MI, and swarming

with schools of gummy sharks

Option 1: Your home is YOUR Castle

Option 2: A list of recommendations from the MD police

Premise Security:

• Illuminate the exterior (all 360 degrees) of the home at night. Position lights to avoid glare, shadows,

and blind spots. Consider motion sensors (demand lighting, and timers) or photo sensor lights.

• The door frame is often referred to as the door jamb, and it is inherently weak. In most cases the frame is the

weakest component of the door assembly. Adequately anchor the strike plate to the framing of the house by

using 3” long screws.

• Exterior doors that open outward, have exposed hinges. Doors can be removed by removing the hinge pins.

“Pinning” can be accomplished by removing two screws opposite each other and installing pins in place of the

screws. This will prevent the door from being removed.

• Landscaping should be trimmed so criminals cannot use it for concealment.

• Arrange landscaping/plants to allow for “natural surveillance” of your property. Avoid blocking windows and

entrance doors from the view of pedestrians, motorists, and police.

• All exterior doors should be equipped with a deadbolt lock. If the door is equipped with a window which is less

than 40” away from the lock, a double-cylinder deadbolt lock is recommended.

Package Delivery:

• When expecting a delivery request a specific drop off time and date when you will be home to accept your

packages. Or, arrange to have your packages held at the shipping service so you can pick them up.

• Ask the delivery service to leave your packages at a side or back door. An enclosed porch where packages are

out of sight is also a good option.

• Have your packages delivered to your workplace or home of a relative or neighbor who will be there to accept

them.




7

Vacation House Check Request Form (for security members only) 1. Must Be filled, completely, out by the homeowner (to avoid any misunderstandings)

2. Hand it to the Security during evening patrol at least 5 days before you leave in case they have questions.

3. This service is provided to security association members only and Force One does verify once receiving this form.

Please check my empty home from (departure date) through (date of

return).

Homeowner Phone #

Address

You may contact me in an emergency my cell phone? Yes \ No. Cell phone #

Another emergency (if exist) #

1111stststst choice Emergency Contact:choice Emergency Contact:choice Emergency Contact:choice Emergency Contact: Name & Relationship (Parent, child etc.)

Daytime Phone Evening Phone

Cell Phone Other

List additional alternative contacts on back of form as you see fit.

AlarmAlarmAlarmAlarm Information:Information:Information:Information: Is your house equipped with Alarm? Is your alarm monitored?

Have you notified your monitoring service of our Security Patrol’s Phone #?

*If not, please do so. We need to be notified of an alarm.

Is your alarm audible? Will the alarm reset itself?

Does Emergency Contact have a key to the house and the alarm code?

Are they authorized to enter your house in an emergency?

Is someone scheduled to enter your home while you’re away? If yes, who?

1st Name & Relationship, Phone #

Their car makes and License #

2nd Name & Relationship, Phone #

Their car make and License #

Vehicle Information:Vehicle Information:Vehicle Information:Vehicle Information: Car make, color and tag number of any car you are leaving behind visible in the driveway,

Carport, or on the street in front of your house:

Car 1 Car 2

Car 3 Other important information:

Newspaper deliveryNewspaper deliveryNewspaper deliveryNewspaper delivery:::: Has been cancelled and neighbor (name) will be checking that

nothing is delivered. (Only as a last resort will security check on that & dispose of excess papers).

Trash CansTrash CansTrash CansTrash Cans: Left out at curb? . Out, but neighbor will bring them back up (name)

(Only as a last resort security will bring them up to the house).

* Because so many alarms go off during a community power outage, please be aware that this could cause a delay in the

response by Force One.




8

Vacation House Check Request Form (continue) 4. Must Be filled, completely, out by the homeowner (to avoid any misunderstandings)

5. Hand it to the Security during evening patrol at least 5 days before you leave in case they have questions.

6. This service is provided to security association members only and Force One does verify once receiving this form.

Please fill your content information if the form is not (!) double sided paper, meaning 2 separate pages.

Please check my empty home from (departure date) through (date of return).

Homeowner Phone #

Address

Additional Additional Additional Additional Emergency Contact: Emergency Contact: Emergency Contact: Emergency Contact:

Name & Relationship (Parent, child etc.) 2


Cell Phone Other



Cell Phone Other



Cell Phone Other



Cell Phone Other



Cell Phone Other



Cell Phone Other

The End.




9

Helpful referral phone numbers and website

in the Baltimore County area

BGE: 877-778-2222 Power outages, lines or poles down, street light issues

Fire Department, non-emergencies: (410) 887-4500

Police, non-emergency: (410) 887-2222

Police, Pikesville Precinct Desk Officer: (410) 887-1279

Refuse Collection: (410) 887-2000

Snow and Storm Issues: (410) 887-3560

Water Main Breaks, non-emergency: (410) 396-5311 (Baltimore City is responsible)

Water Main Breaks, emergency: (410) 396-7871 (Baltimore City Water Escalation line)

For more helpful Baltimore County Government phone numbers – Go to

www.baltimorecountymd.gov and look up “helpful numbers”




10

These business cards are from our neighbors and their business. Please look and see if their services can be of use to

you.

Important: The Board does not receive any benefit or residuals from these references. The submitters of these

business cards are residents in the neighborhood and are paying members of our security association.

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