Dietz Neighborhood Association

April 16 2009 Minutes

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by President, Ed Brousseau. Approximately 15 people were in attendance.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Agenda Guest Speakers:

Dietz Elementary school Principal Lisa McCorkle

Tucson Police Department Officer Matt Peterson

Home Security Presentation Keith Duncan

Ward 4 Council Aide Andy Squire was unable to attend

Lisa McCorkle spoke about the school and current TUSD budget & site reductions. Ms McCorkle will continue to be principal of the Dietz School. There is training ongoing for "Gifted Students Endorsed Teachers. The AIMS testing is finished and schools are awaiting results. The Dietz School has a good dedicated teaching staff. The school can always use donations and volunteers. Office supplies are one of the items that are welcomed. Also the school is collecting pop-tops from aluminum cans to donate to the Ronald McDonald House as a School Community Service Project. She also mentioned that the school building had been hit and tagged very badly with graffiti even in the middle of the day. She asked that we call 911 if we see anything happening at the school so TPD can keep track of problem.

Officer Matt Peterson introduced himself & handed out his business cards. He reported that with the COT budget reductions that the current police academy class was the last one scheduled. He told us there are no police lay-offs scheduled in TPD. He discussed how 911 prioritize calls. He described three problems areas.

1.) Burglary in daytime hours. Perpetrators look for doors and windows concealed by such things as vegetation. They will go from house to house until they find one they can enter with ease. They will jump back walls and go through patio doors. They target such things as laptops, flat screen TV's, and jewelry. They also look for vacant houses to stash stolen items. Homeless people are also using vacant homes to stay in. Officer Peterson is working on an ongoing Community Service Project to identify vacant houses and contacting owners to secure property and get pre-approval for TPD to make arrest. 2.) Stabber - there have been some phone calls from public regarding suspicious persons. TPD is pretty sure this person is homeless and they have been checking washes and places these people stay. The stabbings have happened at night when it is dark.

3.) Bank Robbery - TPD is investigating bank surveillance film. No tags were seen in film but the vehicle is an early 80's blue truck.

Keith Duncan did a presentation and spoke about home security. Day hours are most common for property crimes & break-ins, with 50% using force, 42% as unlawful entry. They target homes they know and know what is in them. They target unlocked doors/windows concealed by vegetation. It takes a criminal 4 to 45 seconds to enter a home. He mentioned layers of security we can take. Remove landscape that hides entries and use plants like cactus to deter. Other deterrents are motion lights, dogs and good locks. Thieves use owners tools they find in unlocked sheds, like shovels and rakes and these can be deadly weapons. Garage door openers should never be left inside of parked cars. He showed us different lock products, alarms and window glass laminates that can be found at local stores. We should keep cell phone and charger by our beds & not in another room at night for fast calls to 911. Automatic lights on timers can make an empty house look lived in. He also described the importance of doing a home inventory using digital camera and keeping the photo disk in another

location than the home or use fire proof box. Allow at least 45 minutes for this process. First picture

should be of owner holding a newspaper with date and include everything such as underwear,

cosmetics, & junk drawers, kitchen utensils, etc. Take pictures of front and back and close ups of

serial numbers of computers, appliances, etc. Last picture should be of owner holding a newspaper

with date.

Minutes:

The January 15, 2009 meeting minutes were read by Linda Howell.

President, Ed Brousseau, calls to audience for comments and approval. Minutes were approved.

Treasurer's Report:

The Treasurer's Report was given by Barbara Thompson.

There is $281.69 in Special Event Fund and $528.12 in general fund for total of $809.81

President, Ed Brousseau calls to audience for comments and approval. Report was approved.

Old Business:

• Ed mentions that the office of First Vice-President is still open.

• Ed reported that the annual audit of the association funds was conducted by Marvin Humble &

Fred Haag and that there were no errors found.

 

• Ed reported on the Easter Egg Hunt. Pictures from the event were passed around.

• Marvin reported on the medians. The city has cut back on all funding and there is not even any

water being used at this time. Marvin is trying to locate all water tubing and to cap any that do
not appear to be near plants. All upkeep must be provided by neighborhood volunteers. He
thanked those that have been trying to help.

 

New Business:

• Ed reported on the dedication for the new Lincoln Park Children's Outdoor Performance

Center (COPA) and gazebo to be held Friday April 17^th at 10AM.

 

• Ed introduced his wife Georgia and spoke about her involvement in the founding of Pima

County Community College and the recognition she will receive at the 40^th Anniversary
celebration.

 

• Linda Howell presented information on the upcoming mosquito season. She provided

information researched from the Pima County Health Department.

 

• There was additional new business from the floor. Ms. L. Wedde inquired about taxes

generated in Tucson. Georgia Brousseau mentioned the passing of Russ Hinojosa. Russ was
one of the founding persons of the neighborhood association. Lisa McCorckle mentioned the
passing of Chff Toner, an astronomer at the Uof A, at the age of 49 and that his children attend
Dietz School. His wife Nelsey has been involved with the association.

 

• The next meeting date was announced and is Thursday, July 16, 09, 7pm, at Tucson Meadows

Community Center 2121 S. Pantano Road.

 

50/50 Drawing was held & presented by Bob Thompson. Donna Haag won $7 and she donated it back to the association.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p