SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR

On Wednesday November 12th, an elementary aged male was approached by a stranger who was driving past him on the street. The driver told the boy to come over and talk to him, but when the boy did not recognize the man he ran home and reported this to his mother who called the Sheriff Department. The vehicle that was involved in this incident was described as an older white GMC SUV with mud on the sides and a loud exhaust. The vehicle was being driven by a white male possible in his 50’s. The incident happened on Alpenhorn near Lamoreaux where the child’s bus stop is located. If you have any information on this or identical situations, please contact the Kent CountySheriff Department at 632-6100 or Silent Observer at 774-2345.

DOOR TO DOOR SALES

I wanted to share a situation that happened to me last week. I was in the yard working when I was approached by a young man trying to sell home improvements. They started off by telling me a bit about my house and how they could help me make it nicer. After telling the gentlemen I was not interested multiple times I asked him if they had a permit to solicit in Alpine Township. He took me to the Manager who was driving a white van with about six other people in it. She advised me that they were not aware that you needed a permit to solicit in this area. I told her to go to the township offices and obtain that permit and then they could come back.After about a half hour I drove around Westgate and found them again in the area of Bekinshire they made eye contact with me and knew they were wrong. I contacted the township hall and asked if a permit was pulled and she told me no. The township officer was contacted to go and locate the people and ask them again to leave and possibly issue a citation. Deputy Roe found the team down on Stoney Creek and pulled them over. He further checked the occupants in the vehicle and found that two of them had felony warrants out for there arrests.So remember that you must have a permit to solicit in Alpine Township and be careful on who you let in your home. I always ask for picture id from the company that are working for and if you are having an estimate ask them for proof of liability insurance and if they are bonded. You don't want people working for you if they are not insured unless you know them well and trust them.This is what keeps our neighborhood safe. Keep your eyes and ears open.

Jeremy Kelly

It's not too late!

If you live in the vincinity of Westgate, it's never too late to become a participant in Westgate Neighborhood Watch. To get a brief outline of the reorganizational meeting conducted last Monday, please click here. To obtain a copy of the Family Information Form, please click here. It is highly recommended that you do not e-mail this form nor release it without verifying that the person you send/give it to is an active Neighborhood Watch organizer or block captain,

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING A HUGE SUCCESS

Fifty concerned citizens crammed into a room at Stoney Creek School, eager to learn about Westgate Neighborhood Watch and what they can do to reduce their risk of being victimized.Nate Ertle, Community Policing Officer for Alpine and Plainfield Township explained that one way for a resident to reduce that risk is to make their house less of a target than their neighbor's. "Neighborhood Watch has the same concept" Deputy Ertle said, “except instead of making your home safer, you are making your entire community safer and less attractive to lawbreakers than other communities."

The organizers of Westgate Neighborhood Watch were almost a victim of their own success, with the room filled to capacity. Another twenty residents expressed an interest in becoming involved in Neighborhood Watch but were unable to attend the meeting. Westgate Neighborhood Watch Chairman Jeremy Kelly said his committee will be busy over the next few weeks, breaking the area into grids and assigning block captains.Neighborhood Watch is a community crime prevention program endorsed by the National Sheriff's Association.

Alpine Township has over ten Neighborhood Watch programs, including a Rural Neighborhood Watch and, and the first Business Crime Watch in Kent County.

Many thanks to those who took the initiative to reorganize Westgate Community Watch, and for canvassing the entire neighborhood. Special thanks to Jeremy and Amber Kelly, Derreck and Sarah DeMey, Carol Spence, and Jon and Jennifer Jenkins. Thanks also to Polly Vandenbroek for sharing her expertise as one of the original organizers about twenty years ago. Thanks also to Deputy Ertle and Sergeant Steve Dombrowski from the Kent County Sheriff's Department, and Bob Fidler, Principal of Stoney Creek School for being our gracious host.