Spring/Summer 2015 Newsletter
Welcome to the Rice Military Newsletter for Spring & Summer 2015. Take a look at all the happenings within the Rice Military area and please don't forget to give us feedback on any of the points raised.
Latest News
Crime Town Hall Meeting
This meeting was held in response to neighborhood concerns about crime. Below are notes from different stakeholders. This is a lot of information but the Civic Club wants to make sure residents have all the facts. Since this meeting a vote was held to decide the preferred method to tackle crime in our neighborhood and also to ask for volunteers to head up a security committee. To date the Civic Club is still waiting to gather volunteers and hence no committee has been formed. HPD 2014 to current (Spring 2015): ~ No murders, no sexual assaults. ~ One robbery reported in this area. ~ Car break in’s – decrease in 40% this year. Leave your cars with nothing in them! ~ Auto theft is the same as last year – 2. ~ Our area will see extra coverage by HPD over the next few months. ~ Encouraged us to start citizens on patrol. Citizens patrol needs 8 volunteers with a combined total of 30 hours per week. The downside is that it has to be done by car, not walking. ~ Report the crime WHERE it happens! Apparently, a crime is logged from where you make the phone call, even if you say it happened within Rice Military. ~ Insurance reduction available, 15% decrease in your home owners policy if you have, and pass, the HPD home safety and security inspection. Call 713-803-1151 (Heights store front) 8-4 Monday through Friday for more info. ~ You can also call 713-284-8604, which is the nearby storefront if the Heights is too busy or email: ~ Centralpatrol2district@houstonpolice.org CONSTABLE PROGRAM ~ They are a secondary law enforcement agency – main objective on patrol are as a contracted entity by private subdivisions or neighborhoods. ~ Calls are prioritized – petty crimes that Rice Military sends out are usually 3s and 4s, low priority. This is perfect for constables since they are assigned to area – response time is generally under 5 min. ~ Increased visibility – fully fledged law enforcement – signage goes up that there is law enforcement is in the area. ~ Traffic enforcement – more than just citation – Constable program can do traffic stops – will ask for ID and run for warrants and history – 60% of stops or more result in a warning – stops used as a tool to make sure someone should be in the neighborhood and not involved other things. ~ If you have an alarm change the 1st phone call to the constable program. ~ They follow up on cases in the neighborhood and have access to full law enforcement data base. ~ They give a monthly report for our area on all calls they went on that month. ~ Can do bike patrol, motorcycles and canines. ~ Contract though the county so Rice Military and its residents cannot be sued. ~ Officers are Taser certified and this is normally the first line of self defense. ~ Crime prevention and reduction program – can be used to reduce home owners insurance. ~ Patrol tailored to our neighborhood. We choose how it would be done – daytime, nighttime, weekends – adjust to our needs. ~ Deputy assigned to area so that deputy knows our area and our people. Primarily works 40 hours a week. 80/20 participation – contract payed 80% by us 20% by county. ~ Works out at about $76,000 a year (about $6500 a month for entire neighborhood). TOP GUN PRIVATE SECURITY ~ The company has been 5 years in existence. ~ Have dedicated patrols, the cars just drive around the neighborhood they are assigned to. Top gun cannot be called to another neighborhood. We would get the same Top Gun personnel in our neighborhood so we would get to know them and they would get to know us. ~ In Crestwood – 36 offenses in 2011, 3 offenses in 2012 after top gun took over, nothing in 2013. ~ Usually prior military or law enforcement experience. ~ Top gun has their own training program. ~ Set Top Gun as a first contact for your alarm call. ~ Vacation watch. ~ If they encounter a burglary they will detain criminal. ~ Only go to participants homes. If you pay for Top Gun service you will get coverage. If you do not pay you do not get the service. ~ They do evening escort into the house if you want to be sure feel safer going in the house. ~ There is a canine included in the contract – deterrent and drug detection dog. ~ Participants get a yard sign so they know who is a participant. They also have access to this information on their database (so not just reliant on sign). ~ Can include businesses that are in our neighborhood. ~ It was difficult to get a cost because it varies so much dependent upon the number of households that take part. A very rough estimate would be $100 per month if a couple of hundred households took part in the service. There are approximately 3000 households in Rice Military (and businesses) so the more interest there is then this could lead to a cost reduction and/or increased coverage. SEAL PRIVATE SECURITY ~ Look for weak spots in community based on crime stats: types of crime, days, time etc. ~ Based on crime stats they can help advise best times of day/night for security. ~ Take part in community activities, inc NNO ~ We would have the same officer patrolling ~ 170 officers in Harris county & surrounding areas. Under contract for several management districts inc Spring ~ Branch and areas such as Oak Forest and Sharpstown. Also have experience with apartment communities (80 total) ~ They are security officers not security guard, specialty is community and district control ~ Stringent screening ~ Have a very large K9 foot patrol ~ Work with HPD & the City ~ Will meet with RM board once a month to discuss what's going on ~ Verbal judo: officers are taught how to de-escalate a situation with words and body language ~ Every officer & vehicle is GPS monitored. Updated every 4.5 minutes ~ Control center/ contact # open 24/7 ~ Can interpret over 200 languages partnering with Crime Stoppers software ~ Patrol vehicles have dash cams ~ $13 million general liability coverage ~ Police are reactive to crime ~ SEAL are proactive: deterrent & prevention, because they're in the neighborhood ~ Can get rid of solicitors & make arrests ~ $32 per hour/40 hour week /Yearly rate = $66,560.00 ~ Do vacation watches and will respond to alarms Questions? Email: president@rice-military.org 
One Step Closer to Safer Streets in Our Neighborhood
The City of Houston has commited $40,000 to the Rice Military Neighborhood Traffic Management Program application, which will go towards making our streets safer. As of the time of writing, the Civic Club are still waiting to hear back when the trafiic study will begin and what the $40,000 will get us. |
National Night Out
Tuesday October 6th, 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Nellie Keyes Park
Every year, Rice Military Civic Club partners with local law enforcement for National Night Out (NNO) to promote and strengthen our community. This year's event is October 6th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and our neighborhood has one of the most popular events in Houston. We usually make it into the news! Join us and over 400 of your neighbors for a fun night which will have local restaurants providing food, local businesses showing what they do, and face painting and a petting zoo for the little ones!
The Wave will be running a bus service for the event. This is especially useful given the lack of parking in our neighborhood! Further information about the schedule will be sent out via email before the event, but all you have to do is just call, or use the app, request a pick-up ,and the driver will come and get you.
Volunteers are needed to help out with our fabulous, neighborhood National Night Out. The events success is built upon the fact that our neighborhood is great at helping out. We are asking for volunteers to donate 1 hour of their time to help with setting up, making sure things run smoothly, and helping folks who attend with any general questions. All the businesses that will be attending set up their own things, we just need help with such things as selling raffle tickets, directing people where required, plus you also get to enjoy the event itself! So, if you have an hour to spare that would really help us out. We are looking for the following time slots:
4.30 - 5.30pm
5.30 - 6.30pm
6.30 - 7.30pm
To volunteer simply email: president@rice-military.org
Want to see past NNOs? Check out the civic club website photos: http://www.rice-military.org/national-night-out-2014.html
http://www.rice-military.org/national-night-out-20131.html
Tuesday October 6th, 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Nellie Keyes Park
Every year, Rice Military Civic Club partners with local law enforcement for National Night Out (NNO) to promote and strengthen our community. This year's event is October 6th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and our neighborhood has one of the most popular events in Houston. We usually make it into the news! Join us and over 400 of your neighbors for a fun night which will have local restaurants providing food, local businesses showing what they do, and face painting and a petting zoo for the little ones!
The Wave will be running a bus service for the event. This is especially useful given the lack of parking in our neighborhood! Further information about the schedule will be sent out via email before the event, but all you have to do is just call, or use the app, request a pick-up ,and the driver will come and get you.
Volunteers are needed to help out with our fabulous, neighborhood National Night Out. The events success is built upon the fact that our neighborhood is great at helping out. We are asking for volunteers to donate 1 hour of their time to help with setting up, making sure things run smoothly, and helping folks who attend with any general questions. All the businesses that will be attending set up their own things, we just need help with such things as selling raffle tickets, directing people where required, plus you also get to enjoy the event itself! So, if you have an hour to spare that would really help us out. We are looking for the following time slots:
4.30 - 5.30pm
5.30 - 6.30pm
6.30 - 7.30pm
To volunteer simply email: president@rice-military.org
Want to see past NNOs? Check out the civic club website photos: http://www.rice-military.org/national-night-out-2014.html
http://www.rice-military.org/national-night-out-20131.html
Yard of the Season Competition!
Power Express, whose owners are based out of our neighborhood, are proud to sponsor the Rice Military Yard of the Season. The Rice Military Yard of the Season contest has been created to promote goodwill among our neighbors and reward exemplary lawn care in our community. The purpose of this program is to recognize our neighbors who demonstrate superior efforts in maintaining their property, thereby contributing to the overall appearance of our community at large. This new and exciting program, with a nice reward for your efforts, will be administered entirely by volunteers.For the months September through November, and again for the months of February through May, the Rice Military Civic Club will choose a lawn that best exemplifies the qualities of: uniqueness, beauty, and curb appeal of your front and side yards, as well as the exterior of the house.
The Civic Club will select one residential yard in November and one in May. The winner of the Yard of the Season will receive a $250 El Tiempo gift certificate and be provided with a decorative yard sign for display indicating their winning yard, as well as a posting and photo on our community website and newsletter.
There will also be an additional prize for the most improved yard and the winner will receive a $50 Home Depot gift certificate as well as a posting and photo on our community website and newsletter.
For more information about the rules: http://www.rice-military.org/yard-of-the-season.html
Power Express, whose owners are based out of our neighborhood, are proud to sponsor the Rice Military Yard of the Season. The Rice Military Yard of the Season contest has been created to promote goodwill among our neighbors and reward exemplary lawn care in our community. The purpose of this program is to recognize our neighbors who demonstrate superior efforts in maintaining their property, thereby contributing to the overall appearance of our community at large. This new and exciting program, with a nice reward for your efforts, will be administered entirely by volunteers.For the months September through November, and again for the months of February through May, the Rice Military Civic Club will choose a lawn that best exemplifies the qualities of: uniqueness, beauty, and curb appeal of your front and side yards, as well as the exterior of the house.
The Civic Club will select one residential yard in November and one in May. The winner of the Yard of the Season will receive a $250 El Tiempo gift certificate and be provided with a decorative yard sign for display indicating their winning yard, as well as a posting and photo on our community website and newsletter.
There will also be an additional prize for the most improved yard and the winner will receive a $50 Home Depot gift certificate as well as a posting and photo on our community website and newsletter.
For more information about the rules: http://www.rice-military.org/yard-of-the-season.html
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New Group! Neighborhood Litter Patrol
Keeping Rice Military beautiful one full trash bag at a time! Rice Military is organizing a thirty minute, monthly walking group aimed at keeping our streets clean. Often times discarded trash winds up in the streets either from our garbage and recycle bins or from litter bugs. All this trash on the streets is devaluing our neighborhood, bad for the environment, and quite frankly a bit embarrassing. Bringing awareness to our community can help in preventing this mess. The first Monday of every month, we will be meeting at Nellie Keyes park at 5pm to work together as a community to help tidy up our neighborhood. Bring the whole family and pets are very welcome. We will supply gloves, bags and trash pickers, sponsored by Mattress One. Pictured is concerned resident Tara, with her dog, with some of the trash they picked up on a walk. Interested? For more information email: president@rice-military.org |
Sunday Street Houston Says Come Play in The Street!
On Sunday, October 4, from 12:00 until 4:00 p.m., the City of Houston will close Washington Avenue from Heights Boulevard to Westcott to motorized traffic so we can play in the street!! The WOW Roundabout, Durham, Shepherd, and Heights Boulevard will be open to cross traffic.You and your family and friends are invited to walk, run, ride your bike, push a stroller, or skate along the avenue and enjoy a healthy afternoon of movement outdoors!!
Cigna, the global health insurance service company, is the major sponsor of Sunday Streets Houston through its Get and Stay Fit Program, promoting walking for wellness and adding more activity to our lives.
Washington Avenue businesses will be open as usual and participating with activities and entertainment along the corridor.
What a great way to visit a new business, say hello to friends and neighbors, and just enjoy the freedom of being outdoors on a glorious Sunday afternoon!!
Remember: Washington Avenue Sunday Streets
Sunday, October 4 12-4 pm
Westcott to Heights Boulevard
On Sunday, October 4, from 12:00 until 4:00 p.m., the City of Houston will close Washington Avenue from Heights Boulevard to Westcott to motorized traffic so we can play in the street!! The WOW Roundabout, Durham, Shepherd, and Heights Boulevard will be open to cross traffic.You and your family and friends are invited to walk, run, ride your bike, push a stroller, or skate along the avenue and enjoy a healthy afternoon of movement outdoors!!
Cigna, the global health insurance service company, is the major sponsor of Sunday Streets Houston through its Get and Stay Fit Program, promoting walking for wellness and adding more activity to our lives.
Washington Avenue businesses will be open as usual and participating with activities and entertainment along the corridor.
What a great way to visit a new business, say hello to friends and neighbors, and just enjoy the freedom of being outdoors on a glorious Sunday afternoon!!
Remember: Washington Avenue Sunday Streets
Sunday, October 4 12-4 pm
Westcott to Heights Boulevard
Rice Military Women's Networking Group
This is a group for the women of Rice Military to have an opportunity to network with their neighbors, get to know more of their neighbors, and to share skills and experiences in a fun environment. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at a local establishment.
For more information email Tina Schwartz at tlschwartz@kw.com
This is a group for the women of Rice Military to have an opportunity to network with their neighbors, get to know more of their neighbors, and to share skills and experiences in a fun environment. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at a local establishment.
For more information email Tina Schwartz at tlschwartz@kw.com
Feedback
If you would like to contact the newsletter team, email us at: news@rice-military.org
