This is the perfect time of year to assess the view of your property. The weather has changed to allow some productive outdoor projects. We have changed the clocks which has altered the period of daylight.

As most of you are aware, lighting reduces crime. How about installing protective lighting in your home? I know I find it much more palatable to break out the ladder and landscaping tools now. The best part about a lighting project is how easy it is to remove it from the “to-do list”. Replacing bulbs with higher-efficiency, environmental-friendly ones is something even I can do.

It’s a good time to also trim away branches and bushes from fixtures. Once the “basic” maintenance is completed, walk around your property (after dark) and determine if there is a need for additional fixtures.

The walk around of the property should be critical (after you congratulate yourself for job well done). It should assess if a neighbor or police officer would be able to see a prowler from the street, sidewalk, or alley.

Alleys provide the perfect location for many thieves to hide.

CRIME WATCH UPDATE

KEEP THE FRONT PORCH SAFE

DARREN DATTALO, CRIME WATCH COORDINATOR

In the Belmont Addition this month, there were two thefts off porches of a package

and a purse. We all love our front porches, and springtime is the best time of year to enjoy this

extension of our living space.

Anyone who works at home during the day can tell you that virtually every day, if not several times a day, someone walks up on your porch. Just think how often you get that menu from Piggie Pie on your door... From people carrying handbills to others going door-to-door trying to sell you something, strangers visit your porch regularly.

Make sure you treat this just as you would treat leaving your car parked on the street. Don’t leave anything valuable out there and unsecured.

If anyone is knocking door to door, ask to see their solicitor’s license. The city issues these, and anyone knocking on your door is supposed to have one. If they don’t have one, call 911. (There are some exceptions to this, but generally it’s true.)

If you receive packages, either have them delivered to your workplace or insist on requiring a signature for drop off. Don’t let carriers leave them on your porch. You might also consider posting a “No Solicitors” sign near your front door.

Those people carrying Snow Pea menus are not supposed to leave them if there is a no-solicitors sign. Since most of these are being delivered by the same marketing company, eventually they’ll get the message and skip your house. Just remember that LGNA’s newsletters cannot be delivered to your door under the City’s no-solicitor ordinance, so look at www.LGNA.net where your latest newsletter is posted.

Have a safe summer.

LGNA LOWER

GREENVILLE

NEIGHBORHOOD

ASSOCIATION

MOCKINGBIRD TO ROSS / GREENVILLE TO SKILLMAN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Patricia Carr | PRESIDENT 214-821-2562

Gay Hopkins | VICE PRESIDENT 214-827-4559

Pam Mueller | VICE PRESIDENT 214-821-1554

Debbie Daniel | TREASURER 214-821-0747

John Dailey | SECRETARY 214-821-6324

DIRECTORS

Andrea Brashier 214-384-4605

Lilia Estrada 214-874-3259

Michelle Foreman 214-394-2487

David Jones 214-300-1894

Ken Lampton 214-502-5858

Alan Schonborn 214-823-4057

USEFUL NUMBERS

Darren Dattalo | CRIME WATCH 214-476-8023

Council Member Philip Kingston 214-670-5415

DPD Officer Keith Allen 214-671-3477

Sanitation / Bulk Trash 214-670-3555

Code Compliance 214-670-5708

Animal Services Call 311

MAY • JUNE 2015

P.O. BOX 720067• DALLAS, TX 75372

BULK TRASH DATE PICK UP: May 11-15 EARLIEST SET-OUT: May 7

PICK UP: June 8-12 EARLIEST SET-OUT: June 4

PICK UP: July 13-17 EARLIEST SET-OUT: July 9 Remember: The city has a zero tolerance for placing trash out prior to the earliest set-out date. Don’t get stuck with a fine for missing the date.

LOG ON TO LGNA.NET for information and updates.

UPCOMING EVENT WHEN Wednesday May 20 7:00pm

WHERE Dallas Beer Kitchen 1802 Greenville Ave.

WHAT Home crimeproof- ing tips

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH VICKERY TOWERS?

Find out what’s going on. Like Us on FACEBOOK

Lately, one of the most common questions asked by area residents is “What are they going to do about Vickery Towers?” Emeritus at Vickery Towers, the long-time retirement facility at the corner of Greenville and Belmont, was closed last July and its residents relocated to other facilities.

The building has been closed since that time, and questions and rumors have been flying. In April, however, representatives of property owner Columbia Pacific Advisors met with representatives of three neighborhood associations – Vickery Place, Lowest Greenville West, and Lower Greenville. The property is within the Vickery Place area and is across the street from Lower Greenville and Lowest Greenville West.

Todd Seneker and Brit Funk of Columbia Pacific shared some recent history and some future plans. The assisted-living facility was closed because necessary renovations for assisted-living use were too expensive. The present buildings will be demolished because of poor condition and proximity to nearby homes.

NOV 2014 DEC 2014

Total Incidents 14 21

Car Break-ins 6 3

Home Burglaries 2 5

(CONTINUED INSIDE)

You’re invited to join your neighbors on Wednesday, May 20th, at 7:00 p.m. at Dallas Beer Kitchen. We’ll hear from Dallas Police Officer Keith Allen about how to take precautions and crimeproof our homes against burglars and other criminals.

After a winter of snow and sleet surprises, spring has kicked in and summer is soon upon us. Warmer weather brings residents outdoors for household chores and for leisure activities. Warmer weather also triggers a spike in criminal activity. Overgrown shrubs and high weeds around your windows or gates provide hiding places or unobserved access to your home. Unlocked doors and windows, lawnmowers and yard tools left outside, and open garages are invitations to the bad guys.

Criminals don’t take a vacation or get a day off. Always remember that you can be the next victim. Preventing crime is often as simple as realizing that it can happen to you and taking basic precautions to prevent it.

CRIMEPROOFING YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER

I encourage you to spend some time in yours and determine how much landscaping needs to be done in order to make it less “prowler friendly.”

Very few of us are going to go blocks out of the way to walk the dog, but if you do, assess how other blocks look. It is also a chance to look out for your neighbors by checking on the street lights and reporting any concerns. If you make your street one of the brighter ones, it does bring neighbors (walkers/runners/cyclists etc.) to your block which translates into more eyes providing “surveillance” and greater deterrence.

Thirty years of studies have shown that in residential neighborhoods, increased lighting steps such as these have reduced crime by an average of 20 percent. It may sound cruel, but the goal is to have the “bad guy” go to the next house, next street, next neighborhood.

Criminals will choose the target that prides them the greatest anonymity. Lighting and improved visibility make your property less of a target.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!

KEITH ALLEN—DALLAS POLICE

(CONTINUED INSIDE)

ST. PAT’S VOLUNTEERS

A very large thanks to the 75+ volunteers who put out a great effort on the Saturday and Thursday before the St. Pat’s festivities on March 14.

On the Thursday before St. Patrick’s celebrations, Explorers, Dallas police officers, and countless volunteers once again converged to post no-parking signs on one side of 36 streets. The City mandates temporary no-parking signs on one side of residential streets to allow passage of emergency vehicles and increased traffic. Teams with mallets and hammers loaded vehicles with signs and went to every street in the LGNA area, Ross to Mocking bird and Greenville to Skillman, as well as streets west of Greenville south of Belmont.

Volunteers included family groups and individuals who set up their own teams and who carried Explorers in their vehicles to designated streets. The neighborhood participation of folks willing to help was gratifying. Thank you!

On the previous Saturday, another major effort was the construction of the 750+ temporary no-parking signs. Neighborhood volunteers met with DPD Explorer Posts at Tietze Park on the morning of Saturday, March 8, to construct and store the signs.

A surprise visitor to the sign-building “party” was Mayor Mike Rawlings. On his round that morning of community events, the mayor stopped at Tietze Park to say hello to area residents, Explorers, and police officers who were busy constructing signs.

Mayor Rawlings surprised us even more by staying close to two hours – greeting neighbors taking advantage of the park,

meeting the neighborhood volunteers, and working one-on-one with Explorers to help construct signs. Yes, the mayor did wield a hammer and helped construct signs.

Mayor Rawlings spoke twice to the Explorers as a group. One topic was an emotional address to inform and urge everyone to participate in the Dallas campaign against domestic violence. Go to DallasMenAgainstAbuse.com for information about the project. In a second address, the mayor used our LGNA neighborhood as an example of how community cooperation improves the neighborhood, and he urged the Explorers to also volunteer to better their own neighborhoods.

Many thanks to those who generously contributed to breakfast on Saturday and dinner on Thursday for the Explorers and volunteers:

• State Representative Morgan Meyer• US. Foods• Blue Goose Cantina• Dubliner Irish Pub

LIGHTS & ALLEYS

theblindbutcher.com

1919 Greenville AveDallas, TX 75206

ST. PAT’S RECAPAccording to the media, St. Patrick’s celebrations were relatively quiet in the neighborhoods close to Lower Greenville. Some of our residents might disagree with that description, but police records do indicate a down-tick in arrests and tickets this year. Dallas Police Lieutenant Kimberly Owens, the liaison between the City, Lower Greenville merchants, and neighborhood associations, provided the following summary of police activity for the Lower Greenville area.

1 traffic citation 17 public intoxication arrests

1 DWI arrest 5 vehicles towed

3 investigative arrests 314 parking citations

2 citation arrests (e.g., ordinance violations)

Activity for the day – 9:00am - 2:00am – 97 calls

DiD yoU know?DiD yoU know?

BULK TRASH PICKUP Our area is undergoing efficiency changes. While the LGNA area is still scheduled for “second Monday” (the second full week) of each month, pickup has generally been in the latter part of the week – Wednesday or Thursday. With new efficiency procedures being implemented, pickup will generally become earlier in the week – Monday or Tuesday.

Also, residents on corner lots have frequently been placing their bulk trash and brush on the side street. Pickups on side streets will gradually stop as more Sanitation trucks are fitted with GPS trackers.

PECAN TREES AND DROUGHT

Residents have noticed that pecan trees were slow to flourish this spring and were concerned that last year’s drought may have adversely affected many of our mature trees. City Arborist Tina Standeford tells us that pecans are slow to leaf out, and the delay is most likely just their natural cycle.

She says that there is good resource material from the Texas Forest Service about watering urban trees and drought info: http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/main/popup.aspx?id=14964 The International Society of Arboriculture also has good resources for general info on tree care. http://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/planthealthcare.aspx

KEEP AN EYE ON BRUSH, GRASS, AND WEEDSCode Compliance Officer Les Anderson reminds us that alley brush and weeds must be trimmed. Also don’t let mowing your lawn go for too long. Letting your grass grow higher than 12 inches is a violation of the City Code. If you have questions about Code regulations, contact Officer Anderson at Lesta.Anderson@DallasCityHall.com or 469-515-1042.

WATERING RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEGUN IN DALLAS

Water your yard before 10:00am or after 6:00pm from April 1 to October 31. Don’t water during any form of precipitation, and watering driveways, sidewalks, or streets is prohibited. Watering resulting in runoff onto streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Observe the maximum twice per week watering schedule. If your address number ends in an even number, you are allowed to water on Sundays and Thursdays. If your address ends in an odd number, do your watering on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

TIETZE BRICKS ARE STILL ON SALEThe Friends of Tietze Park Foundation are offering a unique Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, anniversary, or birthday gift for friends or family. To find out about ordering and to see examples already placed in the park, go to TietzePark.org and click on Engraved Bricks.

The LGNA newsletter now features advertising from neighborhood businesses. Our full-color newsletter is delivered to 2,700 households in the LGNA area. If you’re interested in showcasing your business at a nominal rate, contact Advertising@LGNA.net

ADVERTISING IN THE LGNA NEWSLETTER

For your Home Repair & Remodeling needs Contact Neighborhood Resident and

Handyman Matters Owner Stacy Huston!

972.308.6035 | HandymanMatters.com/Dallas

(CONTINUED)

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH VICKERY TOWERS?

The 8.3-acre property will be rebuilt as residential with no plan for commercial businesses. Parking will be on a single-level below-ground lot with no ground-level parking lots. Approximately 50-60 townhomes will be built in a ring along the edges of the property. The center of the property will contain a three-story building – the same height as the present building. This central facility will contain 350-400 apartments.

Seneker assured neighborhood representatives that Columbia Pacific would protect as many of the established trees as possible. The company is also working with cell phone carriers to retain the towers currently located atop the building.

The demolition process is scheduled to begin in July 2015. After two to three months of demolition, construction will begin. The construction is expected to take 24-26 months.

In late May or early June Columbia Pacific representatives will meet again with the neighborhood associations. At that time, they will present plans and renderings of the project. Contact Director1@LGNA.net if you have questions and/or concerns about the project. We’ll pass the information along to Columbia Pacific.

CRIMEPROOFING YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER(CONTINUED)

Darren Dattalo from LGNA Crime Watch will give information and answer questions about the Extended Neighborhood Patrol as another inexpensive method for crimeproofing your home. One of the benefits of being an ENP member is a free home security audit by a Dallas police officer.

Bring your questions and concerns to discuss with Officer Allen. LGNA will provide delicious snacks from DBK’s menu, and you’ll be able to purchase beverages from their unique collection. Park in the parking lot at Lewis and Hope.

The Dallas Police Department offers tips to prevent apartment burglaries, and many of those tips also apply to single-family residences as well. Thanks to DPD for providing the following apartment-safety tips:

• Lock your doors and windows. This includes patio doors and windows on upper floors. Burglaries have occurred where entry was made on the 2nd or 3rd floor via unlocked patio doors and windows.

• Make your apartment look and feel “lived in.” When away, leave a radio on at a conversational level. When away for several days, use timers for lights.

• Make friends with your neighbors and have them remove door hangers and package notification notes from your door. Have a neighbor accept packages for you when you’re away.

• Give your neighbor your emergency contact information in case your home is burglarized. Ask them to keep an eye on your apartment.

• When away for an extended period of time, consider removing property, especially jewelry, from your residence and storing in a safe deposit box or in another secure location.

• Record serial numbers of (or engrave your driver’s license number on) your property. Keep these records in a safe place and provide to police in the event of a burglary.

• Consider renter’s insurance to cover the value of your property should your home be burglarized.

• Be aware of your surroundings. Get to know your neighbors and your apartment staff. If you see someone “working” on an apartment that you don’t recognize as staff, check with the apartment office or call 911.

• If you observe strangers “milling around” the apartment community aimlessly, or “trying” doorknobs, or looking through windows of apartments and/or vehicles, call 911. Often burglars will carry empty backpacks or knapsacks to carry stolen property away in. Trust your intuition; if it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t right.

• Notify the apartment management office when you’re going to be away for an extended period of time (a few days or longer). Ask them to check the exterior of your apartment home frequently for signs of entry. Give them a way to contact you in the event of an emergency.

Remember that you are an important partner in the fight against crime.

TIPS ON CRIMEPROOFING YOUR APARTMENT

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND JOIN NOW!

Please print clearly! Email addresses are required to receive neighborhood alerts. Personal information is not shared with any outside group or used for any other purpose. Receipts will be furnished upon request. Checks for LGNA membership should be made out to LGNA. For Extended Neighborhood Patrol membership, checks should be made out to LGNA-ENP. Please provide separate checks if possible. Mail this form and check payable to LGNA or LGNA-ENP to: PO Box 720067, Dallas, TX 75372 (or bring it to the next LGNA meeting).

!

name:

address:

phone:

cell:

email:

Please choose all that apply:

n Join LGNA ($20/yr, $5 for 65+)

n Join Expanded Neighborhood Patrol ($200/yr, $150 for 65+)

nAdd me to the Crime Watch Email List

n Please contact me about Volunteering

Pay Pal Now Available: LGNA has made it a little easier for you to become a member. We’ve added PayPal to the LGNA website. On the site, you’ll see two buttons, one for regular membership and one for seniors (65+). If you have a PayPal account, you can use that directly. If not, you can skip that step and proceed directly to a credit card processing page. LGNA does not receive your credit card information, only the contact information. There is no surcharge added to the regular $20 per household membership ($5 for seniors).

What’s the Buzz? Mosquito Season!

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is urging residents to take precautions to avoid

exposure to mosquitoes.

Mosquito season begins in April, and citizens can assist the county and municipal mosquito abatement teams

by being proactive at their homes and workplaces. “The fight against mosquito-borne viruses is a joint

effort among us all,” said Dr. Christopher Perkins, DCHHS medical director/health authority. “Stopping mosquitoes

where they breed by draining or treating standing water is especially crucial, but residents should adhere to all

protection recommendations.”

Perkins said Dallas County residents can protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites by remembering and practicing the 4Ds.

DEET All Day, Every Day: Whenever you’re outside, use insect repellents that contain DEET or other EPA approved repellents and follow instructions.

Dress: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside.

Drain: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace.

Dusk & Dawn: Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

In 2014, there were 12 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus and no deaths. To date, DCHHS has confirmed Chikungunya virus in 11 Dallas County residents. All cases were imported from countries where the virus is endemic.

More information can be found about West Nile and Chikungunya viruses on the DCHHS website.

Send your gardening questions to Sara by email at: DigThis@LGNA.net

As well as hosting crimeproofing topics, the May 20 Lower Greenville Neighborhood Association event will host LGNA’s annual meeting which includes election of four posts on the LGNA board of directors. All four candidates are nominated for reelection to the board.

Andrea Brashier is a nonprofit professional by day and a ceramic artist by night. Andrea is a neighborhood advocate who resides in the lowest part of the Greenville Avenue area. She began volunteering with LGNA by delivering newsletters on La Vista and now has been serving on the board since last year. Her enthusiasm brings a fresh perspective and energy to LGNA.

Patricia Carr has been a member of the LGNA board since 2003. She served as treasurer for several years and has been president since 2008. Pat is a market research professional but is passionate about the Lower Greenville area and takes pride in neighborhood improvements over the past ten years. She has been a resident for 40 years in what is now the M Streets East Conservation District.

Lilia Estrada has a Lower Greenville family heritage. Her father owned the first art gallery in the area and helped Lilia gain artistic enthusiasm and knowledge. A resident in Lowest Greenville and having lived in the neighborhood for over 40 years, she is able to add cultural diversity and give LGNA input from the perspective of a long-time resident. Lilia is an accomplished artist and frequently marks holidays and special occasions by contributing pertinent artwork to the LGNA Facebook site.

Ken Lampton is a real estate agent who has been selling homes in the Lower Greenville area for 30 years. As someone who has been active in several grass-roots projects involving zoning issues, conservation districts, and thoroughfares, he brings a wealth of technical knowledge and a unique historical perspective to his position as director of LGNA. Ken and his wife Jane have renovated two 1920s-era Tudor homes during their years in the neighborhood. They are residents in the Belmont Addition Conservation District.

Ballots have been mailed to LGNA voting members. At least one-third of the membership must vote, so each ballot is important. Promptly marking and returning your ballot to PO Box 720067, Dallas 75372 will be appreciated.

Many thanks to Cosmo’s at 1212 Skillman for providing awesome pizza!

LGNA ANNUAL MEETING

sara wick

Find out what’s going on. Like Us on FACEBOOK

This is the perfect time of year to assess the view of your property. The weather has changed to allow some productive outdoor projects. We have changed the clocks which has altered the period of daylight.

As most of you are aware, lighting reduces crime. How about installing protective lighting in your home? I know I find it much more palatable to break out the ladder and landscaping tools now. The best part about a lighting project is how easy it is to remove it from the “to-do list”. Replacing bulbs with higher-efficiency, environmental-friendly ones is something even I can do.

It’s a good time to also trim away branches and bushes from fixtures. Once the “basic” maintenance is completed, walk around your property (after dark) and determine if there is a need for additional fixtures.

The walk around of the property should be critical (after you congratulate yourself for job well done). It should assess if a neighbor or police officer would be able to see a prowler from the street, sidewalk, or alley.

Alleys provide the perfect location for many thieves to hide.

CRIME WATCH UPDATE

KEEP THE FRONT PORCH SAFE

DARREN DATTALO, CRIME WATCH COORDINATOR

In the Belmont Addition this month, there were two thefts off porches of a package

and a purse. We all love our front porches, and springtime is the best time of year to enjoy this

extension of our living space.

Anyone who works at home during the day can tell you that virtually every day, if not several times a day, someone walks up on your porch. Just think how often you get that menu from Piggie Pie on your door... From people carrying handbills to others going door-to-door trying to sell you something, strangers visit your porch regularly.

Make sure you treat this just as you would treat leaving your car parked on the street. Don’t leave anything valuable out there and unsecured.

If anyone is knocking door to door, ask to see their solicitor’s license. The city issues these, and anyone knocking on your door is supposed to have one. If they don’t have one, call 911. (There are some exceptions to this, but generally it’s true.)

If you receive packages, either have them delivered to your workplace or insist on requiring a signature for drop off. Don’t let carriers leave them on your porch. You might also consider posting a “No Solicitors” sign near your front door.

Those people carrying Snow Pea menus are not supposed to leave them if there is a no-solicitors sign. Since most of these are being delivered by the same marketing company, eventually they’ll get the message and skip your house. Just remember that LGNA’s newsletters cannot be delivered to your door under the City’s no-solicitor ordinance, so look at www.LGNA.net where your latest newsletter is posted.

Have a safe summer.

LGNA LOWER

GREENVILLE

NEIGHBORHOOD

ASSOCIATION

MOCKINGBIRD TO ROSS / GREENVILLE TO SKILLMAN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Patricia Carr | PRESIDENT 214-821-2562

Gay Hopkins | VICE PRESIDENT 214-827-4559

Pam Mueller | VICE PRESIDENT 214-821-1554

Debbie Daniel | TREASURER 214-821-0747

John Dailey | SECRETARY 214-821-6324

DIRECTORS

Andrea Brashier 214-384-4605

Lilia Estrada 214-874-3259

Michelle Foreman 214-394-2487

David Jones 214-300-1894

Ken Lampton 214-502-5858

Alan Schonborn 214-823-4057

USEFUL NUMBERS

Darren Dattalo | CRIME WATCH 214-476-8023

Council Member Philip Kingston 214-670-5415

DPD Officer Keith Allen 214-671-3477

Sanitation / Bulk Trash 214-670-3555

Code Compliance 214-670-5708

Animal Services Call 311

MAY • JUNE 2015

P.O. BOX 720067• DALLAS, TX 75372

BULK TRASH DATE PICK UP: May 11-15 EARLIEST SET-OUT: May 7

PICK UP: June 8-12 EARLIEST SET-OUT: June 4

PICK UP: July 13-17 EARLIEST SET-OUT: July 9 Remember: The city has a zero tolerance for placing trash out prior to the earliest set-out date. Don’t get stuck with a fine for missing the date.

LOG ON TO LGNA.NET for information and updates.

UPCOMING EVENT WHEN Wednesday May 20 7:00pm

WHERE Dallas Beer Kitchen 1802 Greenville Ave.

WHAT Home crimeproof- ing tips

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH VICKERY TOWERS?

Find out what’s going on. Like Us on FACEBOOK

Lately, one of the most common questions asked by area residents is “What are they going to do about Vickery Towers?” Emeritus at Vickery Towers, the long-time retirement facility at the corner of Greenville and Belmont, was closed last July and its residents relocated to other facilities.

The building has been closed since that time, and questions and rumors have been flying. In April, however, representatives of property owner Columbia Pacific Advisors met with representatives of three neighborhood associations – Vickery Place, Lowest Greenville West, and Lower Greenville. The property is within the Vickery Place area and is across the street from Lower Greenville and Lowest Greenville West.

Todd Seneker and Brit Funk of Columbia Pacific shared some recent history and some future plans. The assisted-living facility was closed because necessary renovations for assisted-living use were too expensive. The present buildings will be demolished because of poor condition and proximity to nearby homes.

NOV 2014 DEC 2014

Total Incidents 14 21

Car Break-ins 6 3

Home Burglaries 2 5

(CONTINUED INSIDE)

You’re invited to join your neighbors on Wednesday, May 20th, at 7:00 p.m. at Dallas Beer Kitchen. We’ll hear from Dallas Police Officer Keith Allen about how to take precautions and crimeproof our homes against burglars and other criminals.

After a winter of snow and sleet surprises, spring has kicked in and summer is soon upon us. Warmer weather brings residents outdoors for household chores and for leisure activities. Warmer weather also triggers a spike in criminal activity. Overgrown shrubs and high weeds around your windows or gates provide hiding places or unobserved access to your home. Unlocked doors and windows, lawnmowers and yard tools left outside, and open garages are invitations to the bad guys.

Criminals don’t take a vacation or get a day off. Always remember that you can be the next victim. Preventing crime is often as simple as realizing that it can happen to you and taking basic precautions to prevent it.

CRIMEPROOFING YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER

I encourage you to spend some time in yours and determine how much landscaping needs to be done in order to make it less “prowler friendly.”

Very few of us are going to go blocks out of the way to walk the dog, but if you do, assess how other blocks look. It is also a chance to look out for your neighbors by checking on the street lights and reporting any concerns. If you make your street one of the brighter ones, it does bring neighbors (walkers/runners/cyclists etc.) to your block which translates into more eyes providing “surveillance” and greater deterrence.

Thirty years of studies have shown that in residential neighborhoods, increased lighting steps such as these have reduced crime by an average of 20 percent. It may sound cruel, but the goal is to have the “bad guy” go to the next house, next street, next neighborhood.

Criminals will choose the target that prides them the greatest anonymity. Lighting and improved visibility make your property less of a target.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!

KEITH ALLEN—DALLAS POLICE

(CONTINUED INSIDE)

ST. PAT’S VOLUNTEERS

A very large thanks to the 75+ volunteers who put out a great effort on the Saturday and Thursday before the St. Pat’s festivities on March 14.

On the Thursday before St. Patrick’s celebrations, Explorers, Dallas police officers, and countless volunteers once again converged to post no-parking signs on one side of 36 streets. The City mandates temporary no-parking signs on one side of residential streets to allow passage of emergency vehicles and increased traffic. Teams with mallets and hammers loaded vehicles with signs and went to every street in the LGNA area, Ross to Mocking bird and Greenville to Skillman, as well as streets west of Greenville south of Belmont.

Volunteers included family groups and individuals who set up their own teams and who carried Explorers in their vehicles to designated streets. The neighborhood participation of folks willing to help was gratifying. Thank you!

On the previous Saturday, another major effort was the construction of the 750+ temporary no-parking signs. Neighborhood volunteers met with DPD Explorer Posts at Tietze Park on the morning of Saturday, March 8, to construct and store the signs.

A surprise visitor to the sign-building “party” was Mayor Mike Rawlings. On his round that morning of community events, the mayor stopped at Tietze Park to say hello to area residents, Explorers, and police officers who were busy constructing signs.

Mayor Rawlings surprised us even more by staying close to two hours – greeting neighbors taking advantage of the park,

meeting the neighborhood volunteers, and working one-on-one with Explorers to help construct signs. Yes, the mayor did wield a hammer and helped construct signs.

Mayor Rawlings spoke twice to the Explorers as a group. One topic was an emotional address to inform and urge everyone to participate in the Dallas campaign against domestic violence. Go to DallasMenAgainstAbuse.com for information about the project. In a second address, the mayor used our LGNA neighborhood as an example of how community cooperation improves the neighborhood, and he urged the Explorers to also volunteer to better their own neighborhoods.

Many thanks to those who generously contributed to breakfast on Saturday and dinner on Thursday for the Explorers and volunteers:

• State Representative Morgan Meyer• US. Foods• Blue Goose Cantina• Dubliner Irish Pub

LIGHTS & ALLEYS

theblindbutcher.com

1919 Greenville AveDallas, TX 75206

ST. PAT’S RECAPAccording to the media, St. Patrick’s celebrations were relatively quiet in the neighborhoods close to Lower Greenville. Some of our residents might disagree with that description, but police records do indicate a down-tick in arrests and tickets this year. Dallas Police Lieutenant Kimberly Owens, the liaison between the City, Lower Greenville merchants, and neighborhood associations, provided the following summary of police activity for the Lower Greenville area.

1 traffic citation 17 public intoxication arrests

1 DWI arrest 5 vehicles towed

3 investigative arrests 314 parking citations

2 citation arrests (e.g., ordinance violations)

Activity for the day – 9:00am - 2:00am – 97 calls

DiD yoU know?DiD yoU know?

BULK TRASH PICKUP Our area is undergoing efficiency changes. While the LGNA area is still scheduled for “second Monday” (the second full week) of each month, pickup has generally been in the latter part of the week – Wednesday or Thursday. With new efficiency procedures being implemented, pickup will generally become earlier in the week – Monday or Tuesday.

Also, residents on corner lots have frequently been placing their bulk trash and brush on the side street. Pickups on side streets will gradually stop as more Sanitation trucks are fitted with GPS trackers.

PECAN TREES AND DROUGHT

Residents have noticed that pecan trees were slow to flourish this spring and were concerned that last year’s drought may have adversely affected many of our mature trees. City Arborist Tina Standeford tells us that pecans are slow to leaf out, and the delay is most likely just their natural cycle.

She says that there is good resource material from the Texas Forest Service about watering urban trees and drought info: http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/main/popup.aspx?id=14964 The International Society of Arboriculture also has good resources for general info on tree care. http://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/planthealthcare.aspx

KEEP AN EYE ON BRUSH, GRASS, AND WEEDSCode Compliance Officer Les Anderson reminds us that alley brush and weeds must be trimmed. Also don’t let mowing your lawn go for too long. Letting your grass grow higher than 12 inches is a violation of the City Code. If you have questions about Code regulations, contact Officer Anderson at Lesta.Anderson@DallasCityHall.com or 469-515-1042.

WATERING RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEGUN IN DALLAS

Water your yard before 10:00am or after 6:00pm from April 1 to October 31. Don’t water during any form of precipitation, and watering driveways, sidewalks, or streets is prohibited. Watering resulting in runoff onto streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Observe the maximum twice per week watering schedule. If your address number ends in an even number, you are allowed to water on Sundays and Thursdays. If your address ends in an odd number, do your watering on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

TIETZE BRICKS ARE STILL ON SALEThe Friends of Tietze Park Foundation are offering a unique Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, anniversary, or birthday gift for friends or family. To find out about ordering and to see examples already placed in the park, go to TietzePark.org and click on Engraved Bricks.

The LGNA newsletter now features advertising from neighborhood businesses. Our full-color newsletter is delivered to 2,700 households in the LGNA area. If you’re interested in showcasing your business at a nominal rate, contact Advertising@LGNA.net

ADVERTISING IN THE LGNA NEWSLETTER

For your Home Repair & Remodeling needs Contact Neighborhood Resident and

Handyman Matters Owner Stacy Huston!

972.308.6035 | HandymanMatters.com/Dallas

(CONTINUED)

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH VICKERY TOWERS?

The 8.3-acre property will be rebuilt as residential with no plan for commercial businesses. Parking will be on a single-level below-ground lot with no ground-level parking lots. Approximately 50-60 townhomes will be built in a ring along the edges of the property. The center of the property will contain a three-story building – the same height as the present building. This central facility will contain 350-400 apartments.

Seneker assured neighborhood representatives that Columbia Pacific would protect as many of the established trees as possible. The company is also working with cell phone carriers to retain the towers currently located atop the building.

The demolition process is scheduled to begin in July 2015. After two to three months of demolition, construction will begin. The construction is expected to take 24-26 months.

In late May or early June Columbia Pacific representatives will meet again with the neighborhood associations. At that time, they will present plans and renderings of the project. Contact Director1@LGNA.net if you have questions and/or concerns about the project. We’ll pass the information along to Columbia Pacific.

CRIMEPROOFING YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER(CONTINUED)

Darren Dattalo from LGNA Crime Watch will give information and answer questions about the Extended Neighborhood Patrol as another inexpensive method for crimeproofing your home. One of the benefits of being an ENP member is a free home security audit by a Dallas police officer.

Bring your questions and concerns to discuss with Officer Allen. LGNA will provide delicious snacks from DBK’s menu, and you’ll be able to purchase beverages from their unique collection. Park in the parking lot at Lewis and Hope.

The Dallas Police Department offers tips to prevent apartment burglaries, and many of those tips also apply to single-family residences as well. Thanks to DPD for providing the following apartment-safety tips:

• Lock your doors and windows. This includes patio doors and windows on upper floors. Burglaries have occurred where entry was made on the 2nd or 3rd floor via unlocked patio doors and windows.

• Make your apartment look and feel “lived in.” When away, leave a radio on at a conversational level. When away for several days, use timers for lights.

• Make friends with your neighbors and have them remove door hangers and package notification notes from your door. Have a neighbor accept packages for you when you’re away.

• Give your neighbor your emergency contact information in case your home is burglarized. Ask them to keep an eye on your apartment.

• When away for an extended period of time, consider removing property, especially jewelry, from your residence and storing in a safe deposit box or in another secure location.

• Record serial numbers of (or engrave your driver’s license number on) your property. Keep these records in a safe place and provide to police in the event of a burglary.

• Consider renter’s insurance to cover the value of your property should your home be burglarized.

• Be aware of your surroundings. Get to know your neighbors and your apartment staff. If you see someone “working” on an apartment that you don’t recognize as staff, check with the apartment office or call 911.

• If you observe strangers “milling around” the apartment community aimlessly, or “trying” doorknobs, or looking through windows of apartments and/or vehicles, call 911. Often burglars will carry empty backpacks or knapsacks to carry stolen property away in. Trust your intuition; if it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t right.

• Notify the apartment management office when you’re going to be away for an extended period of time (a few days or longer). Ask them to check the exterior of your apartment home frequently for signs of entry. Give them a way to contact you in the event of an emergency.

Remember that you are an important partner in the fight against crime.

TIPS ON CRIMEPROOFING YOUR APARTMENT

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND JOIN NOW!

Please print clearly! Email addresses are required to receive neighborhood alerts. Personal information is not shared with any outside group or used for any other purpose. Receipts will be furnished upon request. Checks for LGNA membership should be made out to LGNA. For Extended Neighborhood Patrol membership, checks should be made out to LGNA-ENP. Please provide separate checks if possible. Mail this form and check payable to LGNA or LGNA-ENP to: PO Box 720067, Dallas, TX 75372 (or bring it to the next LGNA meeting).

!

name:

address:

phone:

cell:

email:

Please choose all that apply:

n Join LGNA ($20/yr, $5 for 65+)

n Join Expanded Neighborhood Patrol ($200/yr, $150 for 65+)

nAdd me to the Crime Watch Email List

n Please contact me about Volunteering

Pay Pal Now Available: LGNA has made it a little easier for you to become a member. We’ve added PayPal to the LGNA website. On the site, you’ll see two buttons, one for regular membership and one for seniors (65+). If you have a PayPal account, you can use that directly. If not, you can skip that step and proceed directly to a credit card processing page. LGNA does not receive your credit card information, only the contact information. There is no surcharge added to the regular $20 per household membership ($5 for seniors).

What’s the Buzz? Mosquito Season!

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is urging residents to take precautions to avoid

exposure to mosquitoes.

Mosquito season begins in April, and citizens can assist the county and municipal mosquito abatement teams

by being proactive at their homes and workplaces. “The fight against mosquito-borne viruses is a joint

effort among us all,” said Dr. Christopher Perkins, DCHHS medical director/health authority. “Stopping mosquitoes

where they breed by draining or treating standing water is especially crucial, but residents should adhere to all

protection recommendations.”

Perkins said Dallas County residents can protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites by remembering and practicing the 4Ds.

DEET All Day, Every Day: Whenever you’re outside, use insect repellents that contain DEET or other EPA approved repellents and follow instructions.

Dress: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside.

Drain: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace.

Dusk & Dawn: Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

In 2014, there were 12 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus and no deaths. To date, DCHHS has confirmed Chikungunya virus in 11 Dallas County residents. All cases were imported from countries where the virus is endemic.

More information can be found about West Nile and Chikungunya viruses on the DCHHS website.

Send your gardening questions to Sara by email at: DigThis@LGNA.net

As well as hosting crimeproofing topics, the May 20 Lower Greenville Neighborhood Association event will host LGNA’s annual meeting which includes election of four posts on the LGNA board of directors. All four candidates are nominated for reelection to the board.

Andrea Brashier is a nonprofit professional by day and a ceramic artist by night. Andrea is a neighborhood advocate who resides in the lowest part of the Greenville Avenue area. She began volunteering with LGNA by delivering newsletters on La Vista and now has been serving on the board since last year. Her enthusiasm brings a fresh perspective and energy to LGNA.

Patricia Carr has been a member of the LGNA board since 2003. She served as treasurer for several years and has been president since 2008. Pat is a market research professional but is passionate about the Lower Greenville area and takes pride in neighborhood improvements over the past ten years. She has been a resident for 40 years in what is now the M Streets East Conservation District.

Lilia Estrada has a Lower Greenville family heritage. Her father owned the first art gallery in the area and helped Lilia gain artistic enthusiasm and knowledge. A resident in Lowest Greenville and having lived in the neighborhood for over 40 years, she is able to add cultural diversity and give LGNA input from the perspective of a long-time resident. Lilia is an accomplished artist and frequently marks holidays and special occasions by contributing pertinent artwork to the LGNA Facebook site.

Ken Lampton is a real estate agent who has been selling homes in the Lower Greenville area for 30 years. As someone who has been active in several grass-roots projects involving zoning issues, conservation districts, and thoroughfares, he brings a wealth of technical knowledge and a unique historical perspective to his position as director of LGNA. Ken and his wife Jane have renovated two 1920s-era Tudor homes during their years in the neighborhood. They are residents in the Belmont Addition Conservation District.

Ballots have been mailed to LGNA voting members. At least one-third of the membership must vote, so each ballot is important. Promptly marking and returning your ballot to PO Box 720067, Dallas 75372 will be appreciated.

Many thanks to Cosmo’s at 1212 Skillman for providing awesome pizza!

LGNA ANNUAL MEETING

sara wick

Find out what’s going on. Like Us on FACEBOOK

DiD yoU know?DiD yoU know?

BULK TRASH PICKUP Our area is undergoing efficiency changes. While the LGNA area is still scheduled for “second Monday” (the second full week) of each month, pickup has generally been in the latter part of the week – Wednesday or Thursday. With new efficiency procedures being implemented, pickup will generally become earlier in the week – Monday or Tuesday.

Also, residents on corner lots have frequently been placing their bulk trash and brush on the side street. Pickups on side streets will gradually stop as more Sanitation trucks are fitted with GPS trackers.

PECAN TREES AND DROUGHT

Residents have noticed that pecan trees were slow to flourish this spring and were concerned that last year’s drought may have adversely affected many of our mature trees. City Arborist Tina Standeford tells us that pecans are slow to leaf out, and the delay is most likely just their natural cycle.

She says that there is good resource material from the Texas Forest Service about watering urban trees and drought info: http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/main/popup.aspx?id=14964 The International Society of Arboriculture also has good resources for general info on tree care. http://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/planthealthcare.aspx

KEEP AN EYE ON BRUSH, GRASS, AND WEEDSCode Compliance Officer Les Anderson reminds us that alley brush and weeds must be trimmed. Also don’t let mowing your lawn go for too long. Letting your grass grow higher than 12 inches is a violation of the City Code. If you have questions about Code regulations, contact Officer Anderson at Lesta.Anderson@DallasCityHall.com or 469-515-1042.

WATERING RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEGUN IN DALLAS

Water your yard before 10:00am or after 6:00pm from April 1 to October 31. Don’t water during any form of precipitation, and watering driveways, sidewalks, or streets is prohibited. Watering resulting in runoff onto streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Observe the maximum twice per week watering schedule. If your address number ends in an even number, you are allowed to water on Sundays and Thursdays. If your address ends in an odd number, do your watering on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

TIETZE BRICKS ARE STILL ON SALEThe Friends of Tietze Park Foundation are offering a unique Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, anniversary, or birthday gift for friends or family. To find out about ordering and to see examples already placed in the park, go to TietzePark.org and click on Engraved Bricks.

The LGNA newsletter now features advertising from neighborhood businesses. Our full-color newsletter is delivered to 2,700 households in the LGNA area. If you’re interested in showcasing your business at a nominal rate, contact Advertising@LGNA.net

ADVERTISING IN THE LGNA NEWSLETTER

For your Home Repair & Remodeling needs Contact Neighborhood Resident and

Handyman Matters Owner Stacy Huston!

972.308.6035 | HandymanMatters.com/Dallas

(CONTINUED)

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH VICKERY TOWERS?

The 8.3-acre property will be rebuilt as residential with no plan for commercial businesses. Parking will be on a single-level below-ground lot with no ground-level parking lots. Approximately 50-60 townhomes will be built in a ring along the edges of the property. The center of the property will contain a three-story building – the same height as the present building. This central facility will contain 350-400 apartments.

Seneker assured neighborhood representatives that Columbia Pacific would protect as many of the established trees as possible. The company is also working with cell phone carriers to retain the towers currently located atop the building.

The demolition process is scheduled to begin in July 2015. After two to three months of demolition, construction will begin. The construction is expected to take 24-26 months.

In late May or early June Columbia Pacific representatives will meet again with the neighborhood associations. At that time, they will present plans and renderings of the project. Contact Director1@LGNA.net if you have questions and/or concerns about the project. We’ll pass the information along to Columbia Pacific.

CRIMEPROOFING YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER(CONTINUED)

Darren Dattalo from LGNA Crime Watch will give information and answer questions about the Extended Neighborhood Patrol as another inexpensive method for crimeproofing your home. One of the benefits of being an ENP member is a free home security audit by a Dallas police officer.

Bring your questions and concerns to discuss with Officer Allen. LGNA will provide delicious snacks from DBK’s menu, and you’ll be able to purchase beverages from their unique collection. Park in the parking lot at Lewis and Hope.

The Dallas Police Department offers tips to prevent apartment burglaries, and many of those tips also apply to single-family residences as well. Thanks to DPD for providing the following apartment-safety tips:

• Lock your doors and windows. This includes patio doors and windows on upper floors. Burglaries have occurred where entry was made on the 2nd or 3rd floor via unlocked patio doors and windows.

• Make your apartment look and feel “lived in.” When away, leave a radio on at a conversational level. When away for several days, use timers for lights.

• Make friends with your neighbors and have them remove door hangers and package notification notes from your door. Have a neighbor accept packages for you when you’re away.

• Give your neighbor your emergency contact information in case your home is burglarized. Ask them to keep an eye on your apartment.

• When away for an extended period of time, consider removing property, especially jewelry, from your residence and storing in a safe deposit box or in another secure location.

• Record serial numbers of (or engrave your driver’s license number on) your property. Keep these records in a safe place and provide to police in the event of a burglary.

• Consider renter’s insurance to cover the value of your property should your home be burglarized.

• Be aware of your surroundings. Get to know your neighbors and your apartment staff. If you see someone “working” on an apartment that you don’t recognize as staff, check with the apartment office or call 911.

• If you observe strangers “milling around” the apartment community aimlessly, or “trying” doorknobs, or looking through windows of apartments and/or vehicles, call 911. Often burglars will carry empty backpacks or knapsacks to carry stolen property away in. Trust your intuition; if it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t right.

• Notify the apartment management office when you’re going to be away for an extended period of time (a few days or longer). Ask them to check the exterior of your apartment home frequently for signs of entry. Give them a way to contact you in the event of an emergency.

Remember that you are an important partner in the fight against crime.

TIPS ON CRIMEPROOFING YOUR APARTMENT

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND JOIN NOW!

Please print clearly! Email addresses are required to receive neighborhood alerts. Personal information is not shared with any outside group or used for any other purpose. Receipts will be furnished upon request. Checks for LGNA membership should be made out to LGNA. For Extended Neighborhood Patrol membership, checks should be made out to LGNA-ENP. Please provide separate checks if possible. Mail this form and check payable to LGNA or LGNA-ENP to: PO Box 720067, Dallas, TX 75372 (or bring it to the next LGNA meeting).

!

name:

address:

phone:

cell:

email:

Please choose all that apply:

n Join LGNA ($20/yr, $5 for 65+)

n Join Expanded Neighborhood Patrol ($200/yr, $150 for 65+)

nAdd me to the Crime Watch Email List

n Please contact me about Volunteering

Pay Pal Now Available: LGNA has made it a little easier for you to become a member. We’ve added PayPal to the LGNA website. On the site, you’ll see two buttons, one for regular membership and one for seniors (65+). If you have a PayPal account, you can use that directly. If not, you can skip that step and proceed directly to a credit card processing page. LGNA does not receive your credit card information, only the contact information. There is no surcharge added to the regular $20 per household membership ($5 for seniors).

What’s the Buzz? Mosquito Season!

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is urging residents to take precautions to avoid

exposure to mosquitoes.

Mosquito season begins in April, and citizens can assist the county and municipal mosquito abatement teams

by being proactive at their homes and workplaces. “The fight against mosquito-borne viruses is a joint

effort among us all,” said Dr. Christopher Perkins, DCHHS medical director/health authority. “Stopping mosquitoes

where they breed by draining or treating standing water is especially crucial, but residents should adhere to all

protection recommendations.”

Perkins said Dallas County residents can protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites by remembering and practicing the 4Ds.

DEET All Day, Every Day: Whenever you’re outside, use insect repellents that contain DEET or other EPA approved repellents and follow instructions.

Dress: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside.

Drain: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace.

Dusk & Dawn: Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

In 2014, there were 12 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus and no deaths. To date, DCHHS has confirmed Chikungunya virus in 11 Dallas County residents. All cases were imported from countries where the virus is endemic.

More information can be found about West Nile and Chikungunya viruses on the DCHHS website.

Send your gardening questions to Sara by email at: DigThis@LGNA.net

As well as hosting crimeproofing topics, the May 20 Lower Greenville Neighborhood Association event will host LGNA’s annual meeting which includes election of four posts on the LGNA board of directors. All four candidates are nominated for reelection to the board.

Andrea Brashier is a nonprofit professional by day and a ceramic artist by night. Andrea is a neighborhood advocate who resides in the lowest part of the Greenville Avenue area. She began volunteering with LGNA by delivering newsletters on La Vista and now has been serving on the board since last year. Her enthusiasm brings a fresh perspective and energy to LGNA.

Patricia Carr has been a member of the LGNA board since 2003. She served as treasurer for several years and has been president since 2008. Pat is a market research professional but is passionate about the Lower Greenville area and takes pride in neighborhood improvements over the past ten years. She has been a resident for 40 years in what is now the M Streets East Conservation District.

Lilia Estrada has a Lower Greenville family heritage. Her father owned the first art gallery in the area and helped Lilia gain artistic enthusiasm and knowledge. A resident in Lowest Greenville and having lived in the neighborhood for over 40 years, she is able to add cultural diversity and give LGNA input from the perspective of a long-time resident. Lilia is an accomplished artist and frequently marks holidays and special occasions by contributing pertinent artwork to the LGNA Facebook site.

Ken Lampton is a real estate agent who has been selling homes in the Lower Greenville area for 30 years. As someone who has been active in several grass-roots projects involving zoning issues, conservation districts, and thoroughfares, he brings a wealth of technical knowledge and a unique historical perspective to his position as director of LGNA. Ken and his wife Jane have renovated two 1920s-era Tudor homes during their years in the neighborhood. They are residents in the Belmont Addition Conservation District.

Ballots have been mailed to LGNA voting members. At least one-third of the membership must vote, so each ballot is important. Promptly marking and returning your ballot to PO Box 720067, Dallas 75372 will be appreciated.

Many thanks to Cosmo’s at 1212 Skillman for providing awesome pizza!

LGNA ANNUAL MEETING

sara wick

Find out what’s going on. Like Us on FACEBOOK

This is the perfect time of year to assess the view of your property. The weather has changed to allow some productive outdoor projects. We have changed the clocks which has altered the period of daylight.

As most of you are aware, lighting reduces crime. How about installing protective lighting in your home? I know I find it much more palatable to break out the ladder and landscaping tools now. The best part about a lighting project is how easy it is to remove it from the “to-do list”. Replacing bulbs with higher-efficiency, environmental-friendly ones is something even I can do.

It’s a good time to also trim away branches and bushes from fixtures. Once the “basic” maintenance is completed, walk around your property (after dark) and determine if there is a need for additional fixtures.

The walk around of the property should be critical (after you congratulate yourself for job well done). It should assess if a neighbor or police officer would be able to see a prowler from the street, sidewalk, or alley.

Alleys provide the perfect location for many thieves to hide.

CRIME WATCH UPDATE

KEEP THE FRONT PORCH SAFE

DARREN DATTALO, CRIME WATCH COORDINATOR

In the Belmont Addition this month, there were two thefts off porches of a package

and a purse. We all love our front porches, and springtime is the best time of year to enjoy this

extension of our living space.

Anyone who works at home during the day can tell you that virtually every day, if not several times a day, someone walks up on your porch. Just think how often you get that menu from Piggie Pie on your door... From people carrying handbills to others going door-to-door trying to sell you something, strangers visit your porch regularly.

Make sure you treat this just as you would treat leaving your car parked on the street. Don’t leave anything valuable out there and unsecured.

If anyone is knocking door to door, ask to see their solicitor’s license. The city issues these, and anyone knocking on your door is supposed to have one. If they don’t have one, call 911. (There are some exceptions to this, but generally it’s true.)

If you receive packages, either have them delivered to your workplace or insist on requiring a signature for drop off. Don’t let carriers leave them on your porch. You might also consider posting a “No Solicitors” sign near your front door.

Those people carrying Snow Pea menus are not supposed to leave them if there is a no-solicitors sign. Since most of these are being delivered by the same marketing company, eventually they’ll get the message and skip your house. Just remember that LGNA’s newsletters cannot be delivered to your door under the City’s no-solicitor ordinance, so look at www.LGNA.net where your latest newsletter is posted.

Have a safe summer.

LGNA LOWER

GREENVILLE

NEIGHBORHOOD

ASSOCIATION

MOCKINGBIRD TO ROSS / GREENVILLE TO SKILLMAN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Patricia Carr | PRESIDENT 214-821-2562

Gay Hopkins | VICE PRESIDENT 214-827-4559

Pam Mueller | VICE PRESIDENT 214-821-1554

Debbie Daniel | TREASURER 214-821-0747

John Dailey | SECRETARY 214-821-6324

DIRECTORS

Andrea Brashier 214-384-4605

Lilia Estrada 214-874-3259

Michelle Foreman 214-394-2487

David Jones 214-300-1894

Ken Lampton 214-502-5858

Alan Schonborn 214-823-4057

USEFUL NUMBERS

Darren Dattalo | CRIME WATCH 214-476-8023

Council Member Philip Kingston 214-670-5415

DPD Officer Keith Allen 214-671-3477

Sanitation / Bulk Trash 214-670-3555

Code Compliance 214-670-5708

Animal Services Call 311

MAY • JUNE 2015

P.O. BOX 720067• DALLAS, TX 75372

BULK TRASH DATE PICK UP: May 11-15 EARLIEST SET-OUT: May 7

PICK UP: June 8-12 EARLIEST SET-OUT: June 4

PICK UP: July 13-17 EARLIEST SET-OUT: July 9 Remember: The city has a zero tolerance for placing trash out prior to the earliest set-out date. Don’t get stuck with a fine for missing the date.

LOG ON TO LGNA.NET for information and updates.

UPCOMING EVENT WHEN Wednesday May 20 7:00pm

WHERE Dallas Beer Kitchen 1802 Greenville Ave.

WHAT Home crimeproof- ing tips

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH VICKERY TOWERS?

Find out what’s going on. Like Us on FACEBOOK

Lately, one of the most common questions asked by area residents is “What are they going to do about Vickery Towers?” Emeritus at Vickery Towers, the long-time retirement facility at the corner of Greenville and Belmont, was closed last July and its residents relocated to other facilities.

The building has been closed since that time, and questions and rumors have been flying. In April, however, representatives of property owner Columbia Pacific Advisors met with representatives of three neighborhood associations – Vickery Place, Lowest Greenville West, and Lower Greenville. The property is within the Vickery Place area and is across the street from Lower Greenville and Lowest Greenville West.

Todd Seneker and Brit Funk of Columbia Pacific shared some recent history and some future plans. The assisted-living facility was closed because necessary renovations for assisted-living use were too expensive. The present buildings will be demolished because of poor condition and proximity to nearby homes.

NOV 2014 DEC 2014

Total Incidents 14 21

Car Break-ins 6 3

Home Burglaries 2 5

(CONTINUED INSIDE)

You’re invited to join your neighbors on Wednesday, May 20th, at 7:00 p.m. at Dallas Beer Kitchen. We’ll hear from Dallas Police Officer Keith Allen about how to take precautions and crimeproof our homes against burglars and other criminals.

After a winter of snow and sleet surprises, spring has kicked in and summer is soon upon us. Warmer weather brings residents outdoors for household chores and for leisure activities. Warmer weather also triggers a spike in criminal activity. Overgrown shrubs and high weeds around your windows or gates provide hiding places or unobserved access to your home. Unlocked doors and windows, lawnmowers and yard tools left outside, and open garages are invitations to the bad guys.

Criminals don’t take a vacation or get a day off. Always remember that you can be the next victim. Preventing crime is often as simple as realizing that it can happen to you and taking basic precautions to prevent it.

CRIMEPROOFING YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER

I encourage you to spend some time in yours and determine how much landscaping needs to be done in order to make it less “prowler friendly.”

Very few of us are going to go blocks out of the way to walk the dog, but if you do, assess how other blocks look. It is also a chance to look out for your neighbors by checking on the street lights and reporting any concerns. If you make your street one of the brighter ones, it does bring neighbors (walkers/runners/cyclists etc.) to your block which translates into more eyes providing “surveillance” and greater deterrence.

Thirty years of studies have shown that in residential neighborhoods, increased lighting steps such as these have reduced crime by an average of 20 percent. It may sound cruel, but the goal is to have the “bad guy” go to the next house, next street, next neighborhood.

Criminals will choose the target that prides them the greatest anonymity. Lighting and improved visibility make your property less of a target.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!

KEITH ALLEN—DALLAS POLICE

(CONTINUED INSIDE)

ST. PAT’S VOLUNTEERS

A very large thanks to the 75+ volunteers who put out a great effort on the Saturday and Thursday before the St. Pat’s festivities on March 14.

On the Thursday before St. Patrick’s celebrations, Explorers, Dallas police officers, and countless volunteers once again converged to post no-parking signs on one side of 36 streets. The City mandates temporary no-parking signs on one side of residential streets to allow passage of emergency vehicles and increased traffic. Teams with mallets and hammers loaded vehicles with signs and went to every street in the LGNA area, Ross to Mocking bird and Greenville to Skillman, as well as streets west of Greenville south of Belmont.

Volunteers included family groups and individuals who set up their own teams and who carried Explorers in their vehicles to designated streets. The neighborhood participation of folks willing to help was gratifying. Thank you!

On the previous Saturday, another major effort was the construction of the 750+ temporary no-parking signs. Neighborhood volunteers met with DPD Explorer Posts at Tietze Park on the morning of Saturday, March 8, to construct and store the signs.

A surprise visitor to the sign-building “party” was Mayor Mike Rawlings. On his round that morning of community events, the mayor stopped at Tietze Park to say hello to area residents, Explorers, and police officers who were busy constructing signs.

Mayor Rawlings surprised us even more by staying close to two hours – greeting neighbors taking advantage of the park,

meeting the neighborhood volunteers, and working one-on-one with Explorers to help construct signs. Yes, the mayor did wield a hammer and helped construct signs.

Mayor Rawlings spoke twice to the Explorers as a group. One topic was an emotional address to inform and urge everyone to participate in the Dallas campaign against domestic violence. Go to DallasMenAgainstAbuse.com for information about the project. In a second address, the mayor used our LGNA neighborhood as an example of how community cooperation improves the neighborhood, and he urged the Explorers to also volunteer to better their own neighborhoods.

Many thanks to those who generously contributed to breakfast on Saturday and dinner on Thursday for the Explorers and volunteers:

• State Representative Morgan Meyer• US. Foods• Blue Goose Cantina• Dubliner Irish Pub

LIGHTS & ALLEYS

theblindbutcher.com

1919 Greenville AveDallas, TX 75206

ST. PAT’S RECAPAccording to the media, St. Patrick’s celebrations were relatively quiet in the neighborhoods close to Lower Greenville. Some of our residents might disagree with that description, but police records do indicate a down-tick in arrests and tickets this year. Dallas Police Lieutenant Kimberly Owens, the liaison between the City, Lower Greenville merchants, and neighborhood associations, provided the following summary of police activity for the Lower Greenville area.

1 traffic citation 17 public intoxication arrests

1 DWI arrest 5 vehicles towed

3 investigative arrests 314 parking citations

2 citation arrests (e.g., ordinance violations)

Activity for the day – 9:00am - 2:00am – 97 calls