Neighborhood Watch

     The Cottonwood Heights Police Department works in conjuction with the Cottonwood Heights Neighborhood Watch to create a safer community for all residents.  Help your community by getting involved.  Check out their website at www.CHNeighborhoodWatch.com. Cottonwood Heights Neightborhood Watch is also on Facebook:

Upcoming Events:

Neighborhood Watch holds training meetings regularly.  Check the calendar for dates and information.

SIMPLE LIST HELPS NEIGHBORS PROTECT EACH OTHER

by Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Cherie Thomas

     Cottonwood Heights resident Joleigh Honey wrote the following story to help her neighbors in Precinct 9 avoid the same devastating situation in which she found herself.

     “On Feb. 21, 2012, I hugged my daughter goodbye in the morning and wished her a happy birthday.  A few minutes later, I left my home and headed off to work, not realizing I left my garage door open.

     “I have very much enjoyed living in this neighborhood for the past six years and have always felt very safe, although I do not ever intentionally leave the garage door open. Needless to say, it was very sad and scary to come home and discover that strangers had been in our house.  There were enough large items stolen that I knew this took a while and that they were not on foot. I do think we live in a safe neighborhood. However, it also seems like they were 'experts' and knew what they were doing (closed all blinds, emptied drawers and medicine cabinets). 

     “I hope no one else goes through this ordeal in our area.  I have heard that a couple of people made the comment that they noticed my garage door open that day and it seemed odd. This alone seems like a good reason for us to all have each other’s contact information. 

     “I am grateful my daughter did not ride the bus home from school that day.  I am grateful we are safe.  Ironically, it was the beautiful blanket that my great-grandmother gave me over 20 years ago that I miss most---and it was probably worthless to those who took it, possibly to cover the TV."                

     If someone had known Joleigh’s work or cell phone numbers, they might have called and alerted her about her garage. This realization gave birth to the idea of having an Optional List of Daytime Phone Numbers and E-Mail Addresses in the hands of the residents in our precinct so that they could alert homeowners to signs of trouble immediately.

     Our block captains went from door-to-door with Joleigh's written account, and more than a hundred signed on to this Optional List. It has been very useful in alerting people immediately after car break-ins, and even attempted break-ins, with the result that these incidents have greatly diminished in the months since the list was compiled and emailed to those who signed on.

     A ripple effect of this project is that neighbors have become closer friends and more watchful over each other’s property.  We are very appreciative to Joleigh for her desire to turn her tragedy into a call to action for the whole neighborhood!