Many neighborhoods in District 25 are forming Block Watches.  The Block Watch Program is an active partnership between the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and area residents to increase community awareness and crime prevention. The Neighborhood Watch Program is a vital network that provides each resident with the knowledge and resources to fight crime.  In an effort to strengthen Block Watches, I will be sharing reported crimes that have occurred in the Third Division which protects District 25.  In addition, crime prevention tips will accompany the crime trends in an effort to fight crime.

If you are interested in forming a Block Watch, please call me at 574-1125.

Third Division Crime Trends

February 28, 2010 to March 6, 20010

There were 4 Burglaries on Beat 1

3/2/2010 23:45

3/3/2010 0:05

Burglary 1

JAN PLACE ST

3/3/2010 10:00

3/3/2010 10:30

Burglary 2

GRANDMEADOW LN

3/3/2010 21:00

3/4/2010 16:00

Burglary 2

GREEN OAK DR #98

3/5/2010 1:40

3/5/2010 1:50

Burglary 3

ROCKFORD LN

There were 3 TBUTs f/Auto on Beat 1 Theft by Unlawful Taking (TBUT) from Auto.

3/1/2010 1:00

3/1/2010 5:25

TBUT f/Auto

LEDGEWOOD PKY

3/1/2010 0:01

3/1/2010 10:00

TBUT f/Auto

BROOKLAWN DR

3/2/2010 7:00

3/2/2010 18:00

TBUT f/Auto

DEADY DR

There was 1 Auto Theft on Beat 1

3/6/2010 22:38

3/6/2010 22:39

Auto Theft

GREENWOOD RD

There were 5 Burglaries on Beat 2

3/2/2010 11:00

3/2/2010 15:00

Burglary 1

STONE HILL RD

2/28/2010 16:45

2/28/2010 19:21

Burglary 2

HUNT CLUB LN #4

3/4/2010 8:30

3/4/2010 17:00

Burglary 2

IROQUOIS GARDENS DR

3/4/2010 16:05

3/4/2010 18:50

Burglary 2

W ESPLANADE AVE

3/5/2010 14:33

3/5/2010 14:33

Burglary 2

BELLA WOODS CT

There were 2 Auto Thefts on Beat 2

3/2/2010 19:00

3/3/2010 14:00

Auto Theft

IROQUOIS GARDENS DR

3/3/2010 20:00

3/4/2010 4:27

Auto Theft

STRAWBERRY LN

There were 3 Burglaries on Beat 3

2/28/2010 1:30

2/28/2010 6:15

Burglary 2

MINUTE MEN CT

3/1/2010 12:00

3/1/2010 17:00

Burglary 2

BEARCAMP RD

3/3/2010 7:50

3/3/2010 7:55

Burglary 2

W MANSLICK RD

There was 1 TBUT f/Auto on Beat 3 Theft by Unlawful Taking (TBUT) from Auto.

3/2/2010 3:25

3/2/2010 3:45

TBUT f/Auto

W MANSLICK RD

There were 4 Burglaries on Beat 4

3/1/2010 2:37

3/1/2010 2:37

Burglary 1

FLUSHING WAY

3/1/2010 14:10

3/1/2010 14:56

Burglary 1

3RD STREET RD

3/2/2010 7:30

3/2/2010 16:00

Burglary 2

ARNOLDTOWN RD

2/28/2010 8:50

2/28/2010 8:50

Burglary 3

VALLEY STATION RD

There was 1 TBUT f/Auto on Beat 4 Theft by Unlawful Taking (TBUT) from Auto.

3/5/2010 1:30

3/5/2010 6:00

TBUT f/Auto

LIBBY LN

There was 1 Robbery on Beat 5

3/5/2010 15:47

3/5/2010 15:47

Robbery 2

DIXIE HWY

There were 5 Burglaries on Beat 5

2/28/2010 12:00

2/28/2010 17:00

Burglary 2

CONIFER DR

3/4/2010 11:00

3/4/2010 11:10

Burglary 2

HEPATICA DR

3/4/2010 10:00

3/4/2010 19:00

Burglary 2

MINETTE CIR

3/6/2010 12:30

3/6/2010 23:20

Burglary 2

CHASE RD

3/3/2010 19:30

3/4/2010 11:00

Burglary 3

GLOBAL DR

There were 3 TBUTs f/Auto on Beat 5 Theft by Unlawful Taking (TBUT) from Auto.

3/2/2010 17:30

3/2/2010 18:10

TBUT f/Auto

TERRY RD

3/4/2010 8:07

3/4/2010 8:07

TBUT f/Auto

DIXIE HWY

3/6/2010 14:10

3/6/2010 14:12

TBUT f/Auto

DIXIE HWY

There was 1 Auto Theft on Beat 5

3/4/2010 6:46

3/4/2010 6:46

Auto Theft

PANAX LN

There were 3 Burglaries on Beat 6

3/4/2010 19:58

3/4/2010 19:58

Burglary 1

CHESTNUTWOOD WAY

3/6/2010 14:31

3/6/2010 14:31

Burglary 1

LEWIS WAY

3/3/2010 8:30

3/3/2010 16:25

Burglary 2

WINDING STREAM WAY

There was 1 TBUT f/Auto on Beat 6 Theft by Unlawful Taking (TBUT) from Auto.

3/5/2010 21:30

3/6/2010 5:00

TBUT f/Auto

PIERCE WAY

There was 1 Auto Theft on Beat 6

3/6/2010 10:46

3/6/2010 10:46

Auto Theft

LEEMONT DR

Auto Theft Prevention Tips

1.      Lock your car doors and close your windows.

2. Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you do, make sure they are kept out of plain sight — hide them under a blanket, or better yet, lock them in your trunk.

3. When transporting valuables, place them in the trunk before you get to the location where you intend to park. Don’t transfer them at the parking place in open view of other people.

4. If you have a garage, use it.

5. Don’t leave your garage door opener on the dashboard or front seat. Put it in your glove box, hide it or take it with you.

6. Always park in a well-lighted area.

7. Use slide or portable mounts on add-on radios, citizens’ band radios (CBs), tape decks and telephones. When you leave your car, put them in the trunk or take them with you.

8. Mark radios, CBs, tape decks, telephones, batteries, wheel covers and tires with an Operation Identification number. If the stolen item is found later, the number can be traced back to you. To enroll in Operation ID, contact Community Crime Prevention/SAFE at 673-3204.

9. Remember: briefcases, sunglasses, clothing, keys, gyms bags and small change are all tempting to a thief.

10. Leave only the ignition key with the parking attendant in a commercial parking lot.

11. Keep your driver’s license and vehicle registration with you. Left with the car, the documents can be used by a thief to impersonate you when transferring the car’s ownership.

12. Car keys left at home (or at your business) should always be hidden. This will help prevent the theft of your vehicle if you are burglarized.

13. There are locks made for various marketable parts of cars. Battery locks, wheel locks and special tape deck lock mounts can save these items plus any damage that may occur in the process of stealing them.

14. Install a locking gas tank cap to help prevent gasoline theft and limit a thief’s driving range to one tank.

15. Park the front wheel turned sharply to the right or left, making it difficult for the professional thief to tow your car away backwards.

16. With front wheel drive cars: When you park, pull on the emergency brake and place your vehicle in Park. If you have a stick shift, pull on the emergency brake and shift into forward or reverse gear. All four wheels will be locked, making it difficult for a thief to tow your car.

17. Call 911 as soon as theft occurs.

Home Security Tips

For more information on tips for protecting your home, please click on the below links:

o   Alarms

o   Dogs

o   Doors

o   Fences, Walls, and Gates

o   Helping the Police Get to your Home

o   Identifying your Property

o   Landscaping

o   Lighting

o   Locks

o   Maintaining Your Property

o   Other Openings

o   Outdoor Storage

o   Protecting your Home While you are Away

o   Security Measures

o   Windows

Kenwood Elementary PTA 2010 Rod Run & Spring Festival

Kenwood Elementary

7420 Justan Ave

Saturday, March 27^th

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Everybody is encouraged to attend the FUN filled event that will include a Rod Run, games such as basketball toss, Kubs corn hole, Kenwood Kub Tie Die Shirts, just to name a few. Also enjoy the castle bouncer and a dunking booth (weather permitting).

Event will take place rain or shine therefore Rod Run registration fees of $10.00 are non-refundable and will be considered a donation to the Kenwood PTA.  To receive a Rod Run Registration Form, please email Doug.Hawkins@louisvilleky.gov.  Registration Forms will also be available at DougHawkins.com.

Don’t miss the chance to support your child’s school while having a ton of fun.

The PTA will have concessions items available.

Bring your camera because it will be fun!

See you there!

Local BBB Teams Up with U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service to Mark National Consumer Protection Week

Better Business Bureau is marking National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 7 – March 13, by highlighting its resources that advise consumers about spending money wisely and avoiding being scammed by con artists.

BBB is a proud sponsor of NCPW, during which hundreds of national and local organizations work together to educate consumers on the importance of taking control of and protecting their personal finances. The theme of this year’s NCPW is “Dollars and Sense”, which emphasizes consumer education for every stage of life – from grade school to retirement.

BBB is teaming up with the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in two separate events to bring awareness to NCPW, and bring education to a maximum number of people in two different locations. Here is more information on each of the events:

Event 1 – BBB and the U.S. Postal Service

Monday, March 8, 2010

11 am – 1 pm

Louisville Main Post Office Lobby

1420 Gardiner Lane

Louisville, KY 40231

Event 2 – BBB and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Thursday, March 11, 2010

11 am – 2 pm

Borders

400 South 4^th Street

Louisville, KY 40202

The organizations will distribute DVD’s and brochures warning against identity theft and fraudulent schemes, providing consumers with valuable information about protecting their finances. BBB will also hand out the first edition of its 2010 Wise Buying Guide.

“The economy is still in a slump and, now more than ever, consumers need to take control of their spending habits and be vigilant against fraud and scams,”  says Reanna Smith-Hamblin, Vice President/Communications of the BBB serving Louisville, Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky. “We will be out at these events to help encourage consumers to take the time to get educated during National Consumer Protection Week, and remind them that they can use the BBB as a resource.”

Following are just a few ways that BBB can help consumers shop smarter and safer.  BBB is here to help if…

• You need every-day advice on how to manage your money and be a savvy consumer. BBB has created hundreds of tips columns and consumer alerts on personal finance topics such as how to build a family budget, hire a contractor or avoid the latest scams. Advice you can trust is available online at bbb.org.

• You need help finding a business you can trust. The BBB Accredited Business Locator can help you find businesses in your area that uphold BBB’s rigorous standards and have made a commitment to support the work of BBB. There are nearly 400,000 BBB accredited businesses across North America including retailers, contractors and online businesses.

• You want to research a business before you buy. BBB maintains reports on nearly 4 million businesses across North America. A business’s reliability report will tell you how many complaints the business has received, how they responded to complaints and their letter-grade rating reflecting BBB’s experience with the business.

• You have a dispute with a business. Not only is BBB here to help educate consumers before they buy, BBB can also lend a hand if you have a dispute with a business. Every year BBB receives hundreds of thousands of complaints from disgruntled consumers and is usually able to help resolve the issue quickly and easily.

• You have been ripped off by a scammer. While BBB isn’t a law enforcement agency and cannot arrest scammers or unscrupulous businesses, your complaint enables BBB to identify trends and warn other consumers and hopefully prevent others from being taken advantage of as well.

Check out all of the online resources and tools BBB provides at www.bbb.org. More information and advice is also available on the National Consumer Protection Week Web site, www.consumer.gov/ncpw.

Consumer Protection Week begins March 7th. BBB is a proud supporter of this nationwide effort to educate the public on how to become savvier consumers. Hundreds of national and local organizations will work together to educate consumers on the importance of taking control of their personal finances. Look for your BBB at various local events.

U.S. Census – Be alert for potential scams surrounding the U.S. Census which ramps up in March. Most census forms will arrive in the mail March 15 – 17 and then at the end of April, Census workers will go door-to-door to households that didn’t return the form. Beware of anyone who asks for your social security number or bank account information. Also, the Census will not contact you by email.

IRS Scam – Beware of an email that looks like it’s from the IRS. The “very important note” states the consumer is eligible for a tax refund, and asks the consumer to go to a website that looks like the official IRS website. The fake website asks for the consumer to use a small bank debit account, like a hometown bank, instead of a large bank like PNC, Chase, etc. The IRS will never contact someone via email about taxes.

Chile Earthquake Scams – Be alert for scams surrounding the Chile earthquake. BBB recommends to avoid making donations to unfamiliar websites or as a result of a solicitation received via email. Also be aware that scams can occur on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. For more information on donations, check out the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.

Online Job Scams – Job seekers who respond to certain job postings on Craigslist are receiving an email requesting information for either a background check or credit report prior to consideration for employment. The scammer directs the job seekers to a website that is used to steal their personal information. Legit job offers never require upfront fees or bank account information before an interview.

Online Housing Schemes – Consumers looking for homes to rent on Craigslist should be skeptical of ads that seem “too good to be true.” Consumers across the country are being duped by scam artists who say they are living in Nigeria and want to rent their home in the U.S. The scam artist offers a cheap price for the rental, but wants an advanced payment wired to them. The listings are legitimate homes, many of them on the market for sale. However, the real owner knows nothing of this elaborate scam.

The Love Foundation claims to be a program that offers financial assistance for children of the homeless and unemployed. The ad is popping up on Craigslist and other sites. The “foundation” claims to be out of different states. Those who need assistance are asked to call 1-800-217-9750. The first thing the caller is asked to provide is a social security number.

National Publishers, Inc. is a Mississippi-based magazine subscription company that’s claiming membership with the BBB. The company, which also does business as Exclusive Media, has an “F” rating with the BBB due to failure to correct a pattern of complaints. Consumers say they received a call from the company informing them that they won a sweepstakes for cash prizes, items, or trips, but they are told they must purchase magazine subscriptions in order to win. Consumers report that they are then charged several payments each month, sometimes totaling hundreds of dollars.

Spring Break Scams – Be cautious when surfing the Internet to find great deals on spring break travel. While the rates may look good, you may click on an offer and find that the total price is much more than the advertised price. BBB recommends spring breakers review all terms and conditions as well as cancellation and refund policies before finalizing deals, and check out the company first at www.bbb.org.

Online Payday Lenders – BBB has received hundreds of complaints against payday loan sites like OnceClickCash.com, 500Fastcash.com, rbtloans.com, and Ameriloan.com. Complainants say they agreed to what they thought was a one-time payday loan, typically a few hundred dollars to be paid off in two weeks, and quickly found out that payments went towards recurring finance charges and never toward the principal. They report paying two to three times the amount of the original loan.

Public Input Sought on Proposed Service Cuts for June

TARC is proposing to make additional service cuts June 6 in order to make up a budget shortfall projected for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Due to reduced occupational taxes and increased expenses, TARC is expecting a shortfall of about $5 million and is considering eliminating service on up to 20 routes and reducing service on another 17 routes.

“We are not anywhere near the level of service that Louisville needs. We’ve got overcrowding that we’re not able to respond to and folks out there who depend on TARC to get to their jobs,” said TARC Director J. Barry Barker. “Our situation is critical and we are working everyday to find the funds to keep as much service on the street as possible.”

The cuts proposed for June are in addition to those that took effect Sunday, Feb. 21.

TARC is soliciting public comment on the new proposals through March 11. Feedback can be sent to TARC by emailing info@ridetarc.org, or by calling 561-5112. The mailing address is TARC, Union Station, 1000 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203.

Those wishing to discuss the changes and get more information about how they will be affected are invited to attend public hearings. The days and dates are as follows:

Tuesday, March 9
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TARC Union Station
1000 W. Broadway

5 to 7 p.m.
Americana Community Center
4801 Southside Dr.

Wednesday March 10
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bon Air Library
2816 Del Rio Place

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
New Albany – Floyd County Public Library
180 West Spring St.
New Albany, IN

5 to 7 p.m.
East End Government Center
200 Juneau Dr.

Thursday March 11
5 to 7 p.m.
TARC Union Station
1000 W. Broadway

At the TARC Board of Directors meeting of Feb. 22, the following service reductions were proposed:

Routes proposed for elimination:
#1 – Fourth Street Trolley
#12 – Twelfth Street
#22 – Twenty-Second Street
#35 – Indian Trail-Hikes Lane
#37X – Iroquois-Fairdale Express
#38X – Deering Express
#45X – Okolona Express
#49X – Westport Road
#50X – Dixie Express
#53X – Breckenridge Express
#54X – Manslick Express
#58 – Bashford Manor-Oxmoor
#59 – River Road
#61X – Plainview
#64X -  Fincastle-Forest Springs Express
#66X – Mount Washington Express
#68X – Prospect Express
#73X – Charlestown Road Express
#75 – Bluegrass Industrial Shuttle
#80 – Hurstbourne Parkway

Routes proposed for frequency reduction, shortened service or routing change:
#2 – Second Street
#4 – Fourth Street
#6 – Sixth Street
#17 – Bardstown Road
#18 – Preston-18th
#19 – Muhammad Ali
#21 – Chestnut Street
#23 – Broadway
#25 – Oak Street
#27 – Hill Street
#29 – Eastern Parkway
#31 – Middletown
#40X – Jeffersontown Express
#52 – Medical Center Circulator
#62 – Breckenridge-Shepherdsville
#67X – Oldham I-71 Express
#72 – Clarksville-New Albany
#77 – Main-Market Trolley
#78X – Downtown/Bluegrass Express

A detailed list of the proposed changes is posted on TARC’s website.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of information in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Language translators will also be provided upon request. Please call 561-5112 or 561-5115 with specific information on your needs.

2010 Iroquois Area Business Association College Scholarship

 Click here to download and print the application!

History
In 2008, the Board of Directors of the Iroquois Area Business Association (IABA) launched a program to award a one-time college scholarship to a local graduating high school senior. The business association wished to emphasize the value of education for young people in our local area. It is the hope of the IABA that an investment in the college aspirations of area students is also an investment in the local community, one that will help open the door of opportunity for the people of South Louisville.

Description
The IABA Scholarship is a $500 award that must be applied towards tuition at a post-secondary school of the recipient’s choosing. The scholarship will be offered annually and is nonrenewable.

Criteria
Qualifying students must either live in the Iroquois-area business district or be a senior at DeSales High School or Iroquois High School. Scholarships will be awarded to well-rounded students who can demonstrate a history of success in academics and involvement in extracurricular activities, while also providing positive examples of leadership and community service. A brief written essay and a letter of recommendation are required for application. A completed application is required for consideration for the scholarship.

Previous Winners
2009 Michael J. Booth (DeSales High School)
2008 Karl J. Weihe (Holy Cross High School)

Deadline
The 2010 deadline for the IABA Scholarship is April 2, 2010. Applications may be found on the IABA website by accessing www.iaba-louisville.org.

After all scholarship applications have been received, the Scholarship Selection Committee will meet to consider all applications. The committee may petition to interview any or all of the candidates, if deemed necessary, to facilitate its decision.  At the conclusion of the selection process, the committee will notify the applicants, in writing, of their decision. The notification process will be completed by April 30. Payment of the scholarship will be made directly to the post-secondary school indicated by the recipient.

Contact
Please direct all questions and comments to the IABA at jdb262@yahoo.com

 Click here to download and print the application!

How customers can register a complaint

An article in the Courier-Journal announced that LG&E wants to change the way it bills customers for gas and electric.  Instead of charging by the amount of gas a home uses, LG&E wants to charge a higher flat fee rate of $26.53 to deliver gas to its customers.  In addition, LG&E wants to triple its electric residential customer charge from $5.00 to $15.00.

Our office has received numerous calls from constituents wanting to know how to register a complaint against LG&E’s proposed rate changes.  Complaints can be sent to the Kentucky Public Service Commission and to the Attorney General.  Please reference “Case Number 2009-00549” in your correspondence so it will be properly recorded with the correct case.

The Public Service Commission and Attorney General prefer to receive written letters; however, I have included all means of registering a complaint for your convenience.

Kentucky Public Service Commission

o    Via the PSC website at http://psc.ky.gov/cis/inquiry.aspx

o    Call the PSC Complaint Hotline at 1-800-772-4636

o    E-mail the Public Information Officer at psc.info@ky.gov

o    Fax – 502-564-7397

o   Mail your complaint to:
Kentucky Public Service Commission
Attn: Executive Director Jeff DeRouen
P.O. Box 615
Frankfort, KY 40602

Don’t forget to include “Case Number 2009-00549” when filing your complaint.

Kentucky Attorney General

o   Call the AG at 1-502-696-5300

o   E-mail heather.cash@ag.ky.gov

o   Mail your complaint to:

Jack Conway Conway

Kentucky Attorney General

Office of Rate Intervention

1024 Capital Center Drive Suite 200

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Don’t forget to include “Case Number 2009-00549” when filing your complaint.

Click here to read the full article, LG&E rate change could hit low energy users more than others by Patrick Howington

Many neighborhoods in District 25 are forming Block Watches.  The Block Watch Program is an active partnership between the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and area residents to increase community awareness and crime prevention. The Neighborhood Watch Program is a vital network that provides each resident with the knowledge and resources to fight crime.  In an effort to strengthen Block Watches, I will be sharing reported crimes that have occurred in the Third Division which protects District 25.  In addition, crime prevention tips will accompany the crime trends in an effort to fight crime.

If you are interested in forming a Block Watch, please call me at 574-1125.

Third Division Crime Trends

February 21, 2010 to February 27, 20010

BEAT 1

There were 2 Robberies on Beat 1

2/24/2010 22:28

2/24/2010 22:35

Robbery 1

GLO JEAN WAY

2/27/2010 1:10

2/27/2010 1:15

Robbery 1

HACKEL DR

There were 2 Burglaries on Beat 1

2/25/2010 12:30

2/26/2010 10:30

Burglary 2

PENNACOOK RD

There was 1 TBUT f/Auto on Beat 1

12/21/2009 22:00

12/22/2009 6:00

TBUT f/Auto

CROCKETT DR

There was 1 Auto Theft on Beat 1

2/22/2010 1:33

2/22/2010 1:33

Auto Theft

CANE RUN RD

BEAT 2

There were 3 Burglaries on Beat 2

2/22/2010 21:00

2/23/2010 7:45

Burglary 2

JAMAICA DR

2/26/2010 19:40

2/26/2010 23:40

Burglary 2

POSSUM PATH

2/27/2010 1:35

2/27/2010 1:40

Burglary 2

FREEMAN AVE

There was 1 TBUT f/Auto on Beat 2

2/25/2010 0:30

2/25/2010 0:45

TBUT f/Auto

STRAWBERRY LN

BEAT 3

There were 6 Burglaries on Beat 3

2/21/2010 13:00

2/21/2010 13:05

Burglary 1

MACKIE LN

2/23/2010 8:00

2/23/2010 19:00

Burglary 1

MITCHELL HILL RD

2/22/2010 7:15

2/22/2010 16:00

Burglary 2

OGLESBY CT

2/26/2010 14:00

2/26/2010 22:00

Burglary 2

BLACKBERRY DR

2/24/2010 19:00

2/25/2010 8:30

Burglary 2

BEARCAMP RD

2/23/2010 3:00

2/23/2010 3:10

Burglary 3

NATIONAL TPKE

BEAT 4

There was 1 TBUT f/Auto on Beat 4

2/25/2010 11:34

2/25/2010 11:34

TBUT f/Auto

DEERING RD

BEAT 5

There was 1 Burglary on Beat 5

2/26/2010 2:30

2/26/2010 2:45

Burglary 3

CHASE RD

There was 1 TBUT f/Auto on Beat 5

2/26/2010 0:00

2/26/2010 4:00

TBUT f/Auto

VIRGINIA RD

There was 1 Auto Theft on Beat 5

2/23/2010 20:00

2/24/2010 15:00

Auto Theft

DIXIE HWY

BEAT 6

There were 2 Burglaries on Beat 6

2/22/2010 12:30

2/22/2010 13:30

Burglary 2

PIERCE WAY

2/24/2010 15:20

2/24/2010 15:20

Burglary 2

AUTUMN LAKE DR

There was 1 TBUT f/Auto on Beat 6

2/21/2010 13:30

2/21/2010 21:20

TBUT f/Auto

DIXIE HWY

Auto Theft Prevention Tips

1.      Lock your car doors and close your windows.

2. Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you do, make sure they are kept out of plain sight — hide them under a blanket, or better yet, lock them in your trunk.

3. When transporting valuables, place them in the trunk before you get to the location where you intend to park. Don’t transfer them at the parking place in open view of other people.

4. If you have a garage, use it.

5. Don’t leave your garage door opener on the dashboard or front seat. Put it in your glove box, hide it or take it with you.

6. Always park in a well-lighted area.

7. Use slide or portable mounts on add-on radios, citizens’ band radios (CBs), tape decks and telephones. When you leave your car, put them in the trunk or take them with you.

8. Mark radios, CBs, tape decks, telephones, batteries, wheel covers and tires with an Operation Identification number. If the stolen item is found later, the number can be traced back to you. To enroll in Operation ID, contact Community Crime Prevention/SAFE at 673-3204.

9. Remember: briefcases, sunglasses, clothing, keys, gyms bags and small change are all tempting to a thief.

10. Leave only the ignition key with the parking attendant in a commercial parking lot.

11. Keep your driver’s license and vehicle registration with you. Left with the car, the documents can be used by a thief to impersonate you when transferring the car’s ownership.

12. Car keys left at home (or at your business) should always be hidden. This will help prevent the theft of your vehicle if you are burglarized.

13. There are locks made for various marketable parts of cars. Battery locks, wheel locks and special tape deck lock mounts can save these items plus any damage that may occur in the process of stealing them.

14. Install a locking gas tank cap to help prevent gasoline theft and limit a thief’s driving range to one tank.

15. Park the front wheel turned sharply to the right or left, making it difficult for the professional thief to tow your car away backwards.

16. With front wheel drive cars: When you park, pull on the emergency brake and place your vehicle in Park. If you have a stick shift, pull on the emergency brake and shift into forward or reverse gear. All four wheels will be locked, making it difficult for a thief to tow your car.

17. Call 911 as soon as theft occurs.

Home Security Tips

For more information on tips for protecting your home, please click on the below links:

o   Alarms

o   Dogs

o   Doors

o   Fences, Walls, and Gates

o   Helping the Police Get to your Home

o   Identifying your Property

o   Landscaping

o   Lighting

o   Locks

o   Maintaining Your Property

o   Other Openings

o   Outdoor Storage

o   Protecting your Home While you are Away

o   Security Measures

o   Windows

Councilman Hawkins is proud to have the next major investment in this community planned for District 25 and the Southwest Region of Jefferson County.  “We have fought to have money set aside in previous budgets for the study and eventual construction of new libraries, and this announcement affirms the fact that Metro can invest in new libraries by re-evaluating our priorities. I will continue to fight to get more funds for this Regional Library and to ensure that the other projects listed in the Master Plan are also implemented,” said Hawkins.

The planning for the Southwest Regional Library is coming despite slow economic times – this bodes well for the Master Plan when the economy turns around and when much of our debt is retired in the coming couple years.

There will be a public comment segment in the planning and design of the Southwest Regional Library.  Councilman Hawkins will work to keep residents informed on the planning and encourages the public to participate in the public comment meetings once they are announced.

In 2007, Louisville Metro Government purchased four acres of land behind Tumbleweed Restaurant in the 9800 block of Dixie Highway to build a new regional library.  The new library site can also be accessed off Kendall Road adjacent to Meijer’s.

The mayor will give a Minneapolis architectural firm $1.75 million to draft some of the plans. The same out of state architectural firm designed the new Newburg Regional Library pictured below.

Click here to read Sheldon Shafer’s article, Southwest library to be designed.