Monday, March 26, 2012

Very Important information about Neighborhood Crime Watches

In the Tampa Times there was and article about law enforcement agencies and Neighborhood Watch groups getting together and discussing the tragedy that occurred in Sanford, Florida. The article is very informative and if you did not read it please click on the link provided. Two important points were several agencies explicitly prohibit volunteers from carrying firearms and volunteers are the "eyes and ears" of law enforcement, many said. Not the hands. Below I have copied information from the Hernando County Sheriffs Office regarding Neighborhood Crime Watch Units. Please contact Bill Thompson if you have any questions about our neighborhood Crime Watch or want to become part of our Community Watch Program.
 

What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is simply "neighbor looking after neighbor."  You watch out for your neighbors' homes while they are gone and they in return do the same for you.  All suspicious activity is immediately reported to the Sheriff's Office

Neighborhood Crime Watch is Free

All too often, residents think it costs something to belong to the program.  It doesn't cost a dime - just a little bit of your time.  Any money collected from donations should be carefully accounted for and deposited in an account under the name of your Neighborhood Watch Program.

Neighborhood Watch Program

Neighborhood Watch Programs have become a highly successful crime prevention technique in the reduction of crime in many communities throughout the U.S.  The major goal in the organization of the Neighborhood Watch is to change the ATTITUDES of the community members from apathy to concern and involvement.  Next, invite the Sheriff's Office Community Coordinator to your first community meeting in order to establish leadership and guidance.  The first phase in the setup of your program will be to establish a communication system in order for community members to communicate with each other, as well as law enforcement.  Remember law enforcement and the community will be working together more closely in order to maintain the success of the program.

The second phase is home security.  Your Community Coordinator will assist you and the residents of your community with up to date information on "making your home safer."

It is important to remember, Neighborhood Watch signs DO NOT prevent crime.  Signs and decals act only as a notice to the potential criminal that "if you commit a crime in our neighborhood, the chances of being seen, reported and arrested are very good."

As your Community Coordinator how you can earn signs for your neighborhood.

Patrols

Patrolling the neighborhood in your personal vehicle is NOT  a requirement to be recognized as a Neighborhood Watch area.  Should your neighbors wish to start a patrol, then the Sheriff's Office Community Coordinator will discuss proper procedure and training in order to be officially recognized.  Neighborhood Watch is getting people involved in crime prevention, making the homes in your community less of a target and being good neighbors to one another.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Floodplain Verification Information from the County

Floodplain Verification Information
MEDIA RELEASE
March 20, 2012

Information on Floodplain Verification

As a result of the new Hernando County Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), mortgage holders and Insurance companies are contacting their clients asking for verification of floodplain status. The letters request various levels of proof of flood rating ranging from a Letter of Determination from a City/County official to a determination by FEMA.

The Development Department, Zoning Division, has been providing assistance to customers by providing Letters of Determination where the property is clearly outside the floodplain. Where the location of the floodplain is unclear or where the lending institution requires a higher level of proof, owners are being asked to provide survey data to show the exact location of the floodplain in relation to the structure and /or to obtain a Floodplain Elevation Certificate for their home. These documents can be used as documentation for a FEMA Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or a Letter of Map Revision due to Fill (LOMR(F)), where the property has been raised above the floodplain.

If additional information is needed or there is difficulty determining the appropriate Base Flood Elevation, the Water Resource Coordinator in the Utility Engineering Division can provide additional specific information (see below).

Information regarding how to obtain the Letter of Determination can be obtained from Rebecca Garrett, RGarrett@co.hernando.fl.us, Development Division, Zoning Coordinator, (352) 754-4165 x29133, or John Burnett, johnb@co.hernando.fl.us, Environmental Services, Water Resource Coordinator, (352) 540-6569.

Many inquiries have shown that the properties are outside the floodplain and the Letter of Determination is sufficient to show that the homeowner can meet the insurance requirement by purchasing the lowest risk insurance (Preferred Risk policy).

In some cases, where the property is now determined to be within the floodplain, but the home was built in an area determined to be low risk in the old (1984) FIRM, the structure may be eligible for "Grandfathering", resulting in the ability to acquire a low cost insurance which recognizes that the home was built in compliance with the flood map in effect at that time. These websites provide additional information.
http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/prp_extension_for_property_owners.jsp
http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/grandfathering.jsp
http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pdfs/Grandfathering+Fact+Sheet+for+Agents-2010.pdf
National Flood Insurance Program: 1-888-379-9531

Where a structure was within a Flood Zone "A", and is now within a Flood Zone "AE" or similar Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the owner should discuss insurance options with an insurance agent with expertise in Flood Insurance issues. A floodplain determination and survey may result in lower insurance rates based on specific data in the Floodplain Elevation Certificate.

FYI - Regarding Crime Watch Activity Near Preston Hollow

Type Description Case # Location Agency Date Map It
Disturbing the Peace DISORDERLY INTOXICATION 2012-10273 13000 BLOCK OF COUNTY LINE RD Hernando County Sheriff 3/24/2012 6:56:00 PM Map It
Burglary BURGLARY-STRUCTURE 2012-10243 2000 BLOCK OF ALAMEDA DR Hernando County Sheriff 3/24/2012 3:48:00 PM Map It

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

ANNUAL PRESTON HOLLOW SPRING YARD SALE SAT. MARCH 31

       ANNUAL PRESTON HOLLOW SPRING YARD SALE
 
 SAT. MARCH 31 st IS THE DATE.    9 AM TO 2 PM IS THE TIME
 
                      PRESTON HOLLOW IN YOUR DRIVEWAY IS THE PLACE
 
 IF YOU WISH TO SET UP JUST DO SO AND HAVE A GREAT TIME SELLING YOUR OLD TREASURES TO NEW TREASURE SEEKERS
 
REMIND SEEKERS TO NOT PARK ON YOUR GRASS OR YOUR NEIGHBORS TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO ANY SPRINKLER HEADS.
 
REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT:  www.prestonhollowhoablogspot.com   for updated information on what is going on in our community, or the Spring Hill area and Hernando County.   
 
Judy Thompson, Board Member at Large.   

A Position on the ACC has become available

Ellis Tenenbaum who was the Chairman of the ACC has resigned his position as of March 13, 2012.  The  PHHOA Board has accepted his resignation in a letter to him dated March 19, 2012. The Board thanks Ellis for all of his hard work on the Committee but is currently seeking someone to volunteer to take over this very important position. If you are interested please contact anyone on the Board and let them know you would like to be considered. Please, we all need to help to keep Preston Hollow the best community in Hernando County.

Traffic Signal to be Activated at County Line Road and Cobblestone Drive

MEDIA RELEASE
March 20, 2012

New Traffic Signal at County Line Road/Cobblestone Dr.

The Hernando County Transportation Services Division has announced that the new traffic signal located at County Line Rd. and Cobblestone Dr. (named East Street on the south side of County Line Rd.) will be activated in flash mode on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. The traffic signal will then be placed in full operation on Thursday, April 5, 2012. Motorists are urged to use caution in the area during the initial activation phase of the new signal.

For additional information about the traffic signal, please contact Hernando County Transportation Services at (352) 754-4062.

Monday, March 19, 2012

FYI - UCHC March 2012 Meeting

United Communities of Hernando County will be meeting on the fourth Monday of this month 3/26/12. The United Communities of Hernando County meetings are held at the Silverthorn Community Center located at 4400 Mallard Lake Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609 at 7:00 PM. The Guest Speaker for the meeting will be Hernando County School Superintendent Bryan Blavatt. He will be discussing the many important issues that the school system will be facing. UCHC's meetings are open to the public!