Welcome to the Highland Park West Balcones Area Neighborhood Association Website

What is happening now and upcoming? June 2010 Board Meeting Minutes

Volunteers Needed - Movies in Perry Park this Fall

The Movie in Perry Park is scheduled for October 17, 2010.  HPWBANA is actively planning this event. Get involved with this big-time, fun, family event!  For more information, or to volunteer, email Scott Rogillio at Scott@rogillio.com.

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CRIME UPDATE:  Crime Tips from APD

Due to the increased amount of crime in our neighborhood we are in the process of formulating a more effective NWP (Neighborhood Watch Program).  In order for this program to run efficiently we need the help from community residents.  The July 19th Board Meeting focused on this topic and more meetings are planned.

There has been a lot of burglaries in our neighborhood recently, day and night.  Please watch for suspicious activity in the neighborhood and report it to 911.  If your neighborhood does not have a Neighborhood Watch Program consider starting one.  Basic information is on our Crime Information page and we encourage you to attend the meeting this Sunday.

Thanks for watching out for others and for being proactive in keeping your neighborhood safe.

Crime and Safety Update

 

On July 19th the NA held a meeting with guest speakers from the Constable's Community Outreach Program, APD and Barton Hills NA. They discussed crime prevention tips, shared crime reports detailing a 12 month history of burglary of vehicles and burglary of residences in our area and shared ways other neigborhoods are working toward preventing this sort of criminal activity.

We were surprised to learn that over the last 12 months our neighborhood had 158 BOV's and 28 BOR's that were reported to 911.  A large portion of the criminal activity associated with these crimes starts at Mt Bonnell. People park up along Mt Bonnell and leave personal belongings in their vehicles. Criminals wait till they are out of sight then break into the car and get what they want. 

However, the criminal activity is also filtering into other areas of the neighborhood and has escalated into Burglary of Residences. The NA is currently in the process of working toward enhancing The Neighborhood Watch Program (NWP) they have in place, recruiting block captains to make it more effectvie and informing residents on what they can do to reduce their risk of being targeted for criminal activity.

Below are some helpful tips you can do to help the fight against crime:

 

LOCK YOUR CAR, TAKE YOUR KEYS, HIDE YOUR BELONGINGS:

Did you know that your car can be burglarized in less time than it takes to read this. Common items stolen are: Wallets, purses, cell phones, radar detectors, briefcases, backpacks and portable electronics.   Please take the time to secure your vehicle and remove valuables from view.

IF YOU SEE ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY CALL 911

 

 

THINGS A RESIDENT CAN DO RESIDENT TO RESIDENT.... BLOCK TO BLOCK

 

 Maintain a visible presence, keep watch on homes and those walking or driving through.

 

-Walk, run, and/or bike the neighborhood

-Sit in front yard

-Do things in your front yard

-Keep in touch with neighbors and watch each others homes, kids, and newspapers/mail/deliveries

-Call police at the sign of any suspicious person, vehicle, activity or concern.

 

Improve homes exterior/interior

 

-Keep front porch outside lights on over night (on/off sensor may be used)

-Turn some interior lights on at night when not home (use timer)

-keep garage doors closed/locked(when not in garage)

-keep fence and shed gates closed/locked and repaired

-keep vehicle doors, windows, and trunks closed and locked(do not keep keys in view)

-Put vehicles in garage if possible

-keep homes windows & doors closed and locked, especially when not home

-Do not leave property outside such as tools, bikes, toys etc

-keep yards mowed, bushes trimmed, trees trimmed and fences repaired and gates locked.

-Do a home security survey & what it recommends(insurance discounts are given)

-Support NWatch efforts.

 

There will be a block captain training class held on August 28th from 9am to 11am at Crenshaw's Cottage here in the neighborhood. Please contact Tonianne Soster tasconstruction@austin.rr.com no later than August 23rd if you plan to attend. Block Captains play a necessary role in working an effective NWatch Program.

 

Thank you for your support in keeping our neighborhood safe.

Tonianne Soster

 

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MoPAC Update:

TxDOT has finalized the contracts for the restart of the MoPac1 sound wall/managed lane project.  The restart Open Houses are planned for September.  The NEPA http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/ environmental process will take approximately two years. 

 

From the TxDOT MoPac1 website:

In the next few months, MoPac 1's public involvement, preliminary engineering and environmental processes will resume:

• TxDOT will complete the schematic design and the NEPA environmental process. These will then be turned over to the CTRMA.
• If the NEPA process results in a "Build" alternative, the CTRMA will develop detailed plans and construct the project.

Kay Newell - for more updates on MoPAC check out the MoNAC website

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Perry Lane traffic update: 
In June, some major changes will occur on Perry Lane.  The old speed bumps will be removed and several new sets of speed "cushions" will be added.  Additionally, a traffic circle will be added at the intersection of Perry Lane and Fairview.  The traffic circle will be beautifully landscaped by the City.  About 100 yards west of MoPAC, a "speed gate" will be added.  (A speed gate is a slim median designed to slow traffic entering a neighborhood.)
 
These changes are being implemented  in an effort to help slow traffic on Perry Lane.  The residents of Perry Lane and the immediate surrounding streets were polled and had an opportunity to vote on implementing the plan.

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Perry Park - PARD Forestry Department is investigating the removal of larger invasive trees at Perry Park.

Last updated on 07/30/2010

 copyright 2006 HPWBANA