POLICE BEAT--A HOME BURGLARY OCCURS EVERY 15 SECONDS--Here are some safety tips!

 

POLICE BEAT--A HOME BURGLARY OCCURS EVERY 15 SECONDS--Here are some safety tips!

 

Did you know that a home burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the United States? 

Be proactive--and don't wish you had done something after the fact. Many burglaries occur in neighborhoods, and in the daytime.

There are quick, simple steps you can take to make your home more secure right away including these easy home security tips you can use to make your home more secure.

The biggest deterrents to home invasions are as simple as locking doors and windows and installing a home security system. Although we often feel safe in our communities it is still important to be cautious and secure all possible entrances. 

--More than three quarters of burglars use social media to identify potential targets.

--Wifi networks must always be password protected to prevent outsiders from accessing private information and connected home security devices.

--You can protect your most valuable possessions by hiding brand and product names from boxes you put on the curb. Better yet, breakdown your boxes and recycle them. That keeps them out of sight of burglars. 

--Secure garages and sheds and use a safe for valuables.

--Install motion detector lighting, it can deter burglars. 

--Some research has shown that motion detectors deter burglars thanks to their sudden onset and possibility of alerting neighbors to suspicious activity, especially when those neighbors know you’re away and wouldn’t be triggering the lights yourself. Motion detector lights are easy to install and extremely affordable (as low as $10-$15), so we think they’re worth installing to add an extra layer of safety to your home’s exterior areas.

--Picking your locks is something most burglars will know how to do. To be extra secure add a deadbolt protector which slides a lock over your deadbolt to prevent it from turning. You can find them at most hardware stores.

--Sliding doors on patios and decks are more vulnerable than your main front door. The locks are easier to pick, and even just an extra hard pull can get through many locks. It’s best to add some extra security to your sliding doors. This can be as simple as laying a bar, broomstick, or piece of plywood in the door track, but many homeowners prefer a more sophisticated method. In that case, you can buy locks that fit onto the bottom or top of the door to add extra protection.

--Home security cameras are a great idea. Cameras can deter burglars. Many homeowners also enjoy the added day-to-day feeling of security that home cameras can provide. Products like the Ring and Google Nest Cam allow homeowners to check on their home while away and see a clear picture of visitors who knock on the front door before opening it.

--Where would you look to find someone's spare key? Under the mat, the mailbox, under a stone or flowerpot close to the door? These hiding places, so to speak, invite burglars to come on in! If you need to leave a key out, use a lockbox so no one else can access it. 

--Oversharing on social media makes your home more vulnerable. By posting photos of your home with the address plaque visible or sharing details of your upcoming extended vacation are invitations for burglars and increasing the risk of home invasion--78 % of buglers use Facebook and Twitter. Use caution when posting. If you want to share your vacation adventures, make a special group of trusted family and friends on Facebook and only post there. 

Be safe, keep your home safe and protect your possessions by following these simple suggestions

Information on First Energy Assitance Programs

 

FirstEnergy Ohio Utilities Encourage Customers to Arrange Payment Plans and Apply for Bill Assistance Programs. Programs can help alleviate growing balances for customers having financial difficulty. 

Residential customers of Ohio Edison, who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or to receive referrals for bill assistance programs. 

From Patricia Mullin

“Many of our customers continue to face financial challenges due to ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Mullin, acting president of Ohio Operations for FirstEnergy. “With winter in full swing, I encourage customers who have fallen behind on their bills to contact us as soon as possible so that a member of our team can review their options with them.” 

Programs

Some of the programs customers may be eligible to participate in include: 

• The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP): Allows customers to pay a set percentage of their income toward their electric bill, regardless of the balance. Customers who maintain their payment plans may be eligible for debt forgiveness. Eligible customers should have income at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines. To apply, call 1-800-282-0880 or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov. 

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Provides eligible customers with cash grants for home heating bills and emergencies. Customers must have gross income at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Call the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880 or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov for more information. 

• 2-1-1 Helpline: This nationwide resource and information helpline identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information, dial 211, text your ZIP code to 898211 or visit the 211 website. 

• Save the Dream Ohio – Utility Assistance Plus (UAP): This program provides Ohio homeowners facing economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic with assistance paying mortgages, utility bills, non-escrowed property taxes and other qualified housing costs. A household may receive up to $10,000 in utility and/or housing cost assistance. This part of the Save the Dream Ohio program is administered by participating local nonprofit agencies including the Community Action Agency and the Area Agency on Aging. A list of participating organizations can be found at https://savethedream.ohiohome.org. 

• Emergency Rental Assistance: Customers who are having difficulty paying utilities, rent or mortgage due to the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for a Home Relief Grant. Visit COHHIO – Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio – at https://cohhio.org/, to find an agency near you. 

• Emergency Hardship Funds: These funds may be available to residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary assistance to pay their electric bill. Ohio Edison customers can apply for Project Reach at any participating Salvation Army location. 

Additionally, the $175 Winter Reconnect Option allows residential customers who are disconnected or at risk of disconnection the opportunity to pay $175 to have their service restored or maintained. There is no income eligibility requirement. PIPP customers who use this option may be eligible to have a reset of their past due amount. 

More information

For a complete list of assistance programs for which customers may be eligible, including installment payment plans and budget billing, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist or call customer service: Ohio Edison 1-800-633-4766. 

Springfield Police Chief explains about Sawyerwood Coalition

 

Some local residents have asked what the Reclaim Sawyerwood Coalition and Police Chief Jack Simone explains. 

The coalition is an opportunity to bring together Sawyerwood residents that have a desire to improve their community. 

The Reclaim Sawyerwood Coalition is a group of residents banding together to create a better neighborhood. Research shows that small changes can reduce crime, create a better sense of community, and increase overall safety. 

Community gatherings are one of the most effective tools in creating a safer neighborhood. 

 Reclaim Sawyerwood Coalition meets the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Sawyerwood United Methodist Church, to discuss strategies and sharing information such as, scheduling a cleanup event to address any vacant spaces, since the abandon structures invite crime, house rodents and other pests in addition lower neighborhood real estate values. 

 

Simone explained, "Also, we can respectfully help members of the Sawyerwood Community. One of the programs resulted from our meetings was an Earth Day Event on Saturday April 23, 2022, to clean up litter, trash, and debris in the Sawyerwood community."    

To learn more on volunteer to help by visiting the department at 2465 Canfield Road or call 330-784-1609.