Alert from LRPD

Please READ the following safety tips...

 

Monday, August 25th, 2014 Watch your purses! VOW Residents: Below is a message from Lt Scott Timmons with LRPD.  Please read and take appropriate precautions.  As Lt Timmons says, please contact LRPD if you see anything suspicious.  I would also encourage people to sign up for anextdoor.com account and let fellow VOW residents know if you (after contacting police) to keep your neighbors on alert.  The more people we have communicating the safer our neighborhood will be. Thanks! ****   Folks,                We are seeing some indications that a group we call the “Florida Felony Lane Gang” is back in town. This group (originating in Florida) travels across the country breaking into cars to steal women’s purses. They then use the checks and ID in the purses to drain a bank account through the use of wigs and disguises to make one member look like the account holder (usually based on Driver’s License pictures). They then go to a bank, using the farthest drive up lane away from the teller (known to bankers as the felony lane), pretend to be the account holder and cash large checks.                This group is very prolific and comes through Central Arkansas 2-3 times a year. We have arrested a number of their members, but they seem to readily replenish their ranks. They generally target cars at shopping centers, gyms or fitness centers, parks, etc. We have seen multiple cases where they target joggers at the Big Dam Bridge and Two Rivers Park.                They generally use upscale rental cars from out of state, particularly Mercedes Benz Sport Utility Vehicles with extremely dark window tint.                We think they are back in the area, so please follow a couple of guidelines:   1.       Don’t leave your purse in your car. Not in the passenger compartment and not in the rear cargo area. These folks watch women park their cars and then hit the car after the owner is inside and out of sight. If they see a woman put her purse in the rear cargo area, they will go there. 2.       Unlike most car burglars, these folks are not afraid to break windows as they are generally out of the area within seconds of the break-in. Just locking your car doesn’t stop them. 3.       Take your purse with you and keep it close, don’t leave it in the shopping cart while you are two aisles over looking at merchandise. 4.       If your purse is stolen, call 911 immediately and then notify your bank. These thieves will hit in 20 or 30 minutes sometimes after stealing a purse.   If we get some pictures of these people’s vehicles, I’ll get that out to you.   As always, if you see someone acting suspiciously, please call the police.   Lt. Scott Timmons LRPD NW Division

 

Mayor Casts Deciding Vote for Gas Station Against Neighborhoods

Report by Fair Park Residents Association president on last night's vote by city board against the interests of our area:

All,

While the turnout at City Hall tonight in opposition to the proposed Murphy gas station at 12th and University was impressive (it was a packed room, of which we made up more than half), it came down to a 5-5 vote on the proposal to allow it to proceed.  Mayor Stodola broke the tie by voting in favor of the gas station.  The city voted to allow it to be built in direct opposition to the advice of the city's planning commission, which was opposed to it.  It was also voted for in direct opposition to the overwhelming concerns from representatives of the neighborhoods that will be negatively impacted by its presence.  This, after just voting against the construction of a Mapco gas station downtown close to their offices.

To say I'm disappointed in our city leadership tonight is an understatement.  But, I was encouraged to see how many people came out to voice their concerns and other thoughts, even proposing alternatives to this particular development.  Though I detected a whiff of animus toward us from the mayor, we still stood strong and told truth to power.  Unfortunately, that power favored the business interests of just a few over the quality-of-life interests of many.  I guess that's just how it goes sometimes, especially in an election year where votes tend to follow trails to campaign contributions.

Joe Busby and several others from our partner neighborhoods within the University District gave great speeches, and the fact that we lost against corporate bulldozers does not in any way reflect a lack of passion and leadership Joe and the others demonstrated tonight.  I was and am proud to be a resident not just of Fair Park, but of the University District.

We still have a possible hotel to contend with, so even though we're now going to have yet another gas station and all the issues that come with them (just look at Kum & Go at Asher and University with the numerous police cars that have to reside in their parking lot with lights flashing on a regular basis), we might still be able to keep the old Brandon House site from being used for nothing but businesses that are terrible for our neighborhood.  I hope you'll join us again when that battle comes down the pipes.

-Larry Rhodes

Boyle Park Workday August 9

On Saturday, August 9th, from 9 am - 12 pm, there will be another important work session taking place at Boyle Park.  There have already been numerous work sessions at this great park, since the beginning of this year.  Many wonderful groups have been working to make needed improvements to Boyle Park.

One of our biggest goals is to prepare this park for a very special event that will take place on October 4th, when Arkansas Outside will host "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day."  For those of you who may not be aware, Boyle Park has many miles of mountain bike trails that are "ready for riding."

The newly formed Central Arkansas Trail Alliance (CATA) Mountain Biking group plus a number of other great partners, plan to make this a spectacular event.

The Little Rock Parks & Recreation Department Commissioners have made Boyle Park their focal point.  The Awareness and Outreach Committee is taking the lead on the August 9th Cleanup.  Commissioner Jason Hamilton is the Chairperson for the A/O Committee and can be reached by email at:  jasondavidhamilton@gmail.com 

Please contact Jason as quickly as possible, to let him know if you and your organization will be able to come and help make a difference on August 9th.

Boyle Park is some 140 acres in size, with all sorts of great amenities for all ages of visitors.  There are a number of great areas for fishing.

Here are some of the different projects that we've been working on, that we need people to bring their own tools to help continue with what has already been started.

·         Litter pickup (we'll have trash bags available)

·         Brush and invasive overgrowth clearing (gas-powered brush cutters, heavy-duty string trimmers, limb loppers, swing-blade weed cutters, small chain saws, extendable pole pruners, trucks and trailers to allow the hauling of cut brush to our burn pile areas)

·         Raking of leaves and yard debris (bring your own leaf rake)

·         Raking of Playground area (bring your own rock/ garden rake)

Please dress appropriate for an outdoor and wooded environment and bring your own work gloves, hat, sunscreen, and bug spray, if needed. Open-toe shoes and sandals are not advised to be worn in this type of environment. 

If you are coming alone or with your family, consider bringing a picnic lunch.  At the end of the work session, there will be an opportunity to eat and fellowship with those who come out to work that day.

If you know of other individuals and groups who might be interested in coming to help us on this date, please share this invite with them.  

Thanks so much,

Norm Berner | Volunteer Park Ranger Program Coordinator

501-371-6856 office | 501-353-9519 cell | 501-371-6832 fax

500 W. Markham | Rm 108 | Little Rock, AR 72201

nberner@littlerock.org | ParkRanger@littlerock.org |www.lrpr.org<http://www.lrpr.org/>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neighborhood Connections Meeting July 26

The next Neighborhood Connections meeting will be Saturday, July 26, 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., at the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC), 3805 West 12th Street.  Parking spaces are available around the building on the streets on the east and south sides of the building.

8:30 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.              Continental Breakfast

8:55 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.              Call to Order – TBA
                                                Pledge of Allegiance
                                                Acknowledgement of Elected Officials

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.              Community Programs – Youth Intervention             
                                                Barbara Osborne

9:15 a.m. – 9:25 a.m.              LRSD – Update
                                                TBD

9:25 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.              City of LR/NUSA – Update
                                                Director Adcock/A. Bernard                                     

9:35 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.              LRPD
                                                Chief Kenton Buckner
                                              
9:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.            Neighborhood Issues and Concerns  

10:00 a.m.                               Adjourn

Boyle Park Work Day August 9

On Saturday, August 9, from 9 am - 12 pm, there will be another important work session taking place at Boyle Park. There have already been numerous work sessions at this great park, since the beginning of this year.  Many wonderful groups have been working to make needed improvements to Boyle Park.

One of our biggest goals is to prepare this park for a very special event that will take place on October 4, when Arkansas Outside will host "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day." For those of you who may not be aware, Boyle Park has many miles of mountain bike trails that are "ready for riding."

The newly formed Central Arkansas Trail Alliance (CATA) Mountain Biking group plus a number of other great partners, plan to make this a spectacular event.

The Little Rock Parks & Recreation Department Commissioners have made Boyle Park their focal point.  The Awareness and Outreach Committee is taking the lead on the August 9th Cleanup.  Commissioner Jason Hamilton is the Chairperson for the A/O Committee and can be reached by email at:  jasondavidhamilton@gmail.com

Please contact Jason as quickly as possible, to let him know if you and your organization will be able to come and help make a difference on August 9th.

Boyle Park is some 140 acres in size, with all sorts of great amenities for all ages of visitors.  There are a number of great areas for fishing.

Here are some of the different projects that we've been working on, that we need people to bring their own tools to help continue with what has already been started.

• Litter pickup (we'll have trash bags available)
• Brush and invasive overgrowth clearing (gas-powered brush cutters, heavy-duty string trimmers, limb loppers, swing-blade weed cutters, small chain saws, extendable pole pruners, trucks and trailers to allow the hauling of cut brush to our burn pile areas)
• Raking of leaves and yard debris (bring your own leaf rake)
• Raking of Playground area (bring your own rock/ garden rake)

Please dress appropriate for an outdoor and wooded environment and bring your own work gloves, hat, sunscreen, and bug spray, if needed. Open-toe shoes and sandals are not advised to be worn in this type of environment.

If you are coming alone or with your family, consider bringing a picnic lunch.  At the end of the work session, there will be an opportunity to eat and fellowship with those who come out to work that day.

If you know of other individuals and groups who might be interested in coming to help us on this

All Broadmoor Residents Welcome to Attend July 10, 7 PM

The Broadmoor Neighborhood Board will meet on Thursday, July 10th at 7:00pm in the clubhouse at 19 ½ Belmont. Open to all who wish to attend.

Other meetings you may wish to attend:

History Committee meets the second Monday each month 7:00pm at the Club House

UD Garden Club meets on the second Monday each month 7:00 pm at the UDDA Building

 

 

Vegetable Swap July 12