Thanks to all the neighbors who attended last night. We had another great turnout.
This month Michelle from Vice Mayor's office attended, providing updates on the following:
1. Creek Week is scheduled for April 13th from 9am to Noon. There will be a couple of volunteer teams that will be cleaning along the East Levee Road (information to follow in the coming months on exact locations), as well as numerous other teams throughout Sacramento County, including a big group at the N. Natomas regional park site.
For more info on Creek Week, please visit: www.creekweek.org.
For more info on N Natomas Creek Week volunteer opportunities outside of those in Valley View Acres, please visit: www.angeliqueashby.com/creek-week-2013
2. Skate Park. The City is soliciting input from skaters on the future of a skate park at Wild Rose Park in N. Natomas. All ages are welcome. There is a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6pm. For more info, please visit: http://www.angeliqueashby.com/wild-rose-skate-park
3. Flood Control. Michelle provided a throughout update on flood control issues related to Natomas. She fielded many questions from neighbors. Bottom line is that there is hope Congress will authorize the remaining levee improvements for the Natomas basin this year, but with that said and perhaps more importantly for those of us already living here, there will be flood insurance requirements into the foreseeable future. That is until improvements are completed that provide a 100-year level of protection for Natomas. The hope is these improvements are completed within five (5) years after Congressional authorization.
Please visit Vice Mayor Ashby's website for the most updated info on this very important issue:
http://www.angeliqueashby.com/district-one-business/nlip
In addition to the updates by Michelle, we discussed the following:
1. Horse Rescue on Carey. In recent months, there has been some concern by neighbors about the number of horses (and their condition) that suddenly appeared on a parcel on Carey Road. Carimda (pronounced car-eem-da) Gibson attended our meeting last night. She is person behind The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Horse Rescue (http://gbuhorserescue.yolasite.com/), whose rescue operations include this specific parcel on Carey. Carimda has been working closely with Sacramento County Animal Control to address the concerns of some neighbors. She is a very passionate person who cares deeply about her organization's goals and mission. For those who are interested, I encourage you to visit the rescue's website to learn more. If you have specific questions or concerns for Carimda, please call her directly at 9168072060 or email her directly at carimda@hotmail.com . She did ask that if folks had an email inquiry to also text her at the previously listed number for quicker response.
2. Train Horn Quiet Zone Update. Last month we had asked Vice Mayor Ashby's office inquire as to the status of a pending application with the Federal Rail Administration related to creating a train horn free zone starting at Elkhorn Blvd. and extending through the neighborhood and to El Camino Ave. We have been informed that we should see that application approved in the next couple months. I know the neighborhood, particularly those of us close to the levee are anxiously awaiting this application's approval!
3. Benita Womack provided an update on the efforts of our neighbor Tony Trujillo (Barros) working with City Department of Transportation folks on the slurry seal issue that we had discussed at a prior community meeting last September. That meeting summary can be found here: http://valleyviewacres.blogspot.com/2012/09/september-meeting-summary.html
4. Mosquito Problems. Several neighbors voiced concern over the number of mosquito that suddenly appeared during the period of nice weather before this last storm. With the help of Michelle at Vice Mayor Ashby's office, I have been contacted by the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District (http://www.fightthebite.net/). I will be arranging a neighborhood visit by the Mosquito and Vector Control folks to determine what steps can be taken to minimize mosquito issues in out community.
5. Safe and Sober Grad Night. Angela Angel provided information on fundraising for Inderkum High School's Safe and Sober Grad Night program. More info can be found here: http://www.inderkumhigh.org/ptsa/html/safe-sober.html
6. Annual Valley View Acres Easter Egg Hunt. As we near the Easter holiday, it's time once again for our community's annual Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by our very own Dennis Boyd. The event will be at 11:30 on Saturday, March 30th at Dennis' place at 5610 Sorento Road.
That's it for this month.
1. Know your Neighbors.
Share information about crime issues in the neighborhood, including suspicious activities. Share your home, work and cell numbers in case of any sensitive issues need to be discussed. Some other ways you can share information are by creating a Facebook page or a yahoo group to get the word out about activity in the neighborhood.
Share information about crime issues in the neighborhood, including suspicious activities. Share your home, work and cell numbers in case of any sensitive issues need to be discussed. Some other ways you can share information are by creating a Facebook page or a yahoo group to get the word out about activity in the neighborhood.
2. Report suspicious activities to the police.
This information may be helpful in assisting in locating a crime that has just occurred or to alert the police of issues in a community. Keep a log of calls to the police for your records. The police non-emergency number is 916-264-5471.
This information may be helpful in assisting in locating a crime that has just occurred or to alert the police of issues in a community. Keep a log of calls to the police for your records. The police non-emergency number is 916-264-5471.
3. Turn on exterior lights at night, set up motion sensing lights if possible.
This is helpful in deterring criminals since most of them don’t like to be seen. Keep your front, side and back porch lights lit at night. If possible, try and put your front porch light on a timer to automatically turn on in the evening hours.
This is helpful in deterring criminals since most of them don’t like to be seen. Keep your front, side and back porch lights lit at night. If possible, try and put your front porch light on a timer to automatically turn on in the evening hours.
4. Keeping your community looking nice.
This will give notice to a criminal that people in the area care about their neighborhood and are willing to contact the police if there is something going on that might mess it up. You can take a trash bag when you’re out on your daily walks or work with your neighbors on doing a neighborhood clean-up. Report issues of non-working street lights, potholes, overgrown lawns, abandoned cars, vandalism, graffiti, trash and debris that can be seen from the street, etc. to 311. 311 can be reached by phone within City limits or by e-mail at 311@cityofsacramento.org
This will give notice to a criminal that people in the area care about their neighborhood and are willing to contact the police if there is something going on that might mess it up. You can take a trash bag when you’re out on your daily walks or work with your neighbors on doing a neighborhood clean-up. Report issues of non-working street lights, potholes, overgrown lawns, abandoned cars, vandalism, graffiti, trash and debris that can be seen from the street, etc. to 311. 311 can be reached by phone within City limits or by e-mail at 311@cityofsacramento.org
5. Lock your doors and windows and set the home alarm even when you are home. Get a home surveillance system if possible.
Don’t make it easy for criminals, keeping your home locked makes it harder for them to gain access. Having it alarmed makes them noticed if they do. Home surveillance systems that are outside can help identify suspicious activities along with other information that would be helpful for the police.
Don’t make it easy for criminals, keeping your home locked makes it harder for them to gain access. Having it alarmed makes them noticed if they do. Home surveillance systems that are outside can help identify suspicious activities along with other information that would be helpful for the police.
6. Park vehicles in the garage.
Be sure you keep the remote control to the garage in a safe place and don’t leave any bags in the car (if you absolutely must, try and leave the bag open so nothing looks concealed).
Be sure you keep the remote control to the garage in a safe place and don’t leave any bags in the car (if you absolutely must, try and leave the bag open so nothing looks concealed).
7. Lock the door in your garage leading to your house with a dead bolt.
Many people think if the garage is closed they’re safe, but in actuality, trespassers can easily break into the garage and enter your home from inside the garage.
Many people think if the garage is closed they’re safe, but in actuality, trespassers can easily break into the garage and enter your home from inside the garage.
8. Be sure newspapers and flyers are cleared from your porch while on vacation. This is a simple cautionary measure to help keep trespassers from breaking in. When newspapers and flyers build up, it looks like no one’s been home for a while. Try communicating with your neighbors and ask if they can pick them up while you’re away.
9. Launch a Neighborhood Watch Group.
Neighborhood Watch Groups are a great tool for neighbors to get together and communicate what’s going on in the area and receive updates from the Police Department. Neighborhood Watch Groups works best when there are at least 10 households participating. If you’re interested in starting a group, give your area crime specialist a call at 916-566-6402.
Neighborhood Watch Groups are a great tool for neighbors to get together and communicate what’s going on in the area and receive updates from the Police Department. Neighborhood Watch Groups works best when there are at least 10 households participating. If you’re interested in starting a group, give your area crime specialist a call at 916-566-6402.
10. Use your resources.
I. District 1 has a Police Resource Center where you can file online police reports with the assistance of a trained volunteer. The resource center is located at 2701 Del Paso Road, Suite 140.
II. District 1 has a Parks Liaison, Elena Quintero, who organizes and coordinates park clean-ups and assists City staff with immediate repairs in the various parks in our district. Elena also facilitates the Adopt-A-Park program. Elena can be reached at equintero@cityofsacramento.org.
III. Finally, the County has a very useful referral service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They provide information on employment and training, housing opportunities, financial assistance and much more. Simply dial 211 and you will be transferred to a customer representative.
Contact:
Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby
916-808-7001