Traffic and Safety Committee: Pet Owner Responsibilities

Mail Theft
Residents in the vicinity of Faeroe Bay and Manta Court report that someone is breaking into their curbside mail boxes and taking anything of value. The unseen suspect then tosses the unsolicited advertisements from the mailbox up and down the street. What is unique is that this thief is primarily operating between midnight and 6 a.m. Normally mail thefts occur during daylight hours just after the postal worker has dropped off the mail or package.
Several of the victims in these crimes reported the incidents to both our deputy sheriffs and the postal authorities, and they are investigating. The agencies report that similar crimes have been occurring in neighboring gated homeowner associations.
Our Securitas personnel are focusing their patrol in the Villas and Sea Terrace II. Hopefully, our deputy sheriffs, now knowing the problem, will be able to provide extra patrol to these neighborhoods. Our staff has been working with postal authorities and the sheriff’s department to identify strategies to stop this sort of activity in the future. One specific idea being discussed will require everyone’s approval to implement.
In the meantime, each of us can help by clearing out our mail boxes as soon as practical. Also, continue to report crimes to our sheriffs. Call 911 to report a crime in progress, or (714) 647-7000 or (949) 770-6011 to report a non-emergency crime. This will allow deputies the opportunity to focus their patrol to specific locations.
If you want a special accounting of all the mail that should be delivered to your residence, you may sign up to electronically track each piece addressed to you. Google “United States Postal Service Informed Delivery” and fill out a brief questionnaire. From then on, you will be notified of each piece of mail headed your way. Yes, this includes each piece of “junk mail” that we receive every day.
Brave Lars and the Coyote
Lars isn’t the largest dog sizewise (only about 8 inches at the shoulder) but perhaps he has the biggest heart. He was recently taking his owner for a walk in the vicinity of Halyard and the Windward greenbelt. As he passed by, he saw something in the brush. His protective instinct to care for his owner took over. Disregarding his personal safety, he immediately ran into unexplored territory to investigate. There he found Wiley Coyote lurking, apparently waiting for prey to come by.
Well, the fight was on. Of course, there was plenty of yipping, yapping and growling. However, just as Lars thought he had the coyote where he wanted him, his owner yanked his leash and pulled him from Wiley’s mouth.
Wiley scurried away and, rather than chase him, Lars thought of his owner. He allowed his frightened owner to hold him in order to calm her down.
The message here is clear: Keep your dog leashed when out walking. After Lars thinks about it, I am sure he will appreciate that he was on one.
Dog Waste
Animal waste creates a health and safety issue. Picking up your dog’s poop is also a rule that will be strictly enforced in our community. There are many areas in our community where it is like a mine field. The health issues are obvious, but this waste material also attracts wild animals such as coyotes that resort to eating it when they are hungry. Remember, for everyone’s sake, pick up after your pet.
—God Bless . . . Tim Murphy