News: Gas Leak

On Tuesday, June 19th, the local cable TV company consulted their official map of the area, noted the presence and location of a gas line, and starting up their drill.  They were intent on laying some new cable, and wanted to miss the gas line.

Security Warning

This is likely a case of being ejected from the Hub Bar and Grill, but perhaps not.  It may be someone who is mentally ill and off his meds, or a case of mistaken identity.  Whatever it is, pulling a knife on someone is a credible threat.  Please be careful if you're out for a walk, especially after dark.

Case #: 180462680
Report #: 180462680-001
Title: 255 - Menacing
Location: E Livingston Ave & Mcnaughten Rd
City: Columbus
Zone: 2
Precinct: 14
District: 142

Occurred: 6/7/2018 12:10:48 PM
Report Date: 6/7/2018 12:44:24 PM
Reported By: Officer Shaeffer
Badge: 1517

Report Narrative
Victim states suspect #1 was standing across the street and was yelling at victim. Victim states suspect #1 then pulled out a knife and told victim " come over her and i will cut you." Victim states she does not know suspect #1.

Security Warning

This report is on very good authority.  On June 6^th at 2:20 AM on Julian/Jason Drive, a group of 5-6 teenagers were seen walking through the neighborhood looking for unlocked vehicles.  They make one pass through a parking lot with security cameras, and were recorded on video trying vehicle door handles, looking for an unlocked door.

One such attempt was recorded on video, triggered by a motion sensor.

Description of the teenager involved:

• Hair: Black shoulder length braids.
• Top: Dark blue or black hoodie.
• Bottom: Blue denim jeans.
• Shoes: White sneakers.
• Age: 16-19.
• Build: Tall and thin.
• Race: Black.
• Sex: Male

Please keep your vehicle locked, and if possible park your car or truck inside your garage, and remember to keep your garage door closed.

Memorial Day 2018 Refuse Collection

Just a reminder that we are losing one day of refuse collection due to the Memorial Day holiday.  Our refuse collection schedule is show below.

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Spring Flowers

Here are a few pictures of the spring flowers. I hope they last a while, but I'm afraid they're a bit short lived. Note that anyone who plants bulbs has faith in the future, as bulbs are commonly planted in the fall, then come up in the spring or summer. After that, we get to enjoy them until the squirrels and mice get to them.

Identity Theft

In a casual conversation with the Whitehall Police Department today, I leaned that theft of debit cards is on the rise.  Specifically, do not use your debit card at McDonald's, as one or more people have had their account emptied by a debit card thief.  The Whitehall Kroger store is also a problem spot, with the amount of transaction changing between the register and the credit card.

Things that help with credit card theft are:

• Keep all receipts for at least 10 weeks.  Amounts have been known to mysteriously change somewhere between the cashier and the credit card company.
• Don't use a debit card; use a real credit card that isn't attached to your account.
• Check your transactions on a frequent basis.  As soon as you see a transaction you didn't make, call the credit card company and report the card as stolen.

Because of Federal law, the card holder is not responsible for fraudulent charges on his credit card.  The cost of this crime is often split unevenly between the credit card company and the merchant.  Debit cards are not protected by this law.

In the case of a debit card, the bank will usually refund the entire amount.  The keyword here is usually.  About 2% (1 in 50) the card holder loses a large portion of the total amount stolen, and in some cases the card holder loses the entire amount.  Are you feeling lucky this week?  Hence the warning about debit cards and not using them for point of sale transactions.

Best to everyone, and please keep an eye on your credit and debit cards.

Spring Might Be Here

I thought it would be mid-July before we saw greenery or flowers, but thankfully I was wrong.

Trees in Bloom