Broken Record

I hate to sound like a broken record, but there has been yet another rash of B&E's into peoples cars. There were three of them around the first week of October. People had their windows smashed in, some purses were stolen... Now, there are several things that could possibly be going on here. People are complacent and think 'oh no, not my car'; people aren't spreading the word or directing one another here to your Dear Anna column, or people simply don't care. So, once again, if you want it stolen, leave it in your car.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but there has been yet another rash of B&E's into peoples cars. There were three of them around the first week of October. People had their windows smashed in, some purses were stolen... Now, there are several things that could possibly be going on here. People are complacent and think 'oh no, not my car'; people aren't spreading the word or directing one another here to your Dear Anna column, or people simply don't care. So, once again, if you want it stolen, leave it in your car.


That being said, a couple of the block captains said something about this possibly going on early, like 4 am or something, so if there are any of you first shifters out there, or your up for whatever reason and you see strange people mulling about...it's not like people wander through Alger Heights in the wee hours of the morning on a site seeing tour. Call the cops.

Grand Rapids Police Department


POLICE CHIEF TO HOLD COMMUNITY MEETINGS
TO DISCUSS 2007-2009 STRATEGIC PLAN

In January 2006, Chief Harry Dolan met with area-wide neighborhood associations and conducted a brainstorming exercise with the residents who attended. Through lively discussion, residents involved themselves in helping to develop the police department’s new 2007-2009 Strategic Plan. Ideas and concerns were written down and later incorporated into the overall plan. Chief Dolan is now planning on meeting with those same groups of people in order to review the new plan with the residents to see how their ideas will impact their neighborhoods within the next two years.

The location for Alger Heights is Redeemer Lutheran Church - 1905Madison S.E. - 6:30-8

Thursday, October 5, 2006

Vigilance

The Board has gotten several notifications of some things in the area moving beyond simple petty crimes. There have been a few incidents of home invasions and a spat of automobile break-ins as well. All of this have occurred in the last couple weeks. One of these incidents occurred near the new school, one along Eastern and one near Eastern and 28th. Patterns in the past suggest that these activities occur along the main corridors of Alger Heights, meaning along Eastern, or Alger, but that's just me talking. Keep your eye out!

There has been also some contact established with other communities in West Michigan regarding the graffiti near Merritt and Hazen. There may be some other action that can be taken to persuade the occupants to get that removed. If you, as a member of this community, can do anything to help get this situation taken care of, please do so. It's so pleasant to look at everyday, that's for sure!

Regarding all of the above, there may be a general tendency to err on the side of caution and not notify the police of any suspicious activity. I can assure you, they will respond accordingly. That's what they are for. It is important to communicate that the quicker the community takes action and the stronger that action is, the more likely and more apparent any improvements will be. With the new school in the backyard of Alger Heights, this neighborhood serves as something of a model under the watchful eye of greater Grand Rapids. Don't let it deteriorate.

Sorry for being so stern.

Ciao!

-Anna

Lest ye forget...

Stuff...

Oh let's see...busy busy busy...there was a board meeting this week, so I'll give you those highlights...uh...it's been pretty quite this summer as far as crime and such goes. It goes without saying at this point that if you want something stolen, leave it in your unlocked car. Um...everyone should have gotten their newsletters, I hope. Thanks to the block captains and the girls from St. Johns Home on that one...that worked out pretty well using those girls. OH! The coffee shop! Common Grounds looks like they will open in October sometime...the hardware store might might might move to a smaller temporary location, but that's just talk at this point...Video Master is shrinking and JB's is growing. let's see..what else..

oh...there's a new board member! Joel Barrett rose from the ranks of block captain and sort of jumped right in. Hail Joel, for he is good and yay unto him. There's still a spot on the board I think, but compared to last year...they tell me there was only like 6 people or so, but I'm blabbing...um...I'm supposed to add a link to Wedgwood cuz they're doing something with the new middle school, but I don't think I have those notes in order, so stay tuned...

Trash Day was today, I guess. They said it wasn't as busy as in past years for whatever reason, but I guess there was LOTS of help. There were like 4 girls from St. Johns plus the staff from there and then there was a couple other boys who helped, so I guess you had to get outta there way. I'm told they were a HUGE help, so that's working well with St. Johns. Yay unto them, for they are good, eh? Not too shabby!

Anyhow...I think that's it...I'm up to my eyeballs this fall for whatever reason so I'm sure I forgot something, but for now...all is good.

Ciao!

-Anna

Community Meeting

Wow. There were something like 200 people at the Church last night. What a great turn out! The local news was there and everything! Even my folks knew about it and they live on the West side. Maybe I should pay attention more, eh?

Well, here's the skinny. The ice cream shop is closed for the season. However, the coffee shop is going to open maybe near the end of September or something. So that's a good thing!

The families who own the hardware store are sort of waiting around to hear from the fire marshall and the insurance company to decide what they are going to do. They have taken a note from Yours Truley and started their own website at www.alger-hardware.blogspot.com and you can leave them comments there on what you think. Apparently,they can't do that repair shop anymore. I guess that's trashed! In general, the Alger Hardware folks are discussing things with one another, what are they going to do, are they going to do it together, stuff like that.

I guess there was a sign up sheet and so forth at the Church last night, so I'm sure the board will follow up on what's needed by whom and when. At the end of the day, it was great that everyone pulled together like that.

That's about it. Any questions, as usual, you know where to reach me. I put a new link to the hardware store's website on the right hand side there.

Ciao!

-Anna

Alger Heights Business

There will be a community service Sunday, August 20th, at 6:30pm at Seymour Christian Reformed Church in regards to the businesses effected by the recent fire. If you can make it, it will be a good way to pull together.

Ciao!

-Anna

Alger Hardware

It is with sad remorse to notify everyone that the De Jong and Buys family, owners of Alger Hardware, and their staff, lost their business to a major fire Friday (Aug 11) evening. Thankfully, nobody was injured in the blaze, however, it appears that the structure is a total loss. Many of you know these families quite well so please, whatever the neighborhood can do to help, now is the time to offer it. The Board is in the process of examining the situation and searching for ways to pitch in.

-Anna