Category Archives: Neighborhood Safety

Broken Heart 2 Color tintedFebruary is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Click HERE to learn some of the warning signs and dynamics of abusive relationships and also how to get help if you’re in a bad situation. The WBNA sponsors Teen Dating Violence Seminars. If you would be interested in attending an educational seminar on this subject or having one tailored to your teen’s peer group, please contact me we can set something up with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. This is a great seminar for athletic clubs, choir, and band – anywhere you have a group of teens. Debby Thompson 656-0654 or deborah_thompson@earthlink.net.

Holiday Safety Tips

With the bustle of the holidays just around the corner, now is the time to make sure we’re taking every Santa Sneaky on Roof Colorprecaution to keep our homes and ourselves as safe as possible. While focusing on safety, it’s also essential to address any potential vulnerabilities in your home, such as the condition of your roof. Quality roofing companies like Mighty Dog Roofing can help ensure that your home is well-protected during the festive season and throughout the year. We usually see an increase in opportunistic crime this time of year; we need to be especially vigilant.

Keep your blinds and drapes closed when away, even if only for a short period of time.

Keep your house well lit at night (backyard included).  A motion sensor activated light is an inexpensive deterrent.

If your Christmas tree is displayed in front of a window, don’t pile the presents around it.  Store the gifts in another area away from view when the blinds or drapes are open.

Do NOT put the empty boxes for the new computer, TV, stereo system, etc. on the curb for the trash.  Take the time to break down every box and put it inside your trashcan/recycling bin so that it is concealed, even if you have to hold it over to the next week.  People start cruising our neighborhood on Sunday afternoons to see what has been put out.  The less they know, the better.

Door-to-door solicitations increase tremendously this time of year.  Always look out the window or peephole before opening the door or answering a knock.  Never open the door all the way, especially if you have a Christmas tree and/or presents in plain view.

While shopping this holiday season, remain aware of your surroundings at all times.  If unsure of your safety, ask a store attendant to have security walk you to your car.  You can’t be too safe.  This goes for trips to the grocery store as well.  When unloading your car at home after a day of shopping, lock it between trips to and from the car. Exploring online shopping platforms? Consider giving Shoppok a go. We’ve had some great finds there.

There has been an increase in car break-ins in Travis County in the last few months.   Don’t leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked.  Take them in the house or put them in the trunk out of sight BEFORE arriving at your destination. If you’re eyeing your dream car, consider checking out lone star title loans for a potential avenue to make that dream a reality.

Always lock your car.   Never leave your car running unattended or leave your keys in the car or ignition. If you accidentally locked your keys inside the car, call https://247autolocksmith.co.uk/ for help.  If you keep a garage door remote control in your car and don’t park it in the garage each and every time you return home, hide the remote. Thieves check visors and this gives them instant protected access to your home. Consider visiting a used car dealer in lansing to find the perfect vehicle that suits your needs and budget.

If you plan to be away:

  • Let a neighbor and/or block captain know you’ll be out of town and when you’ll return.  They should have the following: your emergency contact information; contact information for anyone with access to your house (pet sitter, etc.); when they should be expected; what they look like and a description of their vehicle(s).
  • Let only those who NEED to know, know when you are going out of town.
  • Don’t share vacation plans on social media.
  • Arrange to have your lawn cared for if you are going to be away.
  • Don’t hide keys under doormats or flowerpots or in similar places.
  • Put your lights, stereo or TV on timers.
  • Leave a car in the driveway or ask a neighbor to park in it.
  • Don’t cancel your paper or mail deliveries; ask that your neighbor pick them up every day.
  • Leave a key with a friend or neighbor; ask that the house be checked at regular intervals.
  • Keep your house well lit at night (backyard included).  A motion sensor or photocell activated light is an inexpensive deterrent.
  • Store all your valuables.
  • Consider asking friends or relatives to live in your home while you are away.
  • Ask your neighbor to put trash in your trashcan and to put it out for collection and away when they put theirs away.
  • File a Close Patrol Request.  The filing of this form alerts patrolling officers so that they may pay close attention to one’s residence.  To do so: Contact the Travis County Sheriff’s Office at 854-9721.  Ask to make a Close Patrol Request.  You will be asked for information on those caring for your home while you’re away i.e. make and model of their vehicles, name, description and times they should be at your home.

A comprehensive list of Safety Tips as well as numerous articles by the Travis County Sheriff Deputies are available under our “Safety” tab.   If you are not already, become a Wells Branch Neighborhood Association member.  “Like” us on Facebook for community updates.  The more community involvement and connectedness there is, the safer we all will be.

Most of all, be aware of your surroundings and look out for your neighbors.  If you see or hear something suspicious, call 911.  The Sheriff’s Department would much rather answer a false alarm than deal with a tragedy later.

We live in a GREAT community AND a SECURE neighborhood.  Let’s all do our part to keep it that way.  Here’s to a safe and happy holiday season!

*For information about starting your own Neighborhood Watch Group, please call Debby Thompson at 512-656-0654 or Tom Cheshire at 512-913-3144.

Save the date! Don’t miss National Night Out • October 1 • 6-9pm

Free Food • Great Company • Door Prizes! • October 1 • 6-9pm • Gazebo at KF Park (on Alpha Collier)

Join your Wells Branch neighbors for our night out against crime, Tuesday, October 1, from 6-9pm at the gazebo at Katherine Fleischer Park.  The WBNA will be serving up FREE hotdogs, sausage wraps, sodas, chips and door prizes.  For dessert we have Culver’s Restaurant & the Friends of the Library  serving delicious frozen custard (while supplies last).

NNO 2013 White Background - ColorWe’ll have distinguished guests on hand from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, ESD #2 Fire Department, Precinct 2 Constable’s Office and the Wells Branch MUD to mention a few.  Both children and adults will have the opportunity to visit with first responders, receive information on Neighborhood Watch and other programs available to residents, and tour the fire safety house and fire truck that ESD #2 will have on hand.  As a special treat this year, we’ll have the very first Pflugerville Volunteer Fire Truck from 1956 on site as well.

Come find out what’s going on in our community and visit with local law enforcement officers and politicians about what you can do to help reduce the opportunities for crimes to occur in our neighborhood.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, and to strengthen neighborhood spirit and law enforcement-community partnership.  Help send the message to criminals that Wells Branch is organized and fighting back.

Take a stand against crime.  Turn on your porch light and come join your friends and neighbors at the park for food and fellowship.  If you have a Neighborhood Watch group on your block (or even if you don’t) we’d like to encourage you to come eat dinner with us, listen to the speakers, and then return home to your street and gather with your neighbors over dessert to discuss how you can make your homes and our community safer.

We hope to see you there!

WBNA hosted meeting with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office • Thursday, August 1, 6:15pm • WB Community Center on Klattenhoff

TCSOJoin us for an informational evening with Sgt. Craig Smith of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

  • Learn about current crime trends, what’s going on in Wells Branch, and how to better protect yourself and your property.
  • Pick up info on setting up Neighborhood Watch Programs for your area.
  • Bring your questions, ideas & suggestions.
  • Refreshments served.

EXTREME Spring Cleaning! We’ve got it all right here in WB THIS SATURDAY!

FREE Drug Disposal
April 13 • 8am-Noon
Wells Branch Maintenance Yard13905 Thermal

Need to clean out those bathroom cabinets? Wells Branch is offering a safe and easy way to dispose of your excess, expired or unwanted prescription AND over-the-counter medication, including vitamins.

Stop by the Wells Branch Maintenance Shop on Saturday, April 13, from 8am-Noon to safely get these medications out of your
house, away from children and kept out of our water supply.

According to experts, these type of Take-Back initiatives help to address a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high — more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. People can check Pacific Ridge offering alcohol treatment programs in Portland for the best drug abuse centers.

More information on how to properly dispose of medication can be found at www.dontflushdrugs.org.

Extreme Clean!  Saturday, April 13 • 8am-5pm • MUD Maintenance Yard • 13905 Thermal

Bulk Trash Drop Off • Hazardous Waste Collection Site • Drop Off for Habitat for Humanity & Easter Seals (8am-5pm)

Document Shredding (8am-2pm)

Spring is upon us! Now’s your chance to clean out that garage or shed before it gets really hot outside! We have a way for you to dispose of bulky trash as well as items that can be re-purposed rather than sent to the landfill. And, for the first time ever, we’re offering document shredding services, all free of charge!

Bring your old batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze to the WB MUD Maintenance Facility at 13905 Thermal Drive, Saturday, April 13, from 8am-5pm. The MUD is providing a trailer and staff to transport these items to the Hazardous Waste Facility in far South Austin as part of our continued Keep Wells Branch Beautiful efforts.

There are restrictions as to what can be collected and transported. Oil, paint and anti-freeze need to be in closed containers.  If bringing car or boat batteries, a cardboard box would be appreciated (but not necessary). We cannot take light bulbs, fertilizer or other chemicals at this time.

In addition to the usual bulky trash collection, Ed & Kay Peterson have arranged to have a manned truck from Habitat for Humanity on-site for collection of re-usable materials. Easter Seals is also sending a truck at 4:30pm to pick up donations of clothing, pots & pans, household goods, etc. as well.

New to our recycling efforts, Progressive Waste (formerly IESI) will be providing Wells Branch with FREE document shredding services.  In a nutshell, this is how it works:

A CT Secure Shred Mobile Unit will be on site for the day to collect documents and materials delivered by WB residents to be securely shredded by Central Texas Secure Document Destruction group located in Pflugerville, TX.
Shred certified employees will collect and load the boxes/paper bags onto the enclosed truck for transport and will provide a chain of custody document to verify the inventory of boxes delivered and loaded onto the truck and CT’s receipt and responsibility to transport and shred the documents will be provided prior to transporting to the CT Secure Shred facility.

All of the shredding is done behind locked doors in their secure plant to ensure that document security is completely protected.

After the documents have been commingled, compressed, shredded, baled and sealed for shipment to the paper mills, CT Shred will provide a signed Certificate of Destruction verifying that the documents have been securely managed and shredded in accordance with NAID (National Association of Information Destruction) regulations. For more detailed information on the IESI Central Texas Secure Shredding and Recycling Facility and the process itself, visit: www.ctshred.com.

Questions on hazardous waste?  Call Debby at 512-656-0654

Download WB Clean Up Flyer.

AARP Safe Driving Class in Wells Branch – Sign Up NOW!

Tuesday, March 19, there will be an AARP Safe Driving Class held in the Recreation Center from 10 AM to 2 PM.  Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members.  You will receive a Completion Certificate and a book of the information contained in the class.  This class is accepted by many insurance companies for a discount on your auto insurance premium.   Check with your insurance agent to see if you will qualify.

Contact Ron Robinder at Robinder@sbcglobal.net to register, or register at the door.  Space is somewhat limited, so early sign-up is recommended.

Firework Safety from the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office

Submitted by: Travis County Emergency Services PIO Lisa Block, Tel: 512-854-7954

Fireworks are legal for sale in Travis County tomorrow, December 20, through midnight on January 1, but the Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents that fireworks can cause severe injury and damaging fires. A red flag warning for tomorrow also brings high winds and added fire danger.

“Dry vegetation, high winds and low humidity increase our chances of experiencing wildfire, and fireworks could provide the spark that starts a fire,” said Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee. “We ask that you refrain from using fireworks due to these conditions. If you insist on using fireworks, please follow recommended safety precautions.”

The Travis County Fire Marshals’ office recommends following these safety tips:

  • · Do not consume alcohol and use fireworks because it’s a dangerous combination.
  • · Do not use fireworks on high fire danger days, such as red flag days.
  • · To detonate fireworks, find a flat surface, away from buildings, dry leaves and grass.
  • · Have water on hand in case of a fire.
  • · Insist on adult supervision when buying or setting off fireworks.
  • · Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
  • · Never try to re-Iight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
  • · Never give fireworks to small children; even sparklers can cause serious burns.

In 2010, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks related injuries. The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14. Many of these patients required hospital beds for recovery after treatment. To support their healing process, it is important to explore adaptive care surfaces for enhanced home recovery.

The NFPA also reports that in 2010 fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 reported fires that resulted in eight reported civilian deaths, 60 civilian injuries and $36 million in property damage.

The sale and use of skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins are prohibited in unincorporated parts of Travis County due to the extremely dry conditions and risk of wildfire. The sale and possession of fireworks are prohibited within the city limits of Austin. In addition, fireworks are not allowed in Travis County Parks and parks managed by Travis County.

Holiday Safety Tips

With the bustle of the holidays just around the corner, now is the time to make sure we’re taking every precaution to keep our homes and ourselves as safe as possible.  We usually see an increase in crime this time of year.  Let’s make sure Santa is the only one sneaking in this season!

If traveling over the holidays:

  • Let someone know you’ll be out of town and when you’ll return.
  • They should have the following: your emergency contact information; contact information for anyone with access to your house (pet sitter, etc.); when they should be expected; what they look like and a description of their vehicle(s).
  • Put your lights, stereo or TV on timers and have a neighbor park in your driveway.
  • File a Close Patrol Request.  The filing of this form alerts patrolling officers so that they may pay close attention to one’s residence.  To do so: Contact the Travis County Sheriff’s Office 854-9721.  Ask to make a Close Patrol Request.

Continue reading Holiday Safety Tips

National Night Out – Free Food • Great Company • Door Prizes!

Join your Wells Branch neighbors for our night out against crime, Tuesday, October 2, from 6:30-9:00pm at the gazebo at Katherine Fleischer Park. The WBNA will be serving up FREE hotdogs, sausage wraps, sodas, chips and door prizes.

We’ll have distinguished guests on hand from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, ESD #2 Fire Department, Precinct 2 Constable’s Office and the Wells Branch MUD to mention a few. Both children and adults will have the opportunity to visit with first responders, receive information on Neighborhood Watch and other programs available to residents, and tour the fire safety house and fire truck that ESD #2 will have on hand. Come find out what’s going on in our community and visit with local law enforcement officers and politicians about what you can do to help reduce the opportunities for crimes to occur in our neighborhood.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, and to strengthen neighborhood spirit and law enforcement-community partnership. Help send the message to criminals that Wells Branch is organized and fighting back.

Take a stand against crime. Turn on your porch light and come join your friends and neighbors at the park for food and fellowship. If you have a Neighborhood Watch group on your block (or even if you don’t) we’d like to encourage you to come eat dinner with us, listen to the speakers, and then return home to your street and gather with your neighbors over dessert to discuss how you can make your homes and our community safer.

We hope to see you there!

A plea from our neighbors along our greenbelts…

Submitted by Ed & Kay Peterson

Given the continued drought this summer and the risk of wildfires, we are asking you, our neighbors, to please refrain from smoking along our trails and in our parks, parking on the grass, riding dirt bikes in the fields or other potential hazards until this risk subsides. We are under a mandatory burn ban so if you see anyone doing any of these things, please remind them that it’s just not safe right now.

We lost so many trees to the drought last year; we would hate to lose more due to a fire or worse yet, have a fire spread to our homes. Please, please, please, use caution when doing any activity outside, recreational or otherwise.

Click HERE to download a comprehensive wildfire prevention plan from the Texas Forest Service or look under our “Safety” tab for articles on Fire Safety.  Below is a link to the  FEMA website for further information on wildfires if you are interested.  In addition, there are several Fire Safety articles featured on this website under “Safety”.  Thanks and stay safe.