Alleged Crime Wave

On Wednesday, I answered the doorbell, and I was greeted by "Brad" (no last name). He contined to tell me that "they" were walking around the Broadlands talking to residents because of the "sharp increase in crime" in the area. "Brad" never offered any information that showed the name of his company.

Now, he was selling security systems (big surprise, huh), but it made me wonder. Was this just a sleazy sales pitch, or has there really been an increase in crime in the area? I know there was a problem last year with burglaries as a result of people leaving the door from the garage to the house unlocked and also leaving the remote control for their garage door in the car that was parked outside. But that was probably a year ago (or more).

 

I have been told about and seen a rise of vandalism to homes under contruction, particularly multiple new homes in Southern Walk having rocks thrown through windows a couple of weeks ago, but that is all I am aware of.

 

There will be crime in our area. It's a fact of life. There will be more of a certain type of crime than others. But at this moment I have only heard of property crimes. I heard about the burglary of commerical stores in the shopping center where Giant is located off of Clairborne. I know a co-workers laptop got stolen from his car in Broadlands. I don't think we have a gang, prostiution, or open air drug market in our n'hood but one can never know. Always use common sense. If you don't know everyone in the area, I would suggest locking your doors. I secure my property at all times will most likely be adding a lo-jack to my grill and patio furniture.

I bet most of our problems will probably be with teenagers or young adults. Don't let income level in the area wash your idea that kids are good just because they come from good families. There will always be some bad apples. Also you'll have people driving thru who might see an opportunity or may be professional burglars. Fact is we live in a higher income area. If I was a criminal, no sense in stealing from a poor n'hood. Just realize we don't live in a high crime area where we need bars on our windows. But don't be surprised if you hear a car is stolen or someone's purse got stolen out of a car.

-Teak

 

Any one hear gun shots, two of them, on Saturday night around 10 pm or so. May not have been gun shots but it sure sounded like it. I live over on Welby, looked out back saw nothing.

 

I would like to mention that 3 years ago when we moved into our previous home in Sterling, we got the "there's been a lot of recent crime activity in your neighborhood" and oh by the way we're selling this lovely security system.

I think they go around preying on homeowner's fears and trying to instill some new ones. Don't get me wrong, crime happens but the scare tactics & sales pitches annoy me

 

Further to JenTimC's point, my wife and I have heard of thieves that use that line to determine whether or not a homeowner currently has a security system installed. If the homeowner is naive and mentions that their home lacks a security system, the thief may target the home. Obviously, this is not common, but apparently has happened in some areas.

 

I didn't really think there was a big crime problem in the area. What really struck me was the fact that the sales guy acknowledged that I had the signs up for a security company. I told him that I had a system, and I use it, but he continued to talk and talk.

If I were in the market for a new security system, I would not do business with this company. It seems way too shady for me.

 

If anyone is interested in the amount of crime in the Ashburn/Broadlands area, check out the Post's homeowner's guide at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/realestate/own/?search=4

The site allows you do perform searches for different areas. If you perform a general search for Loudon County, the results will show you crime by town and type of crime.

Apparently, the results are fed by local polices departments, and thus may be skewed (i.e., low-balled) if the local governments are trying to promote growth in their area.

 

What's up with all the fireworks lately. Was last weekend some kind of holiday. Ashburn sure is crazy about fireworks!

 

Well it is that time of year. Fireworks should be on sale right now. Less then 4 weeks away. Anyone got some M80s or lady fingers for sale? Might be time to head down to NC.

-Teak

 

My 2-cents comment about alarm systems in general. The only thing take any "peace-of-mind" from is that you will know if
someone is breaking into your house while you are home.

The police response time is between 25 to 45 minutes AFTER the
alarm goes off. Thus having the telephone monitoring is
POINTLESS. If there is a violent crime, you will be long dead
before emergency help arrives. The sense of security is a false
one.

The sign is probably as effective as the system itself to stop
the person from breaking in.

After 10 years of having a system in a much "higher" crime rate
location in Fairfax, the number of false alarms (including
baby-sitter accidental setting off fiascos) cause me to
think again here. I voted to drop it on this house.

 

For what it's worth, the two times our alarm has gone off long enough for the police to be called, they arrived in around 10-15 minutes.

--Joy

 

Regarding "alleged" crime in Broadlands:
Our community has been listed in the paper the past few weeks for criminal activity. Car break-ins. Also remember that the papers do not list all reported crimes in an area. I am aware of numerous instances of criminal activity here that did not get published in the local papers.
Cliff

 

More alleged crime:
From today's Washington Post, a man reportedly exposed himself to a woman on the trails near Truro Parish/Glebe View.

 

And unlocked cars being ransacked in the Farm and Village:

http://www.nbc4.com/news/2312867/detail.html

 

Not much sympathy here -- that's why they make locks on car doors. Now if those hoodlums were breaking into locked cars, that's another story.

 

Wick- The fact that criminals are roaming the streets is of more concern to me rather than whether the car doors are locked. If they can't get into cars, what will they do next?
Cliff