Several of us visited with members of the Riverside County sheriff’s department and Peter Castro who is the contact for Public Safety in Indian Wells.  Our discussion centered on the break-ins that have occurred in our neighborhood in the past several months.  My question to them was how we can work together to protect our residents from such break-ins.  I asked if they could assure that, without emergency events, they could patrol our area at least twice during each shift.  They agreed that they would make every effort to do so.

Some suggestions were made about how we can protect our homes.  These are just a few of the officer’s suggestions.  I will continue to write about all of them in future notices.  Here are a few suggestions:

1.  Know your neighbors.  Your home will be less attractive to burglars if the people on your street spend time walking, talking and socializing.

2. Set up exterior lighting.  Try to keep the outside of your home from becoming a shadowy place where thieves can hide.  Solar lighting is easy to install or look to motion-activated solar lights.

3. Be wary during the day.  We often think of burglars sneaking around at night, break-ins often happen during the daylight hours when victims are at work or school.

4. Install alarms.  Often these will alert the burglars that the alarm company will be informed immediately when the alarm goes off and there is no answer when the property is called and answered with the password.  Police and alarm security will arrive at the property within minutes.

The police said that protection is a cooperative thing, and by working together we can help insure our safety and security.  The RPPOA is working to help all of us be safe throughout our time living in this beautiful city, but your help is also needed.  Remember to lock your doors and windows, set your alarm when you leave and keep an eye on your neighbor’s property as well.

Please note that residents are not allowed to place trash bins on the street for curb-side pick-up. Trash is picked up from inside your property  on Wednesday.

Please remember that RPPOA is subject to Indian Wells City Ordinances including rentals, palm tree trimming and residential occupancy limits.

On March 26th an SUV parked in the owners driveway near fairway had the rear hatch glass broken and contents taken from the rear of the vehicle. Please be careful, if you can please park you car in the garage at night. If you cant then please dont leave anything in your vehicle that is visible from outside. If you have an external Camera it can help the Police find the criminals.