The Pemberton Journal
The Pemberton Journal O fficial Publication
of
Pemberton Heights Neighborhood Association
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH UPDATE The Security Committee met January 5 to discuss how to improve the neighborhood watch program and reduce petty crime in the neighborhood. A subcommittee headed by Carla Hatler will be looking into using some of the neighborhood watch activities other neighborhoods have found useful. This past Saturday, John Luther of the Barton Hills Neighborhood spoke about some of the activities they have used to great success. Their program is associated with CLASP ( Citizen Led Austin Safety Partnership). You can access more information about the program at the following website. www.clasp. weebly.com Their program is based on having neighbors looking out for suspicious activities and reporting possible criminal activity for the police to follow up. They have volunteers who “patrol” the neighborhood in cars with magnetic neighborhood watch signs for an hour each week at random times, day and evening. Volunteers carry a clipboard, a cell phone and report anything that looks unusual to 911. They are not expected to leave their cars, talk to any strangers, or confront anyone. Volunteers would be required to attend a training orientation prior to starting to patrol. The programs have also provided T-shirts with “neighborhood watch “ printed on the shirts for neighbors to wear while doing their normal daily walk. The purpose of both of these activities is to point out to potential burglars that someone is watching and might report them to the police. Their crime rates have been substantially reduced and the committee will be looking at setting up a meeting and seeking volunteers who could provide some time to drive around or wear a T-shirt while out walking. Contact Carla Hatler at carlah@gmail.com if you would be interested in volunteering to help with patrols or to be a block captain. A date will be set up for a meeting in February to discuss this further.
Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.
F ebruary 2012, Vol VI, Issue II
Camp Mabry Master Plan Update Camp Mabry has started a new comprehensive master planning effort to enhance the appearance of the 386 acre campus and improve the community awareness of the campus. A presentation to the public was held earlier last December and the Texas Military Forces along with their consultants discussed with neighbors the desire to “open up” the campus after the near lockdown following 9/11. No major redesigns or redevelopment are planned, but the Texas National Guard would like to look at ideas for beautification, improved traffic access, better pedestrian access by the public, enhanced use of the existing facilities, and expansion of the “park” areas on the western edge of the property. The plan will also look at security and overall operations while keeping an eye on the historic character of the campus. The plan is intended to provide an outline and guide for prioritizing the annual budget and resource allocations for the next 10 -25 years. The planning process started with data collection, moved into the public input stage and received the following comments at the December open house: Return the main entrance to the original gateway Realign the Pecos exit to align with the Pecos intersection to improve traffic flow Have a fire control plan in place due to the density of natural brush on the western edge The public comments will be reviewed and a draft plan will be presented at a public open house sometime in the summer. After public input, the plan is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Camp Mabry is the third oldest active military facility in Texas, established in the 1890’s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Only the parade ground, now a popular jogging venue for the public, remains from the 1892 establishment. (Continued on Page 3) The Pemberton Journal - February 2012
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