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This page is a repository for information, recent announcements, and occasional bulletins related to the Fearrington Village Community Watch Program.
For E M E R G E N C Y CONTACT information, click on those words in this red box.
SAFETY EVENT NOTICE: Have you tested, or used, your fire extinguisher in the past year? Your neighbors have had fires and emergencies and the Fire Department was called to Fearrington 145 times in 2012 or an average of twice every five days -- sometimes for medical emergencies. They came to Galloway Ridge 64 times.
On Saturday morning, April 20, from 10:30 to noon, in conjunction with the Shredding and Hazardous Waste Collection event, United Fire and Safety Equipment Company will again be at the Gathering Place. For $7.75 (cash, check or credit card) they will do the annual fire extinguisher inspection. They can refill them, if needed, and will have fire extinguishers and smoke alarms for sale.
At noon, and for $15 each, they will teach you to quickly and safely put out a live fire. Putting out a real fire is different than reading the instructions on the extinguisher and taking action. Please make a reservation for the live fire event as they need to bring enough fire extinguishers for the class.
You can call or email Tom Hauck (919) 542-5499
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or Bob M at (919) 240-4249
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MALWARE ALERT: Feburary 21, 2013 -- Facebook, Apple hacks could affect anyone: Here's what you can do. Summary: Reports suggest that both Facebook and Apple employees — and likely others, including Twitter — visited an infected website laden with malware, which exploited a vulnerability in Java. Now that the cause has been identified, here's what you can do.
Community Watch In Fearrington Village
The Fearrington Village Home Owners Association (FHA) currently has many of the components of a modern safe community program already in effect and is now beginning the process of updating, reorganizing, and, in some instances, adding to those components to create a more unified and improved program to further improve the quality of life in the community.
The HOA continues to enjoy a close working relationship with Sheriff Richard H. Webster and the Chatham County Sheriff's Department, and especially with Lieutenant Steve Maynor and Deputy Tim White, who continue to contribute much time, professional knowledge and advice in all the planning and implementation of many facets of ensuring the health, safety, and security of our community. We deeply appreciate this excellent partnership.
Congratulations to Deputy Tim White, who was presented with a Meritorious Achievement Award by Sheriff Webster at the Department's January 2012 Annual Awards Dinner in Siler City.
For examples of specific Community Watch program components, which are part of the national model, see the list below. Items in blue text below are linked to existing aspects of those programs here in Fearrington Village and/or in Chatham County. In the coming weeks and months, the FHA Health, Safety, and Security Committee and its other subcommittees (Community Emergency Response Team/CERT, and Road Safety) will be working together to improve the intergation and implementation of these important interrelated initiatives and programs.
While ours is not a crime-ridden neighborhood, we are not immune from the risk and we all need to be vigilant. There have been several prior burglaries and prior incidents of vandalism at the Swim and Croquet Club. The Chatham County Sheriff's Department does patrol our village, but Chatham County is very large.
The Community Watch program is an attempt both to ensure that, as neighbors, we look out for one another and to let any potential criminals know that someone is watching out for them. It is an extension of the strong sense of community that distinguishes Fearrington Village.
Be sure to complete and turn in the (voluntary) FHA Emergency Information Registration Form. This information is a vital resource in case of any emergency.
Voluntary Emergency Information Registration (Used to register needs and capabilities of residents during emergency conditions. Fill in Online.)
Voluntary Emergency Information Registration (Used to register needs and capabilities of residents during emergency conditions. Print and fill in by hand.)
When to Call 911 and When Not
Calling 911 is an important communications tool for emergencies. However, some citizens call 911 in non-emergency situations. This can cause the dispatch operator to miss a call of a person needing help. It is important to understand when to call and when not to call 911.
When To Call 911
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Medical emergency (examples: chest pain, extreme shortness of breath, uncontrolled bleeding).
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Motor vehicle accident.
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Fire.
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When a life is in danger.
When Not to Call
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The power is off.
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Asking for directions to the hospital.
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Asking for telephone numbers of others.
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Requesting to speak with a particular officer.
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Inquiring as to the time and day.
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Inquiring about community activities and locations.
For more information about when to call and not please contact (919)542-2991, the non-emergency number for our 911 service, and ask if someone can discuss the topic with you.
Examples of Basic Crime Prevention Strategies and Programs
Examples of Emergency Preparedness Strategies and Programs
Examples of Building Stronger, Safer Community
- Education on personal safety about the home and out and about
- Considering lighting and emergency indicators
- Safety & Security On-Line (educating neighbors about on-line fraud, phishing, ID theft, etc.)
- Checking on people who live alone
- Safety for hearing impaired persons
- Considering traffic safety issues in the community
Strategies for Improving Community Watch
- Working to incorporate Block Captains
- Organizing a Celebration of Safe Communities (as part of a national program each October)
- Recognizing volunteers who have helped to build safer communities
CHECKLIST FOR EXTENDED DEPARTURES FROM FEARRINGTON
Before you leave your home for an extended period, have you:
- Notified a neighbor of the dates you will be away?
- Left a phone number or person to be contacted in the event of an emergency at your home?
- Stopped your newspaper delivery or asked a neighbor to pick up all newspapers?
- Made mail forwarding arrangements for extended absences (than a month)? Mail can be held at your mail kiosk.
- Asked a neighbor to put out trash and recyclables while you are away and/or to retrieve the empty containers?
- Asked a neighbor / key holder to check the interior (and exterior) of your home?
- Made arrangements to have your lawn cut, plants watered, and flower beds weeded?
- Arranged for delivered packages to be picked up?
- Used staggered interior light timers in your home so that they are on/off before bed time to give the impression someone is home.
- Remembered not to keep exterior lights on for 24 hours, which is a message that no one is home. It is better to have motion detector lighting.
For questions, comments, or suggestions related to Fearrington Community Watch and/or our Community Watch web content, please feel free to use this easy on-line form. We value your feedack.
