If you are reading this message at home, please take a minute to go outside to your car and look in the windows. Do you see anything worth more than a dollar sitting out in plain view? Is there a GPS device on the windshield, or some spare change in the center console? Maybe there’s a backpack you’ve been meaning to bring inside for a week or so. Bring all that stuff inside and be sure to lock your car doors on the way back into the house.

While it’s nobody’s fault that people with bad intentions are walking through the neighborhood, everybody can do their part to not reward that behavior by leaving valuable stuff out in the open and remembering to lock your car doors every night.

We have contacted the County Police precinct about these thefts, but if you were a victim last night please call 410-887-2222 (or 311 in the city) to report it individually. Over the next few days we’ll be adding some more tips about preventing property crime on the website for reference, and keep you updated on any more information we receive.

“I wanted to let you know that speed bumps will be installed Tuesday in Parkville’s Villa Cresta neighborhood, on Highpoint Road north of Taylor Avenue.   Two bumps will be built, hopefully reducing the traffic speeds near Villa Cresta Elementary School.  Many thanks to the residents who organized support for this effort.”

The March edition of Police Report will highlight the Baltimore County Police Foundation and the department’s new Citizen Online Reporting system. Police Report is available online, to watch on your own computer, on your own schedule.

More: http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/policereleases/policeannouncements/0229policerepmarch.html

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s Spring Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Registrations are now being accepted for this annual spring cleaning event.  Join your neighbors and choose a location that needs a special cleaning. Community representatives should call 311 to register.

Communities can participate by signing up and coming out to clean their sidewalks, gutters, storm drains, yards and alleys.  Remember, trash should never be swept into storm drains. Containers for debris collection will be available on a first call basis.  Bags and brooms will be limited and must be signed for by the community leader.  All supplies must be returned to the Bureau of Solid Waste after the cleanup.

In the meantime, residents should call 311 to report storm drains impacted by dirt, trash and debris to prevent flooding and to safeguard the health of the city waterways.

Contacts:

Celeste Amato, Telephone: 410-545-6541, email: Celeste.Amato@baltimorecity.gov

Cathy Powell, Telephone: 410-545-6189, email: Cathy.Powell@baltimorecity.gov

If you have any questions I can be reached by email or by phone at 410.668.2580.

Hope to see you at these meetings. Please forward this email to your friends and neighbors.

Attendance is free.

Here is a list of some of the things we will offer — Raffle prizes, free chair massages, face painting for kids, and the Johns Hopkins Safety Van for teaching kids about safety will be on the lot. Lots of health info. BMI and osteoporosis testing, heart health and nutrition health table and a demo class on zumba exercise! Be sure to save the date!! For more information call: 410-802-0316.

Spaces are $10 each, non-refundable and will not be reserved without payment. No tables, chairs or tents are provided.

Once again, they will try to have the St. Vincent truck available at the end of the day for donations.

Spaces are limited, please reserve early. Contact Promotions@bmoremainstreet.com or call 410-671-5578.

More information:

• Meeting To Discuss Future Of Harford Road Corridor