Neighborhood Watch Alerts

100 Deadliest Days of Summer Driving
Posted on June 20, 2023 1:54 PM by Bonnie Straight
If you happen to venture to the Boise Towne Square Mall through Memorial Day you will see a large display outside the front entrance.  The display is not what you would expect walking into a shopping center.  It is a wrecked vehicle from an accident on the connector.  Luckily the driver walked away without much harm.  Unfortunately during the 100 Deadliest Days, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, our state sees far too many accidents where those involved are not this lucky.  Attached below is an article link from the press conference we held this past Friday hoping to bring awareness to and serve as a warning to the many folks who will be driving our highways this summer.  Being at the conference and hearing Caldwell Officer Defur’s story of losing his daughter in an aggressive driving accident 10 years ago broke my heart.
 
Our hope is you take the time to share the importance of safe driving with your family, friends, and neighbors. 
 
This summer, and truly every day, we remind you to:
 
Avoid distractions when driving, especially putting down your phone
Control your speeds
Don’t drink and drive
Control your temper, avoid driving aggressively
Wear a seatbelt
 
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/100-deadliest-days-idaho-police-100000670.html
Solicitor Season - Information and Reminders
Posted on March 29, 2022 2:36 PM by Bonnie Straight
As we all gear up to enjoy this nice warm weekend, I want to send out our annual reminders about solicitors.   As the weather gets nicer, we start to see more calls to police about aggressive or unlicensed solicitors.  I’ve already taken a few calls and emails as well.  The answers to the questions I’ve taken plus more information is below. 
 
Boise Police want to remind residents to be cautious of suspicious or aggressive door-to-door solicitors.  In some cases, offenders pose as solicitors or delivery people, knocking on doors to determine if anyone is home.  If no one answers, the criminal could then move to the back of the home (out of sight from the street), and locate an unlocked window or force their way in.  If someone answers the door, they may pose as a legitimate company or act as if they have the wrong address.
 
City Licensing:
 
All Boise City door-to-door solicitors must be licensed by the City and display their official license when interacting with home owners. Boise City Solicitors Licenses have the individual's name, picture, and the Boise City logo.
 
Representatives from non-profit 501c(3) organizations (certain charities), local service groups such as Boy or Girl Scouts, and political groups are not required to have a city license.  However, even if a solicitor claims to be a non-profit organization you should still ask for identification to confirm they are an actual representative, and if you feel threatened, call 911 immediately.  Solicitors are allowed to engage in their licensed business only between 9:00 a.m. and one hour after sunset unless located in a commercially zoned area.
 
NOTE:  A flyer taped to the door or slid under a doormat where no actual selling has occurred is considered advertising and not soliciting.  However, if the person handing out the flyers engages in conversation trying to sell the product or service, it would then change their role into a solicitor and a license would be required.
 
Crime Prevention Tips:
  • Do not allow or invite solicitors into your home.
  • Be cautious about giving out any personal or financial information.
  • Report aggressive or suspicious solicitors to law enforcement immediately by calling Police Dispatch at 911. Provide a description of the solicitor and what direction they were headed.
  • Alert other neighbors in the immediate area. If you have a Neighborhood Watch, contact your NW Chairperson who can notify the other residents of this activity. 
 
During the Daytime:
  • Keep exterior doors and windows locked, including both back and side garage doors. Don’t forget to secure your pet door!
  • Turn off outside lights (not motion sensors).
  • Make the home look occupied by picking up your newspaper and removing flyers from your front door; consider leaving a radio on while gone.
  • Keep landscape trimmed to prevent hiding places.
  • Don’t leave spare house keys under a flower pot or doormat – give a spare to a trusted neighbor or friend.
 
Solicitors operate all year and calls regarding non-licensed solicitors are common.  Education will help you, your family and your neighborhood stay safe from crime.  For more information, please contact the Office of the City Clerk, Boise Licensing at (208) 972-8150 or visit https://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/Boise,ID to review the Boise City Code on Solicitors.
Spring Cleaning Reminders
Posted on March 29, 2022 2:28 PM by Bonnie Straight
Spring is here!!!  Each spring many of us taken on our annual spring cleaning, whether it is cleaning up our yards and flower beds, garages and shed, or closets and around the house. 
 
When clean up our yards remember to:
 
Trim trees and shrubs to maximize visibility around your property.  Trim trees so the lowest foliage is 6-7 feet above the ground.  Trim shrubs to a maximum height of 2 feet.  So you don’t have to worry about measurement, keep branches trimmed above your head and shrubs below your knees.
 
When cleaning up and disposing of household chemicals, electronics, or other items:
 
Curb It Boise has many collection sites and times to dispose of hazardous household chemicals, old paint, electronics, and many other items.  Check out the link below for more information or see the attached flyer for household waste collection information.
 
 
Spring cleaning is also a good excuse to properly dispose of unused or expired medications.  The DEA typically schedules take back events at different locations around Ada County in late April.  However you don’t have to wait for these events to dispose of medications.  All police departments in Ada County have a medication drop off bin that is available to the public during open business hours.  See the flyers in the links below for locations and other details.
 
Items not accepted at disposal bins:
  • Business or medical office medications (e.g. veterinary offices, assisted/long-term care facilities, doctor offices)
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Needles, sharps (lancets) or syringes
  • Aerosol cans
  • Hair care products or cosmetics
  • Urine or feces contaminated items
  • Bloody or infectious waste
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Thermometers
  • IV bags or catheters
  • Bodily fluids of any kind
  • Empty pill containers (RX bottles should be included in Hefty Energy Bag contents.)
  • Illicit drugs
 
Happy spring!
Vehicle Burglaries
Posted on March 9, 2022 9:00 AM by Bonnie Straight
Vehicle burglaries are a crime we receive reports on year round.  However as the weather gets warmer and the days longer, we can see an increase in these types of crimes.  See the attached map for all burglary reports taken by officers in February.
 
In residential areas we still encourage everyone to lock their car doors and remove valuable items, especially when parking overnight.
 
If you are parking at recreation areas, parks, trailheads, or even at your gym, we have taken reports of individuals targeting these parking lots for daytime thefts.  In some instances they have been breaking car windows if they know a purse or wallet is inside.  In these places we encourage you to only take what you need for your trip and take it with you.  Don't leave wallets or purses in your car.
Scams & Spring Trail Update
Posted on February 25, 2022 9:00 AM by Bonnie Straight
The City has been trying to communicate out information on the condition of the foothills trails to prevent as much damage as they can to users on muddy trails.  I included a link below to the Ridge to Rivers webpage that discusses trail conditions.  If you are considering getting out for a walk, the Greenbelt might be a better option until things dry out.
 
Ridge to Rivers:
 
Last but certainly not least, with scams continuing to victimize many in our community, we have been trying to put out more information to education on scams and how to recognize.  The link below was for last week, talking about a few recent scams.  For more information on scam, look for our updates on the Boise Police webpage. 
 
Winter Driving Tips
Posted on December 16, 2021 9:00 AM by Bonnie Straight
Happy holidays to everyone.  As we start to see some snow and with many preparing for traveling around Christmas, officers from our Motors unit wanted to share a few simple trips for winter driving.
 
  Pre Trip (Before you go):
  • Check your tires/make sure there is good tread 
  • Check your wiper blades/washer fluid to keep windows clear
  • Scrape windows before you leave
 
  On the road tips:
  • If roads are snow covered/slick, avoid using cruise control
  • Plan ahead and leave earlier than normal
  • Increase following distance on the road, even if you have an SUV or all-wheel drive
  • Always buckle up!
  • SLOW DOWN!
Don't Let Thieves Steal Your Running Car
Posted on December 8, 2021 10:00 AM by Bonnie Straight
With freezing temperatures in the mornings, we see more people warming up their cars in the drive way while waiting inside their homes for the vehicle to heat up.  Each year we get reports of vehicles being stolen from this practice.  A few years back we made quick prevention video on the topic. (VIDEO LINK https://www.facebook.com/BoisePoliceDepartment/videos/2828026787485446/)  Your two options to prevent your vehicle from being stolen are to keep it locked while it is warming up, or better yet, stay inside the vehicle.  A few minutes in the cold is a small price to pay to prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
Seasonal Package Thefts
Posted on November 10, 2021 8:30 PM by Bonnie Straight
As we take advantage of shopping online, having more and more items delivered to our homes, thieves are also taking advantage of packages left on door steps. While package thefts do happen throughout the year, we typically see an increase in November and December, as we are ordering gifts for friends and family in additional to our normal orders. 
 
To reduce your chances of being a victim of a package theft:
 
  • Track your packages and shipments. This way you know when your package will be delivered and you can prepare for it.
  • Leave specific instructions for delivery when you order the product; you can also do this through the shipper's online tracking services.  Do not leave a note on your door with instructions.
  • If you cannot be home for delivery, ask a neighbor to watch for the package and secure it for you.
  • Consider having all your shipments require a signature for delivery.  That way someone has to be home to receive.
  • Have your package delivered to your work or to a relative or friend who will be at home.
  • Consider picking up the package at the Post Office or shipping center.
  • Be aware of suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Look for strange vehicles and individuals. Call non-emergency dispatch at 208-377-6790 to report suspicious behavior.
  • A doorbell camera or other visible camera monitoring your property could deter a would-be package thief or provide police with additional evidence of the crime.
 
Halloween Safety Reminders
Posted on October 26, 2021 1:00 PM by Bonnie Straight
For everyone choosing to participate in Halloween this year, giving out candy or taking youngsters out, here are a few safety reminders to make sure everyone has a fun time.
 
Safety for Kids
 
  • When out Trick or Treating, younger children should always go with an adult or responsible older sibling.  If older children are going out on their own, they should always go in a group.
  • Using flashlights, glow sticks or reflective tape on costumes will give additional visibility to trick or treaters.
  • Avoid dark and unlit houses.  People will often turn off their outdoor lights if they choose not to participate or are simply not at home.
  • Child should never go inside a stranger’s house.
  • When crossing a street, cross at crosswalks and street corners.   Make eye contact with drivers before you cross.  Avoid crossing between cars parked on the street.
  • Slow down.  There is plenty of candy for everyone.  Walk, don’t run, to avoid accidents. 
  • Pay attention when walking past driveways to make sure cars are not pulling in or out.
  • Wear non-toxic makeup instead of a traditional Halloween mask, which may hinder sight.  If you choose to wear a mask, make sure it fits well.
  • Costume accessories, such as swords, shouldn’t be sharp.  They should be soft and flexible.
  • Do not eat candy until an adult checks it.  We’ve all heard the horror stories about needles, razor blades, etc. in candy.  We always get questions about this and I have not seen an instance of this happening.  However there are plenty of other good reasons to check out candy before they eat, allergies being one.  Eat only factory wrapped candy and stay away from homemade treats.
 
Safety for Adults
 
  • If you are going to be driving around on Halloween, please avoid distractions and be extra observant, especially in residential areas and around schools.  With the excitement, and probably a little help from all the sugar, youngsters don’t always pay as close attention to traffic as they should.
  • If you are participating by handing out candy, remember to have the path to your door well-lit and free from tripping and other hazards.  Even if you are not participating, it’s still a good idea to remove any hazards to keep everyone safe.
  • With a number of people being out and about in our neighborhoods, do not leave the theft opportunity of an open vehicle.  Make sure you lock your vehicles and remove all valuables.   
  • With Halloween on the weekend, if you are celebrating at a Halloween party, don’t forgot to plan ahead for a way home.  Call an Uber or make plans for a designated driver.   
Police Data and Dashboards Link
Posted on October 5, 2021 10:00 AM by Bonnie Straight
In an effort to show transparency and accountability, the Boise Police Department Crime Prevention Unit is developing dashboards on different measurable data.  As many of you like to keep up on what crime is happening in your area, the dashboard link below shows information about incidents responded to by the Boise Police Department in different areas of the City.  The dashboard is interactive, allowing you to select specific incident categories and date ranges going back to January 1, 2017.  The dashboard includes a map of each area along with a breakdown by day and hour.
 
Police Incidents in Your Neighborhood:
 
Let the Boise Police Department know what you think and what other police data dashboards you would like to see by answering a few questions at this link:
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