After introductions, Captain Houston announced that Major Hundley was being transferred to Investigations and Major Philip Lawler was the new Major at Metro.  She also talked about the formation of a property crime task force to focus on the large problem of burglaries in Metro.  

Marti Lee gave out information on Emergency Response Training and preparedness brochures.  She is willing to host a Certified Emergency Response Training (CERT) Program if enough people are interested.  It would take several weekends or week nights to go the training.  Interested people should contact Marti.   

Questions were also raised about the firing off of guns on New Years Eve.  Captain Houston reported that they “lay low” and only respond where necessary due to the large number of guns being used at that time.   

Marti gave an update on the Catch and Release Effort.  The next community meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 4, 5:30pm at MainCor.  Committees will be formed to start addressing different parts of the issue. 

Sgt. Pearce reviewed the December crime statistics.  For the second month in a row, there were no robberies!  Of the 22 burglaries, only one was non-residential at Calvary Lutheran School.  Nothing was taken.  There were 38 stealings:  4 stealing auto parts, 10 stealing from auto, 13 shoplifting, 6 stealing from buildings, and 5 other.  There were 7 stolen autos of which 5 were recovered, 1 was an attempt and the other one was gone.  Two of the autos were running when they were stolen. 

The police talked about several patterns in the area.  Rear windows of homes were being removed, then high-end jewelry and flat screen TV’s were being taken.  The other pattern was the stealing of cars and then using the vehicles to do burglaries. 

Neighborhood Reports:

Tower Homes- Linda Trigg reported on vehicles left running and stolen.  She also noted some suspicious activity around 8023 Kenwood.

Rockhill Ridge- A vacant home in the neighborhood had been burglarized three times.  They have not had any recent disturbances from the Waldo Heights Apts.

Waldo Homes- They reported that 30 cars had the windows shot out around Thanksgiving.  The police have no leads.  They also noted that a resident had their recycling box taken and the Action Center replaced it free of charge.

Here’s Waldo- They have a meeting with MARC to discuss improvements at an island by McGonigles.

Ward Parkway- There was an attempted breaking around 74^th and Summit.  The neighborhood is interested in setting up block watches.  They were referred to Officer John Trainor.

Armour Hills- nothing to report.

Morningside- They had two burglaries in their neighborhood.

Brookside- only one shoplifter in December at Price Chopper!  Brookside Security reported that there were suspicious young men with rakes going through the neighborhood.  They also discussed a stolen vehicle that was left running in a driveway.

49/63- Ruth Austin reported that there have been no high spikes in burglaries but they have serious youth problems with vandalism, thievery, drug sales, graffiti, etc.

Rockhurst- there were a few attempted robberies before the holidays outside of the campus on the south end.

Oak Meyer Gardens- Bill Blanck reported the homes association offers blocks $100 as an incentive to hold a block party.

Ward Parkway Estates- concern was raised about helicopters, police vehicles, shots fired and youth running around the neighborhood across from Ward Parkway Center recently.

No further business.  Next meeting- Tuesday, Feb. 10.