September 1, 2008

/in

City to Spray for Mosquitoes

There has been a case of West Nile Virus confirmed in our area. The city will be spraying for mosquitoes on Thursday night, September 4 between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.

I received a call from a representative of the Texas Honeybee Association tonight. He was very concerned because spraying will kill honeybees and other beneficial insects. Honeybees perform many useful functions in our ecosystem. They pollinate our flowers and crops. Their numbers have been declining recently and their reduced numbers may be an indication of a harmed environment.

If you do not want the city to spray your yard and house, call 214-948-4429 or 214-670-1733. They will not spray your house or the two adjacent houses. The area the city will be spraying is basically north of I-30, and includes Beacon Street, Carroll Ave., Abrams, Junius, Swiss, and Gaston, i.e., much of Junius Heights.

The chemical is a toxic substance but the city claims it will break down and leave no residue. However, residents are advised to avoid contact with the spray. If there is contact with the spray, it should immediately be washed with soap and water. Pets should be brought inside and ponds should be covered.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Since we don’t have a natural source of water close by, much of the mosquito population in JH is sustained by stale water that our man-made environment produces: flower pots, old tires, collected run-off from an air conditioner system, etc. Please check to make sure you or your neighbor do not have any stagnant water on your property.

Scam Artist Back at Work

The East Dallas scam artist has been back at work. This weekend, Saturday, August 30, an anglo man fitting the earlier description, parked his pickup on Parkmont Street and asked for money from a resident because he had just moved in to 712 Parkmont, his wife was out of gas, and he needed to borrow money.

As before, he gave a fictious address (there is no 712 Parkmont). Unlike earlier times, he began quite agitated when the resident refused his panderings.

Once again, here is a description of the man:

Anglo, about 35-40 years old, about 5’9” and usually claims to be a new neighbor in distress. Drives a big dark pick-up with the license number 73M YN3. Lately he has been badgering people in their driveways.

Please be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Scam Artist in Neighborhood

/1 Comment/in

August 28, 2008

There was a recent report of a scam artist knocking on doors on Worth Street. (Junius Crime Alert August 20). This week he has been working Lowell Street. He is described as a white man, clean-cut, and in his mid 30s. He is driving a dark green or black Ford pick-up with the license number 73M YN3. His pattern is to knock on a door, claim to be a new neighbor or husband of so-and-so who lives at a particular address, and ask for money for an “emergency.” Do not give him any money but tell him you are calling the police.

He also followed one resident to a gas station where the attendant on duty recognized him as a habitual offender. The would-be-victims called the police but the police, unfortunately, did not arrive in time before the scam artist left.

Landscape Stones Stolen

Large landscape stones were stolen from a residence in the 700 block of Lowell the night of August 27. These stones were used for edging and had been part of the parkway landscape for years. The thieves dug them out of the ground and carted them away. If you have any information, please call 911.

Plants Stolen From Front Porch

/in

August 24, 2008

Tuesday night, April 19, or early Wednesday morning, six plants and two hanging baskets were stolen from a porch on Parkmont. Not all the plants were taken; a few were left behind. A motion detector was on that illuminated the thieves but, unfortunately, did not stop them. The police were called and a report was made.

Last summer East Dallas was hit hard by the plant thieves. This summer has been relatively quiet but the theft of so many plants from one location may mark a return to the earlier pattern. The plants that are stolen frequently end up in malls or flea markets were they are sold for a profit.

There is no one way to discourage the plant thieves. Tying hanging baskets to ceiling hooks with fishing wire sometimes is helpful. The thieves, trying to move quickly, can’t see the fishing wire clearly in the dark and it usually is too high for them to reach without a ladder. Hopefully the thieves will move on.