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Neighborhood Watch & CERT

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH DETAILS:

  • Contact: Lenore Combs

  • Meets: 3rd Monday of Month @ 3 PM in Retzlaff Hall

  • Location: Retzlaff Hall

  • Purpose:

    • Security and safety are part of our daily lives albeit not necessarily convenient.  The SCCE Neighborhood Watch is a volunteer program, and you are cordially invited to support it. There are no fees or dues - just asking for your time and talent for our projects. There is a complete description of our mission and projects posted on the NW bulletin board in the library. Patrols can always use volunteers.

  • Goals & Objectives:

    • To assist with development and support of our NW

    • To promote public awareness and increase resident participation in crime prevention

    • To contribute to crime prevention practice and build a stronger Sunshine community

    • To promote community cohesion and increase confidence in local policing

    • To act as a forum - coordinate resources and partner with local Law Enforcement Agencies

  • The CERT Team - Community Emergency Response Team:

    • Volunteers trained in accordance with the Harlingen Fire Department "to hold down the fort until professional help arrives". We formed after Hurricane Dolly in 2008. We hold our annual Disaster Preparedness meeting each April. Everyone invited. The volunteer Harlingen CERT Team meets monthly at Station 8.

  • Many of us also are members in the Citizens Police Academy Alumni and meet with HPD monthly. Sgt. Michael Brooks and Officer Alicia Garcia are CPA liaisons and meet frequently with our NW.​
     

  • The NW - CERT Welcome Letter 2020-2021 edition is available HERE.

 

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NW Details

 All Neighborhood Watch/CERT information prior to Oct 1, 2022 can be found at the following Links. 

The below is in the process of being updated.
 

Neighborhood Watch/CERT information from Oct 1, 2022 to present can be found below. 

Sent 2024-07-31: Neighborhood Watch Reminder - 

Dear Friends,

I wish to thank Mary Grande and all of you for doing the NW detail. Mary shares the monthly calendar. Wish we had a few more volunteers - It's not fair that only a handful of residents are supporting this. Many homes are empty, I get that - but the more the merrier for the Bad Guys to take a chance. Having a NW go around with a blinking lite messes up the rationale for the Bad Guys - they don't know if we are here or not. If they knew how many homes were left - don't you think they would be planning a move?????

Please think about doing a nite or so - you will be fully oriented.

Sincere THANKS!

Next Tuesday 6 August 6pm - 9pm (or so)

The city of Harlingen will be holding its annual National Night Out

Find us at 350 Fair Park Ave. Harlingen - at Lon C Hill Park --across diagonally from the Police Department. I will be assigned a spot for NW and have a hand-out.!

WE (SCCE) will have a booth there to advertise to the city what a great National Night Out we have here and how much our residents appreciate it and how much "Bad Guys' come visiting much less - and it is all a thanks to you !.

Please show up - bring your easy chair and sit a bit. There will be lots of refreshments so don't make dinner! We hope many other subdivisions and homes come looking for answers to their questions about Neighborhood Watch.

I expect to have a give-away trifold brochure on NW. At the moment, it is under review by our HPD Friends (et al). (Ofr. Benny) HPD

Imagine how much this program would help in their community!!!!!.

Many residents are not able to brag about their NW but instead they cry when the Bad Guys visit their premises and "borrow their stuff". "

The local Police and many other similar groups will be there.

Be there or Be square.

Honestly, hope to see you there - even for a bit of time!

I will place a signup sheet in the SEPO Library.

There will be some of our new CPA graduates present - hope you get to meet them and possibly consider taking this class. (Citizens Police Academy) Upon graduation you then can join our CPA Alumni. y

Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for SCCE
Citizens Police Academy Alumni

 

Sent 2024-02-19: NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH REMINDER - 

Don’t forget to attend the Neighborhood Watch Meeting today at 3:00 pm. in Retzlaff Hall.  This wonderful organization needs and deserves all the support we can give. See you there!

- Share Nelson,     SEPO President

Sent 2024-01-25: NW-CERT: Minutes, Jan 15, 2024 - 

Please take the time to read the minutes from our meeting on Jan 15, which can be found HERE.

-- Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276,     Coordinator Sunshine NW-CERT Team

Sent 2024-01-23: Neighborhood Watch & 911/Ambulances - 

Neighborhood watch wanted to get this information out to people. Please watch this video (https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2851bf_aa3f9b3397fe47d29bb116d1a038ea78/1080p/mp4/file.mp4). Thanks     - Rich Hulswit

Sent 2024-01-15: Reminder NW-CERT meeting Monday, Jan 15, 2024 - 

The meeting will take place in Retzlaff Hall adjacent to the swimming pool. See the agenda HERE.
- Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276,     Coordinator Sunshine NW-CERT Team
 

Sent 2024-01-09: Neighborhood Watch - 

Dear NW Volunteers, benefit Helpers, Friends and Neighbors

 

Well, we had an exciting event over the weekend and lost several chickens,  but so far nobody has seen these Got-aways.  😁

 

For the beginning of our 2024 calendar year, as a reminder - back to business - our next NW-CERT meeting will be Monday - 15 January 2024 at 3pm in Retz Hall.  Coffee and refreshments too!  I expect it should also be a great opportunity to meet our Harlingen and Combes Police Officers. 

 

Perhaps you could consider joining our NW program - many hands make light work.  You will be fully oriented.  

 

I want to sincerely thank those of you who have been so faithful in taking Patrol as it keeps the Bad Guys on their feet.  

 

Thanks to all who made our Finger Lickin' Chicken a success and we will get a facelift for the McGruffmobile from the proceeds - namely tires and some new style lighting.  Your suggestions are welcome.

 

The January and February schedules are out - thanks to Linda & Dick Jones. 

 

May you all have a safe, wonderful new year. 

 

Sincerely,

--

Lenore J Combs  956 245 1276

Coordinator - Sunshine NW & CERT

Sent 2023-09-20: National Night Out & Fall Fest in Combes - 

Sent 2023-09-03: Neighborhood Watch SEPT 2023 comms - 

Sent 2023-08-12: Neighborhood Watch -

Sunshine Neighborhood Watch – CERT Team (Est. 2008)
SCCE - Harlingen’s premier NW & CERT Team.

Lights On -- Lock Up and Look Out for each other!


11 August 2023                        Community Comms
Lenore J. Combs, Coordinator 956 245 1276 LJCombs44@gmail.com


Reminder, as I have said several times before, just want to get a few words out! The heat is not impacting the Bad Guys! They are still snooping around in the middle of the night checking to see if your car doors are locked and maybe there is other interesting stuff left out. And they are being rewarded because they are so successful. So – as a reminder……. Lights on and Lock up!

We shall relive the Sunshine Vehicle Decal Program (previously endorsed by our Board). For several reasons, none worthwhile, it was sort of dropped during COVID times. But the Bad Guys have proven value and the Harlingen Police Department agrees. Jean Burgoine and I will begin this soon. We have decals for the vehicles and for our Golf Carts.

Congrats to Mary Grandy and Nancy Johns who recently completed the Citizens Police Academy.

Thanks to Carol and Miles who resigned for health reasons and who faithfully patrolled Sunshine for many schedules. And thanks again to those who continue to patrol.

I recently completed the Activity/Meeting Request form for our NW-CERT meetings – 3rd Monday every month starting October – June (give or take summer months if necessary). What about Finger Lickin’ Chicken? (NW fundraiser)

The city of COMBES Police Department will be hosting a National Night Out & Fall Fest on Thursday 12 October 5:30 PM – 9 PM at Combes Community Park located at 21626 Hand Road. FREE!
In the past, our Neighborhood Watch provided a Safety Patrol for the area.
Any volunteers. Let me know soon. I need a few volunteers with golf carts.

 

Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276
Coordinator Neighborhood Watch - CERT Team

 

Sent 2023-07-27: Invitation - NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Hgn community celebration - 

Dear Friends

You are invited  - National Night Out 40th Anniversary

Lon C Hill Park  (on Fairpark Blvd just up from the Police Dept)

Tuesday 1 August  -  6PM till 9PM

 

Dear Neighborhood Watch and CERT Friends

 

On Tuesday 1 August at 6pm, there will be a crime and drug prevention event in Harlingen.  Bring your chair - sit a spell and share your ideas and stories. 

 

The NW and CERT will have a table, the Harlingen PD and the Citizens Police Academy  will also have a table - amongst many other informational partners supporting this endeavor in our area.  

 

Goals of NNO: 

Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, 

Generate support for, participation in local anti-crime efforts,

Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and

Send back a message to the Bad Guys letting them know who is in charge!

 

We would appreciate your support so just show up and enjoy the fellowship and the evening's free activities. 

 

You may call me for questions.  

 

PS  Many of you are aware John and I are members of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Assn (Hgn PD) and members of CERT with the Hgn Fire Dept.   We have learned alot from them at our meetings which help our community.  Hurricane Donna showed up in 2008 and having this relationship with HPD & HFD - lessons learned were just the beginning.  So come out and say THANKS and share the wealth.

-- Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276,     Coordinator Sunshine CC Estates NW-CERT

Sent 2023-06-30: Neighborhood Watch - 

Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276

Coordinator Neighborhood Watch - CERT Team

Sent 2023-05-15: Neighborhood Watch info: Harlingen Police Academy class - 

Neighborhood Watch and CERT and Sunshine residents

Dear Friends,

There will be a Harlingen Police Academy class held at the local Harlingen Police Dept.-- 1018 Fairpark Blvd, Hgn.
It will start Monday the 5th of June 2023, 6pm - 9 or 10 pm x 8 or so weeks. Lots of good safety info. (no charge)

Applications are in the Library on the Neighborhood Watch bulletin Board. I also have them. Get them in ASAP - class is limited.

The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional Police Academy but you are not Police candidates. Classroom and hands-on instruction provide you with a working knowledge of Hgn PD such as HPD Operations, Policy, Procedure etc. and you will gain a deeper understanding of the problems and concerns they face daily.
--
Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276
Coordinator - Neighborhood Watch - CERT Team

Sent 2023-05-13: Neighborhood Watch info - 

Neighborhood Watch and CERT and Sunshine residents

Dear Friends,
There will NOT be a scheduled Neighborhood Watch - CERT meeting in June. If anyone wishes to contact me, feel free.

The only info I have for us is to be careful and light up and lock up!!!!

---

Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276
Coordinator - Neighborhood Watch - CERT Team

Sent 2023-02-15: Reminder Monday 20 February 2023 - 

Dear Friends - This Monday at 3pm, in Retz Hall - the Neighborhood Watch Meeting will focus on Seniors Saving A Life. Everyone is invited. Please sign up (in the Library) so we have sufficient manikins etc. Please call me and or refer to your February Newsletter for more details.

We will do a very quick review of any outstanding NW items we need to look at.
That's all folks. See ya real soon.
- Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276, NW - CERT Coordinator

Newsletter 2023-02: Neighborhood Watch & CERT - 

Sent 2023-01-09: Finger Lickin' Chicken CANCELED - 

I was diagnosed with COVID Sunday morning. No fever No chills
Chest XRay is neg. I feel fine except for a little sore throat and body ache.

Therefore, for the safety of all of us, I am calling off the Finger LIckin' Chicken Fundraiser until further notice.

I have asked Jean Burgoine to clear the board in the Library, open the $$ box and give back your envelopes via Valerie at the Office. Please contact Valerie to pick up your envelope.

Thanks for your generosity and Sorry for the disappointment but we will reschedule at a safer time.
-- Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276     NW - CERT Coordinator

Sent 2023-01-05: Invitation and Fundraiser for Neighborhood Watch - Finger Lickin' Chicken - 

Dear Friends - Our Neighborhood Watch will soon hold a fundraiser - 
Monday 16 January 2023 about 4pm Retz Hall.
Information and signup etc is in the Library.
Eat in or Take out.

If you would like to help with this project - please let me know. You do not have to be a NW volunteer to help. There are a variety of "jobs" - before - during & after.

Thanks.
- Lenore Combs 956 245 1276

Sent 2022-11-19: NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING this Monday 21 November 2022 at 3:00 PM - 

Dear Friends - Wish you all a very wonderful Happy Thanksgiving.  You are appreciated and we are grateful.
Please mark your calendars for our important business meeting on Monday 21 NOV at 3pm in Retz Hall
We will have the usual meeting and also discuss planning for Finger Lickin' Chicken for Jan 16th (Monday).  This is a fundraiser for Neighborhood Watch.
 
Thanks
-- Lenore J Combs  956 245 1276     Coordinator NW - CERT Team

 

Sent 2022-10-15: Reminder NW-CERT meeting Monday 17 October 3pm - 

The meeting will take place in Retzlaff Hall adjacent to the swimming pool. Refreshments served.

-- Lenore J Combs 956 245 1276     Coordinator Sunshine NW-CERT Team

Reminder NW-CERT mtg_2022-10-17_1.jpg
Reminder NW-CERT mtg_2022-10-17_2.jpg
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