Our West End

Friends, Great news. Windsor Police reported crime rates decreased 11% from 2012 to 2013. Please read the brief report by AM800 here:  Windsor Crime Stats Down . Fabio

Friends, Good news. A new neighbourhood watch has formed on Bridge Avenue between College and Wyandotte. This is another positive step in fighting crime on a grassroots level. It won't be too long before we are able to develop our resident-led crime prevention and reduction group comprised of residents from each neighbourhood across the west-end. Developing neighbourhood watches and being proactive with resident-led solutions to fighting crime is absolutely critical if we hope to one day reduce crime and eradicate the negative perception of crime in our neighbourhoods. We're building a safer west-end community, block by block, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Fabio

Friends, The Bridgeview neighbourhood watch informed me of two car break-ins that occurred in the past few days in Bridgeview. One on Rankin between Vercheres and Grove and the other on Grove. Please be on the lookout and contact Windsor Police with any relevant information. Fabio

Friends, Please see below from a fellow west-end resident: "3 kids took my 4wheeler at 1245 am lastnight I have it on video the cops have it they are looking in to it I live on campbell plz pass this on so I hope to get it back its blue with a red plow on it its a polaris 250 cc and it don't have a back rack on it it fell off when they took it there's no lights on it plz help me find it"  Source: West-end resident WebRep currentVote noRating noWeight

Friends, Please see an email below I received from a resident on Queen St. Hi Fabio. Just a note to let you know that someone has been poking around backyards on Queen St. In the last week a lounge chair and bike pump has gone missing. Funny, they don't take the stuff that's worth any money. I have let the neighbours know to keep an extra eye out. Can you post this on your blog. Thanks

Friends, I received an email from a west-end resident who recently had her car broken into. Please be on the lookout, especially if you live around the St. James grade school neighbourhood. Windsor Police were notified. "Fabio,   Just wanted to let you know I live on Hillcrest and someone broke into a bunch of our vehicles and stole money this past Thursday evening. Called the police and they never came out. My brother in law saw them trying to break into a vehicle and they only asked for a description -never showed up or even patrolled the area. It was a white and black man."

Friends, There have been some break-ins lately on Askin and Bloomfield. This was reported to me from residents who live in each neighbourhood. Please be on the lookout and contact Windsor Police if you see anything suspicious. Fabio

Friends, I am happy to say that Our West End recently had the opportunity, thanks to the United Way, to send 7 residents from the west-end to receive a day long training on crime prevention and reduction through environmental design. Barry Horrobin of Windsor Police offered the day long training and the feedback thus far has been excellent. Residents are now better acquainted with tips and strategies to make their homes and neighbourhoods safer through creating visible environments (i.e. more lighting in certain areas of the home and exterior, trimming of bushes in certain locations, etc.) along with other strategies that will ultimately deter criminal activity. Our West End is committed to resident engagement and empowerment. Yesterday's training is a positive step in fulfilling our commitments and more importantly creating a better west-end to live, work and play. Regards, Fabio

Friends, I have some unfortunate news, there was a violent home invasion at the 1000 block of California. You can read the story here: Police Seek Suspects in Violent Home Invasion Please be on the lookout and contact Windsor Police if you see or hear anything. Neighbourhood Watch is also very aware of the situation. Fabio WebRep currentVote noRating noWeight

Friends, Yesterday we held our 4th town hall focusing on crime prevention and reduction. The targeted neighbourhoods were those around St. James grade school, Mic Mac Park and Windsor Regional Hospital. The meeting was held at the John McGivney Children's Centre. We had approximately 15-20 residents in attendance. Lee Tome from Windsor Fire and Rescue presented on crime prevention strategies. 9-1-1 Dispatch also presented along with the Safety Village who discussed neighbourhood watch. All questions form residents were answered and many were educated on different techniques to prevent and reduce crime in their neighbourhood. We hope to establish a neighbourhood watch following this town hall in the above mentioned neighbourhoods. I want to personally thank Lorraine Oloya from our team and Chantalle Faubert from the Safety Village who delivered flyers and helped organize the event. It is our intent to continue our work in organizing neighbourhood watch groups with a focus ...

Friends, Please see the email below that I received from a west-end resident. Two incidents occurred recently on Felix Ave. and Connaught Ave. Please be on the lookout and contact Windsor Police if you see anything suspicious. "I...just learned of your website and want to report a break in...Recently, someone broke into my mom's shed by prying the lock and popping the screws.  My dogs barked, so I let them out on the screened in porch and I think that scared them away since nothing was taken.  It appeared that they were in the process of taking the wheel barrow since it had been moved.  I reported this to the police.  A neighbour across the street reported to me that his wheel barrow was taken from behind his shed on the same night." Regards, Fabio

Friends, The Bridgeview neighbourhood watch team had informed me that there were two car break-ins on the 1000 block of Partington recently. Please be on the lookout and spread the word. Windsor Police were notified. Regards, Fabio

Friends, On Tuesday July 30th, we are assisting the Safety Village in hosting a neighbourhood watch town hall at the John McGivney Children's Centre located at 3945 Matchette Rd. The town hall will begin at 6:30pm. In attendance will be Windsor Fire and Rescue Services, Windsor Police, 911 Dispatch, the Safety Village and others to give brief presentations and answer any questions related to crime prevention and reduction. Those interested in forming a neighbourhood watch on their block are welcome to sign up with the Safety Village and get all the info you need there. The neighbourhoods where we delivered flyers include those around Windsor Regional Hospital, St. James grade school and Mic Mac Park. However, this town hall is open to all west-end residents interested in neighbourhood watch. Regards, Fabio

Friends, See the email I received below from a west-end resident concerning a stolen bike and other things. Please spread the word and keep an eye out when you can. Thanks. "Hi Fabio, Thank you for all the emails that you send out. I am wondering how to best go about this. I live in the west end on Piche St. and my bike and kids bike trailer were stolen from my front porch  Monday  night/ Tuesday  morning. This is already the 4th bike that gets stolen from me in this neighbourhood. I am wondering if anyone has seen it in the neighbourhood as I don't think it would have gone too far. The bike is a ladies red SuperCycle bike and the kids trailer is red and yellow with no writing on it. The kids trailer had a lot of things in it too like a kids helmet and a backpack full of kids cloths and things. Perhaps you can direct me to your neighbourhood watch? I have a police report for it. Could you maybe do an email blast with a detailed description to see if anyone has seen...

Friends, We are in need of volunteers to help deliver flyers in the neighbourhoods around St. James grade school and Windsor Regional Hospital. We are hosting a town hall on July 30th focusing on neighbourhood watch. Windsor Police, Windsor Fire and Rescue, The Safety Village and Barry Horrobin from Windsor Police, among others, will give presentations and/or answer questions or concerns from residents. We hope to assist in establishing a few neighbourhood watches in that area and continue our work in developing an environment where residents are sharing relevant information regarding crime with each other and with Windsor Police. If you can help, please email me at fabiocostante@gmail.com. We will be out this Saturday and Sunday delivering flyers. Thanks! Regards, Fabio

Friends, Yesterday, we had over 100 Chrysler employees and volunteers, including over 15 youth from the area, paint over graffiti all throughout parks and neighbourhoods in the west-end. It was extremely successful. None of this would be possible without the United Way, the City of Windsor, Chrysler Canada, Centres for Seniors Windsor and the Our West End team and volunteers. Many residents in the area were extremely grateful and proud of the good work done by the volunteers. Yesterday, we not only painted over graffiti -- and there was a lot let me tell you -- but we began redefining what it means to live in the west-end. I could not be more proud of everyone involved in this great initiative. Let the good work continue! Fabio You can see the Windsor Star article and CBC Story below, along with some pictures from the event: Windsor Star: Cleaning Up West-End CBC Windsor: Cleaning Up West-End

Friends, I sat with Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick at the 2nd Annual SCW Appreciation Dinner.  I asked him if Windsor Police have a unique strategy for the west-end regarding crime prevention and reduction.  He assured me that much energy and resources are deployed in our area. Let's continue to work together, developing neighbourhood watches, sharing information and working closely with Windsor Police to make our west-end a safer place for all families and residents. Sincerely, Fabio Costante

Friends, After my post yesterday, a few residents have emailed me sharing stories of recent car break-ins in their neighbourhood around Windsor Regional and Mic Mac Park.  If you could provide any additional useful information or have a story to share, please contact Windsor Police and feel free to share it on the blog as well.  Here they are below: "Hi Fabio - I live near Windsor Western and the neighbourhood watch would be great.  Someone rifled through my car a couple of weeks ago - nothing was stolen but I have lived there for 41 years and have always felt comfortable leaving my car unlocked.  I would be interested in helping and will watch for more information." "Hi Fabio, thanks for the update.  I would like to let you know that last night someone was casing cars on Vaughan Road.  I noticed foot prints in the snow this morning up to my vehicle but thank god it was locked.  Unfortunately one of my neighbors forgot to lock her car and they we...

Friends, Two break-ins occurred on two separate dates but both were on McKay street.  The first was on the 400 block and the second which happened relatively recently was on the 1200 block.  If you see any suspicious activity, please contact Windsor Police. Source:  West-End Resident.

When I think of the past year, I think about how much we have been able to accomplish, but also how much more we have to do going forward.  From the good work in crime prevention and reduction, to the closure of Forster High School, we have had our share of ups and downs throughout the year.  Let us take a look at some of the key areas where progress has been made, where challenges lay ahead and where we are going, together, as a community.  Crime Prevention and Reduction The Bridgeview Neighbourhood Watch team is operating in full speed.  According to the group, they have contributed, either directly or indirectly, to nine arrests in the west-end.  In addition, they have provided Windsor Police with useful tips and information throughout the year.  In sum, they are doing great work.  I hope they receive more help in the new year so they can expand their information sharing and further assist Windsor Police.  Moreover, earl...