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8 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | MARCH 2024 By Clare Mendez, Resident Once upon a time, Solera Diamond Valley was an island with no neighboring communities. This is no longer the case. With new construction happening all around us, we will begin to see more strangers, and sadly, some will not be so neighborly, stealing or causing damage. So, what can we do? Joe Wood and Jean Faenza recently hosted a safety meeting in January which the entire SDV community was invited to attend, and many residents did. The meeting was to try and revamp what was once called Neighborhood Watch. Neighborhood Watch's mission is to get to know your neighbors (at least the five directly around you) and to look out for each other. In addition, its goal is to become friends and share contact information with your neighbors and to notify them if you see someone lurking around, especially at night, or if you know they are not at home, and to call authorities. Tom Wachs and Melinda Terrian researched some options for home security such as the Ring Doorbell and motion-activated lighting. Most can easily be installed yourself or you can hire a handyman or The Geek Squad. "If a nefarious person is seeking to break into a house," Tom said, "they are more likely to choose the one that is dark so they can easily hide." Lighting is a simple and effective way to protect your home. If you do decide to add a motion detector camera and lighting on the exterior of your house, you will need to get prior approval from the Design Review Committee. The Hemet Police Department has these helpful tips: • Lighting is the #1 deterrent to crime and is a powerful weapon in your arsenal. Keep your home well-lit inside and out. Use entry way lights that stay on from dusk to dawn. Use timers strategically inside your home when you are away to give the impression that someone is moving about. • Motion activated lights outside are very effective as well as doorbell cameras. • Neighborhood vigilance is invaluable. • Be aware of your surroundings when entering and exiting your home. Joe will continue to conduct meetings as he gathers more information. If you are interested in learning more or in learning how you can help, contact Joe at BigWoodRanch@yahoo.com. The Hemet Police Department is actively recruiting volunteers to help with phones, parking enforcement, traffic control, vacation property checks and other non-threatening roles. The non- emergency phone number for the Hemet Police is (951) 765-2400. SAFETY AT HOME

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