The Richmond Heights Police Department goes into the neighborhoods weekly, to talk with residents in a program called Walk and Talk.
Last week two officers met with about a dozen neighbors at the corner of Williams and Boneta avenues. The officers heard concerns and gave advice.
- The items most often stolen, from places like Schnucks and the Galleria, are small items that can be easily resold, like copier cartridges and batteries. They said Tide laundry detergent is hard to keep on the shelf.
- IRS fraud, ID theft and passing bad checks are some of the most frequent crimes
- Richmond Heights is 20 minutes from anywhere in St. Louis, which means anyone else is 20 minutes from Richmond Heights, which can lead to traffic problems.
- Violent crimes haven’t been a problem in Richmond Heights. The city has officers with experience in larger cities, like St. Louis, and the word is out that Richmond Heights is not the place for that.
- Don’t hesitate to call the police if something looks out of place. Don’t say, “I hate to bother you.” Call if something isn’t right. Be aware of your surroundings.
- Don’t keep valuables in your car. Keep a record of anything in your house that has a serial number on it.
See also: Brentwood police having radio problems: Richmond Heights police
mmmm…”Police station, I hate to bother you, but it’s dark outside and there’s a strange truck behind my house and men’s loud voices.” “Did I go out and ask them what they were doing? No Officer…do you really think I should?” What could they be doing at 10 pm in a dead end alley? Do you think it’s safe for me to go out and ask? This really happened……. Another time, years ago, the police had a big laugh ….when I called them around midnight when I saw men drinking beer and pulling out rifles out of the trunk of a car….Oh..me..oh my….I didn’t know my neighbor was a former cop and these were his friends….My husband worked late hours and I was along with children…. I hate to bother you….but
Sorry officers….glad I could give you a laugh that night… My father, an former Marine, was shot through the neck while waiting in the car, in broad daylight on July 3, 1979 near Galleria…I may be stupid…but that’s why we have police in our community. The man who shot him later killed a man, Mr. Gordon in Forest Park. Better be wise than endanger my family, life and home. I best shut up now…and put away the soap box.