Crime prevention tips for the holiday and winter months

From the Fairwood Surveillance (Security and Safety) Committee

Fall has arrived and daylight savings time has come to an end. What many of us became accustomed to doing in daylight earlier this year will now occur in darkness: going to your vehicle after work, picking up your children from after-school activities and sports. Some residents may already be doing holiday shopping during evening hours. This is a time of year when thieves seek to take advantage of darkness to victimize unsuspecting citizens regardless of locality.

Although we may not be able to stop determined criminals, we can dissuade them from operating in our community through vigilance.

Here are a few crime prevention tips we hope you will consider:

Vehicle Security

Even during the winter months, police receive reports from citizens of vehicle thefts or thefts from vehicles. Thieves are opportunists and will look for the vehicle that is unlocked or those that may be locked, but have valuables left visibly inside. Don’t make it easy for them:

• Close all windows before locking your vehicle.
• Lock your vehicle even if you are only going to be away from it a short time.
• Lock your vehicle even if it is parked in your driveway or on the street in front of your home.
• Do not leave valuables (i.e. fur coats, purses, wallets, cellular phones, cameras, laptop computers, etc.) inside your vehicle, even if it is locked.
• Report any theft from your vehicle immediately to the police.

Holiday Safety

This holiday season, don't let the spirit of giving lure you into giving burglars, scammers and muggers an opportunity to make you their victim. Crooks love the holidays as much as everyone else, especially because it's an opportune time for crime. 

• Beware of strangers that come to the door, who sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts.
• Be cautious when accepting a package at your door.
• It's not uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others' generosity during the holidays by going door-to-door with charitable donations scams. Ask such individuals for identification and find out how the funds will be used.
• Be aware of your surroundings; look out for suspicious vehicles parked in Fairwood or following you home. 
• Be sure not to advertise in your trash - large and expensive purchased items. Break down all boxes and enclose them in black plastic bags whenever possible. 

Report All Suspicious Activity. Notify security at 301-254-2365 whenever you see suspicious activity or people/vehicles that look out of place. If you believe a crime is being committed that jeopardizes life and property, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s by calling 911. Otherwise, call the non-emergency number (301-352-1200) and provide information including, make/model of vehicle, tag number, description of individuals involved and nature of activity.

Report All Suspicious Activity

REMEMBER: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!!

Upcoming HOA Board Transition​, Elections

By Sheldon Smith, Communications Committee Chair

This communication concerns a very important issue that’s upcoming. Many of you may have heard that the Fairwood Community Association Board of Directors will soon transition from developer control to homeowner control. This means that control of the five-member board will shift as owners will become the majority.

Why is this important to you? Your vote will determine which of your fellow homeowners will occupy important voting board positions that will determine the continued physical and financial wellbeing of Fairwood, a premier community in Prince George’s County.

The Fairwood Community requests your participation in our governing process. In the near future, you will have the opportunity to nominate and elect candidates. We must have every homeowner’s participation in this critical process. Our community’s future depends on you.

Get Trained to Help Your Neighbors During Emergencies

Emergencies happen all the time. It's important to have training and practice needed to know how to properly respond to many different situations that may occur. 

 

At home, once you have built your kit and developed your plan you need to practice and maintain it. Train your family to manage disasters by practicing and conducting family disaster drills. This will help you know what to do during difficult times. 

 

In your communities, there are tons of really great training opportunities across the country aimed to help emergency managers, first responders, community organizers and volunteers learn more about responding to a variety of emergency situations. These programs are designed to get you the information and training you need to start doing the same in your communities. 

 

Today, we're introducing you to just a few of the many different training and volunteer opportunities found nationally to help you prepare yourself, your family and your community for many different emergency situations:

 

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.  Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The Chapel Rocks Block Party

Residents of the Chapel section of Fairwood hosted their first-ever block party to help residents get to know one another. Most Chapel residents have lived in the community for two years or less, and the event represents the first time all residents came together in one place.

Check out a video produced by one of our residents.

Announcements & Reminders

From the Fairwood Community Association

The management office will be closed on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. If there are any emergencies, please call Security at (301) 331-4362.

The pool will close on Monday, September 1st at 8PM. We hoped you enjoyed the season. If there is a need for last minute guest passes, please make sure to stop by the office by the COB Friday.

Reminders
Crime Prevention Meeting. Thursday, September 4th from 7PM to 9PM at the Sycamore Club.  Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Glenn Dale Farmers’ Market. Saturday from 9AM to 1:30PM, rain or shine. May 3rd through November 23rd. Historic Marietta Manor, 5626 Bell Station Rd. Shop Local and Eat Fresh. PLEASE support!

Visit Fairwood on Social Media
https://twitter.com/fairwood_HOA
https://www.facebook.com/TheFairwoodCommunity
http://fairwood-community.blogspot.com/
 

Kicking it with Fairwood Soccer

By Coach Lloyd Anderson

The Fairwood Soccer Team played their first official game on Saturday, July 19, at the Linden Walters Foundation Tournament. Though the team lost on penalty kicks in overtime, both the coach and parents were extremely proud of them -- especially considering they were playing against a more established team.

An intra-squad scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, at the Fairwood Park. The game will be open to all kids ages 4-12 in the community. The Fairwood Community Association encourages all residents to come out and enjoy the fun.

Register for Fairwood's 6th Annual National Night Out!

Fairwood's 6th annual National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 5, from 7 p.m to 9 p.m., in the Sycamore Club parking lot. National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Check out last year's National Night Out event

We will have food, drinks and games for the children as well as safety tips on how to stay safe in the community. Our local Fire, Police, Sheriff and Park Police will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about safety and crime prevention; and we hope to also have a very special helicopter static display as well.

As we always have a large turnout for this event we are again asking residents to RSVP and to pick up their wristbands NLT Friday, Aug. 1 at 3 p.m.. You can RSVP in person at the Sycamore Club or via email to Brooke Wilkins at brookewilkins@fairwoodcommunity.org 

Residents must be up to date with their HOA dues in order to participate and must RSVP to receive food and participate in the prize drawings.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Visit Fairwood on Social Media
https://twitter.com/fairwood_HOA
https://www.facebook.com/TheFairwoodCommunity
http://fairwood-community.blogspot.com/ 

The Sunday Arts Series at Fairwood Community Park

Join us for a weekly arts series full of family fun! Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a FREE performance in your community park! Learn more below.

Post by The Fairwood Community.

Community Updates - June 17, 2014

• Early Voting locations for the 2014 Gubernatorial elections have opened this week until June 19. The final day to vote will be June 24. Find a location here.
• A soft copy of the latest District 6 newsletter is available for download here.
• The Tree ReLeaf program offers matching funds to municipalities, HOA’s and nonprofit groups to plant trees and shrubs. The program will give up to $10,000 to municipalities to plant native trees and shrubs on public land or in common spaces. Schools, homeowner associations, libraries or civic groups can receive up to $5,000 for doing so. For more information or application materials, call DER at 301-883-5812.
• Arts On A Roll: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s new mobile arts initiative.

Community Updates

• Voting locations for the 2014 Gubernatorial elections have opened this week until June 19. The final day to vote will be June 24. Find a location.
• A soft copy of the latest District 6 newsletter is available for download.
• Tree ReLeaf program offers matching funds to municipalities, HOA’s and nonprofit groups to plant trees and shrubs. The program will give up to $10,000 to municipalities to plant native trees and shrubs on public land or in common spaces. Schools, homeowner associations, libraries or civic groups can receive up to $5,000 for doing so. For more information or application materials, call DER at 301-883-5812.
•  Arts On A Roll: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s new mobile arts initiative.

Spring Landscape Tips

From the Fairwood Community Association

Fertilize & Control Weeds: Lawns can be fertilized organically by using compost and mulching mowers. But for those who prefer chemical fertilizers, Scotts provides one example of a lawn fertilizing schedule. In April or May, apply a fertilizer called “Scotts Turf Builder With Halts Crabgrass Preventer.” Fertilizing lawns goes hand in hand with weed control. In June, apply “Scotts Turf Builder With PLUS 2 Weed Control.” This fertilizer fills the need for additional weed control, as the herbicide component fights everything from ground ivy to purslane to white clover. In July or August, apply “Scotts Super Turf Builder with SummerGuard.” This fertilizer is billed by Scotts as a product that “strengthens and summer-proofs" your grass while "combating a spectrum of harsh seasonal threats like insects, heat and drought.” Finally, Scotts winterizing fertilizer should be applied in fall. Fertilizing lawns with this product will not only prepare grass for winter, but also give you a head start towards achieving a beautiful lawn next spring. 

Mow regularly: To improve the appearance of your lawn, mow when your grass is dry and 3 to 3-1/2 inches tall. Never cut it shorter than 2 inches. This will allow your lawn to have a larger and deeper root system—a stronger defense against weeds, diseases and drought.

Mulch lawn clippings, i.e. leave them behind on the lawn: The recycled nutrients could save about 20 percent of your annual fertilizer costs. A ton of fresh grass clippings contains about 15 pounds of nitrogen, 2 pounds of phosphorous and 10 pounds of potassium—major sources of nutrients for your lawn. Clippings also increase the organic content of the soil and earthworm activity, and improve soil aeration and water movement through the soil. And, clippings have a high moisture content, which helps provide additional water to your lawn.

Overseed: The best time to overseed lawns is in the fall, when the new grass won't have to compete with crabgrass, which is killed off by autumn frosts. However, if your lawn is riddled with bare patches due to dog spots, heavy traffic or neglect, you may need to apply grass seed to fill in those bare patches. If you must overseed, first treat the lawn for weeds, and wait two weeks before planting seeds. Aerate the turf with a core aerator, and then use a Turf Type Tall Fescue seed and broadcast over the site. Drag or rake the site to incorporate the seed into the soil. Apply a higher phosphorus-based fertilizer to encourage seed germination, and then five weeks after the grass germinates, apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer. Water the new seeds briefly but daily for two weeks or until the seeds germinate. Dry seeds are dead seeds. Be careful not to mow too early, it will cause damage to the seedlings.

Water: Water several times a week during drought periods in the early morning or evening, not in the heat of midday.

Eliminate mulch “volcanoes” around trees: A tall mulch mound at a tree’s base retains moisture too high. This results in the development of shallow root systems, not the deep root systems that will help trees survive drought and thrive.

Fairwood Community Association
Visit Fairwood on Social Media
https://twitter.com/fairwood_HOA
https://www.facebook.com/TheFairwoodCommunity
http://fairwood-community.blogspot.com/

Earthquakes Can Happen at Any Time of the Year

By FEMA's Ready.gov

One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects. An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock as it releases strain that has accumulated over a long time.

All 50 states and 5 U.S. territories are at some risk for earthquakes.  Earthquakes can happen at any time of year.

The 2011 East Coast earthquake illustrated the fact that it is impossible to predict when or where an earthquake will occur, so it is important that you and your family are prepared ahead of time.

Learn more about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake at www.Ready.gov/earthquakes.

April is National Financial Capability Month

By FEMA's Ready Campaign

Disasters not only affect community infrastructure and public works, but they often overcome family finances, making recovery difficult and sometimes impossible. Before, during and after disasters strike, we work with a number of non-profit, voluntary and faith-based groups who specialize in getting disaster survivors financially back on their feet.

Be financially prepared for emergencies. Start by completing an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit. This document can help you keep track of important documentation, like insurance policy information, so you have clear financial records that will help maintain stability in the event of an emergency.

For more information, visit: 

http://www.ready.gov/financialpreparedness 

http://www.mymoney.gov/Pages/default.aspx

PGCPS to Host Dual Enrollment Program Parent Information Sessions for Sophomores & Juniors

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will host two parent information sessions for enrollment into the Dual Enrollment Program. The Dual Enrollment Program is designed for high school seniors and juniors who wish to enroll in college-level courses. Students accepted into the program will be enrolled simultaneously in high school and in state university or college courses, with tuition paid by PGCPS.  

Acceptance is based on the student’s high school grade point average (GPA), with a minimum requirement of 2.5 and approval of the student’s high school principal. All students who enroll in the Dual Enrollment Program must be re-certified each semester by their principal until they have graduated from high school.
During the information sessions, parents will receive an overview of dual enrollment, the process and timeline for Summer and Fall session registration, and application requirements.

Representatives will be on site from PGCC to answer parent questions. To officially apply for entry into the program, students will need to take the SAT, ACT, or Accuplacer.  The Accuplacer is a college placement exam that assesses student knowledge in math, reading and writing. Accuplacer tests will be offered at each high school during the testing window of March 3-21. Each school will determine the date of Accuplacer testing; please check with your school administrator for additional details.

The parent information sessions on the Dual Enrollment Program will be held on:
Tuesday, March 11 • 6-7:30 p.m. 
Largo High School 
505 Largo Road • Upper Marlboro, MD

Thursday, March 13 • 6-7:30 p.m. 
Oxon Hill High School  
6701 Leyte Drive • Oxon Hill, MD

Please contact your professional school counselor for more information about the Dual Enrollment Program, or email your questions to college.career@pgcps.org.

Parents and applicants should also keep in mind the following important dates for admissions to PGCC:

• April 22 - Application packet deadline for PGCC Summer and Fall 2014 Enrollment (application packets should be submitted to your school’s professional school counselor)
• May 12 - New student orientation at PGCC
• June 2 - Summer Session 1 begins at PGCC
• July 7 - Summer Session 2 begins at PGCC
• August 25 - Fall Session begins at PGCC

As the Dual Enrollment Program is available to all rising 11^th and 12^th grade students who meet admission requirements, students can dually enroll at any Maryland state college or university. In addition to the program being made available at PGCC, please contact surrounding Maryland colleges and universities directly to find out admission deadlines and requirements. 

Transforming Health in Prince George’s County

County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission invite you to a countywide meeting on primary healthcare and the new Regional Medical Center.

The upcoming meeting will allow YOU - community leaders, residents, and other stakeholders an opportunity to provide input on ways to improve the County's primary healthcare system and to see preliminary concepts for design of the new Regional Medical Center.

Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss the County's health disparities, as well as health promotion and wellness, with the medicalprofessional who are leading the County's Healthy Revolution.

When:  
  Saturday, March 1, 2014
  9:00am to 10:00am.  Registration
  10:00am to 1:00pm.  Program

Where:
  Jericho Christian Academy
  8500 Jericho City Drive
  Largo, MD  20785

Register at www.pgplanning.org/PHCSP.htmor call 301-952-4487 * TTY: 301-952-4633

Transit Accessible, Free Parking, and Breakfast Refreshments

Pilot Program Tests Later Evening, Weekend Management Office Hours

For residents who find they can never get home through DC-area traffic before the Fairwood Community Management Office closes, help is on the way. 

Under a new pilot program starting March 1, the office will adjust operating ours as part of an effort to determine if extended office hours, beyond the customary summer hours, are needed by residents. 

Under the pilot, the Management Office will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday will also be added May 1 with office hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These hours will remain in effect until Aug. 31 when the pilot ends. 

At the conclusion of the pilot, the Facilities Committee will review the office traffic patterns and determine if the program should become permanent. 

Beginning March 1, office hours will be:

• Monday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday - 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ( May 1 to Aug. 31)
• Sunday - Closed

PG County Crews Prepare for Snow

By Carol Terry, Public Information Officer, Department of Public Works and Transportation

With the forecast of 3 to 6 inches of snow predicted for our area, the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) will deploy crews early Tuesday morning for a full snow removal operation.

Employees from DPW&T, the Department of Environmental Resources, Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission will be deployed to monitor, plow and treat the roadways. The crews will concentrate on the primary and major collector roads first and then will move into the residential areas to plow the roadways.”

The morning and evening commute may be impacted by the snow. Motorists are asked to remember these safety tips:

• Add extra time for travel;
• Stay alert and drive carefully; and
• Use caution when driving over bridges and when entering intersections.

To assist in our snow removal efforts, please remind the residents in your community to park on the even-numbered sides of the streets or in their driveways. We are also asking residents to shovel their driveways after plowing has occurred on their streets and to remove snow/ice from the sidewalks abutting their homes and businesses.

Residents are encouraged to wait 12 hours after the precipitation has stopped and call CountyClick at 311, the Snow Information Center at 301-350-0500 or go to the Snow Request Form to report snow conditions on their street.

DPW&T appreciates your assistance and thanks you for your participation in the Community Partners Program.

A New Year's Message to Fairwood Residents

By the Fairwood Community Association Executive Committee

As we celebrate the New Year, the members of the Fairwood Community Association Board of Directors and Executive Committee would like to extend to everyone our appreciation for your choosing to be part of our community.

Last year was an incredible year. Our very successful community yard sale, summer community day, National Night Out and our recent holiday event provided excellent opportunities for neighbors to come together and even have a little fun, and we look forward to even more neighbors participating next year as our community continues to grow.

We expanded channels through which we communicate and receive feedback from our residents by adding Facebook,Twitter and a Fairwood Community Blog to our toolbox.

The year also saw the addition of EarthFruits Yogurt and Jazzy's restaurant to our community, as well as establishments that provide beauty supplies and even Asian cuisine to our residents.

As we approach 2014, we have much to look forward to. Many of you may have noticed how work has already begun to prepare the parcels of land on the east side of Church Road for further expansion of our community.

NV Homes and Ryan homes will build homes in the remaining sections of Fairwood. We're projected to reach 75 percent completion in 2015, at which point control of the Fairwood Community Association will transfer from the developer to residents. For this reason, we highly recommend all residents become knowledgeable of and involved in our community's governing process.