Mountain Shadows Residents Association
P.O. Box 21601
Chattanooga, TN. 37424

We want to take this time to welcome you to our wonderful community and get you informed on all the on goings on your neighborhood. If you have not been contacted by our welcoming committee please email mountainshadowsnews@gmail.com and we will be happy to send someone over at your convenience to present you with our neighborhood directory, newsletter and answer all of your questions.  Again, welcome!

2012 mandatory association fees are now due.  Invoices will be mailed the last week of December BUT you can click here to download and print a PDF file and mail to address on invoice (same as the address at top of the page).  Payment due by end of January 2012.  Late fee of $100 applies for payments received after February 10th 2012.

24 December 2011
Has a single car break in this week.  This happened on Mountain Dale.  Police report was filed and the owner did say “we…remember to lock our cars (and turn on the alarms) when they're outside of the garage but the other night I didn't….  The only thing of any value was my GPS, which they took.  The garage door opener was hidden in the glove box and was not taken.”  Of course not locking the car does not excuse the crime, but stay vigilant and safe over the holidays and keep valuables inside/out of sight (including garage door openers).

 

One reminder from the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter that bears repeating—Recommendation is to NOT put boxes from TVs or other attractive items out with the trash.  Cut them up and put in the garbage can or take them to the recycling center. 

 

22 December 2011
Neighborhood Watch Newsletter posted under the RESIDENTS ASSOC Tab or click here. 

Some Christmas security info from Nolan Barker, the MSRA Security Rep!

 

Christmas offers increased opportunities for thieves.  In addition to the normal defenses we should all know (locks, alarms, neighbor awareness, etc.), there are some specifics for the season.  Don’t display your Christmas tree and gifts where the goodies can be seen through a window from outside.  The same applies to the front door.  We are advised not to open the door to a stranger, but we still do and it only takes seconds to notice the gaming system or new computer.

 

Open curtains can provide burglars with clues that a house is unoccupied, while lights and a TV sound hint that someone is home.  A burglar does not want to be noticed by a homeowner or a neighbor and will move on.

 

Holiday parties and visits to family mean more unoccupied houses, and fewer Neighborhood Watch eyes looking.  If you are going to be gone, let a couple of neighbors with a view of your house know—especially those who can keep an eye on the back of the house.  Remind them that our Sheriff’s office wants them to call (622-0022, or 911) and report any suspicious activity, which may be something that is different from the expected.

 

One way a burglar can reduce risk is by reducing time spent searching a house for valuables.  This means knowing in advance the item he is after, such as the flat screen TV seen through a window.  They are more willing to park in a driveway, and risk the sound of a single broken window.  A description of the car given to the police ASAP means the officer knows what to look for coming from the address before he gets there.

 

One final note for Christmas: do not put boxes from the TV or other attractive items out with the trash.  Cut them up and put in the garbage can, or take them to the recycling center.

13 December 2011
An out of town friend visiting one of our neighbors had her car broken into while parked near the end of Mountain Shade.  GPS, Satellite Radio and sunglasses taken.  The theft was reported to the Sheriff who passed on the following:  Trend has developed across the area--thefts much more pronounced on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday.  Daytime tends to be attempts to enter homes while night is oriented on car entry.

Light up, lock up, and keep valuables out of site as the police continue high alert over Mountain Shadows and the entire East Brainerd Area.

PS--Lowe's has some motion detecting exterior lights for a good price--sadly, I am adding these to my shopping list.

2 December 2011 

Since two were arrested last weekend, it would appear another attempt was made to pry open a car and truck window on Shadow Parkway.  The attempts were not successful but since the vehicles were in a well lit drive and did not contain any visible valuables, this may be a similar attempt to get in the car and grab a garage door opener.  I would suggest bringing the garage door openers in when you lock up at night.

23 November 2011 
I just received this preliminary report from a neighbor on Shadow Parkway.  Two arrested very early this morning in Mountain Shadows (11/23/11).   As described in the report--one suspect was on the porch...the other was waiting in a nearby car.  The one on the porch ran from police and was apprehended.  He falsely told police that he was coming to visit the neighbor and was expected. The resident was awakened at 1:45 by Chattanooga Police checking the story.  Incident was in the 500 block of Shadow Parkway.

Arrest made by the Chattanooga Police Department so kudos to the city police and the Sheriff's department for the increased vigilance in our neighborhood.

Of note, I also received an email late last night about someone ringing the doorbell on Casltewood Trail.  This happened very late (11:30pm) and no one was seen at the door.  The neighbor reported this.  It is possible these events are related and the call by the first neighbor alerted the police and helped with the arrests.

Sometimes a single event may seem innocuous by itself, but by passing on the info and calling in any suspicious activity, it may be the piece needed to help the case.  My point is, keep up the vigilance and if you do have something "odd" happen, do not hesitate to call the ploice and forward it here.  Not sure this is related to the car break-ins but if more info becomes available I will pass it on.

21 November 2011

Hate to send such a negative note just prior to Thanksgiving but last night (11/21) we had several cars with windows broken and a single item taken.  Both were were parked in the driveway--one was described as well lit.

So far, of the two I have heard from, the only thing stolen was a garage door opener.  Does not take much imagination to determine why--to come back and get in via the garage.  Both neighbors reported this to the Sheriff and we will check on any other incidents.

If you do find anything similar, please call the Sheriff, pass on here when able, and do something to preclude door opening (change code, disable or unplug the opener).  Please check you vehicle, especially if left unlocked, to make sure an opener was not taken.  Both of the incidents were about the mid-point of Mountain Shadows Dr FYI.
 
9 November 2011 General update

First, may you have noticed an increase in police vehicles in the neighborhood.  This is due to an increase in vigilance on the part of those in the neighborhood.  I know there have been several calls this week about suspicious vehicles.  One even wrote me about a vehicle randomly throwing out the local newspaper supplement--possibly as a cover.  Good news is I called the newspaper and they are not only checking who delivers out here, but that the tag number reported matches their delivery person.  I have to say the circulation rep at the paper was very helpful!

Bottom line, keep up the vigilance on behalf of yourself and those around you.

Not a specific issue but one to be aware of.  A neighbor sent me the following - I got a strange phone call the other day from a roofing company that said we could get a new roof and have the insurance pay for it. They we very insistent that I let them come out and take a look "for Free". When I said they would have to call back and talk to my husband the guy kind of backed off and quickly got off of the phone. He was asking strange questions like are you home during the day and what hours. I told him that was private information and that if my husband wanted to make an appointment he could.

If it sounds to good to be true, it likely is and be wary of phone calls asking your whereabouts or specifics you are not comfortable discussing.

7 November 2011

After the November 4th update, received two more updates over the weekend about suspicious vehicles in the neighborhood.  A silver Honda car and a older black SUV.  Thanks to those who called or emailed with this info!

 

The silver car was seen cruising the neighborhood and the neighbor called the Sheriff.  Next, early Sunday morning a resident in the 9300 block of  Royal Mountain looked out his front window for his newspaper and saw a black SUV (well used) in front of his driveway.  The driver apparently noticed this and quickly backed up about one  house.  When the resident went outside to  get his paper, the vehicle quickly left the area.  The driver was described as a white male wearing a black  hoodie and a black windbreaker.  No criminal activity was reported in reference to either of these vehicles, but it is quite possible the alert neighbors stopped such!

 

All of these incident have been reported to Sheriff Hammond’s office  622-0022.  Per Nolan Barker, our security rep who talked with the Sheriff's office yesterday, Mountain Shadows has been placed on a heightened awareness level and thus the details shared with the officers patrolling our  neighborhood.

 

Now, I do not want to sound the alarm of crime wave but if you recall, we had an uptick in March so this is more about being proactive/aware.  If you see a suspicious vehicle, do not hesitate to call the Sheriff at 622-0022.  While I do not want to promote a sense of paranoia, it is better safe than sorry.  If you notice these, or any other suspicious vehicle parked in the area, a quick call may mean enough time for an  officer to arrive and see what the vehicle is waiting for.

 

Remember the suggestions from local law enforcement, lighting areas around the home and making sure all doors of your car and home are locked excellent deterrents.  If you have a home alarm, set it when leaving or turning in for the night.  It is easy to get out of the habit (I am guilty), especially if just going out to the store or running a quick errand--but have gotten back in the habit of late.

2 November 2011

A neighbor had a break-in yesterday-- As she describes it--she was in and out all day so have narrowed it down to a fifteen min period. Entered through back and went straight to master. I came home around 1:15 and he was still in the house. Luckily I noticed our fence door was open so went around back and saw door open into house. I pulled to edge of driveway at street and called police.

A red small ford pickup truck with two wide white racing stripes and tinted windows drove by slower than normal then turned around in the intersection of Shadow Parkway adn Rolling Ridge even though there is a cul-de-sac very close. Drove by again and when the police arrived and searched home that same truck came by again. While police were here we thought nothing was taken and he must have just gotten in and he saw me or buddy informed. Alarm wasn't set, but it will be now!!!

11 October 2011

A break-in on Magical View earlier this week.  The owner reported they broke in during the day, took jewelry, and were trying to get the TV—it was unhooked and moved.  This neighbor called the police as soon as she realized someone had been in the house.  The police searched the house and made a report.  The neighbor asked I remind everyone to deadbolt their doors!

21 Sept 2011

Linda Buckner at 605 Hidden Forest Dr reported an attempted break in last night as someone broke a window in her house.  The attempt used a large seashell from the back of the yard to break the window--which means they had been walking around the house.  Linda called the police and they came out and did a report.  She wanted to make all neighbors aware and for those in the area to keep an eye out.

Make yourself a difficult target by using common sense prevention.  If we do this as a neighborhood, it will not prevent all criminal activity, but will make them think twice and likely move elsewhere.

  Lock your car doors even if you are in a locked garage, and arm your burglar alarm on your car if you have one.  Also, keep your keys by your bedside and if you hear anything in your garage, push the panic button on your key fob, and that should scare anybody away, and then immediately call the police and report the incident.

  Finally, keep checking the web site for future updates and if you have any information that could be useful to the neighborhood, please forward it to myself or any board representative via the email addresses on the Contact Page.

 bottom line: Make a nightly LOCK UP and LIGHT UP part of your routine en route to the Land of Nod.

  Thanks and stay safe!  MIKE

  Go to www.CrimeReports.com to view current  crime report information.

neighborhood watch

We have added a Neighborhood Watch tab under the Resident Assoc Tab.   

No soliciting signs

NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION SECTION

• Tier One - mandatory membership

3 passes to pool during the summer months (adult homeowner MUST sign in with name and phone number)

Guest fees are same as Tier II (in town guests $3.00 - out of town guests are Free)

• Tier II- Upgrade of $275.00 payable at pool opening or before

Full access during pool hours 

COMMUNICATIONS

I still hear through the grapevine that some our neighbors are not receiving the email updates.  Of course this is voluntary but perhaps they are not aware, or maybe changed email addresses and forgot to send an updated address to us.  For those who like the updates—I would ask you to mention it to your neighbors and if they are not on list, simply email to mountainshadowsnews@gmail.com and they will immediately be added to the addressees.

MOUNTAIN SHADOWS LIVING MAGAZINE

I have also heard that a few neighbors have not received the new Mountain Shadows Living magazine.  If you have not, please send a quick email with name and address and I will check with the publisher.  FYI, the previous newsletters and magazines are still available at our web site.  Check out the Newsletter tab, the past 5 editions are available as PDF files.

Winter is here

With falling temperatures come falling leaves and yard waste.  For those new to the area, the county does not provide a curbside cleanup of leaves.  This means we have several options for all the leaves that have started to fall.  Perhaps the best option is to compost them for use in flowerbeds.  What is not an option is raking them to the street.  Recall the rain on Labor Day weekend and many of the local streets around Chattanooga flooded because of the clogs to drainage these leaves caused.  Please do not treat the street as a yard waste dump. Now is also a good time to trim up any bushes that extend into the street or obstruct the views of the right-of-way.

RESIDENT'S VOICE

• Need help with a computer problem, call Ross the Computer Boss.  UTC student/Mountain Shadows Resident Mac or Windows-Problems solved! $20 dollars per hour/one hour minimum Call 255- 5697

Judy Butterfield, a Mountain Shadows resident, helps find homes for abused/abandon animals.  Currently she has the following for adoption:

Description:  NutterButter is an owner surrender because the owner is handicapped and can no longer take care of him. He is a great boy - at first was quite shy and took a few days to adjust out of his kennel. Now he thinks he has been here forever and sits on the couch with me, barks at "strangers" and plays with the other dogs. He just needs a loving home who will allow him the time to adjust to his new surroundings. He is JUST BEAUTIFUL and carries himself handsomely. Give him a chance - call me at 423-718-0939.

Details:

• Weight: 7 lbs

• Size: N/A

• Age (Est.): 5 years

• Color: white with apricot patches

• Sex: Male (Sterilized)

You can also visit the following web site to see what dogs are available for adoption:
http://www.shelterexchange.org/help_a_shelter/113

We are looking for pictures to use in the Christmas issue of the neighborhood magazine, the spread would be a look at Mountain Shadows through the years.  Alicia Anderson, the area rep for the magazine, is putting a call out to anyone who has photos dating back to the 1970's from Mountain Shadows events.  They can email copies of the photos at alicia.anderson@n2pub.com or they can have me scan a copy at my office. I will even offer to scan anyone's pictures to a CD for them.