The Historic Heathwood Community met on Tuesday November 10. Sergeant Rafael Gonzalez and Officer Garo Brown of the Richland County Sheriff’s department said what it takes to form a neighborhood watch and help prevent crime. Sergeant Gonzalez said, “Challenge your neighbors to come out to the neighborhood meetings,” Gonzalez said.

He also suggests calling 911 if you see anything suspicious. If you do call, be able to give good descriptions. He suggests begin from the top and go down or begin from the bottom and go up when describing either person or vehicle. Gonzalez said that most crime happens during the day between the hours of 9 am until 2 pm.

Gonzalez said if you were to suspect that anyone is in your house, do not go inside, instead call 911 and do not touch anything since it could be potential evidence.

Officer Brown suggested that women who may have a big purse or bag to leave it in your car if you go shopping and use a smaller type purse when shopping, something small enough to fit into your pocket.

“An easy target is someone who is not paying attention to her surroundings,” Brown says.

Sergeant Gonzalez can be reached at 518-3114 and Officer Brown at 513- 3396, but both men urge you to call 911 if it is an emergency.

Historic Heathwood will not meet in December.