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Crime in Our Development
Steps to Reduce Burglaries
Community Watch Meetings
Neighborhood Email List

Stoneridge and Sedgefield are relatively peaceful communities; however, there are periodic burglaries. Break-ins usually occur from entries concealed from the street. Doors are forced open or windows broken. It is thought that burglars are in the home only a few minutes. Most sought after items are silver, jewelry, stereos and newer television sets. Although burglaries are more prevalent in the summer when there is foliage to conceal entries, they are not limited to any particular season. Almost always, burglaries occur when residents are away. In many cases, it is believed that homes were "watched" for a while before entry.

The most effective means available to deter crime in the neighborhood is to report suspicious or unusual cars, trucks, individuals or activities to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department by calling 911.  They encourage you to report any suspicious conditions – even when you are not sure if anything wrong is occurring. The Sheriff has noted that most people under report for fear of making a mistaken report on a neighbor or their visitor. 

Reporting:    

Report unusual or suspicious cars, individuals or activity to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 911, even if you are not sure of what is going on.

Monitoring: 

Be available to watch a neighbor's home when they are away and ask them to do the same for you.

Records:       

Keep a record of your valuable items with photographs and serial numbers. Use an engraving pen to mark your items with your NC driver's license number (not social security number). Engraving pens are available to borrow from the Orange County Sheriff's Department. 

Hardware:     

Consider installing an alarm. Be in the habit of using it if you already have one. Install hardware to prevent sliding doors from being forced open. Check the screws in door hinges. Install the longest possible to make entry difficult. Install deadbolt locks on doors and remember to lock your crawlspace.

While away:

Have a neighbor move any cars that are parked outside. This is a strong signal of activity about the house. Use lights when you are away. Rotate timers to give the appearance that you are home. Be in the habit of keeping your garage door closed, while at home or when away. A closed door is a sure sign of your absence if it is always open when you are home. Notify the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 919-644-3050 three days before you leave and request either a house check or close patrol during your absence.

Community Watch meetings are held in conjunction with the Stoneridge-Sedgefield Property Owners’ Association (SSPOA) annual meeting each January.  The Sheriff or deputy is usually present to inform the neighborhood of activities in Orange County and answer questions.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department notifies an SSPOA Board member of any crimes in our vicinity. The board member then sends an email to all community homeowners who have paid dues and are on the list to receive such advisories.

The SSPOA email system is also used to send notices of interest in the neighborhood. We have elected to not have a neighborhood bulletin board for miscellaneous postings. All SSPOA Board members are volunteers. No one has time to monitor such postings for appropriate content or wishes to mediate disputes often found on such sites.