Category: Community Alert

Hello VAT Community,

As previously posted – there have been a rash of recent thefts in our community. General details about those thefts are listed below:

1st Occurrence – 4/21/2024

Hadshire Ct – A backyard was entered and a patio set was stolen
Manshire Ct – Front porch patio rockers and table were stolen
Marhurst Ct – Front porch patio chairs and table were stolen

2nd Occurrence – 4/29/2024 – Between 2:30-3AM

Aldengate Dr – A truck was broken into and tools were stolen
Thorncrest Dr – A truck was broken into, tools were stolen and they attempted to steal the vehicle. Later there was an attempted entry into the home.

3rd Occurrence – 5/8 – Between 3-3:30AM

Graylock Ct – A backyard was entered and a gas grill was stolen
Claytonbend Dr – A backyard was entered and a child’s trampoline was stolen

4th Occurrence – 5/9 – Overnight/Early Hours

Claytonbend Dr – A vehicle that was parked on the street had its tires and rims stolen.

Video images from homeowner security cameras have captured a suspicious SUV traveling throughout our community at the same time in multiple instances. In one instance the theft was caught on camera but it is difficult to make out any suspects.

We are kindly asking any homeowners within the area of these streets to review any security cameras they may have to help further identify this vehicle. Should you have captured any useful footage please reach out to our community liaison officer, Officer Paulus, via email at: (TPaulus@columbuspolice.org). Please use the email subject: “Village at Thornapple Thefts”.

We also ask everyone to speak to your neighbors. One of these thefts was only discovered by a casual conversation with a neighbor. Keeping our community informed will help us all be more aware of incidents in our community and increase our safety.

While the Board does not manage an official VAT Facebook group there are three unofficial groups we are aware of that are fairly active. We have included their information below for reference, however please note that these groups have their own specific descriptions and intents. Please review all group rules prior to joining/posting. 

Village at Thornapple Unofficial Facebook Group – This is a self managed group of neighbors within VAT only.

Thornapple Community Block Watch – This group posts any security concerns within the area. Please note that there is NOT an active meeting/patrolling block watch at this time – however this group is useful to post any security issues/concerns.

Several homeowners may also use Nextdoor where you can indicate that you live in the Village at Thornapple neighborhood and get digests of information similar to Facebook but with a neighborhood and surrounding area focus.

We are sharing these groups as we want to make sure neighbors are aware of what is happening in the community and often the participants in this group are posting photos and videos that would be useful for neighbors to review in real-time.

To be very clear: the VAT Board does not own, administer, or manage any of the content nor access to these groups. We are sharing this information ONLY to further help keep our community safe. The only official communications from the Board will come from the community newsletter posts or letters/emails sent directly to homeowners.

Columbus Police are aware of the incidents noted above and are exploring additional ways they can provide a presence within our community. The Board has been reaching out to CPD after all incidents to ensure their awareness and that we are actively following what is happening in our community.  CPD indicated they have begun providing a closer police presence looking for suspicious vehicles in the early hours but given the multiple ways to exit our community (two entrances off Alton-Darby, and also an entrance off Feder through Thornapple Grove) this is still challenging.  CPD is also reaching out to the Franklin County Sheriffs office to see if they may be able to assist in providing patrol coverage.

The biggest feedback from Officer Paulus is that homeowners need to report these incidents or suspicious vehicles/behavior as soon as possible. If you file a police report on the phone or online please inform Officer Paulus via email as well. Should you witness an attempted entry into a home or open garage – call 911. Other calls can be directed to the Police non-emergency number (614 645 4545) and officers will be dispatched as available.

Hello Neighbors,

The Board has been made aware of some recent thefts that occurred in our community and wanted to make sure that homeowners were aware as well as issue some reminders when it comes to securing homes and valuables.

As posted to online Facebook groups we are aware of the following incidents:

• • Hadshire Ct – A backyard was entered and a patio set was stolen
  • Manshire Ct – Front porch patio rockers and table were stolen
  • Marhurst Ct – Front porch patio chairs and table were stolen

All three incidents occurred on April 21st. As far as we are aware there was no video caught of any of these incidents.

Safety is of paramount importance to our community and the Board has reached out to our community liaison officer, Officer Paulus ([email protected]), who is reaching out to local patrols. Per conversation with Officer Paulus he indicated he has not heard anything specific about thefts like this but that given the size of the items in question it was likely more than one person and a large vehicle to remove them. He urged review of any nearby security cameras to see if any large vehicles were captured. If someone should find any vehicles on the night of April 21st that were captured please advise Officer Paulus via email.

As always, homeowners are encouraged to call the police non-emergency number (614 645 4545) to report any suspicious vehicles or persons within our community when it is able to be done safely.

Sadly, crimes of opportunity will always occur so with that in mind we want to reiterate some best practices when it comes to home safety.

• Be sure to secure any vehicles left outside as well as securing doors and windows at night
  If at all possible park vehicles in garages where they are most secure.
• Secure any valuables left outdoors
  Make use of locking cables for any items that are too large to move indoors. Ensure all walkthrough gates are locked when possible.
• Make best use of any security features you currently have on your home
  Be sure to keep exterior lights on or on timers at night. Make sure motion lights are powered and have functioning light bulbs. Increase the sensitivity of any motion detectors or video cameras on your property to ensure that they are capturing as much video as possible when motion is detected. Add locks to any gates to make removing property from your yard more challenging.
• Use landscaping to your advantage
  If your property has easily visible sightlines to property you feel is valuable (like patio furniture, gas grills, yard decorations, etc) try to obscure the view by using well placed plants, flowers, and shrubs. This is particularly important for any homeowners on corner lots where more of their property is visible.
• Add the Columbus police non-emergency number to your phone’s contacts
  If you see anything suspicious in the neighborhood contact the non emergency line at 614 645 4545. Be prepared with as much of a description as you can safely provide – vehicle or clothing descriptions, identifying characteristics can be very useful to police. As always, DO NOT APPROACH ANY SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE OR PERSON. Your safety is paramount.
• Check your property and any camera motion-alerts daily
  A quick review of your exterior property will ensure that you are aware of when anything may have been taken as well as give you an opportunity to ensure your safety measures are always in place and working as intended. Reviewing doorbell or other security camera footage may show any suspicious activity even if your home wasn’t directly affected.
• Report any crime/theft to Columbus Police
  Obtaining additional patrols in the area of our community will not happen if there are not documented reports with the Columbus police of any issues. Please take the time to file the appropriate reports at the time of any incidents.

There is no 100% effective solution to address crime but we certainly hope that homeowners take some time to review their properties and the ways they can minimize their risk of property loss.

Finally, with the Spring weather starting to improve soon and graduation around the corner it is also anticipated that yearly activities like “Senior Tag” (played by graduating high school seniors) will be occurring soon. This game can have dangerous consequences especially if a community is on edge from other recent crime. For more information see this article: WBNS 10TV – Police urge teens to find healthier outlet instead of senior tag. Please take some time to talk to your graduating seniors about the timing of this game in light of recent concerns.

Hello Neighbors,

In 2022 the Board heard many homeowners’ concerns about snow removal within our community. Many homeowners in courts and cul-de-sacs told us that by the time plows arrived, the snow was so packed down that plows did not drop their blades, and instead spread salt. Homeowners on main roadways often had slush and ice building up around curbs due to lack of drainage. All-in-all, homeowners dealt with icy streets to try to maneuver through and lots of frustration.

In response to these concerns, the Board has arranged for private snow removal within our community in 2023. It is our plan to continue with these services should they improve the safety of our community. There are some parameters for these services and they are outlined below:

1. Snow removal will only occur once 4″ of snow has fallen (NOT forecasted)
2. Snow removal will occur as quickly as possible within our contractors territory but a service time is not “guaranteed”
3. Any salting services will remain with the city of Columbus

City of Columbus plows will still service our community however it is our goal that our private contracted services will clear our roadways faster once the snow stops. Making for clear and safer streets.

To take the best advantage of this service we kindly ask homeowners to do the following when heavy snow is in the forecast:

1. Park all vehicles in garages or driveways to leave roadways clear.
   This is especially important within our courts and cul-de-sacs. If these vehicles stay off the street until plows come through it will greatly improve the quality of service we receive and the clearing of your streets.
2. Do not throw snow from sidewalks or driveways into the streets once plowed.
   Keeping this additional snow away from streets will help make sure we take full advantage of this service.
3. Take note of any drains near your curbs and sidewalks.
   Please keep sewer drains and gutters free from debris and uncovered from snow if you are able. Allowing this runoff to access drains will help keep streets safer from ice.
4. Slow down.
   We have several icy corners within our community. Be sure to give plenty of stopping distance and allow your fellow residents ample space to make turns when snow and ice occur.

We hope residents find this new service an enhancement to our community and we will welcome feedback as snow events occur so we can follow up with our contractor as appropriate.

Safe driving everyone.