Summer activities

It's summertime and that means warm weather, people with time on their hands — and usually, more crime. A longtime Chestnut Hill Town Watch volunteer told me recently that crime in Chestnut Hill has gone down in recent years; judging from the length of recent crime reports, he may be right.

Of course, no sooner does the volunteer say that, than Murphy's Law sets in: this week's report is longer than it has been. There are the usual: cars and videos stolen; the unusual: theft of emblems from cars; the hindsight is 20-20 category: theft of a pocketbook from a car with windows left open.

Perhaps a few reminders of life in the city are in order. For example, lock your car doors and close your windows. Use a theft-detection device such as a Club or security alarm if you have one. Avoid taking your wallet to the Wissahickon — unless you are going to Valley Green Inn — and never leave it in the car.

Another type of incident that you should be aware of are scams. A friend was approached by a man working as a handyman and lawn care and tree contractor and was asked for change for a $100 bill so that the contractor could buy gas for his car to drive home to Pottstown. My friend loaned $20 to the man, who came back later in the day to say he needed $59 and that he would pay him back on Monday. My friend has not been paid back. The contractor is described as a white male in his late 30s or early 40s, about 5' 10² tall, who drives a red Chevy pickup truck. It is terrible not to trust people you meet and who ask a favor, but you need to ask yourself why would someone ask you for a loan.

Watch out for people around you. They may not be as nice as you are.

Katie Worrall