West Boca Update – Part 2

We previously described the state legislative update at the West Boca Community Council event. This post covers the rest of the event.
Someone from the WBCC talked about some projects that are going on in the area. In particular, some work is going to be done on the median on Route 441 (State Route 7), including planting trees and adding sprinklers. There have been problems with vagrants occupying bus stop shelters and some work will be done to reduce that including posting “No Loitering” signs and increasing enforcement. He also mentioned that the Solid Waste Authority is available to help communities add or improve recycling efforts and that the Authority’s director, John Archambo, is known for being very helpful.
Captain Eisenberg of the Palm Beach Sheriff spoke about crime in the area. They recently caught some burglars. He indicated that roughly 95% of residential burglaries occur during the daytime, and that one method they use is to bang loudly on the door of the home. If there is no response they think no one is home and break in. If they hear a response they leave. Captain Eisenberg encouraged people to call 911 if they see or hear something suspicious. These particular burglars were caught because residents did call.
In a discussion after the main event he indicated that gated communities may feel safer but they are still targeted because burglars may think that’s where the money is. It’s always better to be cautious, keeping doors locked, using alarm systems, keeping cars in garages, not leaving valuables or cash out in the open, etc. But even with all that, he emphasized that you’re never completely safe and you should be ready to call 911 if you suspect something is going on.
He also mentioned that there has been a rash of incidents where valuables are being stolen from cars by valets at valet parking. You should not leave valuables in your car.
All of this may seem like common sense, but a lot of people are not following that advice.
Tax Collector Anne Gannon spoke briefly, reminding people that there is an option to pay taxes quarterly and the deadline for that is coming up.
Someone spoke on behalf of the Palm Beach County Commission, mentioning progress toward completing a skateboard park, and that the Delray Marketplace is expected to open on November 15th.
This event was wonderful and we hope the WBCC and the neighborhood associations will do a better job in the future of notifying residents of future events.