Ravenwood Owners' Association

Maps

Click here for the December 2009 Newsletter

BREAKING NEWS

Attn: All Ravenwood Homeowners

I have been notified that a car was stolen from the neighborhood last night, some time after 9 PM. The theft was not heard or discovered until the owner went outside this morning. I have not spoken personally with the person who was the victim of this crime, but have been told that the car was unlocked at the time of the theft.

This is a reminder to ALL residents to PLEASE make sure that your cars and trucks are locked up tight - motorcycles and anything else of value should be in a locked garage - don't leave valuables in your car, even if it is locked and your doors and windows should be Locked Up Tight! Unfortunately, this goes for the daylight hours as well as overnight. I would like to remind everyone to use entry door security chains and/or peepholes if you have them - and if you have a home security system, please use it also.

It is a crying shame that this type of crime has come to our neighborhood, but it IS here, and we must face it and make plans to avoid it.

I will be drafting a letter to the Sheriff's Department to ask for more patrols and to the County and to find out what it is that they are planning to do to counteract the problems that seem to have cropped up just over the past month or two. If you have been the victim of a crime of any type, in or around your Ravenwood property during 2009, and if you have not already reported it to me - please do so now. I want to have as complete a list as possible when I finalize my letters.

Linda Phipps-Chirrup, ROA President, December 18, 2009

MORE AUTO BREAK-INS

We had a couple of cars broken into on November 23rd. This was in late morning in broad daylight! Everyone, please watch out for your neighbors. If you see unfamiliar people that seem to be casing the neighborhood or just don't look as if they have any business being here or if you see anything that you just feel is suspicious, call the Sheriff's office or call 9-1-1. If we watch out for each other maybe we can avoid a repeat of these automobile break ins.

If you see ANYTHING suspicious, call 9-1-1 - that's what it's there for!

BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE

The Ravenwood Board of Directors usually meets the second or third Wednesday of each month at a location determined by the Board. This will usually be a member's house. Check for the sign at the entrance. It will be set up at least one day before the meeting. Come to the meetings. Your input is important as the Board makes decisions that affect all of us in our neighborhood.

Everyone should make an effort to attend one of these meetings from time to time. The board needs and I'm sure would appreciate your input.

STILL SPEEDING

We still have some residents (mostly) and visitors speeding through the neighborhood. If you're doing it, STOP! If you know who's doing it, tell them to SLOW DOWN! A lot of neighborhoods have speed bumps and other noxious speed control measures and we certainly don't want that in Ravenwood... do we?

BE VIGILANT

Watch out for your neighbors. Watch for unfamiliar people that seem to be casing the neighborhood or just don't look as if they have any business being here. If you see anything that you feel is suspicious, call the Sheriff's office or call 9-1-1. If we watch out for each other maybe we can avoid a repeat of February's automobile break ins.

If you see ANYTHING suspicious, notify the Sheriff's office immediately or call 9-1-1.

MOSQUITOES

The mosquitoes have been breeding and feeding now that it's started raining. Mosquitoes need water as a place to lay their eggs so we all need to try and keep their breeding places to a minimum. Watch your bird baths, fountains and other places they may find to lay their eggs. Click for Mosquito Prevention Tips from the Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services. If you experience problems with mosquitoes, call Mosquito Management Services at (941) 861-9740.

ALLIGATORS IN THE LAKE

It's pretty normal to see an alligator or two in the lakes around here. After all, we do live in Florida. Wild alligators generally are afraid of humans and don't pose a danger if you leave them alone. The problem is that when they have been fed by well wishing people they become unafraid and dangerous. That's why it is illegal to feed alligators. Be very careful. Don't feed any alligators!!! If you see someone feeding them, report it immediately to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, 861-9500. As well as being against the law, feeding alligators is very dangerous. If you see any aggressiveness in an alligator's behavior or if it's not afraid of humans you should report it immediately to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Nuisance Alligator Hotline, 1-866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

For more information about nuisance alligators, see the FWC web site.

RACCOONS

Raccoons are known to sometimes carry rabies. If you see a raccoon acting strangely in the daytime, it could be rabid. Keep away from it and call Animal Control. If you can do so safely, keep an eye on it so they will know where it is.

If you see raccoons acting strange or out in the daytime, call animal control immediately at 861-9500. Also watch out especially for pets and small children that could be bitten !

Ravenwood’s Covenants and Deed Restrictions are posted on the web for your information. Please take a look at them when you have an opportunity and especially before making any changes around your property that may be affected by them. There is also a Request Approval for Construction form on the web for your use when notifying the Board of pending construction. This form can be printed from the web or a copy can be obtained from any board member as can a copy of the deed restrictions. Please observe the covenants and restrictions as they are there to protect the value of our neighborhood.

If you have something of interest to the residents or owners in Ravenwood, contact any Board member and if it’s appropriate, we’ll post it on the web.

DRIVE CAREFULLY !

Just a reminder to drivers, please watch out for children, bikers, walkers, etc. on our roads ‘cause they don’t always watch for you and please don’t speed. And to walkers and bikers, it’s sometimes pretty difficult to see you at night. Maybe you want to consider wearing reflective clothing or adding reflective tape. Remember that old saying "Walk on left, facing traffic". Also keep your eyes open for any suspicious activity and/or strangers. If you see anything that you think is suspect, call the sheriff’s department or 9-1-1. Let them check it out. After all, that’s why they’re there.

Also, do you know that you can report speeders and reckless drivers to the Sarasota County Sheriff's office? This is copied from their web site at http://www.sarasotasheriff.org/:

How do I report a driving infraction?
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has established 365-TAGS (8247) as a driving infraction hotline. All unsafe driving practices such as speeding, reckless driving, careless driving and other moving violations should be reported to this hotline. However, drunk drivers or vehicle crashes should be reported to 9-1-1 directly. Callers will be asked to leave a detailed message of the infraction along with a vehicle description and a license plate number. A letter will be sent from the Sheriff's Office to the registered owner of the vehicle stating the date, time, location and the nature of the infraction.

If you see someone speeding, take down their license plate number and note the date, time and place and then call 365-8247 and report them. The owner of the automobile will be contacted by the Sheriff's Department. Maybe this will slow them down. Let's call this an anti-speed bump measure.