Neighborhood Watch - Questa

Mountain House’s Questa Neighborhood Watch was formed in February 2013 after several daytime burglaries occurred in our neighborhood. A group of residents came together and with the help of Deputy Bill Hughes we formed Questa Neighborhood Watch. Our first meeting was on February 7, 2013. We had well over 70 residents in attendance.

How To Join
If you are interested in joining Questa Neighborhood Watch please email the Questa Neighborhood Captain at [mailto:questanw@gmail.com questanw@gmail.com] with your Name, Address, Phone and Email. We stay in communication through:


 * Email
 * Private Facebook Page
 * Nation of Neighbors

We currently have 176 members and growing.

Upcoming Meetings
The participants of Questa NW will be meeting again in February 2014 (specific date and time TBD). The meeting will be tentatively held at 798 N. Plumas Drive, Mountain House, CA 95391 (Standard Pacific Model Home).

December 4th, 2013
Time: 6:30pm Location: 798 N. Plumas Dr. Mountain House, CA The speakers were: Topics discussed:
 * Bill Hughes, Deputy
 * Adam Storey, Private Security Expert
 * Valera Storey, Questa NW Captain
 * The importance of neighborhood watch (NW) and how an effective NW can keep crime out of a neighborhood. The only way a NW is effective is if its members participate by staying in communication with each other.  For our NW we communicate by email, our Facebook page and Nation of Neighbors.
 * The most important thing you can do is report suspicious people and activities to the San Joaquin Sheriff’s Department Non-Emergency (209) 468-4400. A deputy needs probable cause to stop someone, reporting them as a suspicious person gives them probable cause.
 * The different ways to protect our homes and vehicles (see tips below).
 * Take a moment to look up, wave and make eye contact with cars and people traveling through your neighborhood, if they are a neighbor it’s a friendly gesture, if they are a criminal you have now made eye contact and could be identified.
 * The possibility of getting 4½” x 6”NW window stickers at a cost of $1 each to display in front window of our Questa homes. Due to Master Restriction we are unable to post exterior signs in the neighborhood.
 * CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program offers free training to residences. Skills are taught to help individuals help themselves, their families and their neighbors in a disaster. When a disaster hits, everyone wants to help but they don't have the skills. If trained by CERT in advance, they will be prepared. If you are interested in the next training class contact the MH Fire Department at (209) 831-6700
 * NW is looking for more Captains for Alicante, Miramonte, Montalcino, Terrazo, Belmonte, and. Santorini neighborhoods. If you are interested email Valera Storey at [mailto:questanw@gmail.com questanw@gmail.com].

February 7th 2012 (First Meeting)
Over 70 people in attendance. Topics discussed:
 * Recent break-ins
 * Ways to secure your home
 * The need for a neighborhood watch

Questa NW 1st Annual BBQ
Our 1st Annual NW BBQ was held Sunday, April 25th, 2013 at Questa Park. This was a fun and relaxing chance for all of Questa to meet their neighbors and join the newly formed Neighborhood Watch. We had approximately 75 people in attendance at the event and it was sponsored by Standard Pacific.

NW Tips

 * Report all suspicious people and activity, anything that seems out of place. Always trust your gut instinct. San Joaquin Sheriff’s Department Non-Emergency (209) 468-4400.  The Sheriff’s Department encourages everyone to report suspicious activity and they will investigate all calls deemed necessary.
 * Having lights on will help reduce crime and help in identification if a crime occurs. Turn on front, side & back porch lights at night.  Install motion lights in dark areas of your property.
 * Do not leave your garage doors open, this just advertises what you own and gives thieves easy access.
 * Lock your gate, burglars are lazy and would rather find an unlocked gate than up over a locked one.
 * Post a No Solicitor Sign. The stickers are sold at Home Depot and can be applied directly to the front door.  Solicitors in SJ County can only solicit 9am to 7pm and must hold a valid permit.  If a solicitor comes to your door, only speak to them through the door, do not open it.  This lets them know someone is home but does not give them access to the property.  Call San Joaquin Sheriff’s Department Non-Emergency (209) 468-4400 and report any suspicious solicitors, they will come and check their permits to insure they are valid.
 * Secure your vehicles and do not leave belongings in them. A thief will not take the time to break into a car if there is nothing obvious to steal.
 * Get to know your neighbors. Make it a goal to meet and get to know the three neighbors across the street from you and two houses on each side of you.  Watch out for each other, work together, and communicate with your neighbors.