What would you do if you saw someone involved in a questionable activity in your apartment community? We all know the importance of being aware and vigilant about safety in and around our apartments. So, when we witness or suspect something out of the ordinary going on, we want to determine the right course of action to take to address the situation quickly. Read our suggestions on the best approaches to reporting suspicious activities in your neighborhood.
Forming a stronger community - Neighbors and friends should play a strong role in establishing a network of awareness and action in your apartment community. Consider starting or getting involved in a neighborhood watch program in your apartment community. These are formal programs in which citizens meet regularly to establish and discuss neighborhood safety. Get together with your neighbors to form a community of observers (not snoopers!) who stay in contact with each other about what is going on in the apartment community. By setting up regular meetings to learn and discuss awareness techniques, you prioritize safety in your community. You might even invite local law enforcement to give a public safety workshop to your neighborhood watch group.
Paying attention to your environment - Of course, you also want to take basic precautions to protect your own apartment. Make sure you get to know both your neighborhood and your neighbors. In apartment communities, typically, the sheer number of residents makes it difficult or impossible to know everyone. In addition to the friends and neighbors you make, there are bound to be some strangers to you, as well. As you observe people, how do you tell the difference between people going about their business and someone involved in a potentially harmful or illegal situation? If you see strange behavior or hear unusual noises — strange or unusual enough that you feel concern — then, for your own peace of mind, some action may be necessary. You want to gauge the extent of that action on the amount of concern you feel and the evidence that you have observed. You might find it prudent to discuss activities you witness or suspect with your network of apartment community friends and neighbors. They may (or may not) have witnessed similar events and perhaps have come to similar conclusions. Collaboration could add to the evidence you will present to whatever authority you decide to contact to formally deal with the situation.
Here are some situations that present definite red flags:
•Strangers looking into apartment windows or parked cars
•Vehicles moving slowly through the neighborhood without lights
•Seeing someone being forced into a vehicle against their will
•Strangers sitting in cars or going out of their way to talk to children
•Unusual noises, including violent arguing
Taking the next step - How should you move forward, when the time comes that you feel you must alert authorities to a situation? Most communities have a 911 system you can use to get in touch with police or security agencies. You might know to contact a certain agency that handles particular concerns. If you have evidence that a child might be in danger, you would contact your community’s child services division, for instance. You want to be able to report details. Facts, in addition to your hunches, are very important to help authorities prioritize your concerns. Be sure to take note of descriptive details about suspicious individuals, the license plate numbers of any cars involved, and what you actually observed as you report to police or other official agencies.
Utility Connection
To ensure that all utilities are connected on the day of your move-in, you must make arrangements in advance! Here is the contact information for the local utility companies:
Brighthouse Networks - Contact Mark Porteous for the best rates and specials at (407) 448-5723
Progress Energy - (407) 629-1010 - Please remember that you must set up your electric account prior to moving in and bring your account number on the day of your move-in!
You don't have to worry about setting up your water account. We will do that for you upon your move-in =)
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our Leasing Office!
Explore Your Community Through the WWW
So, you have moved to a new community that is unfamiliar to you, and you want to learn about your new neighborhood. Why not start your search by going online, right from your apartment? Take a look at these suggestions for learning more about your new community through the Web.
Search for what interests you - The Internet has a wealth of resources waiting to connect you with the world right outside your apartment community. Think about the things that interest you: maybe you enjoy eating out in restaurants and going to movies? Sites that focus on specific activities are great for expanding your awareness of destinations in your neighborhood. You can look to the Web to help you find, say, a Southwestern restaurant in your neighborhood, or find a theater and check the times on the new movie you want to see. For information about restaurants, for instance, check out Urbanspoon.com. You can even make online reservations at many eateries via sites such as Opentable.com. You can find local theaters and movie times on sites such as Fandango.com or Moviefone.com. Once you get used to it, looking for local attractions and events via the Web becomes as easy as clicking your mouse.
Google it - Don’t forget about one of the most versatile tools on the Internet: Google! Google is a first-class ticket to seeing the world online. You can find maps to destinations, in many cases with pictures of the actual places you want to visit. You can easily search by key words and categories, and get suggestions from Google about searches that others have made using similar phrases. One search to try is to enter your city, region, or neighborhood by name and see what comes up for you. You may discover a regional publication that serves your area with a blog about your favorite pastime and where to pursue that activity near your apartment home.
Find friends in your neighborhood - Some Web sites are designed to bring people together. You customize these sites for your city or area simply by entering the city’s name in the search field. Meetup.com, for instance, can be used to set up group events between like-minded people who live near each other and are interested in similar activities. On that site, just click “find a group,” then enter the activity that interests you, along with your location. You can then browse through a multitude of groups that have formed because of a love for music or flower arranging. Diving into the diverse opportunities found on pages like these may lead you to discover resources and opportunities in your community that you had no idea were available.
It’s not all fun and games - Your neighborhood may very well have a presence on the Web. Search by name for state and city government sites to learn how to conduct official business or where to find important services. Community-based sites are great online places to learn about your neighborhood and stay abreast of community news. Of course, it is especially important in new surroundings to familiarize yourself with services you may need some day, like the location of the hospital nearest to your apartment. Of more daily assistance, you can find online services that will suggest different routes for getting to places, or you can check the current traffic on your favorite commute path. Maps and travel schedules for rapid transit can typically be found online, as well.
The people have spoken - One of the most useful and exciting features of the Web is its ability to bring people (and their opinions) together. Sites such as Yelp.com give people community forums where they can share their experiences of visiting stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and other services. You can benefit from all this information, but, as with everything you read on the Web, use your own judgment: a few negative comments, no matter how strong the objections, do not necessarily mean that an establishment should be avoided. Look for a general agreement over a series of postings, and notice if you tend to agree with certain commentators who post frequently.
You may even decide to join the fray and offer your own online feedback. The power of the Internet to help familiarize us with our world is one of its great achievements. It has rapidly become quite common that any place we might want to visit now has two locations: one on a street somewhere, and one on the Web. Bookmark your favorite destinations on the information highway and check in with them regularly — it’s the easiest way to stay informed about what’s going on and to explore the world where you live.
Search for what interests you - The Internet has a wealth of resources waiting to connect you with the world right outside your apartment community. Think about the things that interest you: maybe you enjoy eating out in restaurants and going to movies? Sites that focus on specific activities are great for expanding your awareness of destinations in your neighborhood. You can look to the Web to help you find, say, a Southwestern restaurant in your neighborhood, or find a theater and check the times on the new movie you want to see. For information about restaurants, for instance, check out Urbanspoon.com. You can even make online reservations at many eateries via sites such as Opentable.com. You can find local theaters and movie times on sites such as Fandango.com or Moviefone.com. Once you get used to it, looking for local attractions and events via the Web becomes as easy as clicking your mouse.
Google it - Don’t forget about one of the most versatile tools on the Internet: Google! Google is a first-class ticket to seeing the world online. You can find maps to destinations, in many cases with pictures of the actual places you want to visit. You can easily search by key words and categories, and get suggestions from Google about searches that others have made using similar phrases. One search to try is to enter your city, region, or neighborhood by name and see what comes up for you. You may discover a regional publication that serves your area with a blog about your favorite pastime and where to pursue that activity near your apartment home.
Find friends in your neighborhood - Some Web sites are designed to bring people together. You customize these sites for your city or area simply by entering the city’s name in the search field. Meetup.com, for instance, can be used to set up group events between like-minded people who live near each other and are interested in similar activities. On that site, just click “find a group,” then enter the activity that interests you, along with your location. You can then browse through a multitude of groups that have formed because of a love for music or flower arranging. Diving into the diverse opportunities found on pages like these may lead you to discover resources and opportunities in your community that you had no idea were available.
It’s not all fun and games - Your neighborhood may very well have a presence on the Web. Search by name for state and city government sites to learn how to conduct official business or where to find important services. Community-based sites are great online places to learn about your neighborhood and stay abreast of community news. Of course, it is especially important in new surroundings to familiarize yourself with services you may need some day, like the location of the hospital nearest to your apartment. Of more daily assistance, you can find online services that will suggest different routes for getting to places, or you can check the current traffic on your favorite commute path. Maps and travel schedules for rapid transit can typically be found online, as well.
The people have spoken - One of the most useful and exciting features of the Web is its ability to bring people (and their opinions) together. Sites such as Yelp.com give people community forums where they can share their experiences of visiting stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and other services. You can benefit from all this information, but, as with everything you read on the Web, use your own judgment: a few negative comments, no matter how strong the objections, do not necessarily mean that an establishment should be avoided. Look for a general agreement over a series of postings, and notice if you tend to agree with certain commentators who post frequently.
You may even decide to join the fray and offer your own online feedback. The power of the Internet to help familiarize us with our world is one of its great achievements. It has rapidly become quite common that any place we might want to visit now has two locations: one on a street somewhere, and one on the Web. Bookmark your favorite destinations on the information highway and check in with them regularly — it’s the easiest way to stay informed about what’s going on and to explore the world where you live.
PAY BY PHONE WITHOUT SPEAKING TO A REPRESENTATIVE!
What is this new service?
RentPayment now lets you make a payment by phone without having to speak to a customer service representative; no more waiting on hold! Plus you can make your payments 24/7 - 365 days a year!
How does it work?
Simply log on to RentPayment.com and create a profile. Once your profile is entered, you may choose your PIN.
How do I make a payment?
Call us at (866) 289-5977 and follow the system prompts to enter your USER ID and PIN. You will then be prompted to select an account (credit card or eCheck) which you have associated with your online profile at www.rentpayment.com. Then simply enter the amount you wish to pay via your phone.
When is my payment processed?
The payment is instantly applied to your account and you will receive a confirmation e-mail if you have an e-mail address associated with your online profile at www.rentpayment.com. Additionally, the phone system will provide you with a payment reference number.
What if I lose my USER ID or PIN?
Just call us at (866) 289-5977 and we will send you a new one via email or you can login to www.rentpayment.com to retrieve the USER ID and PIN for your account.
IT IS THAT SIMPLE!!!
Maintain Our Community
We encourage everyone to take an active role in our community. Keep your balconies free of all clutter and clean. Items such as bicycles, coolers, pet carriers, etc. are not allowed to be stored on your balconies. We endeavor to keep our community looking its best! Will you join us in doing so? Also, please remember that our Residents Lounge is available for private parties and gatherings for a small fee. You may not place “Reserved” signs in the pool area or the clubhouse! The only area that will be reserved is the Residents Lounge (once the fee is paid), as all other amenities must be accessible to other residents for them to enjoy. If you have any questions or want additional information on how to reserve the Residents Lounge please give us a call at (407) 396-8259. Thank you!
EASTER EGG HUNT...
Come one, come all to Integra Meadows’ 1st Annual Egg Hunt! The Easter Bunny will drop off over 500 stuffed Easter eggs to be hidden in various areas of the community! Egg hunts will be separated by age groups to keep hunts safe and fair. There will also be some very special eggs hidden with prizes!!! The Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 16th at 11:00 am. Be sure to bring your basket and of course don’t forget the running shoes!
Is this check for ME????
When paying your rent, it is extremely important to indicate your building and apartment number on your check or money order(s). This will help ensure that your rent payment is posted to YOUR account and not someone else’s. Also, remember that rent is due on the first of each month. Please review your lease agreement for specific details on late fees.
Rent checks are accepted in the Leasing Office during business hours and in the Rent Drop Box after business hours. You can also save time by paying online by visiting www.IntegraMeadows.com !
Water payments must be submitted directly to Oates Energy by mail to: 415 Pablo Avenue, Suite 100 Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
You can also pay your water online by visiting Oates Energy’s website at www.OatesEnergy.net
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