Millions of Lights.Millions of Memories.This holiday season......Charlotte Motor Speedway transformsinto a winter wonderland! Over 1 million LED lights Celebrity gingerbread houses Bethlehem Village and live Nativity Horse-drawn carriage rides Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus Food vendors Christmas Village Children’s play area … and much more!November 22 – January 2NewsSouthPark(continued from page 1)between 1:30 and 3 p.m. Police did notlist how thieves got into the vehicle.• Thieves stole a GPS unit and smallgold jewelry box, worth $250 combined,after punching out the door lock of a2007 Ford Expedition, causing $400 indamages, between 4:30 and 6 p.m.• Thieves stole a large bag containingpersonal papers and a college text book,worth $120 combined, after shatteringthe window of a 2010 GMC Acadia,causing $600 in damages, between 4:50and 6 p.m.Despite those recent incidents, Sgt.Fred Newell, commander of the South-Park Mall area for the Providence Division,said he’s been pleased with the limitednumber of break-ins since Thanksgiving.He credits part of that to theincreased awareness of shoppers thanksto fliers and pamphlets handed out byofficers in the parking lots.“It’s a common thing that people willgo shopping till their hands are full, goload up the car with thousands of dollarsworth of items and then go back to shopping,”Newell said. “(Thieves) will sit inthe parking lot and watch for that.”Some shoppers have turned around toremove or hide valuables in their vehiclesafter police officers warn them, but plentyof people still don’t, Newell said. Thievesgot away with $3,895 of items, includinga laptop, $300 headphones and an MP3player, from one vehicle Dec. 2 between1 and 3 p.m. in the mall parking lot.“People just get so busy, they just don’tremember,” Newell said.So when shoppers aren’t helping themselves,police have to take up the slack.Officers stationed a watchtower in theparking lot for some time to give thema bird’s-eye view 20 to 30 feet over cars.While that helped, the simple act ofputting more officers into the area hasbeen nice for Newell.Thanks to a Justice Assistance Grant,made possible with federal stimulusfunds, Newell can afford to pay officersovertime to patrol the mall area withoutpulling officers from their regular schedulein other parts of Providence Division.“We’ve been able to have more officersavailable, have more of a presence,”Newell said.Police can combine their extra forceswith some additional help from the mallitself. Though mall officials won’t go intodetails about what security additionsthey’ve made this month, Nicole Kennon,director of marketing and businessdevelopment for the mall, said they’vemade adjustments to deal with one of themall’s busiest times of the year.“We maintain a close working relationshipwith the Charlotte-MecklenburgPolice Department to ensure the appropriatesecurity measures are being takento help provide and maintain a safe environmentat the mall,” Kennon said in ane-mail to South Charlotte <strong>Weekly</strong>. “Thesafety and security of our shoppers andemployees is our top priority…”The mall does ask shoppers to follow afew simple rules to keep safe, like parkingin well-lit areas and shopping witha friend if going to the mall in the evening.Police are pushing the same advice theypromote year-round: Don’t leave valuablesin plain sight in your car, whethergifts or your normal valuables, such as aGPS, and lock the vehicle at all times.For those shoppers too loaded downwith purchases to carry them around,police ask shoppers to take at least oneprecaution to throw off thieves beforethey return to shopping:“At least move your car to a differentspot,” Newell advised. q1013 Technology DriveIndian Trail, NC 28079877-GO-HELMS877-464-3567www.helmsheating.comLicense # 23840To learn more, go to www.Visit<strong>Carolina</strong>Christmas.comor call 800-455-FANS.TIME IS RUNNINGUT!TAX CREDITSenergy-efficient Carrier ® SystemAND REBATESfrom your local utility companies12 Months Interest FREE Financing12 MONTHS INTERESTFREE FINANCINGFREEEvaluationof Current SystemExpires: 12/31/2010877-464-3567www.helmsheating.comPage 10 • Dec. 17-23, 2010 • South Charlotte <strong>Weekly</strong>1225-0028 4.854x12.5.indd 1 11/16/10 1:22:37 PMwww.thecharlotteweekly.com
Blotter(continued from page 9)from third car. Dec. 11.• 7000 block of Waterford Lakes Drive: 1999Toyota Corolla, worth $3,000, stolen. Dec. 11.• 6000 block of Providence Square Drive:Tools, camera, GPS unit and video game,worth $3,650 total, stolen after door locks ofthree vehicles punched, causing $600 in damage.Dec. 11.• 1000 block of Halesworth Drive: $40 incash stolen. Dec. 11.• 9000 block of Sandpiper Drive: Purse andwallet, worth $280 total, stolen. Dec. 12.• 4000 block of Piedmont Row Drive: Laptopand tools, worth $3,200 total, stolen. Dec.12.• 5000 block of South Boulevard: $200 stereostolen after windows shattered, causing$400 in damage. Dec. 13.• 100 block of South Sharon Amity Road:Jewelry and pocketbook, worth $2,175 total,stolen. Dec. 13.Thefts• Horizon Eye Care, 135 S. Sharon AmityRoad: $865 in cash and $180 in checks stolenfrom night deposit. Dec. 9.• Bissell Companies, 13040 Ballantyne CorporatePlace and 11515 North CommunityHouse Road: <strong>Fire</strong>-gate valves, worth $7,400total, stolen. Dec. 9.• 1000 block of Brockton Lane: $80 in jewelrystolen. Dec. 9.• Lowes Foods, 16045 Johnston Road:Twelve lighters and four razors, worth $139total, stolen. Dec. 10.• Kay Jewelers, 4400 Sharon Road: $2,299ring stolen. Dec. 10.• Kangaroo Express, 15620 John J. DelaneyDrive: Wallet stolen. Dec. 11.• Ulta, 236 S. Sharon Amity Road: $500worth of fragrances stolen. Dec. 11.• 6000 block of Bratton Place: $60 plasticsnowman stolen. Dec. 12.• 11000 block of Ballantyne Trace Court:Camera, perfume bottle and statues, worth$960 total, stolen. Dec. 13.• 8000 block of Nightingale Lane: Childsupportcard stolen. Dec. 13.• 4000 block of Carnoustie Lane: Watch andcamcorder, worth $8,500 total, stolen. Dec.13.• 6000 block of South Boulevard: Walletand personal papers stolen. Dec. 13.NewsVandalism• 5000 block of Providence Road: Bleachand other liquids poured over clothes, computer,carpet and stove, causing $7,300 indamage. Dec. 9.• 1000 block of Whispering Forest Drive:Tires slashed, causing $200 in damage. Dec. 9.• 3000 block of Circles End: Woman shotwith BB gun after going outside to see whoshot her window. Damages estimated at $25.The woman suffered minor injuries. Dec. 11.• 8000 block of Castlekeep Road: $4,000in damage to vehicle, drywall and furniture.Dec. 12.• 3000 block of Huntington Ridge Court:Christmas lights cut, causing $40 in damage.Dec. 12.• 4000 block of Providence Road: Windowshattered, causing $300 in damage. Dec. 13.<strong>Fire</strong>(continued from page 1)<strong>building</strong>, according to Capt. Rob Brisley,Charlotte <strong>Fire</strong> Department spokesman.No one was hurt in the blaze, thoughfire officials say one pet died. Adams raninto one unit and attempted to rescue adog after a police officer kicked down thedoor, but the animal fled to the back of thehome and Adams was ordered to leave theburning <strong>building</strong> before he could find it.“I did the best that I could do …”Adams said. “But I wasn’t successful” insaving the dog.The American Red Cross is assisting11 people displaced by the blaze, Brisleysaid. The organization had volunteers onthe scene Tuesday, caring for residentsand firefighters alike in the 32-degree,windy weather.The situation could have been muchworse, Brisley said. <strong>Fire</strong>fighters doing aquick search of the <strong>building</strong> were able toget out before the roof collapsed, leavingthe units unsafe for search or investigationimmediately after flames were extinguished.“We were grateful to get those firefightersout before the collapse,” Brisley said.Also key, Brisley said, was the timing ofthe fire. Happening in the middle of theday, the fire occurred when many peoplewere away for work.The <strong>apartment</strong> complex will put up asmany of the displaced families as possible invacant <strong>apartment</strong> units, according to GeneJudd of the American Red Cross, which willprovide cots and blankets to those families.If the <strong>apartment</strong> complex runs out of space,the Red Cross will provide housing for theother displaced families.The fire started in a third-floor attic, andinvestigators worked into the evening Tuesdaybefore determining the cause of thefire was accidental, Brisley said. Investigatorssay an electrical failure started the fire.Because of where it started, Brisley says firefightershad difficulty preventing the blazefrom spreading through what is known asa “common attic,” which means differentunits share the same large attic space.“The fire had a huge head start,” Brisleysaid. <strong>Fire</strong>fighters stayed at the sceneuntil Wednesday morning to ensure nohot spots flared up. qwww.thecharlotteweekly.comHome for the HolidaysSPOTLIGHT PROPERTIESCharlotte$114,900Trianon South Park Area1708 Roxborough Street (H)Minnie High 704-804-1447www.982092.cbcarolinas.comCharlotte$179,900Olmsted Park - 2210 Sumner Green Ave. Unit LLaurie Bell 704-516-1726www.982637.cbcarolinas.comWaxhaw$329,900Quellin - 3204 Blackburn Dr.Steven White 704-242-1485www.977809.cbcarolinas.comFort Mill$424,500Bridgehampton - 15011 Laurel Glen WayCherri Hendrix 843-861-5471www.969023.cbcarolinas.comWaxhaw$784,900Woodhall - 2813 Cutter CourtKaren Kitzmiller 704-957-3323www.977004.cbcarolinas.comIndian Trail$144,900.00Lake Park - 3507 Mayhurst DriveRobert Faulkner 704-806-0465,www.986917.cbcarolinas.comIndian Trail$179,900Crismark - 5003 Paddle Wheel Ln.Steven White 704-242-1485www.921514.cbcarolinas.comLake Wylie$339,900The Landing - 2339 Branch Hill Ln.Valerie Martin 704-975-3157www.951788.cbcarolinas.comWaxhaw$425,000Lawson - 1239 Nightingale RoadSuzette Gray - 704-401-7737www.986477.cbcarolinas.comWeddington$2,149,500The Redwine House at F:8 Acres7112 New Town Rd.Beth Rountree & Suzette Gray704-533-2683 or 704-401-7737www.948484.cbcarolinas.comWaxhaw$160,000Stone Crest- 3906 Cassidy DriveKohleen & Associates 704.533.2818www.984035.cbcarolinas.comCharlotte$225,000Hersham Mews - 9037 Twilight Hill CourtKaren Kitzmiller 704-957-3323www.988381.cbcarolinas.comWeddington$349,000Providence Woods - 4500 Weddington-Matthews Rd.Karen Kitzmiller 704-957-3323www.951741.cbcarolinas.comMarvin$459,900Providence Ridge - 8912 Nellie Ln.Suzette Gray - 704-401-7737www.951036.cbcarolinas.comWeddington$2,300,000Stratford On Providence - 6018 Hathaway Ln.Suzette Gray & Beth Rountree704-401-7737 or 704-533-2683www.987495.cbcarolinas.comColdwell Banker United, REALTORS ®3440 Toringdon Way, Suite 100Charlotte, NC 28277Charlotte$165,000Silverwood - 6912 Loretta PlaceKohleen & Associates 704.533.2818www.943883.cbcarolinas.comCharlotte$255,000Auburn Place - 10335 Threatt Woods Dr.Karen Kitzmiller 704-957-3323www.966691.cbcarolinas.comCharlotte$374,500Canterbury - 6914 Saddlebury Ln.Minnie High 704-804-1447www.963386.cbcarolinas.comCharlotte$485,000The Palisades - 13722 Glen Abbey Dr.Kohleen & Associates 704.533.2818www.951792.cbcarolinas.comWeddington$2,400,000Stratford On Providence6020 Hathaway Ln.Beth Rountree & Suzette Gray704-533-2683 or 704-401-7737www.987548.cbcarolinas.com®, TM and SM are licensed trademarks to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. An Equal Opportunity Company.Equal Housing Opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated, except offices owned and operated by NRT Incorporated.South Charlotte <strong>Weekly</strong> • Dec. 17-23, 2010 • Page 11