Tahoe Donner

While the Tahoe Donner Association enjoys a relatively low crime rate, there are instances of criminal and/or inappropriate activity. The point of this article is to encourage members to be aware of their surroundings at all times and be willing to report suspicious or inappropriate activity to appropriate agencies.                                                                

The police cannot function effectively without the assistance of responsible citizens. They need your help in reporting suspicious activity. Some people fail to call because they are not aware of what is considered suspicious. Others notice suspicious activity and assume someone else will call. Still others fail to call because they feel they are bothering the police. 

Tahoe Donner Association encourages members and guests to call the Truckee Police Department immediately if they feel a situation or circumstance is suspicious. DO NOT think you are bothering the police; this is why they are there. DO NOT be embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. 

If the incident does not appear to be a crime in progress, you may call the following Truckee Police Department non-emergency number:  (530) 550-2328.

IF IN DOUBT, CALL! It is better to err on the side of safety. The following is a list of the type of incidents that should be reported to the Truckee Police Department by dialing 9-1-1:

• Someone needing police, fire, or medical assistance
• Alarms sounding or glass being broken
• Someone loitering around cars or going car to car peering into them
• Slow moving vehicles (at night without lights) driving aimlessly
• Apparent business transactions being conducted from a vehicle
• Someone being forced into a vehicle
• Someone seen with a weapon

While some, if not, all of the above situations could have innocent explanations, the Truckee Police Department would rather prevent illegal activity than be called to investigate a crime after it is committed.

If you are calling to report a problem and the situation changes before the officer arrives, call back and provide the updated information to the dispatcher. This could change the priority level in regard to the response from the Police Department.

Since the Tahoe Donner Association is within Truckee town limits, it falls within the jurisdiction of the Truckee Police Department. If you suspect that the suspicious behavior that you detected is actually a crime in progress, please call 9-1-1. 

The police dispatcher will need the following information:

• What is the person’s last known location and direction of travel?
• What made the person’s actions suspicious?
• Did the person say anything?  If so, what?
• Did the person appear intoxicated?
• Were there any weapons displayed or was there the threat of a weapon?

Also, be prepared to give information about the person including:

• Race
• Sex
• Age
• Height
• Weight
• Complexion
• Clothing
• Eye and hair color
• Facial hair
• Scars
• Tattoos

If the suspicious person is in a vehicle, please provide the vehicle make, model, color, and license plate number if you can.

Suspicious activity observed outside the Truckee town limits should be reported to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Their non-emergency number is: (530) 582-7842. Dialing 9-1-1 will connect you with both the Truckee Police Department and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. 

If you observe suspicious activity at any Tahoe Donner Association facilities or amenities, you are encouraged to call the Tahoe Donner Security Department at: (530) 587-9495 (office) or (530) 448-9076 (cell). If you are unable to reach the Tahoe Donner Security Department, please call the Truckee Police Department immediately. 

Tahoe Donner Association covenants violation complaints may be submitted verbally at the Architectural Standards Office in person, or via telephone to Compliance Inspector Roy Richner at (530) 587-9406.  Complaints may also be submitted by FAX:(530)587-9419 or via e-mail.

 Examples of covenants violations: 

• Fires and/or fire pits
• Inoperable vehicles
• Camping on lots or living in recreational vehicles
• Parking on unsurfaced portion of improved lots
• Vegetation removal
• Garbage spills

Remember:  If you do observe what you consider to be suspicious activity, your only job is to report, and law enforcement will take your call seriously and check out the situation.  What you see and report may be invaluable and may save lives.

Starting Friday, August 3, the North Lake Tahoe Water Shuttle will offer service between a variety of different stops in North Lake Tahoe. The pilot program will run through the end of September. Try a vacation from your car by taking public transit or riding your bike to one of the four beautiful docks. The North Lake Tahoe Water Shuttle carries 12 passengers and up to 8 bikes.

Participating docks are: West Shore Cafe, Tahoe City Marina, GarWoods Grill & Pier and the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area. Rates start at $10 for adults and $7 for children up to 12 years old. Seats are limited and reservations are required. Please call (530) 581-8707 or visit North Lake Tahoe Water Shuttle for more information.

Are you interested in making a difference in your own neighborhood and helping to improve the Tahoe Donner trail system? Tahoe Donner will host a handful of volunteer Trail Work Days and will be seeking volunteers. We hope you will consider getting involved! Contact Sarah Collamer, Trail Steward, at scollamer@tahoedonner.com to sign up.

Saturday, June 23
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Improve access to the trail network from Hillside Drive. We will be constructing a new trail to connect Hillside Drive with trail section 6A-7A. There is an existing trail that will decommission and rerouted on to higher ground. This project will require digging, heavy lifting and use of hand tools. We will also be doing trash removal and vegetation trimming along the Nature Loop near Northwoods Boulevard. The Nature Loop needs a spruce up; it is one of the most heavily used trails in TD and receives a lot of trash from the road. This project will be better for families with small kids or anyone requiring lighter duty. We hope to cover the length of the Nature Loop from the Northwoods Clubhouse to the driving range.

Sunday, July 29
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Meet at the the Forestry Office, 14514 Northwoods Blvd.
Trails day will include work on the trail #27-28 which is located just off of Teton Way. We recommend that you wear work gloves, long pants, sturdy shoes, sunglasses and a hat. Bring sunscreen, bagged lunch/snacks and water bottle. Volunteer work crew along with Forestry staff will be park at the new forestry property near the Teton trailhead (off of Skislope Way).  It is a short walk to the trail we are working on, so volunteers will have access to their cars.

Saturday, August 25
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Does the term Stored Value mean anything to you while you’re at Tahoe Donner? Did you know you can put money on your Tahoe Donner Membership ID cards? It is called Stored Value. You no longer have to carry money or your credit card with you when you visit Tahoe Donner’s amenities. It’s very easy to put value (money) on your card. You can come into the Member Services office with your credit card and Tahoe Donner staff can put the money on your card for you. Or you can call them at (530) 587-9400 ext. 0.

To redeem your stored value, simply tell the Tahoe Donner staff that you have Stored Value on your Tahoe Donner Member or Guest ID card. Your receipt will display the balance left on the ID card.

Remember to always take your Tahoe Donner Member or Guest ID card with you to use stored value at the amenities. This program was introduced last summer and received rave reviews and participation. So, don’t worry about carrying your wallet, stored value and your membership ID or Guest card is all you need this summer at your personal resort.

Truckee Donner Land Trust’s John Svan will be giving a presentation on trail use and user conflicts on Saturday, June 30. The presentation begins at 10 a.m. in the conference room at Northwoods Clubhouse.