by Mary Pope-Handy | Sep 12, 2026 | Crime & Prevention, Events
Neighbor Jared Beck kindly organized a Neighborhood Watch meeting at the cabaña on Thursday, September 10th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Unfortunately, it was a hot evening and there was a 49ers game competing with that time slot, so only 16 residents attended. We had input from and discussion with two knowledgeable, friendly members of the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department, and also from Jackie Rose, the Community Outreach Coordinator for the LGMSPD.
The immediate reason for the gathering was the recent spate of car break ins in the Belwood area. Residents have reported strangers testing doors, sometimes smashing windows, and rifling the contents and stealing things. At least one neighbor had reported on Nextdoor that a garage remote was stolen, as well as expensivive belongings. Also discussed were home break ins, Flock cameras, presenting theft in homes and cars, and how the department is organized. We were all invited to check out the Volunteers in Policing (VIP) opportunity, too.
Neighborhood watch meeting suggestions
In terms of keeping cars safe, the officer at the neighborhood watch meeting suggested never leaving valuables in the car, always locking it when parked, and also blacking out the street address on the car registration (presumably a copy and not the original) and writing next to it “Same as DL” or driver’s license. Additonally, carry an image of the complete registration on your phone. By keeping the address private, the idea is that the breakin of a car away from home would not lead the bad guys to your residence. Many of us have garage remotes, whether built into the car or as a separate device, which may lead to more losses.
I found that advice to be compelling and a new idea worth embracing.
Regarding home burlaries, we are seeing fewer of the South American gang hits than we had in about 2022-2023, but that kind of thing still happens (We had a neighborhood watch meeting in 2022 and had one of those types of burglaries in the community earlier this year – see the earlier post, “Preventing burlaries“). The detective said that they usually hit between about 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., often going through French doors (often not properly locked) or sliding doors, and straight to the primary bedroom for valuables.
The main advice to keep a home burlar free is to “make it look occupied”. We were assured that they do not want to see us, so any indication that we are home helps. If someone rings the doorbell, hollar something like “I’m busy and cannot come to the door right now” rather than ignore it. The suggestions were similar to, if not exactly the same, as what I listed in the article listed above.
Flock cameras were mentioned briefly. We learned that the residents on Alerche decided to discontinue that service. One stretch of Belvue does have it now (after a few homes were burlarized).
Where to learn about reported crimes? The officers reminded us that it’s all online. You can find it here: https://lgpd.citizenrims.com/map
We were also told that often, phoning 911 will find the call being answered by a dispatcher in Vallejo. The suggestion is to phone the regular LG MS police line at (408) 354-8600.
A sign in sheet was passed around and I believe that an email list will be created for updates. We do have Nextdoor and also a Facebook presence, but not everyone uses those tools.
Postscript: I only have partial names for the officer and detective who shared their time and information with us on a hot summer evening. I’m hoping to add that info in the coming days.
Related reading:
Los Gatos crime score (older post on our Live in Los Gatos blog)
by Mary Pope-Handy | Jun 15, 2026 | Belwood, Maps, Subdivisions & Tracts
Adjacent to Belwood of Los Gatos is a small subdivision with 14 homes along Jamie Court and Bacigalupi Drive. Ten homes are in Tract 5921, and 4 are Lots A – D.
In this post I’ll share phtos of some of the homes, a description of house sizes and style, plusses to living here, and some challenges.
What’s in a name? Tract 5921, Lots A – D
Not every subdivision has a name, and that is true for this pocket of Los Gatos. It would have been great if the builder had labelled it Belwood Foothills, Hacienda Belwood, or some clever name, but no such luck. Most have a Spanish flair and all were initially built with concreete Spanish tiles, so a name tying them together would have been nice.
This is a tidy little neighborhood and from here it’s super convenient to get to Noddin Elementary School, Walgreen’s Shopping Center, or the Belwood Cabaña and pool (membership is optional).
The houses were all constructed between 1977 and 1979, so generally about 10 years younger than the Belwood of Los Gatos houses.
(more…)
by Mary Pope-Handy, Clair Handy | Jun 15, 2026 | Belwood, Housing, New construction
We are periodically updating this post as new developments take place. Earlier this week, I received this:
We will hold a community meeting at the Belwood Cabana on June 18 at 7PM to discuss the updated plans for the Mirassou development…. Representatives from Robson, the developer of the project, will be in attendance.
The new plan shows 14 houses on the school parcel.
The plan before that had 13 houses.
And before that, in 2024, it was 12 houses.
Please be there if you can.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s now mid-2025 and I’m not hearing much of an update on the Mirassou site, however there is a sign on the property facing Belvue:
Here’s a closeup of the right hand side (click on image to see larger view):
The town’s planning department lists projects in alphabetical order, with one page per letter in the alphabet used. The info for this proposed development can be seen here, just scroll down to 220 Belgatos Road:
https://www.losgatosca.gov/2370/B
OLDER UPDATES are below.
(more…)
by Mary Pope-Handy, Clair Handy | Feb 3, 2026 | Home safety, maintenance, protection
Our neighborhood, like many places, experiences periodic burglaries. Sadly, it happened again last weekend.
In 2022 there was a well attended Neighborhood Watch meeting at the Belwood Cabana. Sergeant Bill Hoyt of the Los Gatos Police Department updated us on the break-ins across Los Gatos and the fairly predictable pattern that these particular bad actors follow. For those new to the area or who missed that session, here is a quick recap on the information I learned in hopes that together we can prevent burlaries as much as possible.
The thieves typically go into backyards, break sliding glass doors (who doesn’t have them?), step over the broken glass and get into the home without opening the door, and then make their way to the primary bedroom to snatch valuables. They drive expensive cars or, more likely, expensive SUVs, so that they blend in. They are fast – in and out before the police have a chance to arrive.
Where are the burglaries happening?
- These burglars target high-end neighborhoods.
- They usually come between 5:30 and 10 p.m.
- They hit homes that look empty (dark, no cars in garage, no sounds).
- Dogs don’t appear to be a deterrent.
- Safes are being removed.
Sergeant Hoyt suggests that you make it look like you are home by doing the following:
- Have lights on timers to vary when it’s lit up (inside, perhaps also front porch).
- You can also put TVs, radios, blinds, or other things on timers to increase the appearance of someone being home. (I’ve heard that burglars are more likely to hesitate if they hear music than if they hear the TV.)
- Update neighbors when you’ll be away so that they can hold any surprise deliveries for you and pay attention to strange vehicles that pull up to your home.
- Consider having a car parked in the driveway. Many of the homes being targeted had a clear driveway.
- Cameras with motion sensors and alerts can be helpful if you or your neighbor are hit, though they may not be a preventative.
Be safe!
Related Reading:
Crime map for Los Gatos and Monte Sereno
Area Vibes – Scoring Los Gatos (strong on all but cost of housing)
by Mary Pope-Handy | Oct 20, 2025 | Belgatos, Belwood, Cabaña, Events, Recreation, Surmont
Belwood of Los Gatos members and their invited guests are welcome to join the annual Halloween Party, this Sunday October 26 at 3 pm. There are games, a chance to vote on the best decorated home in Belwood of Los Gatos, refreshments, and a chance to mingle with neighbors and friends. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated!
You can find all of the details on the HOA’s website.
Older info from 2022 is below.
Ghosts & Cemetery: © Giuseppe Ramos S via canva.com. Hand: © Davids47 via canva.com. Paper: © Vectortradition via canva.com.
It’s official – the Halloween party is back!
The September 2022 Bellringer, the community’s newsletter, has announced it. After a two-year hiatus, Belwood is ready to have this family-friendly monster bash yet again. This event is held at the cabana club for members. The party will start around 3pm with wrap-up at 7pm on Sunday, October 30, check the Belwood event page and newsletters for updates. Feel free to reach out to Belwood’s Events Coordinator, Mary Schepman, by email through hoa@belwoodhomes.org if you have ideas or would like to help! Volunteers needed!
Info below is from previous years
Halloween fun in the Belwood of Los Gatos Community!
Put on a costume and celebrate Halloween at the Belwood of Los Gatos cabana club, Sunday Oct 27th, 2019 from 3- 6pm. Enjoy games, prizes, pizza, snacks & the spirit of All Hallows Eve. The featured event will be either a spooky haunted house or a movie, beginning at 6pm. Costumes highly encouraged!
Belwood residents and invited guests only, please. Free admission, donations appreciated.
Learn more at the Belwood Homes Halloween Party event page.
Volunteers needed! Find sign-up information through the link above.
by Mary Pope-Handy | May 8, 2025 | Belwood
If you’re a Belwood of Los Gatos HOA member, be sure to check out the new Belwood Homes website – it’s impressive and it’s newly revamped! The Belwood of Los Gatos Homes Association website can be found at its old URL, BelwoodHomes.org. The site also reflects some neat improvements at the HOA generally! There have been a lot of changes since the end of last year that you might want to know about!
Few nice items to be aware of on the Belwood Homes website include these:
- There is a trial pickle ball court set up.
- The newsletter shares updates about the street monument and security cameras. (It is labeled “winter 2025”, so there may be an update soon.
- Belwood of Los Gatos HOA has set up with a professional accounting firm for HOA expenses and dues.
- The HOA plans to update the CC&Rs.
- There are multiple committees: Events, Facilities, Technology / Communications (they have a blog now – Between the Belringers), and Legal (Mirassou school project and CC&Rs).
- And there’s a happy update: the swim team has been the recent champions again.
- The events page also has something called Belwood First Fridays (BFF) now – a weekly community event at the cabana.
This website, BelwoodOfLosGatos.com, covers more than just the HOA territory – it’s a little broader, geographically, and includes both optional HOA membership areas and pockets near Belwood that are not eligible for membership. I don’t view the HOA website as a competitor, but a complement to what we are trying to do here, and I love being able to underscore to members that the HOA website is a great resource.
by Clair Handy, Mary Pope-Handy | Apr 21, 2025 | Cabaña, Recreation
Over the last month we’ve gone from hailstorm to 80F and sunny, and the warm weather is just in time for the Belwood Cabaña pool to open for the summer season!
Belwood Cabaña: Pool Season Schedule
There are a few different dates to look out for, and as always this schedule is subject to change. Please reference this season’s pool schedule as listed on the HOA website. At the time of publication (4/21/2025) here are the current dates:
2025 Pool Schedule:
April 14 : Pool opens to keyholders 6 AM – 10 PM
May 24 – May 26 and May 31 – June 1 : Facility and Pool Open to members
June 7 – Aug 10 : Open Daily with lifeguards 1 PM – 7 PM.
Aug 16 – Sept 1 : Open WEEKENDS ONLY
The pool will CLOSE for the season at the end of the day on Labor Day, Monday, Sept 2. It will remain open to keyholders until the end of October.
This schedule is subject to change.
Also, a reminder that Belwood Dolphins Swim Team practices are April 29 – June 6, Mondays through Fridays 3:30pm to 7pm.
Please check https://belwoodhomes.org/cabana for the latest, most accurate information!
Want to learn more about the Belwood Homes community and Cabaña? Check out our other page with information on the membership and community titled Belwood Cabaña, and stick around at the Belwood Blog for more information and news from the greater Belwood / Belgatos neighborhood!
