Last Updated: April, 2008
33 Beat News
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR CITIZENS
Published by Officer S. Jerrell Patrol East Community Policing
350 S. Edgemoor, Wichita KS Work: 688-9331 / Fax: 688-9328 E-mail: sjerrell@wichita.gov
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
It’s time to
STOP Sexual Violence!
Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center
invites the public to attend its
22nd Annual "Take Back the Night"
Activities include:
Very Special Guest Speakers
Stephen N. Six
Attorney General for the state of Kansas
Sandy Barnett
Executive Director of Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
Dorthy Stucky-Halley, LMSW
Director of Victim Services with the Office of the Attorney General
Also: Survivor of sexual violence
All events are free and open to the public
.
When
: Friday, April 25th at 6:00 P.M.
Where: Old Town Plaza (outside the Warren Theatre)
…all human beings have the right to be free from violence, the right to be heard, and the right to reclaim those rights if they are violated… (Unifying theme from Take Back The Night)
Wichita, Kan.—According to national statistics one in every three women will experience sexual violence in her lifetime. Additionally, one in four girls will experience sexual violence before she is 18, one in 6 boys before he is 18 and one in 10 men in his lifetime.
The fact that this happens everywhere, including our neighborhoods, makes sexual violence more than a woman’s issue. Sexual violence is a community issue.
Criime Prevention Tip off tthe Month for April 2008
Crime Prevention Tip off the Month Brought to you by the Wichita Police Department Crime Prevention Unit With warmer weather approaching, more people will be outside walking, working in the yard, or just enjoying the warmer weather. This month, the Wichita Police Department Crime Prevention Section would like to offer these personal safety tips in an effort to make you and the community safer. WALKING/JOGGING: Avoid jogging or walking alone. Remember there is safety in numbers. Avoid unlit streets, vacant lots, and unpopulated areas. Stick to well-traveled areas like malls and businesses in your area. Refrain from wearing headphones, which prevent you from hearing what is happening around you. Be assertive and know where you are going. Never be friendly when out walking or jogging. Don’t give out directions. If you think someone is following you, change directions and get to a safe place. Always have your keys ready when returning home. When arriving home, have a friend wait until you are inside before leaving. ASSERTIVENESS: Assertive behavior will help reduce your vulnerability to an assault. Make eye contact with people you meet. Eye contact is a powerful way to say "I am in control myself and my environment. Do not violate my space." No one will listen to you or take you seriously if you speak softly. Speak clearly and with authority. Say "NO" rather than "Well, I don’t know." Speak up. Strong body language also sends the same assertive message as eye contact. Walk with a sense of purpose like you know exactly where you are going and what you are doing. Pay attention to your instincts. Do not discredit them by thinking that you are just paranoid. If you feel someone can’t be trusted or you are in danger, you probably have a good reason. Listen to your instincts and trust them. IN CONCLUSION: Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid dangerous situations. Think about your options in advance should you encounter an attacker. Value yourself and your feelings as much as you value others. The most important step you can take in protecting yourself is to acknowledge that it can happen to you. The following principles should be useful in helping you reduce your degree of vulnerability.
1. Be alert.
2. Be aware of the people around you, your surroundings, and the total environment.
3. Be assertive, do not allow yourself to be intimidated.
4. Stay calm.
5. Think clearly.
Garage and Shed Burglaries
Neighborhoods all over the City of Wichita have been experiencing a high number of garage and shed burglaries. The suspects are looking to steal your lawn equipment. Please make sure your sheds and garages are locked and that you know serial numbers for your lawn equipment. If you provide the police department with the serial number of your stolen equipment, there is a better chance that it could be returned to you if it is located.
33 Beat Officers have been working on this issue and have made numerous arrests for people breaking into garages and sheds. Almost all of the information to arrests these suspects, has come from citizens who made sure they reported what they knew. To those citizens, the 33 Beat Team would like to say "THANK YOU".
Identity theft is America's fastest-growing crime.
Last year alone, more than 9.9 million Americans were
victims of identity theft, a crime that cost them roughly $5 billion.
The number of ID theft victims and their total losses are probably much higher. It's hard to pin down, because law enforcement agencies may classify ID theft differently--it can involve credit card fraud, Internet fraud, or mail theft, among other crimes.
The FTC reported that only four percent of victims cited stolen mail as the source of personal information. Even so, U.S. Postal Inspectors, charged with protecting the nation’s mail system from criminal misuse, are leaders in the fight against identity theft.
Postal Inspectors provide these ID theft tips:
Review your consumer credit reports annually.
Shred and destroy unwanted documents that contain personal information.
Deposit mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes.
Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
For more information...
More tips <idtheftips.htm>
to help you avoid identity theft.
If you think you're a victim of identity theft, here's
what you should do <ifvictim.htm>.
View and print our
Identity Theft brochure, Publication 280, in PDF format <http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub280.pdf>. Or, view and print a text-only version of the Identity Theft brochure <http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub280/welcome.htm>.
Learn about
how identity thieves can steal your name <IDtheft2.htm> and your money.
Identity theft may include mail fraud, credit card theft, or check fraud. Read
current online news <newsmenu.htm> of Postal Inspectors’ investigations of this fast-growing crime to learn how to best protect yourself.
If you’re a victim of identity theft and the U.S. Mail is involved, call your nearest
Postal Inspection Service office <http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-is.html> and local police or report identity theft on-line https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/mailthft/idtheft.htm.
Alarms
The Wichita Police Department needs your assistance in reducing the number of false alarms. Alarm owners should be completely educated on the use of their system. Others who have access to your home such as cleaning crews, children, neighbors, and caretakers should also be trained on its proper operation.
Before you leave your home, make sure your doors and windows are securely locked. Keep pets, fans, heaters, etc. away from motion detectors (even plants and balloons can set off your motion detector!) Know how much time you have after you arm your system to leave and to disarm your system when you enter.
Always notify your alarm company if you plan any home renovation projects and/or utility service repairs.
If you accidentally set your alarm off, don’t panic! Disarm your system and wait by your phone until your alarm company calls you. Do not call 911; only alarm companies can cancel alarms with 911. As long as your alarm company cancels the alarm with 911 in 4 minutes, you will not be liable for any fines.
In 2004 the City of Wichita emergency personnel responded to almost 28,000 alarms. Only about 1 percent of these alarms were valid. Fines for dispatching emergency personnel to false alarm calls have increased. On November 1, 2004, false alarm fines were increased from $28.00 to $40.00 for residential alarms, $40.00 to $50.00 for duress/panic alarms and $60.00 to $70.00 for hold up alarms. The cancel time was increased as well from two minutes to four minutes. It’s a good idea to contact your alarm company and request that they contact you prior to requesting an emergency dispatch. Always notify your alarm company if you change your contact list or contact phone numbers.
Disagreements with an alarm bill should be directed to the Alarm Administrator at 455 N Main, 4th fl, Wichita, KS 67202. I can also be reached at (316) 268-4525 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
I’m more than happy to try and answer any questions you might have. Thank you for making a difference and for being part of the solution and not the problem.
Claudia Reyes-Zamorano
Alarm Administrator
Colvin Parking
Colvin Elementary, 2820 S. Roosevelt, has had parking issues (especially at dismissal) for years. This past summer, USD 259 spent a significant amount of money to add a new parking lot, on the West side of the School (off Roosevelt). This new parking area adds about 30 new parking spaces. They also added on to the drive, in front of their school, that runs between Roosevelt and Fees. This was done to increase parking and make leaving the school smoother.
The west side of Roosevelt, in the 2800 block, has No Parking between certain hours, posted. Officers have already been out there and seen many people parking in these areas. Parking citations will be issued to those parking in this area, between those hours.
The Wichita Police Department met with Traffic Engineering, last school year, and got them to allow parking on the East side of the street. This allows for more parking, while leaving the West side of the street open for traffic to flow.
Private Property Auto Tows
The Wichita Police Department is no longer allowed to tow cars from private property and private businesses, unless it presents an environmental health issue. On March 15, 2005, Section 11.52.020 (27)(b) and (c) of the City Code relating to Hold Harmless Agreements was repealed.
Property Owners and businesses that request vehicles to be towed should now refer to City Code Chapter 11.99, which sets out requirements for private property owners to tow vehicles.
Under City Ordinance 11.99.030, the property or business owner requesting the tow is required to contact the WPD Records Bureau within one hour of the vehicle being towed. Failure to comply with this ordinance can result in a fine of up to $1000. Private property or business owners are to contact the Records Bureau at 268-4186 and report:
Vehicle Year
Make and Model
VIN
Towing Company name and address
Where the vehicle is being towed
Person Ordering the Tow
Address from which the vehicle was towed
DAB III Meeting Changes
Effective immediately, there is again only one DAB III meeting scheduled for each month. The regular scheduled meeting will be on the first Wednesday of the Month at 7:00 p.m. The DAB III meetings are held at the Water Dept, 101 E. Pawnee.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Neighborhood Watch is a program that is built by the partnership of law enforcement and the community. With the new year ahead of us, let's make it a goal to strengthen that partnership to reduce and prevent crimes in your neighborhood. A key factor to the success of a neighborhood watch program is the empowerment of the citizens. Empowerment of the citizens means the involvement of the neighborhood. Neighbors should communicate with each other to discuss issues that would help in reducing and preventing crimes in their neighborhood. The communication with your beat officers is also important in the process of reducing and preventing crimes in your area. The Wichita Police Department has trained the officers in the area of problem solving utilizing the SARA model.
S.A.R.A. Model Scanning: Determining and defining the problem. Analysis: Determining its scope, cause, effects, components, and restraining factors. Response: Based upon the analysis, develop goals to respond to the problem. Assessment: Carefully evaluate the effectiveness of the response and determining if the goals set were met.
Remember, this program is only successful through the communication of law enforcement and the community and the empowerment of the community with its involvement with one another. Please make it a goal this year to be more involved with your community and neighborhood to reduce and prevent crimes.
FUTURE EVENTS
DAB III meeting - Wednesday May 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. @101 E. Pawnee (Water Dept Building)
DAB III meeting - Wednesday June 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. @101 E. Pawnee (Water Dept Building)
Planeview Neighborhood Association Meeting - Monday April 21, 2008 at 7:00 @Colvin
Planeview Neighborhood Association Meeting - Monday May 19, 2008 at 7:00 @Colvin Elementary
Planeview Neighborhood Association Meeting - Monday June 16, 2008 at 7:00 @ Colvin Elementary
K-15 Neighborhood Association Meeting - Monday April 28, 2008 at 7:00 @ Colvin Elementary
K-15 Neighborhood Association Meeting - NO MAY MEETING
K-15 Neighborhood Association Meeting - June 30, 2008 at 7:00 @ Colvin Elementary
HELPFUL NUMBERS
SCAT: 267- SCAT (7228) [Now in English and Spanish]
Crime Stoppers: 267-2111
Warrant Office: 268-4231
Citizens Police Academy: 838-9611
Community Affairs: 268-4101
Office of Central Inspection (OCI): 265-4477
Health Department: 268-8351
Animal Control: 268-8473
The Wichita Police Department’s Mission Statement
The Wichita Police Department’s mission is to provide professional and ethical public safety services in partnership with citizens to identify, prevent and solve the problems of crime, fear of crime, social disorder and neighborhood decay, thereby improving the quality of life in our community.