Published by D. Hinners
Patrol East Community Policing
350 S. Edgemoor, Wichita KS 67218
Last Updated June 30th, 2008
Introductions
If you have any questions or problems please call me at The Patrol East Community Police Office at 688-9545 or e-mail me at dhinners@wichtia.gov.
35 Beat Team Members
1st Shift: Officers Nixon and Lemons 07:00-5:00 p.m.
2nd Shift: Officer Zerr and Stark 11:00-09:00 p.m.
3rd Shift: Officer 05:00 p.m. to 03:00 a.m.
4th Shift: Officers Woodard and Shorb 09:00 p.m. to 07:00 a.m.
School Resource Officer for Southeast High School:
Officer Rodgers, Monday-Friday 07:00 to 03:00pm
School Resource Officer for Curtis Middle School:
Officer Miller, Monday-Friday 07:00 to 03:00pm
SCAT Officer: Officer Maben - 05:00p.m. to 03:00am
National Night Out
Wichita residents are once again invited to join thousands of other communities across America in supporting a unique, coast-to coast crime prevention project on August 5th, 2008 to give neighborhood crime and drugs a "going away" party. On August 5th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., residents city wide and across the nation, will be asked to turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside on their block.
Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs.
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Generate support for starting Neighborhood watch groups.
National Night Out 2008 Schedule:
Thursday, July 31st 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Public Kick Off at "All Star Sports East"
FREE Admission
Reduced Ticket Prices
Media Sponsor: Power 93.9 (Entercom)
Friday, August 1st
KEYN Summer Concert Series in Old Town
Saturday, August 2nd 7:00 pm
Old Town Concert and Motorcycle Rally
(Motorcycle Rally Participants are by invitation only)
Sponsor: T-95 and 104.5 The Fox
Sunday, August 3rd 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Safe & Secure Day at the Sedgwick County Zoo
Half Price Admission
Sponsor: 101.3 KFDI
Monday, August 4th
Safe & Secure Day at Open Wichita Public Pools
(please check here for schedules)
Tuesday, August 5th
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BLOCK PARTY TIME
Register your block party online here.
Or call the WPD Community Affairs Section at 268-4101
(make sure if you want to block off your street you fill out the form below the "Register Button")
Have a pot luck dinner, a BBQ, an ice cream social or whatever your neighbors want to contribute. Discuss neighborhood issues over good food and good company.
Emergency services such as Police, Fire, and EMS will be provided a list of registered block parties so they can stop by to say, "Hello." Discuss issues you've seen in your neighborhood and help us help you improve the quality of life.
Tuesday, August 5th
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
National Baseball Congress Block Party in the Bud Pavilion
Fireworks Display
PRE-National Night Out Activities
Safety Fair at Wichita Target Stores
Saturday, July 12th
21st/Greenwich 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
301 S. Armor 3:00 pm -7:00 pm
Sunday, July 13th
29th/Maize 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Maple/Ridge 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday, July 17th
Seniors BINGO
Wichita Rec Center (TBA - Check here for updates)
Sponsor: Mental Health Association
Saturday, July 19th
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament with the Amateur Poker League
Proceeds benefit the Law Enforcement Memorial
(Limited slots, register via mtennyson@wichita.gov)
REGISTER YOUR BLOCK PARTY NOW
Help Wichita to become a
Crime Prevention Tip of the Month
June 2008
Keeping Your Home Safer by Using Landscape and Lighting
Landscaping
Bushes, trees and shrubbery can conceal an intruder attempting entry into a window or door; or worse yet, waiting in hiding for the homeowner! A few alterations to the home’s landscaping can be enough to discourage intruders. To avoid being seen or caught, intruders look for property they can get enter and exit quickly. The ideal target is a home surrounded by large hedges or shrubs, which hamper visibility from the street and neighboring homes. Trim shrubbery and trees so doors and windows are visible to neighbors and from the street. Ground plants near sidewalks should be trimmed at a height of 2-4 feet. Ground plants that are under windows should be below the window sill. Trees should be trimmed so the lower branched are more than 6 feet off the ground. If the home has a second floor, prune trees so they can’t help a thief climb in second floor windows. Place trellises where they can’t be used as ladders to gain entry to upper floors. Plant spiny (thorny) plants along fences and under windows. Such plants will discourage the possible burglar. Protecting with spiny plants can be almost as effective as using barbed wire, and a lot more attractive. Another way to keep potential criminals away is to place large gauge gravel on the ground near windows. The noise caused by an intruder walking on it can be a psychological barrier. Do not place large rocks or other items near glass windows or doors. These could provide the burglar with his tools.
Lighting
It is a recognized fact that good lighting is a deterrent to crime. Effective lighting allows the homeowner see the pathway they take from their vehicle to the house. It permits them to see as they stop at the door to use their house keys. Effective lighting also forces the intruder to work in an area where he may be exposed and reported to the police.
Around the House- security lighting should be located high out of reach and vandal resistant to protect all sides of the home. The best possible location for exterior residential lighting is under the eaves of the house. Such lighting should ideally be controlled by photoelectric cells that will activate them during times of darkness.
Over Entry Doors- Each door should be equipped with a light that provides quality illumination in the vicinity of the door, including both sides of the door and porch.
Carports and Garages- Lighting in carports and garages is critical. For garages, an automatic garage door opener is the best choice. Almost every garage door opener made today has a light that comes on when the opener is activated, lighting the interior of the garage. In carports, it is recommended either to leave the light on, or have a light connected to a motion sensor or photoelectric cell.
Motion Lighting- Motion detection lighting is strongly encouraged, particularly in areas where lighting may be considered intrusive to neighbors. Costing less than $50.00, such units are often direct replacements for existing fixtures and can be selectively aimed to detect motion of an approaching intruder and cause the light to activate.
Crime Prevention Tip of the Month Brought to you by the Wichita Police Department Crime Prevention Unit
Call 268-4101 or go online to www.wichita.gov
Loud Stereos
I have gotten some complaints about people playing their car stereos very loudly disturbing the peace of their neighbors. Since it is Summer time more people are spending time outside either working or playing, so lets remember to have some courtesy for your neighbors. It is illegal to play a vehicle stereo so loud that it can be heard over 50 feet away, it does not matter if the vehicle is on the city street or private driveway.
Section 11.38.380 Loud sound amplification systems in vehicles prohibited--Penalty.
(a) No person operating a motor vehicle on a street, highway, alley, public park, parking lot, or driveway shall operate or permit the operation of any sound amplification system from within the vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of fifty or more feet from the vehicle.
(b) "Sound amplification system" means any radio, tape player, compact disc player, loud speaker, or other electronic device used for the amplification of sound.
(c) "Plainly audible" means any sound produced by a sound amplification system from within the vehicle, which clearly can be heard at a distance of fifty feet or more. Measurement standards shall be by the auditory senses, based upon direct line of sight. Words or phrases need not be discernible and bass reverberations are included. The motor vehicle may be stopped, standing, parked or moving on a street, highway, alley, public park, parking lot, or driveway.
(d) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section that the operator was not otherwise prohibited by law from operating the sound amplification system, and that any of the following apply:
(1) The system was being operated to request medical or vehicular assistance or to warn of a hazardous road condition;
(2) The vehicle was an emergency or public safety vehicle;
(3) The vehicle was owned and operated by the city or a gas, electric, communications or refuse company;
(4) The system was used for the purpose of giving instructions, directions, talks, addresses, lecture or transmitting music to any persons or assemblages of persons in compliance with this code; or
(5) The vehicle was used in authorized public activities, such as parades, fireworks, sports events, musical productions and other activities which have the approval of the department of the city authorized to grant such approval.
(e) Any person, individual, partnership, corporation or association who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a mandatory fine of fifty dollars. The imposition of the fine established herein shall be mandatory and the court shall not waive, remit, suspend, parole or otherwise excuse the payment thereof, except that the court may order that the defendant perform community service specified by the court but such an order shall be entered only after the court has required the defendant to file an affidavit of such defendant's financial condition as required by Section 1.04.210(e) and amendments thereto, and the court has found from the information contained in the affidavit that the defendant is financially unable to pay the fines imposed. (Ord. No. 43-461 § 1)
IDENTITY THEFT
What are the steps I should take if I'm a victim of identity theft?
If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps as soon as possible, and keep a record with the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.
1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports.
Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. If you do not receive a confirmation from a company, you should contact that company directly to place a fraud alert.Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order one free copy of your credit report from each of the three consumer reporting companies, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports. Once you get your credit reports, review them carefully. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain. Check that information, like your Social Security number, address(es), name or initials, and employers are correct. If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, get it removed. See Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports to learn how. When you correct your credit report, use an Identity Theft Report with a cover letter explaining your request, to get the fastest and most complete results.
Continue to check your credit reports periodically, especially for the first year after you discover the identity theft, to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Follow up in writing, and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. It's important to notify credit card companies and banks in writing. Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures.
When you open new accounts, use new Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security number or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers.
If the identity thief has made charges or debits on your accounts, or has fraudulently opened accounts, ask the company for the forms to dispute those transactions.
Once you have resolved your identity theft dispute with the company, ask for a letter stating that the company has closed the disputed accounts and has discharged the fraudulent debts. This letter is your best proof if errors relating to this account reappear on your credit report or you are contacted again about the fraudulent debt.
3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
You can file a complaint with the FTC using the online complaint form; or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems.
4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
Call your local police department and tell them that you want to file a report about your identity theft. Ask them if you can file the report in person. If you cannot, ask if you can file a report over the Internet or telephone. See below for information about Automated Reports.
If the police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incident" report.
Graffiti Problems
35 Beat has seen a recent increase in graffiti around the area of Lincoln and Edgemoor. This is not the only area where we have seen graffiti but this seems to be the area most hit by taggers. The Wichita Police Department takes graffiti as a serious problem and needs your help to solve the problem. If you are aware of anyone who is doing the graffiti please call Patrol East at 688-9300 to report it. You do not need to leave your name or phone number if you do not want to be contacted. If you see any suspicious activity or someone spray painting a building or fence please call 911 immediately.
GANG AWARENESS
Do you know if your child is involved with gang activity?
Do you know what to look for to help identify gang membership or association?
What are gang colors and gang signs?
Colors refers to a gang member representing his/her membership by wearing a specific gang logo, particular colors of clothing, a specific brand name of clothing or clothing worn in a predefined manner. This may also include hairstyles, jewelry, or even the way a person stands, walks or folds arms and hands. Colors identify the gang member and show member pride and affiliation.
Hand signals and gang slang are a means of communication. Symbols formed and flashed with the fingers, hands, and body have very specific meaning to the gang. The same goes for buzz words or phrases. Remember all of these may be area or geographic region specific and meanings may vary.
Why do gangs use graffiti and what does it mean?
As gang activity increases so does their graffiti. Graffiti has been called the "newspaper of the streets." Each gang has its unique symbols and cryptic types of writing. Graffiti is not artwork; it is sophisticated communication that publicizes the gang's power, status, delineates territory, sends messages, and warns intruders. Graffiti upside down or crossed out is generally a 'put down' or threat to a rival gang or person. 'Death warrants' for police officers are known to have been posted with graffiti.
What are some typical pre-gang behaviors?
Gang involvement does not happen overnight. It is a gradual process and if you are alert you will see the signs.
· Poor progress or achievement in school.
· Truancy from school.
· Lack of hobbies or too much leisure time.
· Frequent contact with authority figures or police.
· Draws gang insignias/symbols.
· Problems at home.
· Lives in neighborhood where a gang exists.
· Friends are gang members or "dressing down" of “sagging and bagging" in gang attire.
These items are characteristic of gang involvement. However, some people who join or associate with gangs do not dress in the traditional attire and do not exhibit conspicuous behavior to show gang involvement. Parents must be aware of the behavior and activities of their children. Continual monitoring of behavior and positive verbal communication between parents and young people is a must for gang membership prevention.
How do you deal with gangs?
· Be decisive, firm, and fair. Lenient treatment is viewed as weakness and they will take advantage of you.
· Intimidation will not work; it will most likely lead to confrontation. Lectures do not work either. Gang members are looking for respect.
· Giving any public or media attention to a gang only feeds their egos and escalates gang activity.
· It is bad news to negotiate with terrorist or criminals so don't do it with gangs or their members. All it does is give them more recognition and power.
· Remember the four “R’s” about graffiti: Read, Record, Report, Remove.
· Prevent conflict whenever possible and look for common ground.
What can parents do?
· Know your children's friends.
· Know about who and what influences your kids.
· Know what your children are doing at all times.
· Become involved with them and occupy their time.
· Strive for good communication between you and your youngsters.
· Again, spend time with them.
· Do not allow gang dress or attire.
· Do not allow hanging in the streets or mall.
· Be very suspicious of gang writing, graffiti, or tattoos.
· Encourage anti-gang attitudes at home.
· Learn about gangs and drugs.
· Participate in your child's education and find out what's happening at school.
· Get involved in community affairs.
· Set the example for your kids, they will do what you do.
· Believe in your young kids.
What are some parental strategies to combat gangs?
· More recreational and leisure-time activities for youngsters.
· A crackdown and tougher law enforcement against gang activities in the community.
· Stepped up effort to dry up the chief source of gang money and DRUGS.
· Increased parental supervision of children, their activities, and their friends.
· Collaborative efforts between police, community residents, and young people.
What are some community anti-gang strategies?
· Build methods of disseminating advice/information on dealing with gangs to youths and parents.
· Enact ordinances for school board, city, and state that make it a felony for gangs to recruit in school or intimidate youngsters to join a gang.
· Support initiatives that provide for a rich assortment of extracurricular programs for kids and the incentives for them to participate in them.
· Organize/support workshops on street gangs to be taught to parents, grandparents, and guardians of school-age children.
· Provide public seminars on “street gangs” throughout the year.
· Run media series on street gangs, stripping them of their mystique and exposing them for what they are.
· Encourage service clubs and church groups to sponsor a battery of community speak-outs during the year on street gangs, with the help of the police departments, courts, youth services agencies, correctional institutions, and schools.
· Organize a citizen patrol to patrol through their community and erase gang graffiti whenever it appears.
Portable Basketball Goal Complaint/Removal Process
1. Community member makes their complaint known to a City employee.
2. City employee ensures that an exact address of the probable owner is obtained from the complainant.
3. City employee calls or emails the Engineering Division (Linda Firsching; 268-4418; lfirsching@wichita.gov) as a point of contact with the address of the violation.
4. The Engineering Division (Linda Firsching) will log the complaint in a database and will have a Sidewalk Inspector go to the location and verify the violation. If a violation is confirmed, a digital picture will be taken by the Sidewalk Inspector and be provided to Linda Firsching.
5. The Sidewalk Inspector will attempt to make contact with the owner of the goal and provide them a “Courtesy Notice” in the form of a flier. The flier would inform the resident that their goal was in violation of City Ord. #10.04.130 and that they have 5 days to remove it from City right-of-way. If no contact can be made with the resident, the Courtesy Notice will be placed in a plastic sack marked “Important Notice from your City Hall”, and hung on their front door. Linda Firsching will notify Randy Thome, Street Services Supervisor with Public Works Maintenance of the confirmed violation and the recheck date.
6. The Public Works Department (Randy Thome; 268-4079; rthome@wichita.gov) will do a recheck after the 5th day to verify compliance. If the goal is removed from City right-of-way, Public Works personnel will notify Linda Firsching that the resident is in compliance, and she will list the complaint as closed in the database. If the goal has not been removed from City right-of-way, Public Works crews will move it and it’s accompanying balance weights (if any) off of City right-of-way and onto private property. They will again provide the goal owner with the Courtesy Notice.
7. If an additional complaint is received that the goal is back on City right-of-way, the Engineering Division (Linda Firsching) will prepare and send a letter to the property address requesting they comply with City Ord. #10.04.130. Carbon copies of the letter will be sent to the respective Community Policing sergeant for that area. The letter would contain –
a. a time frame of 10 days to remove the goal from the City right-of-way.
b. an explanation or diagram as to what the City right-of-way consists of
c. the fact that the goal will be confiscated by City workers if it is left on City right-of-way
d. the fact that a $50 redemption fee would be assessed at the time the goal was released to the owner
e. a contact phone number/email address for Linda Firsching to answer questions.
8. During a 2nd recheck, if Public Works (Randy Thome) confirms non-compliance with the violation letter, he will notify the Community Policing supervisor and arrange a time that the goal will be confiscated. A police officer will be present while Public Works crews remove the goal for security purposes. If no police action is taken, no police incident report will be made.
a. Patrol West – 337-9400; cbolan@wichita.gov
b. Patrol North – 688-9500; ebrower@wichita.gov
c. Patrol South – 337-9200; jespinoza@wichita.gov
d. Patrol East – 688-9300; awolf@wichita.gov
9. Public Works crews will take the goal to their City Yard for storage of at least 30 days. They will place it with the auction cars in the fenced area at CMF. They will also mark the goal with the address and date it was confiscated. Public Works (Randy Thome) will notify Linda Firsching of their actions for documentation in the database.
10. If an owner calls to claim their confiscated goal, they will be made aware of the $50 redemption fee and be directed to contact Doug Moshier at 268-4681 or dmoshier@wichita.gov
11. After a period of 30 days, if no owner has called to reclaim their goal, it will be subject to being auctioned off as abandoned property. If the goal cannot be auctioned off, it can be disposed of by however the Director of Public Works sees fit.