Introduction
I am Officer Dan Oblinger. As the 36 Beat Coordinator, I encourage communication between citizens and the Police Department, analyze crime data, focus police resources on specific neighborhood problems, manage city warrant service in this area, and work with the Office of Central Inspection and Environmental Services to identify blighted areas that contribute to crime in our community. Please contact me with questions or concerns about this portion of the city, or for general information about what I can do for you as a resident of 36 Beat! Check this webpage monthly, as I update crime trends, safety tips, and important ongoing projects. My contact information is listed above. The most efficient way to reach me is to e-mail me at doblinger@wichita.gov. My normal work days are from Tuesday to Friday during afternoon and early evening hours. Stay Safe!
*NEW* Words of Wisdom *NEW*
This is a new feature of the 36 Beat webpage: a little vignette from your CP officer to place some aspect of urban living in the police perspective. This inaugural lesson is about the power of informed citizens.
It is a myth that police officers on patrol are the best way to prevent a crime from happening. The Wichita Police Department has a high "clearance rate" of criminal investigations. We regularly catch criminals after major crimes and successfully present cases for charging. We are also very responsive to complaints and high-priority calls for service to 911 dispatchers. That being said, let's think about the calculus of crime prevention.
The WPD has roughly 660 commissioned officers. Of these men and women, given managerial positions, investigators, attrition, and training cycles, only about 450 are assigned to the field. Of these, at any one given time, there are about 80 officers on-duty and on patrol. If we estimate the population of Wichita to be 375,000 (a conservative number), that is about one on-duty patrol officer for every 4688 citizens. I often have good citizens asking why they don't see more officers driving through their neighborhoods, or requesting an officer to drive by every so often. The reality of our urban society is that the 80 officers are usually busy working cases, responding to 911 calls, and ivestigating neighborhood complaints. A citizen would be fortunate to have an officer spend 10 minutes to drive by once or twice a day while not on a call. Even so, that would leave roughly 23 hours and 50 minutes without police presence. In a vaccuum, this would represent a very sobering attempt at policing our homes and businesses.
The truth is that a neighborhood is safe to the degree that residents and owners are invested in its security. On any given block, a concerned and friendly neighbor is on-duty 24/7. Someone is always home. We d not need an officer on every block- we only need to educate and commission these concerned neighbors. Such good folks call us all the time, and help us capture burglars, robbers, thieves, and drug dealers! Neighborhood Watch and our Neighborhood Associations are the best way to build this kind of informed and empassioned citizenry. Join one today!
*UPDATED* Ongoing Neighborhood Projects
The Wichita Police Department, in association with the Eastridge Neighborhood Association, landlords, tenants, homeowners, City Governament, and business owners, is targeting the three neighborhoods in a comprehensive revitalization project. The first pilot project was the San Pablo Project, which has had great success. The nearby areas of Mission Apartments, and Hunter & Cottonwood are part of an expanded effort.
Why? Due to a sharp increase in burglaries, assaults, robberies, and suspicious activity, the Police Department and its partners are identifying and abating causes of crime and disorder.
Who is needed for success? Landlords, business owners, clergy, residents, police officers, neighborhood code inspectors, and elected officials.
What will be done?
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Comprehensive Crime Analysis
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Increased patrol on foot, bicycle, and car by beat officers
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Networking and education of landlords
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Business Watch
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REGULAR UPDATES ON THIS WEBSITE!
If you have been waiting to get involved, this is your chance! If you live in this area, e-mail or call Officer Oblinger with your impression of the neighborhood and what could be done to improve its safety. If you see a crime being committed, or something in the area that "just doesn't look right"- call 911. The Police Department regularly solves crimes and safeguards lives and property while responding to these "suspicious character" 911 calls. Stay tuned for specific information as the project progresses.
ONGOING PROJECTS AND PROGRESS REPORTS:
MISSION
This includes multi-plex apartments along 800-900 S. Mission, and the businesses along the eastside of 800-900 S. Woodlawn. On 5-19-08, officers acted on information received from concerned citizens, and obtained a search warrant for 849 S. Mission. A suspected drug dealer and gang member was arrested, and drugs, guns, and money were seized.
Flyers were distributed to all the businesses and to all the apartments on 5-28-08, detailing efforts in the area, and inviting the merchants to start a Business Watch.
SAN PABLO
This is the original project, targeting 800-900 San Pablo, Governeour Manor Apartments, businesses at Lincoln and Governeour, Clark Elementary, and residences on Royal and Bayley. Crime rates are down. Only 6 part one (serious) crimes have occured year-to-date, a huge decline. Business Watch is planned for all the businesses. Landlords continue to meet to improve the apartments.
HUNTER & COTTONWOOD
This area includes the multi-plex apartments along Hunter and Cottonwood, businesses along East Kellogg, and the residences along Orme and Eastridge. COMCARE's Temporary Housing Program is a major partner in this initiative. Officers have identified several known drug dealers, and they have all been removed from the neighborhood. Complaints of prostitution and drug dealing are still being investigated! Landlords are being organized to share information and make use of best practices like screening and Drug/Crime-free Addendums for lease agreements.
*UPDATED* Crime Trends
Public Access Daily Crime Maps Want up-to-date visual representations of crimes that occur all over the city, including 36 beat? Go to http://projects.kansas.com/crime/ There you will find "pin maps" showing different categories of crimes updated every weekday. This is an amazing resource for all citizens, and is similar to a more complex program I use to track crime trends. For a search engine of City of Wichita warrants, go to http://services.wichita.gov/Courtdataservices/courtwarrantsearch.aspx.
Juvenile Delinquency, 7300 E. Morris This block is still experiencing noise complaints and frequent visitors. If you live in the block, please contact Officer Oblinger about Neighborhood Watch.
Burglary and Graffiti, Between Harry and Mt. Vernon, East of Oliver There have been a rash of burglaries to homes and graffiti on fences, cars, and objects in this area. Call 911 to report loitering or roaming subjects who act strangely. Ringing doorbells, going in back and side yards, carrying tools or valuables, all of these actions warrant an officer checking them out!
Community Meetings
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." - Edmond Burke
Informed and involved citizens are the greatest resource for a safe community. There are many citizen-driven groups who inform and unite neighbors on our beat. Get involved and shape your community!
DAB - The District Advisory Board is the voice of the citizens to their elected City Council person. 36 Beat falls within two different Council Districts. If you reside inside the Beat and live south of Harry, you are in District 3 and are represented by Councilman Jim Skelton. DAB 3 meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7 pm at 101 E. Pawnee (The WATER Center). If you live north of Harry, you are in District 2. Sue Schlapp represents DAB 2 which meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at the Rockwell branch library.
Eastridge Neighborhood Association - This group meets to strengthen the community within the area bordered by Kellogg to the north, Rock (east), Harry (south), and Woodlawn (west). Meetings are at Boston Rec Center every third Monday at 7 pm.
Mt. Vernon NA - Draw a line along Funston to Edgemoor, north to Osie and east to Faulders, south to Funston and east to Woodlawn, south to Mt Vernon and back west to Battin, north to Funston- this encompasses the Mt. Vernon NA. Meetings are every other month on the second Thursday, beginning at 6:30 pm, at the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church.
Rental Owners, Inc. - Did you know approximately 50% of residents in Wichita are in rental or leased properties? Are you a landlord or property owner in the Greater Wichita area? Rental Owners Inc. is an association of landlords geared towards promoting best business practices in the rental industry! Join them on the second Thursday of every month, at 7:00 pm at 901 N. Porter in the Civitan Building.
Resources
WPD Community Affairs Section - The Community Affairs Section handles larger community-based projects. They are specially trained to perform business and residence safety surveys. Officers assigned to the section also publish great information about general safety and crime prevention. 268-4101