43 BEAT NEWSLETTER
May 2008
Updated May 21, 2008
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
Hello, my name is Officer Stacy Woodson and I am temporarily assigned as the Community Policing Officer/ Beat Coordinator for 43 beat, until Officer A.J. Warthen returns. Please contact me with any problems or concerns, I am here to provide a contact between the citizens in the community and the Wichita Police Department to improve the neighborhood.
It is never too late to make the change to make a positive difference in your life and/or your environment. The hardest step is usually the first one. You can do it!
Please feel free to contact me at 688-9500 or at my email: swoodson@wichita.gov
A Neighborhood Association can stop blight, reduce crime, clear out junk vehicles, organize clean-ups, designate safety areas, and more!
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
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The Elm Neighborhood Association meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month: at the Livingwater Church, 606 N. Piatt @ 7:00 pm.
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The Murdock Neighborhood Association meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month: at the Urban Leauge, 2418 E 9th @ 6:00 pm.
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The A. Price Woodard Neighborhood Association meets the 1st Thursday of each month following the first Monday of each month: at the Environmental Services Building 1900 E. 9th @ 5:30 pm.
SAFETY TIPS AND CRIME PREVENTION
Top 10 tips for building safe and connected neighborhoods:
1. Get to know your neighbors and learn their names.
2. Be aware of what's normal in your neighborhood and what's unusual.
3. Meet your neighbors' kids and introduce them to yours.
4. While away, ask a neighbor to pick up your newspaper and mail.
5. Regularly change your walking route and times.
6. Get to know the police and fire personnel working in your neighborhood.
7. Help out elderly neighbors on your block.
8. Report suspicious activities.
9. Trust your instincts.
10. Work together to get your neighborhood clean, and keep it clean.
Crime Trends
Three Crime Trends for the month of May
Auto Thefts:
Auto thefts continue to be a crime trend in the 43 beat area. The most common way these vehicles are being stolen is by owners leaving the keys in the ignition for just a moment while they run into a building and by owners lending their vehicles to people. Please follow the prventative measures below so you don't become a victim.
Preventative Measures from Your Beat Coordinator...
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Do not leave your vehicle running (engaged) unattended and/or unlocked
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Install an alarm system on your vehicle
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If "warming up in the winter" or "cooling down in the summer" is a concern of yours, install a Remote Starter - it is more affordable than a new car
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Do not store extra vehicle keys within the vehicle or under the vehicle
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If you routinely leave at the same time/location do not leave your vehicle unsecured if you have to go back inside your residence/work place, even if it is "just for a second or two"
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Routinely check vehicles that you own that are not frequently used to ensure that someone has not been tampering with the locks and/or windows
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Maintain updated copies of your vehicle(s): registration, VIN, and License Plate
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Be a good neighbor, learn who shares your neighborhood-they may share the same concerns
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Call 911 anytime you feel that someone is suspicious within your neighborhood, especially during hours night/early morning hours
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Attempt to collect any information about suspicious characters prior to and while you speak with 911
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Contact Your Beat Coordinator A.J. Warthen and start a Neighborhood Watch
Wichita Auto Theft Crime Trends
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The crime trend the Auto Theft Section is experiencing in Wichita is the theft of these five top vehicles: Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Pontiac, and Honda vehicles. 75% of the vehicles stolen are recovered. Currently, Wichita has about 5 - 6 vehicles reported stolen per day.
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1,922 vehicles were reported stolen in 2005. 488 cases were assigned to five Detectives in the Auto Theft Section for follow-up investigation. 413 cases were charged and 219 cases were cleared by arrest. The national clearance rate is 11.1%. We proudly have a 21.6% clearance rate. Exceeding the national average by 10.6 percent.
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Stolen vehicles can be used for a short joyride, stripped for parts, involved in hit and run accidents, or kept longer to commit crimes.
More Auto Theft Prevention Tips
1.Never leave keys inside your vehicle or motorcycle. 9% of all stolen vehicles had the keys left inside and the doors unlocked.
2.Every time you get out, lock your vehicle and close the windows. Approximately 53 of the stolen vehicles, were unlocked.
3.Do not hide a second key in your vehicle or inside a magnetic box. These extra keys can be found easily.
4.Don't leave your vehicle or motorcycle running, even if it's just to run into the daycare, school, or convenience store. Vehicles are often stolen at convenience stores, service stations or ATMs. Vehicles are stolen while warming-up and unattended on cold morning, because of the "opportunity". Leaving your key in an unattended vehicle is a violation of a state statute.
5.Don't make your vehicle or motorcycle more attractive to thieves. Secure all valuable out of sight and take your helmet with you or secure it. Thieves are opportunist and walk parking lots looking for easy targets.
6.Do not leave your title in the glove box! File the title at home or in a safety deposit box. Carry the registration in your wallet or purse. Notarized signature's are no longer required in the State of Kansas when a vehicle is sold. A thief can easily forge your name and sell your vehicle, thus the glove box is not a safe home for you title.
7.Advice for buying a vehicle: when dealing with a private individual make certain the title and registration match the name of the person attempting to sell you the vehicle. If the seller does not have a title this could indicate a problem. In the state of Kansas an owner will not have a title if a lien has been placed on the vehicle. If the deal sounds too good...be suspicious!
8.Protect yourself when allowing a buyer to test drive your vehicle. You may not know this person and it could be the last time you see your vehicle.
9.Don't leave vehicles unattended on private property without the owner's permission. Vehicles are subject to a private property tow, on the authority of the owner or property manager.
10.Don't store vehicles unattended in public accessible areas, such as corner lots "For Sale By Owner".
11.Don't leave vehicles abandoned on public or private property, with flat tires, inoperable, or expired tags. These vehicles are targeted and could end up at an auto recycling center.
12.If you have any doubt that your vehicle may not be returned to you, don't loan it out!
If you have any information about this type of crime or any other auto thefts, please contact the
Auto Theft section at 268-4336.
Robberies:
Robberies also continue to be a crime trend. Research shows that some of the residencial robberies are occuring when citizens open their doors to see who is there. The suspects are forcing thier way in and robbing the victims.
Please be aware of who you are opening the door for.
Robbery Prevention
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Prevention At Home |
- Do not allow strangers into your home, even if they are hurt or say they need help. Keep the door locked and call the police for them.
- Do not advertise that you live alone.
- Don't be afraid to call the police to investigate suspicious circumstances, unusual people or strange noises. It is better to be safe then sorry.
- When you move into a new home, change the locks.
- Keep your curtains or shades closed at night.
- Don't leave notes on your door announcing when you will be home.
- Keep outdoor lights on at night.
- Never give information to an unknown caller. Report nuisance calls to the police and the telephone company.
- Keep your doors and windows locked. If it is warm and you leave your door open for circulation, keep the screen door locked.
- If you arrive home and your door is open or things appear to be out of place - don't go in your home. Leave and call the police.
- Write down license numbers of suspicious vehicles to give to the police, if necessary.
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Burglaries:
We have started to see an increase in residential burglaries in the 43 beat area. Please be aware of the people in your neighborhood. The best preventative is to know your neighbors and watch out for each other. If you believe you see any suspicous activity please call 911.
SEARCH WARRANTS
If you have concerns about possible drug activity in your neighborhood please call us. The number to the SCAT Hotline is 267-7728. YOU CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
TRAFFIC COMPLAINTS
If there are other areas where you have observed repeated traffic violations then please call and let me know. Any Officer at Patrol North can help you with a traffic complaint or you can visit our website and fill out a report online.
HELPFUL NUMBERS
Below is a list of numbers that may be helpful to you to improve your neighborhood or report issues in your neighborhood:
Patrol North - 688-9500
Atwater Community Policing Office - 303-8061
Central Inspections, 268-4413
Graffiti (OCI) 268-4481
Environmental Services Department
1900 E. Ninth Street N.
Wichita, KS 67214
Main Office Phone 268-8351
Animal Services Phone 268-8378
Drug complaints (SCAT) 267-7228
Gang Crimes 268-4191
Investigations 268-4407
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