Patrol North Community Policing
Atwater Neighborhood City Hall
2755 E. 19th, Wichita, KS 67219
Contact Numbers: (316) 688-9500
(316) 303-8019 Fax: (316) 688-9326
Lasted updated 06-03-08
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
In June representatives from 911 will be attending Ken Mar and Crestview Heights Neighborhood Associations to put on a presentation. I encourage everyone to attend to ask any questions you may of 911.
We need everyone's help to watch out for suspicious activity, and vehicles that may be at your neighbors residence while there away.
I still need to get as many Neighborhood Watch programs started in every neighborhood. My goal is that every block has a Neighborhood Watch Program. I need help from all Neighborhood Associations to help me identify new block captains so I can give the Neighborhood Watch Program Presentation. This program is a proven program to reduce crime and the fear of crime.
Crime Prevention Tip of the Month June 2008
Crime Prevention Tip off the Month Brought to you by the Wichita Police Department Crime Prevention Unit Call 268-4101 or go online to www..wichita..gov
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.
LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL
Work is in progress to build a memorial to the officers in Sedgwick County that have been killed in the line of duty. The Law Enforcement Memorial Committee of Sedgwick County, INC, has been working on creating a memorial to these officers and has made considerable progress. The memorial will be built on the southwest corner of Central and Main in front of the city building. The design for the memorial was created by local artist Constance Ernatt. It will be in the shape of a shield symbolizing the protection law enforcement officers provide. Each fallen officer will have his name and badge number engraved in a granite panel. The centerpiece will be a bronze statue of two lions representing courage, strength and integrity. One lion watches over the fallen officers while the other guards the community.
All costs of the memorial are being paid through private donations to the Law Enforcement Memorial. For more information be sure to E-mail me at dgerdes@wichita.gov or call me at 688-9500
Scams
Everyone needs to be aware of scams. Scams and con games are the only crimes that are 100% preventable. All you have to do is say "NO". These scams vary in appearance from face-to-face encounters, to phone calls, to postal mail and e-mail.
Some things to remember:
1. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. If they try to get you to pay a fee for a prize, you didn't win anything.
3. If they need a credit card number or account number to "hold" a prize, don't give it to them.
4. If they want you to wire money somewhere, especially out of country, don't do it.
5. Do not pay for work done on your house until it is done to your satisfaction.
6. Before having work done on your house check all references.
7. If you know elderly people who live alone remind them to say NO.
8. Report all attempted and successful scams to the police.
9. Report all suspicious activity and persons to the police.
10. If it sounds too good to be good, it probably is.
Robbery Prevention
Below is some good information on how to avoid becoming a victim of Robbery.
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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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Prevention On The Road |
- Keep your car in gear, doors locked, windows rolled up.
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially at intersections and stop lights.
- Park in areas that will be well lit when you return.
- There is safety in numbers! Walk with friends or a in a group.
- If you are being followed, don't drive home or get out. Drive to the nearest police station, open store or business for help. Try to note the license number and description of the car and persons following you.
- Don't advertise. If you are out at night, don't wear expensive or fancy looking jewelry. This is an invitation to trouble.
- If someone tries to get in your car while you are stopped - drive away quickly.
- Don't use ATM machines at night. Plan ahead and get your cash during safer times. Use ATM machines that are very visible. Avoid isolated ATM machines.
- When using valet parking, provide the parking clerk with the valet key that most car manufacturers provide now. This prevents strangers from looking in your glove compartment and trunk and finding personal information.
- Walk in open, well lit areas.
- Avoid carrying a purse, if you can.
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Prevention At Work |
- Keep your front doors and windows clear of signs and posters to allow good, two way visibility. Employees can see suspicious persons outside. Passers-by and police can see inside.
- Keep the outside of your business well lit at night.
- Make sure your cash register area is clearly visible to outside observers.
- Practice good cash control. Keep a minimum amount in your cash drawer and make regular drops into a safe.
- Advertise outside that you keep a minimal amount of cash in the register and that you will not accept large bills.
- Don't keep large bills under the cash drawer. If you don't have a safe, find a less obvious place to hide your extra cash until you go to the bank.
- Use a safe that the clerk cannot open alone or that requires two keys. Post that fact conspicuously, including on the safe itself.
- Use video camera surveillance and make it well known.
- Always have at least two clerks working at night.
- Vary your banking routine. Carry cash in a variety of ways - a lunch sack, attaché case, flight bag, pocket, etc. Money bags ar pretty obvious.
- Vary the times and routes that you use to go to the bank.
- Make deposits as often as possible, never less than once a day.
- Be alert for "customers" who seem to be loitering or glancing around the store while appearing to shop or browse through a magazine.
- Watch for suspicious persons outside the business - especially in parked cars and around telephone booths.
- If you see someone who is acting suspicious inside or outside, call the police to have them checked out.
- Two persons should be on hand at opening and closing times.
- At opening time, one person should enter the store and check to see if it has been disturbed.
- Before closing, one person should check the office, back rooms and rest rooms to make sure no one is hiding inside.
- Keep side and back doors locked. Have employees use the main entrance, if possible.
- Place markers at the main entrance that employees can use to help gauge the height of a robber as he leaves.
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What To Do During A Robbery |
- Try to stay calm. Don't make any sudden movements to upset the robber.
- Do exactly as you are told. DO NOT RESIST!
- Activate your alarm ONLY if you can do so secretly.
- Tell the robber about anything that might surprise him, such as someone who is expected to arrive soon.
- If you have to move or reach, tell the robber what you are going to do and why.
- Try to get a good look at the robber so you can describe him later.
- Don't be a hero. It's better to lose your money than your life.
- Give the robber time to leave.
- Note his direction of travel when he leaves.
- Try to get a description of his vehicle ONLY if you can do so without exposing yourself to harm.
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What To Do After A Robbery |
- Call the police immediately, even if you have already activated the alarm.
- Close the store and lock the door(s) if you have a key.
- Do not discuss the details of the robbery with witnesses or fellow employees.
- Ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. If they can't, get their names, phone numbers and addresses.
- Do not touch anything that the robber may have touched. Block off areas where the robber was, if necessary.
- Try to recall as much as you can about the robber's appearance, speech and mannerisms. Make notes.
- Step outside the store when the police arrive so that they'll know the robber is gone and you are safe.
- Let the police answer inquiries from the news media.
- Do not discuss the amount of money taken with anyone other than police
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PARKING PROBLEMS IN NEIGHBORHOODS
IT IS AGAINST CITY ORDINANCE:
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PARK ON SIDEWALK --- 11.52.020(4)
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PARK ON REQUIRED FRONT YARD --- 11.52.030(A)
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PARK ON REQUIRED SIDE YARD --- 11.52.030(B)
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PARK ON UNPAVED SURFACE --- 11.52.030(C)
IF THERE ARE ABANDONED VEHICLES ON THE CITY STREET IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, CALL PATROL NORTH AT 688-9500 TO REPORT THEM.
IF THERE ARE ABANDONED VEHICLES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY CALL THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT 660-7300 OR OFFICE OF CENTRAL INSPECTION AT 268-4477 TO REPORT THEM.
If there are any questions or concerns please feel free to E-mail me at dgerdes@Wichita.gov , or call me at 688-9500.
Helpful Numbers
S.C.A.T. Hotline 267-722
Community Affairs 268-4101
Office of Central Inspection (OCI) 265-4477
Health Department 268-8351
Animal Control 268-8473
You are encouraged to attend these meetings to stay familiar with the
events that occur in your neighborhoods and to ask any questions!
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Fairmount Neighborhood Association meets on the 3rd Tuesday each month at Fairmount Park Shelter, located at 16th and Fairmount, at 7:00pm. The president is James Van Milligan.
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Crestview Heights Neighborhood Association meets on the 3rd Thursday each month at First Evangelical Free Church, located at 1825 N. Woodlawn, at 7:00 pm.
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The Ken Mar Neighborhood Association meets on the 2nd Thursday each month at the Community Housing Service, located at 4620 E. 13th, at 7:00 pm. The president is Eric Williams.
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District 1 Advisory Board meets on the first Monday of each month at 7:00pm, at the Atwater Center, 2755 E. 19th. Councilwoman Lavonta Williams is the District 1 Representative.
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District 2 Advisory Board meets on the first Monday of each month at 7:00pm, at the Rockwell Library, 5909 E. 9th. Councilwoman Sue Schlapp is the District 2 Representative.
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