Last Updated: May 28th, 2008
Patrol South Community Policing
321 N. Mead, Wichita KS
Office: 316-462-2777
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
UP COMING MEETINGS
Old Town Association (OTA)
OTA meets the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 AM
at the City Arts Building, 334 N Mead, 2nd Floor.
D.A.B. I
District Advisory Board ( D.A.B.) 1 meets the first Monday of
every month at 6:30 PM at Atwater.
D.A.B. VI
District Advisory Board (D.A.B.) 6 meets on the first Monday of
every month at 6:30 PM at the Evergreen Center.
A.E.C.H
Advocates for Ending Chronic Homelessness meets every Tuesday at 5:15 pm at
Interfaith Ministries at 829 N. Market. AECH is promoting a new 24/7 homeless transitional
living center and is accepting new volunteers and support.
BEAT NEWS
*Phase Two of the Water Walk construction process has begun. This will be having an effect on the traffic flow around the area of Lewis and Main streets. Please Keep this in mind when construction begins and traveling in the area.
*TRAFFIC WARNING!!! Kellogg and Broadway continues to be the high accident intersection on 22 beat so please drive safely and wear your seat belt at all times. There are also many projects downtown addressing run red lights at many intersections so please adhere to the all traffic lights and signals!
Wichita Police Department Citizen Advisory
The Wichita Police Department needs your help! The Beat Team has noted an increase in Vehicle Thefts and vandalisms on 22 Beat. These crimes are occurring during the daytime and evening hours. The Wichita Police Department has numerous officers working on the problem, however you can also help protect your neighborhood. If you see anything that looks suspicious call 911 immediately. Give the dispatcher the best description that you can so officers can attempt to locate the person in order to identify them and question them on their activity. Often criminals watch the effected area before committing crimes.
Please remember to never leave your car running unattended. This is an invitation for a Thief to Steal Your Car! Always take your keys with you and lock your car when you are not using it. Typically thieves look for cars left running at convenient stores and gas stations.
If you have questions or concerns about this issue, or if you are interested in additional ways you can protect yourself or your property, please feel free to contact your Community Policing Beat Coordinator Officer Nate Schwiethale at 462-2777 or nschwiethale@wichita.gov or Auto Theft Investigations at 268-4336 We are working hard within your community to keep you and your property safe but WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Homeless Brochures are here!!!
*The Wichita Police Department has worked with homeless organizations to produce a brochure full of available resources. The links below will give you a PDF file to print off as many as you like!
Wichita Homeless Resources
Los Recursos Para Los Sin Hogar en Wichita
ROBBERY TIPS!!!
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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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Wichita Police Department
Identity Theft Checklist
What should I do if my Purse, Wallet or Checkbook is Lost or Stolen?
If your property was taken by force or threat, or you need immediate assistance, please call 911.
For non-emergencies, you can make a police report by calling the Wichita Police Department, Police Case Desk at (316) 268-4221.
You will need to make a police report to document lost or stolen items. The police report will assist us in the event your property is recovered. Your bank or financial institution may require a police report if you report unauthorized checks and/or credit card transactions.
Credit Cards
If your credit/debit cards are lost or stolen, immediately contact your bank or credit card issuer to cancel the card. Prompt reporting can help prevent unauthorized use of your card. If the credit card number has been compromised while you still have possession of the plastic card, immediately notify your bank or credit card issuer to cancel the card. Your bank or credit card issuer may require you to complete a dispute form for any unauthorized charges. The credit card company may issue you a temporary credit and issue a “charge back” to business that accepted the card number without viewing the card. The business, which then suffers the loss, may make a police report if it chooses to do so.
Checks
If your checks or account numbers are stolen, notify your bank or financial institution. Work with your financial institution to close any affected accounts. If your checks are lost or stolen and is being used in Wichita by someone forging your signature, call your bank or financial institution to close your account. Ask your financial institution to notify its check verification service. Your bank may require you to complete an Affidavit of Forgery for any forged check that clears. Your bank may credit your account once you complete the Affidavit of Forgery. The business accepting the forged check may file a police report since they may have lost cash or merchandise as a result of fraud.
If you are reimbursed by a business or financial institution for a monetary loss to you, the business becomes the victim of the forgery or fraud. You are a victim of the theft of your credit card, check or identity. The financial institution or business will be responsible for following up on their loss.
Identity Theft
Identity Theft occurs when someone uses your personal information with the intent defraud for any benefit. For example, someone pretends to be you by using your personal information to create and open new credit card accounts to make purchases and loans for financial gain. The theft or loss of personal information in wallets, purses and on checks can be used by criminals to commit Identity Theft. If someone has used you personal information such as your name along with your social security number, Driver’s License number, bank account number or other identifying information report the fraud to the following organizations:
Contact the nationwide consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. Ask for a copy of your credit report to review.
Equifax: 1-800-525-5285; www.equifax.com
Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289: www.transunion.com
You can obtain one free credit report per year from each of the three consumer reporting companies by contacting: annualcreditreport.com
;) Contact the fraud department for each company where your account was tampered with or the fraudulent account was opened. Close the accounts and follow up in writing along with sending copies (not originals) of supporting documents.
Make a police report in the community where the identity theft occurred. You can make a police report in Wichita by calling the Police Case Desk at 268-4221.
Make an Identity Theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). FTC’S Identity Theft Hotline: (toll-free) 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338)Or write: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.
Helpful Tips
Avoid leaving wallets, purses, credit cards, checkbooks and other valuables in your vehicle, unattended or unsecured. Carry only credit cards and documents containing personal information that you need.
Keep a copy contact numbers of your credit cards in the event they are lost or stolen.Shred unwanted bank statements, bills and other documents containing personal information.
Below are some tips you can use to avoid being the victim of a car thief, or having a theft from your vehicle:
1. The best and only way to prevent thefts from motor vehicles is never to leave valuables in your car unattended – particularly electronic goods such as cellular phones and laptop computers. Preventing the theft of car radios is more difficult. Some car stereo manufacturers make detachable faceplates or stereos that pull easily from the dashboard, allowing you to take it with you or lock it in the trunk.
2. Many thieves now break into cars if there are signs that checkbooks, personal documents, purses, mail or personal items, which would assist in the crime of identity theft, may be inside.
3. Never leave personal identification documents, vehicle ownership titles, or credit cards in your vehicle.
4. Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked. Put them in the trunk out of sight.
5. If you have a button inside your car that opens the trunk when no key is in the ignition, valuables in your trunk are not secure.
6. Thieves may break into your vehicle if a garage door opener is visible, if they know where you live, or if your car is parked in front of your house. This gives them access to at least your garage and possibly your home.
7. Never leave your car running unattended, even to dash into a business, store, etc.
8. Never leave any keys in the car or ignition, inside a locked garage, or in hide-a-key boxes.
9. Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is parked in front of your home.
10. Always park in high-traffic, well-lighted areas, when possible;
11. Install a mechanical device that locks the steering wheel, column, or brakes. These devices will deter some criminals.
12. Investigate the purchase of a vehicle theft tracking/security system, especially if you own one of the frequently stolen model vehicles.
13. If you must leave your key with a valet, attendant, or mechanic leave only the ignition key. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable firm.
14. Copy your license plate and vehicle information (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them with you. If your vehicle is stolen, the police will need this information to take a report; and,
15. Many vehicles today come with some type of security system from the factory. Normally there are upgraded systems available if you ask. The best choices are systems that shut off the fuel supply so that a car can't be started or driven.
16. If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately. |