Last Updated: July 10, 2006
Officer Dwain Diehl
Patrol South Community Policing
321 N. Mead, Wichita KS
Work: 316-462-2777
Crime Prevention Tip of the Month
June 2008
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
New News
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With the implementation of the South Central plan, the Wichita Police Department is asking citizens and businesses to check their lighting on the exterior of their homes and buildings, making sure it is working. We are also asking citizens to leave their porch lights on every night. Criminals are notorious for not liking well lit areas, because they might get noticed.
South Central Neighborhood Plan
After several years of hard work and dedication, the "South Central Neighborhood Plan" was adopted last May as an amendment to the "Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan"! Congratulations, South Central! Now its time to put the plan into action. Creation of a committee of neighborhood citizens and business owners to guide plan implementation was discussed in detail. If you would like to become involved with plan implementation, please contact Vicki Adamson at vickie@dognshake.com or (316) 681-3072 or Bill Davis at upbill57@yahoo.com or (316) 262-3158. For more information, you may also contact Scott Knebel, Principal Planner, Advanced Plans Division at sknebel@wichita.gov or (316) 268-4456. The plan is available by clicking on the link below.
- South Central Neighborhood Plan
Do you know which City Council District you live in? Click in the link below to find out.
http://gis.wichita.gov/website/GIS/council/tablen.asp
OCI/HEALTH NEWS
With the merger of the Office of Central Inspections and the Health Department, we now have a new inspector for our area. Shannon Holley is committed to helping fight the "Blight" problem. If you see residences that are in violation, please email Mr. Holley at sholley@wichita.gov. His office number is (316)268-4481.
CRIME PREVENTION
With summertime quickly approaching, we want to remind citizens of some crime prevention tips.
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If you are leaving for vacation or any extended amount of time, make sure to have a relative, neighbor or friend go by your residence and turn lights off and on. Also have them pick up your mail daily, pick up the newspaper, and bring your trash can back up off the curb
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Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle, even if the vehicle is in your driveway. This includes cell phones, purses, gifts, tools and money.
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With it getting warmer, you will notice more foot traffic in the community. If somebody looks suspicious or out of place, call 911. Do not wait until the community meeting to advise us of this.
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Keep your yard mowed and trash picked up. Criminals tend to stay away from houses that are better kept.
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Keep your porch light on at night. It does not cost very much money to do this and it helps deter criminal activity.
Did you know that Community Affairs will come out to your residence and give you a free home security survey? Call 268-4101 to schedule a time.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MEETINGS FOR BEAT 24. THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND THESE AND GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
South Central Improvement Alliance
Bethany United Methodist Church
1601 S.Main
2nd Monday of the month at 11:45 a.m.
South Central Progressive Meeting
Bethany United Methodist Church
1601 S. Main
3rd Monday of the month at 6:30p.m. ( NEW TIME)
Wichita Water Center
If you know of someone or something that has created a positive environmental ripple effect in our community and should be featured in H2O , contact the
WATER Center at 316-337-9262
WATER Center Staff
The WATER Center is a project of the City of Wichita’s Department of Environmental Services "Protecting Health – Preserving the Environment"
Libby Albers at
lalbers@wichita.gov
Karen Drennen at
kdrennen@wichita.gov
316-337-9264
Water Resources Analyst
*The Wichita Police Department has worked with homeless organizations to produce a brochure full of available resources. The link 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
Project Butterfly
The Wichita Police Department and YWCA Crisis Center have built a partnership and recently launched "Project Butterfly". This program focuses on women who are involved in prostitution and offering resources to allows these individuals to get out of prostitution and addiction to drugs. If you would like to help or donate to this program, please call 263-7501.
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