Last Updated: June 20th, 2008
17 Beat News
A monthly community information newsletter for residents
Published by Officer Delana Long #1989
Wichita Police Department
Patrol West Community Policing
661 N. Elder, Wichita KS. 337-9400
Dmaris@wichita.
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.
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National Night Out
Wichita residents are once again invited to join thousands of other communities across America in supporting a unique, coast-to coast crime prevention project on August 5th, 2008 to give neighborhood crime and drugs a "going away" party. On August 5th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., residents city wide and across the nation, will be asked to turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside on their block.
Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs.
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Generate support for starting Neighborhood watch groups.
National Night Out 2008 Schedule:
Thursday, July 31st 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Public Kick Off at "All Star Sports East"
FREE Admission
Reduced Ticket Prices
Media Sponsor: Power 93.9 (Entercom)
Friday, August 1st
KEYN Summer Concert Series in Old Town
Saturday, August 2nd 7:00 pm
Old Town Concert and Motorcycle Rally
(Motorcycle Rally Participants are by invitation only)
Sponsor: T-95 and 104.5 The Fox
Sunday, August 3rd 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Safe & Secure Day at the Sedgwick County Zoo
Half Price Admission
Sponsor: 101.3 KFDI
Monday, August 4th
Safe & Secure Day at Open Wichita Public Pools
(please check here for schedules)
Tuesday, August 5th
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BLOCK PARTY TIME
Register your block party online here.
Or call the WPD Community Affairs Section at 268-4101
(make sure if you want to block off your street you fill out the form below the "Register Button")
Have a pot luck dinner, a BBQ, an ice cream social or whatever your neighbors want to contribute. Discuss neighborhood issues over good food and good company.
Emergency services such as Police, Fire, and EMS will be provided a list of registered block parties so they can stop by to say, "Hello." Discuss issues you've seen in your neighborhood and help us help you improve the quality of life.
Tuesday, August 5th
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
National Baseball Congress Block Party in the Bud Pavilion
Fireworks Display
PRE-National Night Out Activities
Safety Fair at Wichita Target Stores
Saturday, July 12th
21st/Greenwich 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
301 S. Armor 3:00 pm -7:00 pm
Sunday, July 13th
29th/Maize 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Maple/Ridge 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday, July 17th
Seniors BINGO
Wichita Rec Center (TBA - Check here for updates)
Sponsor: Mental Health Association
Saturday, July 19th
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament with the Amateur Poker League
Proceeds benefit the Law Enforcement Memorial
(Limited slots, register via mtennyson@wichita.gov)
Keeping your home safer by using Landscaping 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. Wichita Police Department Crime Prevention Unit Call 268-4101 or go online to www.wichita.gov
· Helpful Phone Numbers:
Patrol West Substation 337-9400
Patrol West Community Police Office 337-9127
The Wichita Police Department
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.
The Community Policing Philosophy
Community Policing is a philosophy and an organizational strategy that promotes partnership between law enforcement and citizens of Wichita. It is based on the premise that Police and the Community must work together to identify, prioritize, and solve crime, the fear of crime, social and physical disorder, and neighborhood decay.
Upcoming Events
July 2nd 6:30pm DAB IV, Alford Library-3447 S. Meridian. (First Wednesday of every month)
Council Member--Paul Gray
July 8th @ 7:00pm- Southwest Village Neighborhood Association meeting, 3214 S. Edwards (Second Tuesday of every month)
"Police are the people and the people are the police" Sir Robert Peel
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