43 BEAT NEWSLETTER
July 2008
Updated July 16, 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!
National Night Out:
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)
REGISTER YOUR BLOCK PARTY NOW
Help Wichita to become a
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
Burglaries:
43 Beat experienced a large increase in burglaries during the last part of May and the month of June. There were approximatley 25 burglaries to residences. I have identified the crime trend and analysed it. I found that the most common entry point was forcing the rear doors and windows. The most common items that were taken were small electronics and money. I also observed that the burglaries quit on June 27th. This is in connection with the arrest of two cousins that lived in the affected areas. Since their arrest there has not been a report of a simialer burglary. As a reminder always keep all doors and windows locked and valuables out of plain sight.
Saftey Tips:
Home Security: A Look at Ways to Secure Doors Using Strike Plates and Key Control
Doors
There are many sizes, shapes and types of exterior doors. The security of any door depends on its construction.
The Hollow Core Door is the most commonly used. It is also the least secure. It consists of a wood frame covered with a thin veneer; it is supported by cardboard arranged in a honeycomb fashion, to keep the veneer from collapsing. This type of door should be used as an interior door only.
The Solid Wood Door provides good security. It is constructed entirely of heavy wood. Some doors have decorative wooden panel inserts that greatly reduce its security.
The Solid Core Door provides good security. It is constructed much the same way as the hollow core door; however, the center is filled with compressed particle-type material that provides strength.
The Metal Door is becoming a favorite exterior door and it provides good security. It consists of a frame covered in a 16 to 20 gauge steel covering. The center of the door is filled with compressed hard foam.
Strike Plates
The weakest area of many doors and locking devices is the strike plate. High security strike plates mounted with three-inch screws will strengthen the doorframe where the throw of the dead bolt meets. The three-inch screws will extend through the doorframe and secure into the stud or existing frame structure of the home. With shorter screws, the strike plate is only secured into the doorframe, which is usually constructed of soft wood that splinters easily.
Deadbolt Locks
The Spring Latch, key in the knob lockset, offers zero security. Known as the “credit card” or “ten second” model, is found on many homes. On exterior doors, this lock set should be an addition to the deadbolt lock. Doors leading into the home from an attached garage or from the basement should be considered an exterior door.
A Single Cylinder Deadbolt lock functions with a key from the outside and thumb turn from the inside. Single cylinder deadbolts are intended to be used on solid doors with no glass within 40 inches of the lock.
A Double Cylinder Deadbolt lock functions with a key from the outside and inside. It is intended for use on doors with glass within 40 inches of the lock. The use of a double cylinder deadbolt lock presents a life safety hazard due to the need to have a key for exit. The 1997 Uniform Building Code states; Regardless of the occupant load served, exit doors shall be open-able from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort.
What to look for when purchasing Deadbolt locks:
- Minimum ¼” interlocking bolts to hold the cylinder halves together.
- Tapered cylinder guard.
- Hardened steel bolt with a 1” throw and a saw-resistant feature.
- Bolt encased in single piece housing.
- Bolt constructed so as to limit internal movement or “play” when the bolt is fully extended.
Not all deadbolts are created equal. They appear similar on the exterior, but the internal components are critical to the overall integrity of the lock. Inquire whether the deadbolt meets or exceeds ANSI grade 2. All exterior doors should be equipped with a deadbolt lock.
Keys
Proper monitoring and control of keys can help prevent passkey burglary. The following are suggestions to better insure keys are properly controlled:
- When someone moves into previously occupied home, all exterior doors should be re-keyed.
- Avoid hiding a key outside. Burglars often know all the hiding places. Place a key in a secure key lock box outside for emergencies.
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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