December 2013

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Dec 25, 2013 ... Most of us think no one would be crazy enough to break into ..... Program will help us purchase wholesale toys, books, and games. .... Entregar esta solicitud antes de tomar el curso de entrenamiento COP de 8 horas. 3.
EAST DIVISION

CODE BLUE/CRIME WATCH NEWSLETTER December 2013

All of us here in East Division Wish You and Your Family

Code Blue/Crime Watch Newsletter is published by the Fort Worth Police Department East Division Code Blue/Crime Prevention Unit For more information please contact Shirlee Wilkinson at 817-392-4800 or [email protected]

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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Drivers, Beware Of ‘Sliders,’ Because They Are Most Certainly Aware Of You Crooks are swiping ladies’ purses from right under their noses – and it could happen to anyone. While the woman focuses on the gas pump, the opportunistic crook makes his move, crouching down, opening the passenger side door and grabbing the unsuspecting woman’s purse from inside. It is an entire crime that takes less than 19 seconds. “They say it’s sliding because they’re sliding below the eye level of the door,” a law enforcement official said. And it’s happening over and over again. Surveillance cameras also recently capture a scene where, while a woman was inside the store, a thief is seen surveying the situation. Once she’s back outside and focused on the pump, the man leaps into her driver’s side window, grabs her purse and, just as quickly, is gone. All the while she never notices a thing. “A vehicle is not a secure location for your property,” Police say sliders take advantage of distraction and prey on a common misconception. Most of us think no one would be crazy enough to break into a car while the driver is standing right next to it. But sliders are proving that line of thinking wrong. Some drivers say they do what they can to protect themselves. On person said I don’t hold the pump. I usually click the holder on the pump so I can have time to actually scan what’s going on around me, It should probably be in the glove compartment, underneath the seat somewhere. On my side versus the passenger side, lesson learned, Another says “I always lock my doors and then just manually unlock my drivers side door to exit the vehicle that way all the other doors are locked while I’m pumping gas. Police said these burglaries can be prevented, and advise women to always lock their doors. Police also said it is best if women keep their purses out of sight, or simply take them when they are away from their vehicles. If you would like to watch a video of this crime taking place, I googled “Slider Car Burglars” and several came up. You can also view this on You Tube, just put in the same key words “Slider Car Burglars”. REMEMBER: ALWAYS ROLL UP YOUR WINDOWS AND LOCK YOUR DOORS. IF YOU GO INSIDE A STORE TAKE YOUR PURSE WITH YOU! AND GUYS THIS IS NOT JUST FOR LADIES EITHER, IF YOU HAVE BEEN OUT SHOPPING AND HAVE PACKAGES IN YOUR VEHICLE AND STOP FOR GAS, LOCK THOSE DOORS. THESE BURGLARS CAN TAKE A PACKAGES JUST AS EASY AS A PURSE.

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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The holiday season is filled with happiness and celebration, but it can also be a time of danger. Unfortunately, there are criminals who use the holidays to target victims who may be distracted by the busy season. On this page through page 5 is a Holiday Safety Quiz that can help you determine if you are doing all that you can to protect yourself and your family from would-be criminals during the holiday season at home and while shopping.

1: Do you take a friend or family member with you when you go shopping at night? Yes No Not Applicable 2: Do you pay for purchases with a check or credit/debit card and avoid carrying large sums of cash? Yes No Not Applicable 3: Do you place packages in the trunk of your car or out-of-sight from potential thieves? Yes No Not Applicable 4: Do you lock the doors and windows of your house, even if you are leaving for just a few minutes? Yes No Not Applicable 5: Do you get your keys out before you approach your parked vehicle? Yes No Not Applicable

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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6: Do you check the identification of all persons delivering packages to your home? Yes No Not Applicable 7: Do you keep gift-wrapped packages out of sight of windows and doors of your home? Yes No Not Applicable 8: Do you keep your Christmas tree in water or wet sand? Yes No Not Applicable 9: When you do carry cash while shopping, do you carry it in your front pocket? Yes No Not Applicable 10: If you use an ATM machine, do you always use one in a secure location such as inside a mall or store? Yes No Not Applicable 11: Do you always park in a well-lighted area? Yes No Not Applicable 12: Do you avoid wearing expensive jewelry or watches while shopping? Yes No Not Applicable 13: Do you avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows? Yes No Not Applicable

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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14: Do you make sure that you take your purchase or ATM receipts with you, rather than putting them into the trash? Yes No Not Applicable 15: Have you inspected the wiring on your holiday light displays to make sure it is not frayed or damaged? Yes No Not Applicable 16: When you use an ATM machine, do you shield your PIN number from the view of others? Yes No Not Applicable 17: When you leave the house, do you leave a radio or television on so that the house seems occupied? Yes No Not Applicable 18: Is your Christmas tree or other holiday displays out of the way of doors or passage ways? Yes No Not Applicable 19: Do you have a record of all your credit card numbers in a secure place? Yes No Not Applicable 20: Have you instructed your child to contact a store clerk for help if you become separated? Yes No Not Applicable If you answered “yes” to all 20 questions your score is 100. Basically the lower your score the more you need to increase your knowledge for the safety of you and your family during the holidays. More safety tips on the next page.

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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Homes jam-packed with glittering gifts. Stores, malls and downtown streets teeming with unsuspecting shoppers. People rushing around, stressed out and careless, looking for last-minute gifts, trying to get everything done. It’s enough to make a crook giddy and wit holiday joy. This holiday season, don’t let the spirit of giving lull you into giving burglars, muggers, and pickpockets a better chance to do their dirty work. Crooks love the holidays as much as everyone les, but chiefly because it’s an opportune time for crime. Here are some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season: IF YOU’RE TRAVELING

• Get an automatic timer for your lights • Ask a neighbor to watch your home and park in the driveway from time to time. • Don’t stop your mail and newspaper delivery, have a neighbor pick them up for you. Your home looks more lived in when mail shows in the mailbox and a paper is in the yard for a while and then they are picked up by the neighbor. IF YOU’RE OUT FOR THE EVENING

• Turn on lights and a radio or RV so it looks like someone’s home. • Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it’s just for a few minutes. • Don’t display gifts where they can be seen from outside. IF YOU’RE SHOPPING

• Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you. • Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk. • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a a check or credit card whenever possible. • Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don’t overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. If you have a strap purse, consider putting it underneath you over you shoulder underneath your coat. Put a wallet in an inside coat of front pants pocket. • Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated. IF A STRANGER COMES TO THE DOOR, BEWARE Criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. And it’s not uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others’ generosity during the holidays by going door-to-door for charitable donations when there’s no charity involved. Ask for identification, and find out how the funds will be used. If you aren’t satisfied, don't’ give. Help a charitable organization you know and like instead. TAKE A HOLIDAY INVENTORY The holidays are a good time to update and/or create your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file. Make sure things like TV’s, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers home office equipment and power tools are on the list. Remember to check it twice. Also, marking your items with RAPIDS Stickers will help in identifying your items. Last but not least, don’t let holiday stress get the best of your holiday spirit. Make time to get together with family, friends, and neighbors. Do your part to make the holidays a safe and happy time for everybody—except criminals.

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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Holiday Safety Tips From the Fort Worth Fire Department As we approach this year’s holiday season, the Fort Worth Fire Department wants everyone to enjoy their time with family and friends as safely as possible. Thanksgiving is high time for cooking related incidents. While we know that even with the best preparation and precautions, accidents happen. You can, though, reduce the probability of accidents by following these safety tips:

• Keep potholders and food wrappers at least three (3) feet away from heat sources while cooking.

• Turn pot handles on the stove inward. • Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves when cooking. Long, loose sleeves can cause spills and catch fire more easily.

• Clean up spills immediately to prevent slips and falls. • Make sure all cooking surfaces have been turned off when you leave the kitchen. • Be extra careful when frying turkeys! For turkey fryer safety tips check out the following websites: Underwriters Laboratories: UL.com Consumer Product Safety Commission: cpsc.gov Another danger that can interrupt a good turkey dinner is choking. Learning how to perform the Heimlich maneuver can save lives. The use of open flames common during this time of year. Candles, fire places, tea lights, etc… all add to the festive mood. Be sure to keep combustibles (i.e. decorations, curtains, stockings, etc…) away from open flames. After guests leave, walk around the home making sure that all candles and smoking materials are extinguished before going to bed. For more information on holiday fire safety:

• A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety or go to • USFA Holiday Fire Safety It’s a lot of work preparing for the holidays, but it doesn’t have to be dangerous. With care you can stay safe, injury-free and be able to enjoy this holiday season with your family and loved ones.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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Make Sure Your Holiday Giving is Wise Giving December is a critical fundraising month for charities. Many people make year-end gifts for tax reasons, or to extend the spirit of thanksgiving and generosity to those less fortunate. BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers a few DOs and DON’Ts when it comes to charity giving, both at holiday time and year-round. DON’T succumb to high-pressure, emotional pitches. Giving on the spot is never necessary, no matter how hard a telemarketer or door-to-door solicitor pushes it. The charity that needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow…after you’ve had time to do your homework. DO check out the charity carefully. Make sure you feel comfortable with how your money will be spent. Don’t just take the word of someone else; even good friends may not have fully researched the charities they endorse. Go to www.give.org to verify that a charity meets BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. DON’T assume that only “low overhead” matters. How much money a charity spends on the actual cause – as compared to how much goes toward fundraising and administration – is an important factor, but it’s not the whole story. A charity with impressive financial ratios could have other significant problems such as insufficient transparency, inadequate board activity and inaccurate appeals. DO be sure it’s the right charity. With so many charities in existence, their names can blur in a donor’s mind and similar-sounding organizations are common. Many phony charities purposefully choose a name that sounds familiar. Be sure you know which charity you’re supporting and that it’s not a case of mistaken identity. DON’T assume that the charity wants any item you donate. Worn out, unusable or unwanted donated goods cost charities millions of dollars each year because the organization has to bear the cost of tossing the unacceptable donation. If you have questions about an item’s acceptability, call the charity and ask. DO consider easy text-to-give options. The BBB Mobile Giving Foundation makes it easy to give smaller donations (usually $10) to charities they have selected and monitor, including those providing relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. Go to www.mobilegiving.org to find out more. Donors can check out BBB Wise Giving Alliance evaluations on nationally soliciting charities for free at www.give.org. Many BBBs also rate local and regional charities at www.bbb.org. For more consumer tips this holiday season in both English and Spanish, visit www.bbb.org.

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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Toy & Book Donations The Cowboy Santas Program, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides toys, books, and games to children ages 0 to 12 years of age. In 32 years, the program has served more than 100,000 children from low income households in Tarrant County. Donations are tax-deductible. We only accept new, unwrapped toys. Your monetary tax deductible donation to the Cowboy Santas Program will help us purchase wholesale toys, books, and games. Each child receives 3 toys, 2 books and 2 games according to their age; special items are provided for infants.

• • • • • •

New Unwrapped Toys Toys for Children—birth to 12 years of age Electronics, educational learning toys Games, arts & crafts & sporting goods Dolls, stocking stuffers & stuffed animals Toddler educational toys & building blocks

• • • •

Preteen Items Bicycles Books for all ages Cowboy Santa does not accept toy weapons nor toy guns

Drop off your items at your nearest Police or Fire Station You can also make donations by check payable and mail to : Cowboy Santas Program, Inc 4200 South Freeway, Suite 2200 Fort Worth, Texas 76115 Or you can donate on line at www.cowboysantas.org

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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Silver Stars is an extension of Cowboy Santas Program, Inc., and provides holiday care packages to isolated, low-income Tarrant County Elderly. Though the holiday season is supposed to be happy and joyous, many seniors spend this time of the year alone. By donating to the Silver Stars program, you can help spread holiday cheer to these senior residents when they need it the most. Over the past 11 years, the Silver Stars Holiday Program, as an extension of the Cowboy Santas Program, Inc., has served more than 3,000 homebound and/or isolated seniors. The program ensures that Tarrant County Seniors are remembered during the holidays by delivering care packages that include an assortment of health and safety items, stocking stuffers and community resource materials. Participants must meet the following: • Be 60 years older and live alone or with persons 60 or older • Have income that is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level • Be homebound or isolated from family and/or community support • Reside in Tarrant County HOW CAN YOU HELP? Provide Donations that will be used to purchase items for care packages. We accept cash or checks or visit www.CowboySantas.org and donate. Host a Silver Stars Party at a location of your choice to collect items to fill the care packages. Take your donations from the “Wish List” to your nearest Police or Fire Station.

• • • • • • • • •

Socks (male & female Blankets/throws Toiletries Watches House shoes Playing cards Dominoes Jigsaw puzzles Jumbo crossword & word search book • Books

• Manicure sets • Wallets/coin purses • Book lights with magnifying glass • Collectable (dolls, cars, trucks stuffed animals, crafts) • Stationery • Monetary Donations (adopt a senior $25

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

East Division Crime Prevention News

East Division CRIME WATCH TRAINING SCHEDULE 2013 10:00am-11:30am or 6:30pm-8:00pm Dates December 17th All trainings will be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1100 Nashville. Except December’s which will be held on the 3rd Tuesday due to Christmas Please call Michael Grigsby to confirm so that you may be contacted in the event of a cancellation. 817-392-4834 Or [email protected]

Michael Grigsby East Division Crime Prevention Specialist 5650 E Lancaster Fort Worth, TX 76112 [email protected] 817-392-4834 office or 817-980-8441 cell

Community Meetings with Captain Barclay The December Meeting have been cancelled Due to the Holidays All of us here in East Division wish you and yours a safe and Happy Holiday Season

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Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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East Division Crime Prevention News

Auto Etching/H.E.A.T Registration Look for the 2014 Dates in the next Edition .

DECEMBER—NO ETCHING DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER

**NOTE** If you have questions about any of the listed dates, times or locations, call the telephone number listed for that month

City Offices will be Closed Christmas Day Wednesday December 25, 2013 And New Years Day Wednesday January 1, 2014

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

East Division Code Blue News

East Division Christmas Party Monday December 2, 2013 Meadowbrook United Methodist Church 3900 Meadowbrook Drive 6:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m. Please bring your favorite side dish Meat, Drinks and Dessert provided Special Donations will go to the

Care Packages for Senior Citizens in need To view the Wish List or for more information about Silver Stars See page 14 of this newsletter

Freddie Holcomb East Division Code Blue Coordinator 5650 E Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth Texas 76112 [email protected] 817-392-4846

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Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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Fort Worth Police Department Police Training Center 1000 Calvert Fort Worth, TX. 76102

Citizens On Patrol Training Schedule for 2014 February 15, 2014 May 17, 2014 August 16, 2014 November 15, 2014

All COP training sessions are on Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm FWPD Police Training Center 1000 Calvert

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

Page 15 FORT WORTH POLICE DEPARTMENT

CITIZENS ON PATROL APPLICATION Spanish Las personas que quieran participar en el programa “Citizen On Patrol” (COP) deberán de cumplir con lo siguiente: 1. Mayor de 18 años. 2. Entregar esta solicitud antes de tomar el curso de entrenamiento COP de 8 horas. 3. Revisión de historial criminal. 4. Asistir y terminar el curso de COP de 8 horas. 5. Asistir mínimo de 1 hora al centro de Comunicaciones con recepcionistas de 911 y despachadoras de emergencia. 6. Tomar un paseo de trabajo con un oficial de policía de FTW, turno completo de 10 horas (2 turnos de 5 horas) 7. Tomar un paseo con un voluntario con experiencia del grupo COP. Fecha:

- Favor de usar letra de molde Nombre:

Sexo:

Fecha de Nacimiento:

# de licencia (disponible):

Dirección de casa:

Ciudad / Código:

Dirección de trabajo:

Ciudad / Código:

Telefono/casa:

Celular:

Teléfono/Trabajo:

Email : Alguna vez a sido arrestado por un crimen? (circular)

SI

NO

(si contesto “SI” explique)

Favor de proveer nombres, direcciones y número de teléfonos de 2 personas que lo conozcan/referencias: 1. 2.

Talla de Camisa (circule una)

X

Small

Medium

Large

XL

Firma del Solicitante

2XL

3XL

4XL

5XL

======================

FOR DIVISION USE ONLY

Division:

=====================

NPO:

COP Group: 10-29 check:

SCRAM check:

Criminal history check (circle one):

Attached

None

Officer who conducted 10-29, SCRAM and Criminal history check:

Date: (Signature of Division Commander or Supervisor approving application) Revised 10/ 11

Crime Watch Newsletter

December 2013

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FORT WORTH POLICE DEPARTMENT

CITIZENS ON PATROL APPLICATION Persons wanting to become a member of the Citizen On Patrol (COP) program must meet the following criteria; 1. Be at least 18 years of age. 2. Submit a COP application prior to the 8 hour COP training course. 3. Pass a background check. 4. Attend and complete the 8 hour COP training course. 5. Sit with a FWPD Communications call-taker and dispatcher (one hour each). 6. Ride in with a FWPD Patrol Officer for a total of a full patrol shift (one 10 hour shift or two 5 hour shifts). 7. Ride in with an experienced COP member. Date:

- Please print the following information Name:

Race:

Date of Birth:

Driver’s License Number:

Work address:

City / ZIP:

Home address:

City / ZIP:

Home phone:

Sex:

Cell phone:

Work phone:

Email Address: Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime? (circle one)

Yes

(If “Yes” explain below)

No

Provide the names, addresses and phone numbers of two references: 1. 2.

Shirt Size (circle size needed)

X

Small

Medium

Large

XL

Applicant’s Signature

2XL

3XL

4XL

5XL

======================

FOR DIVISION USE ONLY

Division:

=====================

NPO:

COP Group: 10-29 check:

SCRAM check:

Criminal history check (circle one):

Attached

None

Officer who conducted 10-29, SCRAM and Criminal history check:

Date: (Signature of Division Commander or Supervisor approving application) Revised 10/ 11