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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolice Department Newsletter-1981 NOVEMBER 1981 N E W S L E T T E R Py _\u7 f?? WINTER SPRINGS P O L I C E L^\\`O NE I GHBORH00D CRIME WATCH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CRIME PREVENTION Officer Wesley Dowell has organized over 35 Neighborhood Associations in Winter Springs. with over 2,000 individuals involved. This is great but, . you the citizens are NOT using the program and the Police Department in YOUR Neighborhood Watch Program. "We want you to lend us your eyes and ears." A few years ago, citizens apathy and too few Police Officers gave the burgular a tremendous advantage. Today that apathy has been replaced by concerned citizens, willing to get involved. Officer Dowell , when organizing the Neighborhood Watch made it clear that the role of the citizens' is to make note of anyone or anything that appears suspicious , call the Police. You the citizen must under- stand that the main purpose is to observe, listen and let the Police do the rest, but you must get involved with us to make your (our) Neighborhood Watch Program workable. Neighborhoods that are active in_the program have actually seen a decrease in burglaries, vandlisms, etc according to Neighborhood Crime Watch Coordinators of other cities.Some of our citizens have stated the Police Department sometimes give them the feeling, the call is unimportant and would rather not be bothered with it. We are working with our Officers daily, trying to explain the program and what we are requesting of Block Watchers and why you are call- ing in all suspicions. Remember the next two (2) months are specially important for all of us to get involved. These are the upcoming holidays of very special occasion, Thanksgiving - Christmas - New Years and then many,many residents are on vacation, away from home visiting their loved ones during these times and expect to return home to find things as they left them. One thing to be aware of during the upcoming holidays is package delivery. When someone knocks on your door claiming to have a package for you or one of your neighbors, before answering the door, make sure the delivery is from the United States Postal Service or United Parcel Service, etc. , look for the truck in the driveway or street. If you don't see a truck, call the police, have them check it out. This also applies to C.O.D. orders for neighbors , they may have never made an order, so if you pay the money, you may loose out. This is why we are asking all of our citizens of Winter Springs to get involved and lend us your eyes and ears to help make and keep it the most safe city in the nation. This also can apply to any suggestions to help improve our working relations with you. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, •hn o vO• h�C hief o Police SUPPORT - CRIME WATCH IN YOUR AREA '.\SSTTOP came Gun ownership and the fear of crime Survey conducted by Research and Forecasts, Inc. Do you own a gun to Gun ownershi p by region protect your home? y 9 Number of respondents. 1043 69% 51% 52/ 31% West Midwest South East Yes 52% Frequency o1 worrying about crime vs. actual national incidence 1978 FBI reports The Figgie report Incidence of murder Fear of being murdered 009% of population Frequently or sometimes 17%— Rarely or never 63%— Incidence of rape sear of being raped or F.,. 06% of all women se assaulted (women only) Frequently tly or sometimes 55°ra---- Rarely or never 45% Incidence of robbery Fear of being robbed .19% of population Frequently or sometimes 23%----- Rarely or never 77% --— \ / Incidence of assault Fear of being beaten up .26% of population Frequently or sometimes 24% Rarely or never 76% \source:The Fl Cone Chicago Tr.6une Grape.° ag�a moon on ens.m oL :4H % 4 G i - 5-A Sentinel Star.Friday,October 9.1981 107 Arrests and convictions • s Skip bond, x.� restitution,': • suspended sentence,etc _ - tnearcerated _. ._. Guilty (plea or verdict) 3% of 13,213 Cases reaching trial 20,020 4.5%of (Jury— 13,492)(Judge Only — 6,528) Total Arrests 438,222 Total Crimes Reported ` .803;509 Total Crimes Committed -Unknown- _ State of Florida(1980) Very few arrests ever result in a trial.While more resources might result in Increased trials,prevention seems to be a more cost-effective alternative. Commission's roster Industry and business provided to study other programs. the expertise and financial backing Robert I. Whalen, president of behind the Orlando Crime Study Martin Marietta Orlando Aero- Commission. space,chaired the commission. Four Central Florida executives Clyde A. West, a Sears Roebuck headed the research group, which executive,-was in charge of crime was appointed last April by Mayor prevention aspects of the study. Bill Frederick. Robert R. Uttal, a trucking execu- In addition to sending out sur- rive, headed law enforcement as-` veys to 59,500 Orlando residents, pects. David U. Strawn, a lawyer the group interviewed Orlando and former circuit judge, was in police officers and traveled to such charge of judicial aspects. cities as Dallas and Salt Lake City —KATHRYN SWEERS 1 � J �s) ( r r�( OPERATION IDENTIFICATION a�rnin Tire's Not Mat; Keep On Going What if, while you're driving, somebody rolls down his window, points to your tire and says it's going flat? • "Don't stop,"advises Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Ron Davis. Davis, who works out of Sanford, is investigating Monday evening's terrorizing of I9-year-old Marjorie Chalfant of Geneva. Before being driven info a ditch as she was driving along State Road 46,someone had tried to get her to pull off the road by flashing their lights repeatedly while following close behind. "It's an old trick,"Davis said. "Someone will try to get you to pull over by saying something's wrong with your car or by flashing his lights or other means.The intent usually is rape. "So many people assume they should pull off the road if someone says there's something wrong with their car.Women 5' will usually pull off and check,"he said. "This is not the thing; • to do. First go to the nearest well lit area,and do not exit the car," he advised. "Do not shut off your engine." If it seems like someone is following,he said, honk your horn constantly until you get someone else's attention. If nothing seems wrong with your car,don't stop at all, he said. About three months ago a man in Seminole County was driving around pointing to tires and advising women drivers their tires were going flat,Davis said.Now,with the Chalfant incident,the Highway Patrol has issued a five-county bulletin asking agencies forepart any similar incidents.The police will be looking for a pattern, David added. At this point, he said, police believe it was one man who forced Ms. Chattant off the road about five miles east of Geneva. "Where she was,if I had a flat I'd continue driving until it came off the rim," Davis said. "It's not a good area." He also had some advice about unmarked police cars. To avoid getting accosted by someone impersonating an officer, don't stop for an unmarked car—even if it has a flashing blue light on the dash — unless there is an audible siren. "Then request proof," he said. "Officers in unmarked cars are trained to exit the car with ' their identification open in then .`.and. Request that they 1' • present their badge and ID, if they are not in uniform,' he �, +r advised. — DIANE PETRYK • HELP 0 '` MEMBER • :r1:C17161 REPORT GRIPES 1 it, • Don't be afraid to call the police. You are not inconveniencing the police if your call turns out to be unfounded. The majority of calls turn out to be ' . unfounded, but your police department would rather respond to the nine unfounded . • calls than miss that tenth call. Wnat type of crime should you report? Car thefts, assaults, threats, street fights, purse snatches, or any other suspicious activity. Finamoles of suspicious activities are: a van loading items from'a house, a car cruising about the neighborhood, ringing doorbells inquiring about fictitious rkeles and addresses. Do not atte,pt to apprehend a person committing a crime or investigate a suspicious activity yourself. Call the police. We have the training and the skills. We ask that you provide us with the information we need. - HOW TO 11410: A RETORT TO YOUR POLICE DETARTt'tr ■T If there is an emergency or suspicious activity, can the Police Department's eflergency rnumb¢,.37-*000- You should have the number near your phone.. . Advise the operator who answers the phone the reason for the call - possible burglary, auto theft, purse snatch, auto accident, suspicious activity, etc. Give the operator the location of the activity - address (street and number) or cross streets. Furnish a detailed desiiiption of the suspect, including as unch information as you can. _. Sex _ Hat - Age. Glasses Race - Co;:olerion - Height Shirt: type, color Weight Jacket: type, color Hair Pants: type, color - Eyes Shoes: type, color Heard If there is a vehicle involved, write dawn the type of vehicle (car, trurk, etc.), the year, rake, body style, and color - and the license plate number. It is not necessary when caking a report that you give your name. If you see a suspicious vehicle driving around your neighborhood, write down the license nur-ber. There are things you can do. There are things you and your neighbors can do together. For gore information an crime prevention awareness, call '327=1000. � 191 RI IR11 !