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Monday, March 16, 2009
Please read this message from the Richardson Police Department.
One of our Detectives asked that we inform residents that areas of N.E. Dallas, Garland, and east Richardson (so far) are seeing an exceptionally large number of check fraud cases that are originating from theft of mail from residential mailboxes.
Thieves are stealing mail, not only for credit card offers and other personal information, but for the personal checks found in routine, monthly bill payments. The criminals are chemically "washing" the checks, altering the amount and the payee, then cashing them. In other words, your check to TXU for last month's electric bill of $273. 54 could be stolen from your mailbox and the writing changed to pay "Steel Fraumue" $873.54 . Even the U.S. Postal Service recommends that you drop mail into a postal drop box, and not leave it for pickup in your home mailbox. This warning is especially relevant to neighborhoods with front curbside or rear alley mailboxes with the little red "take me" flags. Several weeks may go by before you are notified about a delinquent payment. Then, the altered check has to go through its process. By then, any trail back to the crook has frozen over.
Remove this criminal opportunity by dropping your mail at the post office on the way to work or while running errands. A detour to the post office is nothing compared to the running around required to straighten out just one of these episodes.
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
WHAT IS VIP?
Volunteers In Patrol (VIP) is a neighborhood patrol
program designed to reduce crime through increased cooperation between
citizens and the Dallas Police Department (DPD). Citizen volunteers
donate their time to patrol their neighborhoods by driving their own
vehicles. The vehicles are very visible, being equipped with flashing
amber light and signs attached to the sides, front, and rear. They are
trained by the DPD to observe, recognize, and report suspicious or
criminal activity. Once detected, this activity is immediately reported
to 911.
The program is non-confrontational. The volunteers are
trained to not approach suspicious activity or persons, but to back away
from the situation and, if possible, remain in sight and observe until
the police respond. This program allows citizens to take an active role
in crime prevention by becoming the eyes and ears of the DPD.
The program also brings the neighborhood closer
together by building camaraderie between the residents, which creates a
safer environment and a better quality of life. It also sends a message
that the neighborhood is aware, alert, and will not tolerate criminal
activity.
Additionally, VIP personnel will maintain a vigil to
be alert for situations or activity in the neighborhood that, while not
suspicious, might help to create problems or criminal activity, and to
report such situations to their respective neighbors. For example: open
garage or house doors that would allow unauthorized entry, wandering
unattended children, and open yard gates that allow access to pools by
children.
There must be structure to the VIP group with
officers, rules, and by-laws. It must evolve from and remain part of a
recognized crime watch organization or homeowners’ association. The
group must maintain contact with the DPD Divisional Interactive
Community Policing (ICP) officer.
Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, be in
good health, have a valid driver’s license, and have no criminal record.
They must complete applications that are submitted to the DPD for
background checks. Once approved, applicants must complete an eight-hour
training program administered by the DPD. The course consists of:
- Instruction in patrol procedure and discipline.
- Safety.
- DPD geographical designations ¾ divisions, beats,
and reporting areas.
- Observation skills.
- Patrol log maintenance and record keeping.
- 911 reporting procedures.
For questions, contact Sgt. Mike Nonnenmacher at 214-670-7247.
Classes fill up quickly, so please RSVP with Sgt. Nonnenmacher at
214-670-7247 or email at
m.nonnenmacher@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us
Application, waiver and proof
of valid driver’s license must be submitted before class admittance.
You will receive a confirmation Evite.
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