City of Wichita  >  City Offices  >  Police Department  >  Field Services Division  >  Patrol East  >  31 Beat

31 Beat

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Officers assigned to 31 Beat

Officer Mathew Lowe
Community Policing
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1st Shift Officer M. Tiday	2nd Shift Officer D. Walker	3rd Shift Officer S. Thornton	4th Shift Officer B. Mock

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 If you would like more detailed listing of index crime statistics within
reporting areas or neighborhoods, please click here.

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Previous Year Statistics for Beat 31

     

Type of Crime	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Murder	1	0	1	0	0
Rape	10	7	4	6	2
Individual Robbery	21	12	13	14	8
Business Robbery	5	3	7	11	8
Agg. Assault Drive By	2	0	0	2	0
Residential Burglary	72	91	99	96	74
Non-Res. Burglary	46	35	35	30	28
Larceny	444	373	364	322	373
Auto Theft	42	46	24	30	46
Vandalism	270	250	217	197	175
Totals	913	817	764	708	714

Search the KBI's Sexual Offender Database

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Last Updated for: February 2012 31 BEAT NEWS Published by Officer M. L. Lowe Patrol East Community Policing 350 S. Edgemoor, Wichita KS 67218 Patrol East: 350-3420 Community Policing Office: 688-9545 E-mail:mlowe@wichita.gov Welcome to Your 31 Beat Webpage The information below will provide you with crime trends, prevention methods, and a host of resources. General Cold Weather Tips: Stolen vehicles increase drastically because people leave them running to warm them up. If you must warm up your car, consider these ideas: Make sure you have a spare key and lock the vehicle. Put on the emergency brake to confuse a would-be thief. Keep an eye on the vehicle the whole time. Do not do chores around the house while the vehcile is warming up. Watch for any people or strange vehicles parked in your area. They might be waiting for someone to leave their car running. Don't let that someone be you. Call 911 to have suspicious persons/vehicles checked out. Crime Prevention BURGLARY 10 Residential Burglary Prevention Tips from the Wichita Police Department 1.      If a person knocks on your front door in the middle of the day who you do not know, consider doing something that would let them know that someone is home, without opening the door. If you say nothing, they get the impression that no one is home and get the green light to break into your home – putting you or other occupants of your home in potential face to face situation. 2.      If you own any of these three items – FLAT SCREEN TELEVISION, GAME SYSTEM, LAPTOP COMPUTER – write down the make, model and the serial number of these items so they can be provided to police if your home is broken into. This info can be entered into a nation-wide computer database, showing your items as stolen property. Having this information for the police officer can greatly increase the chances of having your property returned to you if it would be recovered. (These are the most sought after items that residential burglars look for.) 3.      Stop the delivery of any newspapers to your residence while you are gone. Several newspapers in the driveway is an indication to burglars that the occupants are gone for multiple days. 4.      If you are going out for the evening, leave the TV on, as well as a few select lights, so it appears someone is home. The glow from the TV screen can be seen easily at night from outside your home by potential burglars. 5.      A dog that will bark at strangers but won’t be a nuisance to your neighbors is a good deterrent. 6.      Install motion-activated lights to cover both your front and back doors. The light going on might alert a neighbor to look your way and your neighbor could be a potential witness that could call 911 that a burglary in progress in occurring. 7.      If you or a family member is a user of a social media site, like Facebook or MySpace, be sure that no information posted would indicate you are away from your home. Some burglars monitor these internet sites and look for this information to help them select potential locations to break into. 8.      If you see suspicious activity, and your safety is not a consideration, do not approach the people and tell them that you are calling 911. Call 911 discreetly and tell the dispatcher that the activity is “in progress”. This will let the officers have an opportunity to catch them in the act and hopefully make an arrest. You would be surprised at the number of well-intentioned people that warn the criminals that police are on the way and they are long gone when we arrive. 9.      Burglars have to decide which house to break into – walk around your house and compare it to others on your block. Ask yourself – is my house an easier target than others on the block? If so, take steps to “target harden” your house, such as install deadbolts, install better lighting, trim tree limbs and bushes away from windows. 10.  Don’t advertise what you own. During the daytime, a burglar can easily run into the garage to steal property while you are in the backyard or busy in the house. During the night there are certain burglars driving around just looking for open garage doors. Your golf clubs or string trimmer will be easily pawned or sold for a fraction of what you paid for them.  The nighttime burglars target the vehicles parked in the garage looking for keys in the ignitions to steal the cars. The nighttime burglars are also looking for purses and wallets left in the vehicles and use the credit cards before the victim knows the burglary has occurred. Most victims believe nothing like this happens in their neighborhood, but the nicer neighborhoods are the neighborhood targeted. You are our eyes and ears. You can make a huge difference in a Safe and Secure Community. It starts in your homes and neighborhoods. Stay security conscience! Maintain multi-layers of security for your family and your home to reduce the chance of becoming a victim. Attention: You can receive a free in-home CPTED (Crive Prevention Through Environmental Design) Home Survey Report from Officer Lowe. To set up an appointment, email him at mlowe@wichita.gov THEFT FROM VEHICLES This is a crime of opportunity, and in most cases the victim is providing the opportunity. Thieves are watching! This type of crime takes literally seconds to commit. Let's not give these criminals the opportunity. Removing the valuables from your vehicle can greatly decrease your chances of being a victim. Here’s a test: Do you have any of these top stolen items in your car right now? Purse GPS Unit Wallet IPOD Laptop Cell Phone GARAGE DOOR OPENERS! Leaving these items in plain view increases your chances of being a victim. Other things to do to reduce your chances of being a victim are to park in well lit areas at night if possible, lock your doors, roll up all your windows, and be aware of surroundings. IDENTITY THEFT Thieves can obtain your information many ways, don't make it easier for them. Here are some general rules to reduce your risk of having your identity stolen: Mail Theft Shred important documents you throw out Bring in your mail every day Never use your mailbox for outgoing mail Hand deliver outgoing mail to mail courier Use a drop box Going on vacation? Put your mail and newspapers on “hold” The Web Always use trusted websites Never reply to emails from strangers If you get a phone call or an email from your credit card company stating your account has been breached, do not give out information they should already have. Call back to a number you know Follow this simple rule, "If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is." Set up a "Fraud Alert" through one of the credit reporting agencies: Equifax Experian Transunion For more information or if you have been a victim, check out these resources: U.S. Postal Inspection Service Federal Trade Commission US Secret Service Department of Justice Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation American Express Discover MasterCard Visa Visa W.P.D. Theft Packet Crime Stoppers Neighborhood Initiative • The Crime Stoppers Neighborhood Initiative is a project designed to encourage citizens to report crime and criminal activity around neighborhood drug houses. Citizens are also encouraged to report all suspicious activity regardless where it occurs. • The initiative is not meant to replace citizens reporting of criminal activity to their community police officer or City Hall neighborhood assistant. Rather, the project is designed to give citizens an anonymous alternative to report drug houses or other crimes in their neighborhood should they choose to do so. • Crime Stoppers encourages citizens to get to know their beat and community police officers who can assist them in many ways. These officers have a broad perspective of activities taking place in the neighborhoods the patrol and can be a valuable resource. • In addition, Crime Stoppers encourages citizens to develop a working relationship with the neighborhood assistant in their city council district. These City employees can answer questions about many city services, and are can assist citizens in many ways. • Crime Stoppers has expanded the way it now receives anonymous tips from citizens.    - Citizens can still report criminal activity anonymously by calling 267‐2111    - Citizens living outside of Wichita can report criminal activity anonymously by calling      1‐800-222‐TIPS    - Citizens can report criminal activity anonymously by sending a text message on      their cell phones to CRIMES (274637) and beginning their message with the word      TIP217. It’s a good idea to program this number into your cell phone address book      so it will be handy when you need it.    - Citizens can also report criminal activity anonymously by going to the Crime      Stoppers website, www.wsccs.com.    - If citizens choose do to so, they can report criminal activity by going to the Wichita      Police Department website, www.wichitapolice.com, going to the      Records Information link, and clicking on the link to Report Suspicious Activity in      Your Neighborhood.    - All tips received by Crime Stoppers are anonymous and no one will ever ask your      name. General Information BARKING DOGS PROCEDURE (Email Officer Lowe for the helpful Barking Dog Complaint Packet) In accordance to Ordinance 6.04.040(d)(6), it is unlawful to: "Keep or harbor any animal which, by loud, frequent or habitual barking, howling, yelping or other noise or action, unreasonably disturbs any person or neighborhood thin the corporate limits of the city. To effect legal relief, persons so affected directly may sign a complaint at the Department of Environmental Services". To comply with the ordinance, the following information is needed to file a complaint at the Department of Environmental Services: 1. Name, date of birth, and address of the offending person who owns or harbors the dog/animal 2. Date and time when the offense (or incident) occurred 3. Location of the incident If the citizen does not have the above information, they should call 911 and request that a police officer to come to their address to obtain the offender's information, they should call the Police Department Case Desk at 268-4216 to file a police incident report. The citizen should then allow three to five days for the incident to be entered into the computer system. After that time, the report should be available from the Police Department Central Records Bureau (268-4186). To file the complaint with the Department of Environmental Services: 1. Obtain a copy of the police incident case report by contacting the Police Record's Bureau at 268-4186. 2. Come to the Department of Environmental Services at 1900 E 9th to file the complaint. 3. Furnish a sworn affidavit for the incident. Environmental Services has notaries available for this purpose. 4. Sign a Universal Complaint Citation form (UCC) and have it notarized. 5. Furnish a list of witnesses to be subpoenaed and their current valid addresses. The list will always include the complainant and their current address, as well as any other witnesses, including the responding PD officer who made the incident report if applicable. After the above steps, the complaint will be filed with the Municipal Court and entered as an unserved complaint, to be served by the Wichita Police Department Warrant Office and a court date will be assigned. Be advised that the citizen will be required to attend court on the dates subpoenaed. Failure to attend their court date(s) will result in dismissal of the complaint filed, and may result in the complaining citizen being charged with contempt of court. PORTABLE BASKETBALL GOALS Basketball is fun and a great source for exercise. However, the very popular portable basketball goals are being set up in neighborhoods adjacent to traffic ways causing a wide range of problems. First there is the safety aspect. Playing in the street is a dangerous practice and should be avoided altogether. Second, theses goals can become a nuisance problem for neighborhoods. Players not moving out of the way for vehicles in the roadway, loud players as well as loud music late at night, as well as blight issues can all hurt the morale and image for the neighborhood. For violations of basketball goals, please read the following: 1. Contact ANY city of Wichita employee and report the violation as well as the address to them. 2. The city employee will call or email Engineering Division's Linda Firsching at 268-4418, or lfirsching@wichita.gov with the address of the violation. 3. Linda Firsching will log the complaint in a database and assigned to a sidewalk inspector who will verify the violation with a photograph.  4. Notifications will be provided to the residence and compliance checks will begin. 5. Continued violations will be subjected to fines and possibly removal of the goal by city employees. If you are a parent responsible for one of these goals, please be responsible and assure that the basketball goal is not contributing to a dangerous environment or contributing to a nuisance problem. If you are a citizen that wants to report problems arising from a portable basketball goal, follow the steps above. TEXTING LAWS Texting While Driving ordinace becomes a citable offense 1-1-2011. Section 1 11.38.390 of the Code of the City ofWichita Kansas shall read as follows 1. Wireless communication device means any wireless electronic communication device that provides for voice or data communication between two or more parties including but not limited to a mobile or cellular telephone a text messaging device a personal digital assistant that sends or receives messages an vaiuddeioo player that sends or receives messages or a laptop computer Wireless communication device does not include a device which is ovpoeriacteed and which allows the user to send or receive a text based communication without the use of either hand except to activate or deactivate a feature or function 2. Write send or read a written communication means using a wireless communication device to manually type send or read a written communication including but not limited to a text message instant message or electronic mail b. Except as provided in subsections c and dno person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public road or highway while using a wireless communications device to write send or read a written communication c. The provisions of subsection b shall not apply to:    1. A law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel acting within the course and scope of the law enforcement osfficer or emergency service psersonnel employment    2. A motor vehicle stopped off the regular traveled portion of the roadway    3. A person who reads selects or enters a telephone number or name in a wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a phone call    4. A person who receives an emergency traffic or weather alert message or    5. A person receiving a message related to the operation or navigation of the motor vehicle d. The provisions of subsection b shall not prohibit a person from using a wireless communications device while operating a moving motor vehicle to    1. Report current or ongoing illegal activity to law enforcement    2. Prevent imminent injury to a person or property or    3. Relay information between transit or fhoirer operator and the osperator dispatcher in which the device is permanently affixed to the motor vehicle e. Upon conviction of a violation under this section a fine of up to 50000 shall be imposed GRAFFITI Citizens can now email graffiti complaints to: KEEPWICHITACLEAN@WICHITA.COM They will need the provide the following: Address and Location of the Graffiti Property Type - Residential or Business Type of Surface the Graffiti is on TOP 10 RESIDENTIAL PARKING VIOLATIONS 1. Park w/in 15ft of a fire hydrant - 11.52.020(7) 2. Park w/in 30ft of a traffic sign - 11.52.020(10) 3. Park left wheels to curb - 11.52.040 4. Park w/in 8ft of a private drive - 11.52.020(5) 5. Park more than 12" from curb  - 11.52.040 6. Park on sidewalk - 11.52.020(8) 7. Inoperable vehicale on private property - 7.40.045 8. Parking on required side yard - 11.52.030(b) 9. Parking on unpaved surface - 11.52.030(c) 10. Parking on required front yard - 11.52.030(a) CURIOUS ABOUT CRIME STATISTICS? Look up crime statistics in your neighborhood or the whole city! Check out these information resources: Kansas.com Wichita Eagle's Thursday Paper Or the informative and interactive GIS Site CrimeMapping.com CITIZEN OBSERVER SERVICE New resource to get text messages and emails about crime in your area. Get signed up today on www.WichitaPolice.com! Click Here! YOUR 31 BEAT OFFICERS FIRST SHIFT - Officer Mike Tiday mtiday@wichita.gov SECOND SHIFT - Officer Daniel Walker dwalker@wichita.gov THIRD SHIFT - Officer Thornton sthornton@wichita.gov FOURTH SHIFT - Officer Brian Mock bmock@wichita.gov S.R.O. EAST HIGH - Officer John Biagini jbiagini@wichita.gov COMMUNITY POLICING - Officer Matt Lowe mlowe@wichita.gov SCAT - Officer Gabe Ohmart gohmart@wichita.gov HANDY NUMBERS East Station 350-3420 SCAT (drug enforcement and gang suppression unit) 267-SCAT Crime Stoppers 267-2111 Citizen's Police Academy 838-9611 Warrant Office 268-4231 Environmental Services 268-8351 Animal Control 268-8473 WICHITA POLICE DEPARTMENT 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.