38 Beat Newsletter
Last Updated: October 6th, 2009
Halloween is approaching and we will have Trick or Treater's out and about. Please be mindful of their safety on this night.
We want everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween.
If you have any questions please contact me Officer West at 350-3420 or email me at
rwest@wichita.gov
____________________________________________________________________________________
Everyone is welcome to attend this event. We are asking that if anyone want's to donate a bag of unopened candy for the event, to please just drop it off at the Patrol East Sub-station at 350 S. Edgemoor and let the officers know it's for the Halloween in the Park!
If you have any questions contact Officer West at rwest@wichita.gov
________________________________________________________________________
38 Beat Activity
We are still seeing some residential burglaries on 38 beat, and also an increase in auto thefts. Please be aware that this activity is taking place on 38 beat and be more aware of your surroundings. When going to work in the mornings, take a moment and look around for any suspicious persons outside, or sitting in vehicles. We all get in our everyday routine and fail to be aware of little things, that should have had the police called to investigate. Being a nosey neighbor is not always a bad thing. The Wichita Police Department requires you as citizens to be our eyes and ears in your neighborhood. If you see something and your not sure if you should call the police? Call the police!
Also, in looking at what the burglars are after, they really are looking for game systems and large flat-screen TV's. If you have these two items in your home, BE SURE you write down the serial numbers and model numbers of your property. If these items get stolen, you can provide these numbers to the police officer who takes your report. If the officer gets the serial numbers, they get listed as stolen property and the pawn shops should not accept them.
The Wichita Police Department has received complaints in reference
to loud car stereo’s in this area.
I want to bring to your attention the following city ordinance:
Sec. 11.38.380. Loud sound amplification systems in vehicles prohibited--Penalty.
(a) No person operating a motor vehicle on a street, highway, alley, public park, parking lot, or driveway shall operate or permit the operation of any sound amplification system from within the vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of fifty or more feet from the vehicle.
(b) "Sound amplification system" means any radio, tape player, compact disc player, loud speaker, or other electronic device used for the amplification of sound.
(c) "Plainly audible" means any sound produced by a sound amplification system from within the vehicle, which clearly can be heard at a distance of fifty feet or more. Measurement standards shall be by the auditory senses, based upon direct line of sight. Words or phrases need not be discernible and bass reverberations are included. The motor vehicle may be stopped, standing, parked or moving on a street, highway, alley, public park, parking lot, or driveway.
The Wichita Police Department will be enforcing this in your neighborhood to address this issue. If you have any questions, Please contact Community Police Officer R.L.West at the Patrol East Sub-station at 316-350-3420 or email rwest@wichita.gov
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
GANG AWARENESS
What are gang colors and gang signs?
Colors refers to a gang member representing his/her membership by wearing a specific gang logo, particular colors of clothing, a specific brand name of clothing or clothing worn in a predefined manner. This may also include hairstyles, jewelry, or even the way a person stands, walks or folds arms and hands. Colors identify the gang member and show member pride and affiliation.
Hand signals and gang slang are a means of communication. Symbols formed and flashed with the fingers, hands, and body have very specific meaning to the gang. The same goes for buzz words or phrases. Remember all of these may be area or geographic region specific and meanings may vary.
Why do gangs use graffiti and what does it mean?
As gang activity increases so does their graffiti. Graffiti has been called the "newspaper of the streets". Each gang has its unique symbols and cryptic types of writing. Graffiti is not artwork; it is sophisticated communication that pubiliizes the gangs power, status, delineates territory, sends messages, and warns intruders. Graffiti uspside down or crossed out is generally a "put down" or threat to a rival gang or person. "Death Warrants" for police officers are known to have been posted with graffiti.
How do you deal with gangs?
Be decisive, firm, and fair. Lenient treatment is viewed as weakness and they will take advantage of you.
Intimidation will not work; it will most likely lead to confrontation. Lectures do not work either. Gang members are looking for respect.
Giving any public or media attention to a gang only feeds their egos and escalates gang activity.
It is bad news to negotiate with terrorist or criminals so don't do it with gangs or their members. All it does is give them more recognition and power.
Remember the four "R's" about graffiti: Read, Record, Report, and Remove.
Prevent conflict whenever possible and look for conmmon ground.
What are some community anit-gang stategies?
Build Methods of disseminating advice/information on dealing with gangs to youths and parents.
Enact ordinances for school board, city and state that make it a felony for gangs to recruit in school or intimidate youngsters to join gangs.
Support initiatives that provide for a rich assortment of extracurricular programs for kids and the incentives for them to participate in them.
Organize/support workeshops on street gangs to be taught to parents, grandparents, and guardians of school-age children.
Proveide public seminars on "Street Gangs" throughout the year.
Run media series on street gangs, stripping them of their mystique and exposing them for what they are.
Encourage service clubs and church groups to sponsor a battery of community speak-outs during the year on street gangs with the help of the police department, courts, youth services agencies, correctional institutions, and schools.
Organize a chitizen patrol to patrol through their community and erase gang graffiti whenever it appears.
Gang Intelligence 268-4646
Gang/Felony Assault 268-4191
SCAT Hotline 267-SCAT
________________________________________________________________________
