'Last Updated: April 4th, 2008
Published by Officer J. S. Bogle #1786
Patrol East Community Policing
350 S. Edgemoor, Wichita KS 67218
Work: 688-9545
E-mail: jbogle@wichita.gov
399 Beat Report:
In tracking the types of crime that are most prevelant to 399 beat, I have updated each with the current 2008 statistics compared to the same times in 2007.
Auto Theft
Through the first few months of 2008, Auto Thefts are up 33%. A large number of these are due to people leaving their vehicles running unattended to warm up in the winter, stay cool in the summer or to run into a store for just a moment. Running vehicles have even been stolen from inside the owner's garage. Please remember to never leave your vehicle running unattended and do not leave your keys or a spare key laying inside the vehicle. Doing so only increases your chance of becoming a victim and this can occur in any neighborhood on the beat.
Open Garage Door Burglaries
Residential burglaries are currently up 57% with open garage doors accounting for the majority of incidents. In fact, you might have seen in the local news about how much of a problem it is becoming for the entire Wichita community including some of the more affluent areas. There are groups of criminals, typically drug addicts, that drive around and specifically look for open garages and will take power tools, lawn equipment or any other items of value. If there is a lot of nice things in the garage, they could even likely return to burglarize it at a later date. If you are not in a position to watch your garage, don't leave it open for someone to steal from it or to show anyone driving down the street what you have.
Auto Larceny
Auto Larceny on the beat has seen a steep increase on the beat as it is up almost 100%. The bottom line is that anything left in a vehicle will be of value to someone, so don't do it! Locking property in the car is not securing the property and if it is in view, it only increases the chance of the car being broken into. Please remove all property from your vehicle or at the very least, put it in the trunk.
Non-Residential Burglaries
For the first part of 2008, Non-Residential burglaries are down almost 17% but as the weather becomes warmer, and more construction begins, this could affect this type of crime. Please be sure to report, to 911, any suspicious activity you observe around businesses whether open or closed and around homes under construction.
Other Concerns on the Beat
Last year, two intersections on 399 Beat were in the Top 5 of the High Accident Locations list. The intersection at Kellogg and Webb Rd finished the year ranked at #3 with 53 accidents occuring at the intersection. The intersection at Harry and Rock Rd finished at #4 with 51 accidents. A large majority of all accidents usually involve one of these three circumstances:
1. Drivers turning left without being able to see opposing traffic, so they try to guess when no cars are coming.
2. Drivers not allowing enough following distance and having to stop quickly.
3. Drivers not monitoring traffic conditions in front of the vehicles they are behind.
To Report Internet Crimes and Email Scams
Todays criminals have become more and more creative as they find new ways steal money and goods from citizens. With the internet, and its ability to easily put us in touch with other people globally, new doors have been opened to criminals to scam/con money or personal information from unknowing victims. If you receive emails or find an internet site that you believe to be a Scam or fraudulent, please follow a newly added link to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in the Important Links section of this page.
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.
