Updated 11/27/07
Published by:
Officer G.T.Feuerborn
3015 E. 21st Street N.
Wichita, KS 67214
(316) 688-9500
gfeuerborn@wichita.gov
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Neighborhood Watch is a program of residents working with the Police Department for a safer community. It's not just a program to report suspicious activities and crime, but a program designed to confront and resolve safety problems within the neighborhood. These problems can include abandoned cars, deteriorating housing, loitering, littering, drug abuse or sales, etc.
Neighborhood Watch is a program based on neighbors caring about neighbors. The benefits to participating neighborhoods include a more caring community, more watchful eyes for the elderly and children, an added peace of mind when at work or on vacation, and a deterrent to crime. When people take a more personal interest in their neighborhoods, they enjoy a safer and closer relationship with their neighbors. |
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HOW TO START A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUP
Neighborhood Watch groups should be about one city block in size. It's best to keep the size small so that everyone in the group can know each other and can see each other's house. To start a Neighborhood Watch group, you must have the interest and commitment of the rest of your block. It is suggested that you go door-to-door and talk to your neighbors (you might want to get the help of another neighbor on the block). Find out from the others if they are interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch group. If they are, determine what is the best day for them to get together for the initial meeting (example: Tuesday evening works best for the majority of the block). Once that is determined, call the Community Affairs Section of the Wichita Police Department to schedule the Neighborhood Watch officer to give the presentation to your group on the next available day of the week of your choice. You may also contact Officer Feuerborn at the above listed numbers.
WHERE ARE THE MEETINGS HELD?
Generally speaking, it's best if the Neighborhood Watch meetings can be held in the block. In an individual home or church is usually best. If those attending can walk to the meeting, that is the ideal. When the weather is nice, many blocks hold their meetings outside; in someone's front yard, and ask everyone to bring a lawn chair.
HOW LONG WILL THE MEETING LAST?
Neighborhood Watch meetings last about an hour and a half. The Neighborhood Watch officer's presentation will last about 45 minutes to an hour, and then time is allowed for questions. In addition, the Community Policing officer is also invited to attend the meeting. They usually like to introduce themselves to the group and talk with them for a few minutes.
WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
Once the initial meeting is conducted, your group is on its own. How involved your neighborhood becomes is strictly up to you. Many Neighborhood Watch groups have annual cook-outs, garage sales, and clean-ups. Some other groups sponsor a needy family or collect food during the holiday season. It is best for Neighborhood Watch groups to get together at least once a year. This enables them to meet new people who may have moved into the block and to keep current with what's going on with their neighbors. The key to an effective Neighborhood Watch group is to know what is "normal" on your block, so that you can recognize the "out of the ordinary" activities and report them to the Police Department.
WHAT ABOUT BLOCK LEADERS?
Two Block Leaders are identified from each Neighborhood Watch group. The Block Leaders names are kept in our files so that we can maintain contact with your block. Two leaders are chosen so that if one moves, we still have a contact on the block. The Block Leader job description is simple.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Organize residents in assigned area.
2. Keep residents informed and interested.
3. Discourage "vigilante" action.
ACTIVE DUTIES:
1. Be familiar with assigned area.
2. Promote and explain the Neighborhood Watch Program in assigned area.
3. Canvas your area for active watch members to assist you in performing watch duties.
4. Encourage residents to have a free Home Security Survey.
5. Encourage residents to participate in Operation Identification.
6. Attend organizational meetings.
7. Organize and preside over Neighborhood Watch meetings and activities.
8. Distribute leaflets and pass along information when necessary.
9. Solicit new members as people move into the neighborhood.
10. Assist Neighborhood Watch Officer as the need arises.
11. Coordinate with other City Departments and Community Organizations to confront neighborhood problems that are not directly related to crime.
12. Instill enthusiasm and involvement among residents in neighborhood improvement projects.
Problems and Crime Trends
Prostitution
The Wichita Police Department has added its Anti-Prostitution Campaign Web page to the internet. To see the latest arrest, convictions, and warrants click here, Prostitution
If you observe suspicious activity that you believe is prostitution related please call 911 to report the activity. An officer can try and locate the vehicle based upon your information. You can also call Patrol North or e-mailing Officer Feuerborn at the above address.
Information needed is:
Vehicle description
Tag number
Date and time vehicle observed
Location where vehicle was observed
Graffiti
Graffiti has been spotted in several areas of the beat. Most of the graffiti appears to be gang related. Please assist us in eliminating graffiti in your neighborhood by:
1) Call 911 when you see offensive graffiti and make a report (even if it is not your property)
2) Volunteer a few minutes to help "obliterate" the graffiti. Paint and rollers/brushes are provided.
You can help prevent graffiti in your neighborhood by performing the three R's
Recognize
Report
Remove
First, take steps to recognize and observe what occurs in your neighborhood. Be observant of graffiti vandalism and persons involved in vandalism or other suspicious activity. Secondly, report graffiti and other vandalisms to the police. Call Patrol North to report graffiti or vandalism in your neighborhood. If the vandalism is in progress (you are witnessing the incident) call 911. The Police Department needs your help to identify graffiti vandals.
Crime Prevention Tips of the Month
Tis the season for increasing auto larcenies/burglaries. Always remember to keep valuables safely hidden in your vehicle or inside your trunk. Keep your vehicle locked and NEVER leave your car running while unattended.
Wether you are home or away from home, keep all doors locked and your house well lit. If you are leaving for the holiday, make an attempt to have family or friends check on your house. It is always a good idea to have an appearance that you are home. You may also contact a police substation to request a Vacation Home Report. Vacation Home Report
More helpful tips...
- If a person or vehicle looks out of place, call 911 immediately.
- Never leave valuable items in your vehicle.
- Always secure your home and vehicle.
- Lock your screen door, even when you are at home.
- Never leave Garage Doors open when you are not around.
- Never leave keys in the vehicle even when parked in the garage.
- Never leave vehicles running unattended.
- Keep shrubs/flowers/trees/grass trimmed back.
- Put bicycles away/ not left in the yards.
- TALK with your neighbors. Sometimes you can help catch the “bad”guy by sharing information and letting the Police in on the “Scoop”.
- Unfortunately we live in the REAL world not a Hollywood Movie, and the police cannot get fingerprints from a banana peel. We cannot close our eyes and the image of “Who Dunnit” will appear to us. Meaning, get good descriptions of suspicious persons/vehicles. This will allow the police to do a better follow up and possibly prevent future criminal activity by these individuals.
The most important thing to remember is this is your neighborhood. You know whom belongs/who doesn’t. It is up to you how safe your neighborhood will be by your level of involvement in it.
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Fight Blight
As The City of Wichita and your Beat Officers begin their fight on blight in your neighborhood, there are a number of ordinances that you should be aware of. One of the most common ordinances violated on an individual property is the possession of abandoned, wrecked, scrapped, partially dismantled, junked or inoperable vehicles and prohibiting the storage, parking or leaving of the same on private property.
City Ordinance states that “No person shall park, store, leave or permit the parking, storing or leaving of any vehicle which is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperable, rusted, junked, or partially dismantled condition upon any private property within the city for a period in excess of two days. The presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperable, rusted, junked or partially dismantled vehicle, or parts thereof, on private property is declared a public nuisance, which may be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Any one (1) of the following conditions shall be deemed prima facie evidence that a vehicle is inoperable:
(1) The absence of an effective registration plate upon such vehicle;
(2) The placement of the vehicle or parts thereof upon jacks, blocks, chains or other supports;
(3) The absence or condition of disrepair of one (1) or more parts of the vehicle necessary for the lawful operation of the vehicle upon the streets and highways, including properly inflated tires; and
(3) The placement of materials or property within the vehicle which would preclude the lawful operation of the vehicle upon the streets or highways.”
Please report any vehicles meeting this criteria to the Health Department at 268-3851. The City will provide no more than ten (10) calendar days before the vehicle could be towed and fines will be assessed.
Who Can I Call?
The Police Department often receives calls about neighborhood problems such as animals being left in poor conditions, abandoned houses or inoperable cars left on private property. The city has several sections to deal with these problems. Below is a list of those departments and a sample of the types of issues they handle.
Animal Control 268-8473 - Leash laws, animal bites, animal care and conditions and issued animal license.
Environmental Health 268-8351 - Improper or no household trash collection, trash on premises, tall grass and weeds, animal hoarding, run down buildings and illegal dumping.
Fire Department Prevention 268-4441 - Fire safety education, juvenile fire starter counseling.
Office Of Central Inspection 268-4460 - Illegal parking in front yard, RV's, boats etc. improperly stored, signs in public right of way, emergency board up of vacant houses.
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Meetings
Historic Midtown Citizens Association
They meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 P.M.
1150 N. Broadway
President: Sean Brennan
Boundaries
River to Santa Fe
21st St to Central
McAdams Neighborhood Association
They meet the second and fourth Saturday of the month at 10:00 A.M.
1005 N. Mathewson
President: Maunie Neal
Boundaries
Mosley to Hydraulic
17th St. to 9th St.
Neighborhood meetings offer the opportunity to voice your concerns and questions. You are also able to meet and converse with your neighborhood officer(s). Please join us in our effort to increase the quality of life in the community.
City Council Members
District I- Lavonta Williams 303-8020
District VI- Sharon Feary 268-4331
Both DAB meetings meet on the 1st Monday of the month
District I meets at Atwater Neighborhood City Hall, 2755 E. 19th St.
District VI meets at Evergreen Neighborhood City Hall, 2700 N. Woodland
Helpful Numbers For You
Patrol North: 688-9500
Evergreen Neighborhood City Hall: 303-8042
Atwater Neighborhood City Hall: 303-8017
SCAT Hot Line (Drug and Gangs): 267-7228
Community Affairs: 268-4101
OCI Office of Central Inspections: 268-4477
Health Department: 268-8351
Animal Control: 268-8473
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