Last Update: March 13th, 2008
Published By Officer Shek Weber #1901
Patrol North Community Policing
3015 E. 21st North, Wichita, KS 67214
Phone number: 688-9500
E-mail: sweber@wichita.gov
Off Weber is the new Community Policing Officer for 44 beat. Off Weber is a ten year veteran of the Wichita Police Department and has worked several of those years on 44 beat.
Hot Issues Effecting 44 Beat
44 Beat START Action Team
The City of Wichita has organized a new partnership with the community to help address the problem of blight in the 44 Beat area. The 44 Beat START, or Stop Blight Action Response Team, is made up of representatives of various agencies of City government whose goal is to assist the citizens with cleaning up their neighborhood and improve the quality of life in their community.
The 1400 and 1500 blocks of Grove and Poplar have been designated as the pilot area for the program. In May, a neighborhood meeting was held at Atwater Neighborhood City Hall to present the program to the residents of the pilot area. On May 29, inspectors from the Office of Central Inspections, Environmental Services, Neighborhood Improvement Services, Off. Patton and Off. Recio, Lt. Gutierrez of the Wichita Fire Department and a representative from Municipal Court walked the pilot area to contact the residents about the initiative.
In June, a walk through of the pilot area was done to gauge improvements in the area. A second walk through will be done on August 9, to judge overall impact in the pilot area.
Now that the initiative is underway, expect to see marked improvements in the neighborhood, as the City of Wichita and the community work together to improve the neighborhood.
After the pilot program is complete, this program should be opened up to the beat as a whole, and then citywide. 44 Beat will lead the way into neighborhood improvement.
The original START area was a success. The new START area will be moving to the 1600 and 1700 blocks of Grove and Poplar beginning in April 2008.
If you have questions or comments about this initiative, you can call me at 688-9500 or e-mail me at sweber@wichita.gov. Questions can also be directed to Atwater Neighborhood City Hall at 303-8017.
Problems and Crime Trends
Residential burglaries continue to be a leading concern on 44 Beat. The most common residential burglary in the area is to vacant residences for the theft of copper.
We are working on a plan to reduce these burglaries, but
we need your help too.
If you see anyone in or around a vacant house that is not legitimately working on the house; does not belong there; or you think something suspicious is going on, please call 911 immediately to report it. Some other things you might look for that have been connected to this type of crime are listed below:
Anyone walking around a house that has no purpose or reason to be there.
Anyone looking into windows.
Any glass breaking at a neighbor's house
Anyone walking down the street carrying things in trash bags, pillowcases, or backpacks at odd hours or that normally are not in your neighborhood.
Vehicles at houses that are vacant and/or items being loaded into the vehicles.
Anyone going to a house and they park their car on the next block over or around the corner and walk over.
Burglars try to fit into the neighborhood they are targeting and do not want to stand out.
They are trying to get in and out without drawing attention to themselves.
These are just some thoughts, but do not limit it to these only. You are the best person to decide whether something does not look right in your neighborhood.
Neighborhood Watch
Do you know if your neighborhood has a Neighborhood Watch? One of the best ways to deter crime in your neighborhood is for you and your neighbors to look out for one another. If you would like to be part of a Neighborhood Watch, or you used to have one that has lost momentum call or e-mail me. You are our eyes and ears in the community.
Illegal Drug and Gang Activity
Illegal drug, drug related, and gang crime is the top concern identified by the 44 beat survey. The Wichita Police Department is aggressively addressing this concern on 44 beat as well as in the rest of the city. Citizens are encouraged to contact me or Officer Naldoza if you have any concerns or information regarding drug or gang activity. Your concerns will be addressed promptly and you may remain anonymous. These are your neighborhoods, help us make them safer.
Neighborhood Association Meetings
District Advisory Board
First Monday of Every Month
7:00 p.m.
Atwater Neighborhood City Hall-2755 E. 19th Street
Northeast Central Neighborhood Association
First Monday of Every Month
2755 E. 19th
5:30 p.m.
(Boundaries-Grove to Hillside and 13th to 17th)
Power Neighborhood Association
Last Monday of Every Month
2113 N. Madison
6:00 p.m.
(Boundaries-Grove to Hydraulic and 17th to 21st)
Minnesota FATS Neighborhood Association
Third Monday of Every Month
1743 N. Minnesota
6pm
(Boundaries 1600 and 1700 blocks of North Minnestoa)
Helpful Telephone Numbers
Patrol North: 688-9500
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
Environmental Services: 268-8351
Animal Control: 268-8378
Sedgwick County Health Department: 660-7300
Crime Stoppers: 267-2111