WFPD Launches Voluntary SafeCam Program

***WFPD Launches Voluntary SafeCam Program***

Criminals, you’ve been warned. The Wichita Falls Police Department is rolling out a new investigative and crime prevention tool to help curb crimes here in our city.

SafeCam is a widely used and successful program in police departments across the country, and now it will be used to strengthen the partnership between Wichita Falls Police Officers and the community members they serve.

The concept is simple. Businesses and residents can register their security cameras with WFPD. People registering will give basic information such as their name, address, how many security cameras are operational and the direction they are pointed.

By compiling a list of known security cameras in neighborhoods, officers will be able to streamline investigations and directly contact residents or businesses who potentially caught suspects on camera. This partnership helps speed up the process of identifying and arresting suspects to prevent more crimes from occurring.

Security camera video is invaluable for investigators. SafeCam will make it easier to quickly solve neighborhood crimes and allow officers to take a proactive approach to stopping crime sprees.

The information provided to WFPD remains completely confidential, and in no way are officers able to view video unless it is voluntarily provided by the owner. Residents and businesses can voluntarily register their information and can opt out of the program at any time.

To register or find out more information about the program, click here: www.wfpdnow.com/safecam

This project will run in conjunction with, and as a supplement to, the Neighbors app by Ring.

Unlocked Vehicles Being Targeted

The Wichita Falls Police Department would like to remind you to please LOCK, TAKE, and HIDE – LOCK your car, TAKE your keys, and HIDE (or remove) your belongings.

We have recently seen an increase in vehicle burglaries in our city, most of which (approx 98%) were unlocked at the time of the crime.

Criminals are notorious for targeting unlocked cars that have items such as purses/wallets, electronics, and weapons sitting out in plain view.

LOCK, TAKE, and HIDE only takes a few extra seconds and could save you a lot of money and headache later.

Don’t be a victim!

Civilian Active Shooter Response Training

Over the weekend, Officer Jeff Hughes facilitated two Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) classes for Sharplines.

If you would like to hold this FREE training at your business, church, or group, please reach out to us here:

https://forms.gle/e3kC2DzhnFgH2i9H6

We will also be hosting a FREE public class on May 24, 6-8pm. You can RSVP for that class here:

https://forms.gle/skpBFTcyznpxpfpi8

Schedule your class today! Don’t miss out on this valuable training!

If you have any questions, you can reach Officer Hughes at 940-720-5019 or jeff.hughes@wfpd.net

FREE Active Shooter Training for Citizens and Businesses

To schedule FREE Active Shooter Training for your group, church, or business, please contact Officer Jeff Hughes today at jeff.hughes@wfpd.net

Start Your Own #9PMROUTINE

Have you seen or heard about the 9PM Routine on social media? It’s become a popular — and simple — way for citizens to protect their home and property. Every night at 9:00PM, we encourage the community to lock up property, turn on lights and bring in valuables to reduce the likelihood of falling victim to property crimes. Please take a moment to set a daily reminder on your cell phone, or other digital device, for 9pm and begin your own #9PMRoutine.

FREE Active Shooter Training

ATTENTION CHURCHES, BUSINESSES, CIVIC GROUPS, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, AND MORE:

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in an active attack situation? How would you respond?

The Wichita Falls Police Department offers free CRASE training to citizens, businesses, and organizations. CRASE stands for Civilian Response To Active Shooter Events. The CRASE course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by ALERRT, provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.

Here is what past attendees are saying about the course:

“This is an amazing program that so many need to know.” – Michelle

“The class was very informative. It has made me be more aware of my surroundings while I’m out in public.” – Teresa

“We are all much more aware of our surroundings at work, at home, or anywhere we go and we know how to plan and how better to respond in any emergency.” – Sherry

“Very good content and we feel much better equipped.” – Jimmy

If you would like this FREE training brought to your church, business, group, or organization please respond by submitting the following form and our CRASE Trainer will contact you for scheduling:

https://forms.gle/L8GMqQniyBMda5Tn9

Questions? Please contact our C.R.A.S.E. Instructor, Officer Jeff Hughes at jeff.hughes@wfpd.net

BEWARE – PHONE PHISHING SCAM ALERT

We have been made aware of a phone scam that has made it’s way to our city. During this scam, the caller states that they are calling from ONCOR and threatening to turn off the victims power within the hour for non-payment if the bill is not immediately paid over the phone. Please do not fall for this scam. This is not ONCOR.

If you have billing questions or disputes with ONCOR, or any other utility company, always reach out to them yourself to ensure that you are speaking to the correct people.

If you feel that you have already been a victim of this scam, please call our front desk at 940-761-7792 to file a report over the phone.

FREE CRASE Training

ATTENTION CHURCHES, BUSINESSES, CIVIC GROUPS, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, AND MORE:

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in an active attack situation? How would you respond?

The Wichita Falls Police Department offers free CRASE training to citizens, businesses, and organizations. CRASE stands for Civilian Response To Active Shooter Events. The CRASE course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by ALERRT, provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.

If you would like this FREE training brought to your church, business, group, or organization please respond by submitting the following form and our CRASE Trainer will contact you for scheduling:

https://forms.gle/gWvHUkSwnxKZWs7U7

Protect Your Lawn Equipment

This time of year, lawn mowers and other yard tools are prime targets for thieves. For that reason, detectives in our Crimes Against Property section would like to remind you to take precautions to protect your belongings.

Here are a few tips to consider:

Keep an eye on things. Theft is often a crime of opportunity. So make sure to never leave your lawn equipment out in clear view when you’re not around.

Secure your equipment with chains and padlocks. Options are available for everything from lawn mowers to leaf blowers to chain saws.

Consider GPS tracking devices. This is a good option for larger, more expensive pieces of lawn equipment like a riding lawn mower. A tracking device will let you monitor the location of stolen equipment.

Identify your equipment. Etching your name and contact information into your equipment makes thieves less likely to target your equipment since they can’t sell it as easily.Register your equipment with the manufacturer for documentation and keep a running inventory of ALL of your belongings by using this free service: https://reportit.leadsonline.com/

In addition to protecting your property, we would also like to encourage you to report any criminal or suspicious activity by calling 911 (emergency) or 940-720-5000 (non-emergency).

For more tips, our Crime Prevention office can be reached by calling 940-720-5019.

Local SCAM Alert

We have been made aware of a phone phishing scam that is affecting our community and wanted to get the word out as soon as possible!

Please be aware that someone has been calling local Wichita Falls residents posing as a WFPD officer and demanding warrant payment in the form of iTunes gift cards.

Please do not fall this scam! We DO NOT call and ask for phone payment from our citizens for any reason.

If you get this call, please hang up and do not give them any financial information.

If you feel that you have already been a victim, please call our front desk at 940-761-7792 and file a report.