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NEWSROOM * CIRCULATION * ADVERTISING
Thursday
September 2010
2
Institutional Blogs
The Greenfield Police Department will use this forum to share information relative to community service, community crime prevention and community safety issues. Sergeant Peter Regenfelder and other members of the Community Services Team will post regular updates and information of interest to Greenfield residents. Residents are welcome to submit questions via email. Members of the Community Services Team also can be reached through the Greenfield Police Department at 414-761-5300.
Time for a Review
It seems that whenever I ask my brethren at the police department for ideas for this blog, they always tell me to address what drivers should do when approaching a squad car that has it's emergency lights activated. This is a big issue for police officers because their safety is on the line if vehicle drivers do not follow a few simple rules. I have addressed this in previous postings so instead of "reinventing the wheel", I am going to re-publish a previous posting.
Let???s begin with a quiz.
Question #1
I'm driving along and I see a police car pulled over up ahead. The police car's lights are on. What should I do?
A) Speed on by, I don't have to do anything.
B) Stare at the lights becasue they're pretty.
C) Pull over, one lane AWAY from the squad car and proceed slowly by.
D) Slow down significantly and pass with caution.
E) C or D depending on the circumstances.
The correct answer is E. Wisconsin law requires drivers to move over, one lane AWAY from a stopped emergency vehicle (including police, fire, public works and tow trucks) as they proceed by the stopped vehicle. If traffic or road conditions do not allow the driver to move over, the driver is required to SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY as they pass the stopped emergency vehicle.
The penalty for a violation of this statute in Greenfield is $172.00 and 3 points.
Question #2
An emergency vehicle is approaching from behind as you are driving your car. You can see in your rear view mirror that it has it???s emergency lights on and you can hear that the siren is activated. You should:
A) Immediately stop your vehicle in the lane you are traveling in causing a hazard for the emergency vehicle to navigate around.
B) Stay in your lane of travel and significantly decrease your speed causing a moving hazard for the emergency vehicle to navigate around.
C) Suddenly change lanes without signaling to create a hazardous test for all drivers in defensive driving skills.
D) Signal a right lane change and cautiously move to the right and come to a stop in the curb lane allowing the emergency vehicle to safely pass on the left.
E) All of the above.
The correct answer is D. Signal a right lane change and cautiously move to the right and come to a stop in the curb lane allowing the emergency vehicle to safely pass on the left. It seems this would be the obvious answer, however, I have seen all answers occur while operating my emergency squad car with my lights and siren operating. This includes answer E!
The penalty for a violation of this statute in Greenfield is $235.00 and 4 points.
These are both hefty fines but they can be avoided by knowing what to do when there is an emergency vehicle where you are operating your vehicle. Emergency personnel are pledged to helping keep the community safe but we need your help keeping us safe. Following these two simple statutes would not only be appreciated by emergency personnel but also by the families they go home to.
National Night out
The Greenfield Police Department will again be celebrating the National Night Out at Konkel Park on August 3rd from 5:30pm - 8:00pm. This is a great opportunity for the Greenfield community to gather for fun, food, and crime prevention information. Through our dedicated sponsors, we will be providing brats, hotdogs, chips, and soft drinks. The fun will include a dunk tank, inflatable rides, the klements racing sausages, a rock climbing wall, and a K9 demonstration. Gather up the kids, grandma, grampa, aunts and uncles and join us!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Summertime Stuff
Blockwatch
Keep your neighborhood safe! Contact Officer Hoppe at Gregory.Hoppe@GFPD.Org or call 761-5337 to join a blockwatch or start one in your neighborhood. Remember, you are the first on the scene for keeping your neighborhood safe!
Bicycles
It’s bicycle time which means the Greenfield Police Department will be accumulating unclaimed stolen and recovered bicycles. There are several ways you can keep your bicycles out of our inventory.
1) Record the bicycle serial number and keep it accessible. This will enable us to return your bicycle to you if it is stolen and recovered.
2) License your bicycle with the Greenfield Police Department if you are a
resident of Greenfield.
3) Keep your bicycle locked if you are not riding it. This includes at your home.
4) Don’t lend your bicycle to people you do not know.
These simple recommendations should help you keep your bicycle yours. Also, remember that when you are riding your bicycle you should be riding on the road and following the traffic laws. Parents: make sure your children know the rules of the road! Have a safe and enjoyable cycling season!
Skateboarding, Rollerblading, and Play Vehicles
Skateboarding, rollerblading and use of any other play vehicles, which includes motorized scooters are only legal on private property where permission has been granted. If you use these items on the street or private property without permission you run the risk of receiving a costly citation.
Fireworks
The use of fireworks can be dangerous and can cause serious injury. Every summer the Police respond to many fireworks complaints sometimes with an ambulance because of injuries. Simply possessing fireworks in Greenfield is illegal! No fireworks = no fireworks injuries.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Auto Insurance
This is just a brief reminder. Since June 1st it is required by state law that all vehicles on the road be insuredand that proof of insurance be provided to officers upon request. Failure to comply with these statutes could result in being issued a citation for each offense. Therefore, before driving a vehicle make sure you have adequate insurance and proof of the insurance. Contact your vehicle insurance company or your local police department if you have any questions.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Stop the Scam
This posting comes from our website. It seems these scams are on the rise again.
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BEFORE SENDING MONEY, DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
These are just some examples of scams being perpetrated using money transfers. If any of these sound like your situation, please call the Greenfield Police Department at (414)-761-5301 for advice. |
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We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Know what you Have
Detective Monson-Dupuis, who handles much of the financial crimes that occur in Greenfield, sent me this information.
1.... Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.
4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.... Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month... Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
5.. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)
7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the internet in my name.
The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. The re are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks..
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271
We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything.
If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
From the Burglars
My sister sent me this and I thought it was well worth passing along.
Things Your Burglar Won't tell you!
1. Of course I look familiar - I was here just last week cleaning your carpets,
painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard
last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make
my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there
are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me
wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might
leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes
you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot
tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm
company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too
easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on
the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's
not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your
door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off
because of bad weather..
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or
offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser
drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you
keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If
you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town,
you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow
of a real television. (Find it at www.faketv.com. )
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry
a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosey neighbors.
16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your
neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to ear it
again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing.
It's human nature.
17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm
system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and
for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk
through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my
targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you
think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let
in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the
jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, and Kentucky;
security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com;
and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St.
Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars
on the Job.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Checking your Valuables
Last year the Greenfield Police Department 3rd shift officers initiated a Crime Prevention Program to help prevent car break-ins. The initiative involved officers on foot patrol checking parked vehicles in apartment complexes for valuables that could be the target for thefts. If an officer found valuables in a car, a letter was sent to the listed car owner explaing the initiative, the time and date the vehicle was checked, and a reminder to secure the valuables in a more secure area. Some of you may already know this because you received this letter.
This past year there has been a significant decrease in theft from vehicles in Greenfield and I believe this is in part due to the positive response from the citizens who received these letters. The reminder is simple: Keep your valuables where they cannot be seen from outside the vehicle and keep your vehicle locked.
Also, if you see someone looking in cars in the parking lot of your apartment complex - call the police. Even if you think it may be a police officer - call the police. Do not confront or scare off the suspect. Let us catch them.
Together we can stop these thefts from occuring.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
F.A.S.T. Training Opportunity
The Greenfield Police Department is proud to offer Female Awareness and Survival Training (F.A.S.T.), a dynamic, practical self-defense program designed exclusively for women. FAST will teach women survival concepts as well as techniques to help avoid dangerous situations.
The course will include:
-Assault Prevention Presentation
-Self Defense Introduction
-Self Defense Legal Aspects
-Self Defense Practical Applications
A portion of this seminar has a physical defense component that the person attending MAY participate in. Participation is NOT mandatory and attendees can work at their own pace.
The class is being offered May 3rd and 4th from 6pm-8:30pm. You must be at least 17 years old to participate. Applications are available at the Greenfield Police Department. For further information contact Lt. Jay Johnson at 414-761-5378 or jay.johnson@gfpd.org
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Knock Knock. Who's There?
We have all heard the Knock Knock jokes but the knock knock at your door might not be funny. The Milwaukee County area has had a rash of incidences in which home visitors are not who they claim to be. The visitors have claimed to be police officers, cable repairmen, utilities workers, and home inspectors. The ploy is to get into your home to steal from you. They may be working with other people or alone and want to distract you long enough to get at your valuables.
Whenever you have unsolicited visitors at your door, ask who it is prior to opening the door. If it is someone you do not want at your residence ask them to leave without opening the door. If they persist; CALL THE POLICE! If you determine the visitors may have a legitimate purpose for being there, ask for identification. This may seem like an uncomfortable request but legitimate visitors will have identification and have been asked for it many times in the past. If someone is hesitant to show identification; DON'T LET THEM IN and call the police! If you receive identification and you still feel uncomfortable then have the visitor wait outside and call the company that supposedly sent the visitor. I recommend finding the number in the phone book as opposed to the number on the identification card. The number on the identification may not be legit. If the company has not sent the visitor; CALL THE POLICE! If you are getting flustered and the visitor is pressuring you to let them in, CALL THE POLICE!
What might seem like an inhospitable manner to greet visitors may help keep you and your property safe.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
New Traffic Laws
Several important changes to Wisconsin traffic laws went into effect on January 1, 2010.
Making a u-turn at a controlled intersection is now LEGAL in Wisconsin.
· Beginning 1/1/2010, Wisconsin Act 97 permits U-turns at controlled intersections UNLESS signs are installed to indicate the maneuver is prohibited.
· U-turns must be made from the leftmost turn lane in the same fashion as a conventional left turn. Vehicles on the intersecting street attempting to turn right-on-red must yield to the U-turning vehicle.
· No backing is permitted as part of the U-turn, so drivers will have to be familiar with their vehicle’s turning radius. U-turns will are prohibited on curves and hillcrests where visibility is less than 500 feet.
Passing a turning vehicle on the left is legal on the PAVED shoulder.
· This does NOT mean that a driver can pass a slower-moving vehicle on the right using the shoulder – the vehicle being passed MUST be making a left turn.
· Also, the vehicle making the pass on the right MUST keep all four wheels on the pavement or paved shoulder.
Effective June 1, 2010, Vehicle owners or operators are required to have liability insurance and are required to carry proof of insurance in the vehicle.
· Failure to carry insurance may incur a $500 fine.
No person may operate a vehicle unless they have in their possession, proof that the vehicle is insured.
Deputy Inspector Bradley Wentlandt
Greenfield Police Department
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
One More Holiday to Go
Well, there is one more holiday left for 2009. New Years Eve. A time to reflect on the past year and a time to make plans for the coming year. New Years Eve is also a big night for police departments across the nation. It is the night when many drunk driving arrests are made.
With all the publicity regarding drunk driving in Wisconsin I am going to keep this message short. If you are drinking you should not be driving. If you are sober and driving, be especially careful and wary of the drunk driver that may be on the road. If you are following a vehicle and you suspect the driver is intoxicated then call the police so that we can get that driver off the road.
Make sure your new year does not start with a drunk driving arrest. Drive sober; drive safe; and have a happy new year!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Holiday Safety
A few quick holiday safety tips.
If you are traveling this holiday, try and make your house look occupied while you are gone. With many presents left in homes, burglars are looking for homes that do not look occupied to ransack. Use timers for your lights, have a neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers, and have a neighbor shovel your driveway if it snows. Always keep the exterior of your house well lit during the hours of darkness.
Do not leave valuables in your vehicle where they can be easily seen from outside the vehicle. This is just an invitation to have those items stolen. If you have to keep valuables in your vehicle then lock them in your trunk . GPS units are very popular gifts and are very cool to use but they are also stolen regularly because people leave them in their vehicles.
Keep your car doors locked when you are not in it. We take many complaints of stolen property from vehicles that were not locked. Many of these thefts occur in people's driveways and parking lots. Thieves are less likely to break a vehicle window to steal items when there is an unlocked vehicle at the same location. Also, breaking windows creates noise that might be heard by honest people in the area.
Follow these easy safety rules and have a safe and joyous holiday!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Shopping Advise
The holidays are coming up so I thought it was a good time to re-issue some previous blogs.
Keep Your Purse!
By Sergeant Peter Regenfelder
Friday, Nov 23 2007, 02:30 PM
The holiday season is coming up and the purse snatchers are already hard at work. This is a group of people I would really like to see unemployed! They are ruthless and mean! With your help, we can minimize the damage they do.
If possible ladies, leave your purse at home. If it’s not with you it cannot be taken from you. When you leave the house take what you need with you and put it in your pockets. A driver’s license, credit card, cash, keys and cell phone will fit in pants or jacket pockets.
If you feel the need to carry a purse, minimize the valuables in it. Don’t carry large sums of cash and take only the credit cards you need. When thieves steal purses they are looking for these two items. Cash can be saved and spent at leisure but credit cards get used quickly and for large purchases. This creates a financial nightmare for the victim. Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. Do not rely on your shoulder strap to keep your purse near you. Use a purse with a short handle and keep your purse in your hand.
Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to who is near you and who is taking a particular interest in you and your purse. If someone is making you uncomfortable and seems too interested in what you are doing, move away from them and keep your purse close. If this persists, tell a security guard or police officer. When driving home, pay attention to vehicles behind you as well as in front of you. There are thieves that will follow a victim home and steal from them when they get into their garage. If you feel you are being followed call the police or drive to your local police station. If you are not sure where that is, drive to a gas station and use a phone there. Gas stations usually have video surveillance and usually have a teller paying attention to the pumps.
If you plan your shopping adventure and only take what you need, you will minimize the chances of becoming a victim of a purse snatching.
Shop til you Drop Safely
By Sergeant Peter Regenfelder
Saturday, Dec 2 2006, 09:20 AM
1) Clean out your trunk before leaving for your shopping experience. This will give you space to put your holiday goodies where they cannot be observed from the exterior of the vehicle.
2) If possible, only take the credit card you will use and a driver's license with you. These items can be placed in your pocket so you do not have to bring your purse with you. Purses are targets for thieves. If possible, leave them at home.
3) Preplan your shopping. Know where you are going. There are a lot of drivers on the road this time of year that are browsing while they drive and not paying enough attention to the road. If you know where you are going, you can concentrate on driving.
4) If you will be shopping until it gets dark, try and park where there are street lights or parking lights so that you will be in a lighted area when you return to your car.
5) If you are going to leave valuables in the car, keep them out of sight. Put them in the trunk or out of view under the seat.
6) While you shop, if you had to take your purse with you, keep it with you. Do not leave it in the cart while you select items from the shelf or try on clothing. It may not be there when it is time to check out.
7) When returning to your car with your holiday cheer, have your keys in your hand so you can access your vehicle quickly without searching for your keys. Also, do not leave your newly purchased gems unattended while you get the kids situated, start the car, unlock the driver's door, etc. It does not take long before those items could be gone.
8) Return home for some holiday nog and a foot massage from your significant other!
If you do become a victim of theft during your shopping experience, have emergency credit card phone numbers available so that you can cancel your account before the criminals have a chance to use it and call the police .
I hope these hints are helpful and make your holiday shopping experience more cheerful!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
School is Back in Session
It’s back to school time. Parents are cheering, kids are griping, and the Greenfield Police are going to help get those kids to school in a safe manner. It’s time to give yourself a little extra time to get to work because of school busses, school crossings, and school zone speed limits.
Remember:
-School zone speed is 15mph
-Pedestrians have the right of way if they are in the crosswalk, especially if being escorted by a crossing guard
-You must stop 20ft from the front and rear of a stopped school bus displaying its’ flashing red lights and you may not proceed until the flashing red lights have stopped. If it is a divided highway, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus do not have to stop.
Violations of these laws can not only be costly but can injure or kill. Every year kids are injured or killed by violators of these laws when they are trying to get to or from school. Let’s keep our kids and roads safe by following the laws and being attentive drivers.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Join the Fun
The Greenfield Police Department will again be celebrating the National Night Out at Konkel Park on August 4th from 5:30pm - 8:00pm. This is a great opportunity for the Greenfield community to gather for fun, food, and crime prevention information. Through our dedicated sponsors, we will be providing brats, hotdogs, chips, and soft drinks. The fun will include a dunk tank, inflatable rides, the klements racing sausages, a rock climbing wall, and a K9 demonstration. Gather up the kids, grandma, grampa, aunts and uncles and join us!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Before the Sparks Fly
A friendly reminder to the citizens of Greenfield and guests; fireworks are not allowed in the city. This means possessing or igniting such items. Fireworks means anything that pops, sparkles or smokes. While these items may be fun for some, they are also dangerous and a nusiance to others. The Greenfield Police will be vigilant in enforcing municipal code 10.03 which defines the fireworks regulations. Our goal is to help ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all the citizens.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Local Scams
Detective Sergeant Patrick recently sent me the following information to share. Do not get caught up in these scams! When something seems to good to be true it usually is. Scammers prey on peoples good nature and their greed. Don't be a victim.
Recently a few Greenfield residents have been swindled out of thousands of dollars. Most of these victims lost their money by “wiring” money to Canada in various scams. If someone is attempting to wire a large amount of money to Canada, please provide them with this information sheet before completing the transfer. If they have any questions, they can call the Greenfield Police Department at 414-761-5300. Secret ShoppersThis is an employment scam. This scam touts the ease of work, short hours and the money to be made from merely visiting stores each day to make purchases. Victims are told that they will be working on behalf of a variety of retailers. Often, the new employer will “accidentally” mail a check made out for the wrong amount and ask the victim to return the difference. Prize PitchA consumer may come in contact with a prize pitch scam by e-mail, telephone or mail. This scam is usually a prize notification. The consumer is led to believe that to be able to receive or collect the winnings; they must pay a series of taxes and fees. It is important for all consumers to know that if they do win a legitimate prize, there are no taxes or fees to be paid in order to receive a prize in Canada or the United States.West African LettersThe West African letter scams are letters sent to individuals or businesses requesting assistance with foreign money transfers in exchange for a percentage of the transfer amount. These letters may be received by e-mail, mail or fax transmission. They emphasize that trust and honesty are important aspects in this confidential business transaction. The writer will often present himself as a doctor, a representative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation or as someone in the Nigerian or some other African national government or military. Counterfeit ChecksCounterfeit checks are either altered or fabricated. They are commonly associated with the "too good to be true" scenarios. In a typical scenario, in exchange for goods or services, the potential victim is offered a check that the buyer supposedly already has in his/her possession. The amount of the check will be more than is owed, and the potential victim is asked to take the counterfeit check and reimburse the difference. This fraud capitalizes on check processing delays. The bank will hold the victim responsible for the counterfeit check. Never accept a check larger than the transaction value and always wait for the check to be fully cleared before delivering the goods or services. If it sounds too good to be true, it simply is. Helping family membersIn this scam, the victims (who are most often very elderly) receive a telephone call from a person acting as a grandson, granddaughter or other family member. The caller advises that they were involved in an accident or were injured and need cash wired for medical expenses or to pay for damaged vehicles.We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
911 Back at Ya!
The Greenfield Police Department is going to implement an emergency alert program that will alert the citizens of Greenfield of emergency information via the telephone. The service is called Connect-Cty or what might be known as “reverse 911”. The service “allows authorized government officials to create and distribute public information quickly and efficiently to the citizens, and employees, of the City of Greenfield. The system can be used to send emergency or non-emergency messages within the City government or externally to local businesses and households.” The messages will be sent as a recorded message via the telephone. Some school districts are already using this system to disseminate school information. Examples of it’s use could be “public notification in the event of a man-made or natural disaster such as a chemical spill or other catastrophic event; or distribution of public information that may be critical in the event of a local emergency situation such as a missing child or elderly person.
For more information and sign up options please visit our website at www.greenfieldpolice.org
Just another way the Greenfield Police Department is reaching out to its’ citizens in helping to make a safe community!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Get your Assignment at Roll Call
In my 10 years of service as a Police Officer I have heard many citizens question the behavior of police officers. Examples of this are, "I told the officer I was sorry and offered to shake his hand. He refused to shake my hand. How inconsiderate!" or, "I got out of my car like he asked and it was cold outside. I put my hands in my pockets and he kept telling me I had to keep my hands out of my pockets. I think he just wanted me to be cold!" These and many other actions by the police may seem inconsiderate and impolite on the surface but officers respond in this manner based on their training and experiences as Law Enforcement Officers.
To help the citizens of Greenfield and people who are employed in the city of Greenfield better understand the "how's and why" of law enforcement, the Greenfield Police Department is offering a Citizen's Academy. This is a 9 week program that will give participants a first hand view of our department. A wide variety of topics will be discussed, from an introduction to the police department to understanding patrol procedures, state statutes and traffic law, officer survival and use of force, criminal investigation, evidence collection, crime prevention, and police officer requirements to mention a few.
Any adult that is a Greenfield resident or is employed in the city of Greenfield may apply to attend this academy. Applicants must completely fill out an application which can be obtained from the Law Enforcement Center or downloaded from the police department's web site. ( http://www.greenfieldpolice.org/Community/Citizen_Academy/citizen_academy.html )
This third session is scheduled to begin Thursday March 12, 2009. The class will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at the Greenfield Law Enforcement Center. Class size will be limited so get your applications in early! If you have questions regarding this academy contact Captain Schlecht at 761-5300 or stop in at the Law Enforcement Center for brochures and applications.
WHAT A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!!!!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
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