Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association

In the past few weeks I have received this e-mail from a few COP's members;

Officer Schmidt,
It there any truth to this type of auto theft?

Car thieves look through the windshield of your car or truck, write down the Vehicle Identification Number (or VIN) from the label on the dash. Then they go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN. I didn't believe this e-mail, so I called a friend at Chrysler Dodge and pretended I had lost my keys. They told me to just bring in the VIN and they would cut a new key for me on the spot.

The car dealers parts department will make a duplicate key from the VIN and collect payment from the thief. He then returns to your car. He doesn't have to break a window or do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he has to do is walk up to your car, insert the key and off he goes to a local chop shop with your vehicle.

To avoid this from happening to you can simply put some tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN label located on the dash board. By law, you cannot remove the VIN, but you can cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief. I urge you to forward this to your friends before some other car thief steals your car or truck.

I spoke with a Detective in our Auto Theft Unit about this type of auto theft. While this type of auto theft is possible it is EXTREMELY rare. It is possible to make a key based on a cars VIN#. Car dealers who can make keys from VIN #'s are (should) require valid proof of ownership of the car before a key is made.

In the e-mail it says " By law, you cannot remove the VIN, but you can cover it

". THIS IS NOT TRUE!

According to the Auto Theft Detective I spoke with, in the state of Texas, any vehicle on a public roadway, whether parked or moving, CANNOT have the VIN # covered or obscured in any manner.

The best way to protect your car from being stolen is to get an alarm with a "kill switch". This means as long as the alarm is sounding a "kill switch" in the alarm system will not let the car be started.

Officer T.M. Schmidt 2352
Fort Worth Police Department
NPD 10 - NPO (M415)
817-871-5474

You may have noticed a rise in auto thefts these days. Here is a great opportunity to lower your own risk and send a message to the criminals who are involved in this nature of crime.

Help End Auto Theft or H.E.A.T.
is a program that you can enroll in to protect yourself. "Just complete the H.E.A.T. registration application to have your vehicle entered in a statewide database, accessible by law enforcement agencies, 24 hours a day. Personal and company vehicles are eligible for H.E.A.T. registration. You don't have to be a permanent Texas resident to participate in the program as long as you can provide a Texas address and phone number."

For more information:
Call the Texas H.E.A.T. Program toll-free at 1-888-447-5933
Or Log Online:
http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/heat/default.cfm

Also, for businesses and commercial vehicle drivers, is a program available that is called Texas Recovery and Identification Program or T.R.I.P. This program is designed for owners of both commercial and farm grade equipment to enter specific information regarding their property into a database that will be utilized by law enforcement personnel in tracking stolen equipment. Registration is Free!

For more information:
Call T.R.I.P. at
1-888-447-5933
Or Log Online:
http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/mvt/default.cfm

http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/heat/default.cfm

http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/mvt/default.cfm

The Graffiti Abatement Officers are working overtime lately; it seems that an increase in tagging and gang-related signage is occurring.

It's easy to report Graffiti! All you have to do is call 817-292-2700 and give the following information:

1 Exact Address

2 Business Name (if on a business' property)

3 Type of Surface

4 Is there any foul language? (if foul language is involved, officers will cover the signage usually in less than 48 hours.

You can even leave the information in a message and with that little effort you will fight crime, and help keep Fort Worth beautiful!

There are lots of people involved with the Graffiti Abatement Task-force. Volunteers are welcomed. Many children have become involved with "mural projects", where children paint murals on/ high-volume graffiti surfaces and locations. Persons owing fines and/or needing community service to work off any debts, that can be relieved by restitution work, can find a happy solution as well.

Need More Information? Call! 817-292-2700

If you suspect or are aware of drug sales in your area or have information leading to the trafficking of drugs you may contact the DOPE HOTLINE at 817-335-3673.

Everyone must face the realities of aging. Situations vary as do the ways people deal with growing older. Regardless of the circumstances, however, most older people say they worry about crime. Many fear becoming victims of crime. As a group, older people can be a powerful and active force. As individuals, they often can be vulnerable and may need help.

Older people can be vulnerable to:

Frauds and scams-some of the elderly fall victim to fraudulent schemes and can be favorite targets for con artists. Telemarketing fraud is a particular problem. Often the amount of money lost can be devastating.

Elder Abuse-Mistreatment occurs both in domestic and institutional settings. Abuse does not have to be physical; passive neglect may leave seniors in unclean, poorly heated housing, existing on inadequate diets.

Property Crimes-burglaries, theft and vandalism can be especially distressing to older victims who security and well-being are tenuous. The ability to replace stolen or damaged property may be limited and their lives may be permanently affected.

The Triad Solution Alone No More!

On of the main reasons that seniors may be vulnerable is that they are isolated within the community. Lines of communication break down. Contact with others, including law enforcement officials, may be infrequent. The Triad approach seeks to address and resolve this solution.

Triad, developed by national organizations (American Associations of Retired Persons, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and National Sheriffs' Association), is organized and operated at the county or community level. Triad means:

* A three-way commitment among the chief(s) of police in a county, the sheriff, and older persons and retired leaders.

* An agreement to work together to reduce criminal victimization of the elderly.

* Dedication to preventing crime and enhancing the delivery of law-enforcement services to older persons.

Each Triad operates through an advisory council composed of law enforcement members (county and municipal), along with older persons of the community and people who work with the elderly. The council acts as an advisory group for the area's law enforcement personnel on crime and security issues concerning the elderly. It discusses and recommends programs, increases communication, and recruits older volunteers to help with it's objectives.
These include:

* Surveying seniors to determine crime related concerns

* Making accessible a list of currently available services and programs for seniors.

* Planning and implementing additional crime prevention programs or services.

* Operating an ongoing channel for information exchange between the community's seniors and law enforcement, as well as advocating and advising on programs.

* Helping seniors become more fully informed about the workings of the criminal justice system.

* Recruiting seniors as volunteers for hands-on action in services and programs

Triad CAN:

* Assist with strategies to increase crime reporting.

* Provide assistance to victims-for moral support, to assist in access to personal services and counseling, and to act as a guide through the criminal justice system.

* Offer crime-prevention education addressing personal safety precautions.

* Demonstrate steps to make property less attractive and available to thieves and vandals.

* Develop ways to help detect and stop the abuse of older people, through "buddy networks" and other programs. Provide abuse prevention education.

* Train seniors about the nature of frauds and scams and how to recognize those who perpetrate them.

Find out how Triad can work in your community. Contact your local law enforcement agency to see if a program is already in place, and if so, ask how you can participate. If no Triad program exists, suggest that one be started. For more information write to:

TRIAD
National Sheriff's Association
1450 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3490

This Crime Prevention Information is brought to you by Radio Shack, working together with the NCPC and the NSA.