Crime Stoppers

I am putting up a link for Crime Stoppers of Indiana. There is a lot of interesting information to explore so allow your self a few minutes. This is a high-tech flash program so if you have problems downloading let me know. I will see if I can find something a little easier to use. I found very interesting information under "Press Releases". If you scroll down towards the bottom, you will see a link to sex offenders that was released on January 3, 2008. By clicking on this link, you will see photographs of folks who failed to register. I hope this works, but here's the direct link to that PDF.

http://www.crimetips.org/pdf/News%20Releases/2008%2001%2003%20Sex%20Offenders.pdf

Here are a few that show up on the Crime Stoppers Wanted poster for January 2008.

http://www.crimetips.org/pdf/Wanted%20Posters/2008-1%20Wanted%20Poster%20January%2008.pdf

Keep your eyes open for these outstanding members of society!

The link to Crime Stoppers is down to the right hand side with the other links. There is a really nifty neighborhood search link. I clicked on search and entered zip code 46107 with a search in a four mile radius. Interesting return to say the least!

Be Safe!

Kim

Answers to questions from the Crime Watch meeting

During our meeting on January 19th, we had so many questions that some did not get the attention they deserved. I promised I would find out the answers and post them here. The answers supplied are from both BGPD and IMPD.

1. How will you mark Safe Houses?

BGPD and IMPD do not mark Safe Houses. A safe house must be open 24 hours per day and 7 days per week such as Fire Stations, Police Stations, Grocery Stores, and Convenience Stores.

My own commentary: By establishing your own neighborhood Crime Watch area, you will be able to identify homes within your area that are safe. Houses are not marked anymore due to the sexual predator risk. Remember those great stickers from the Fire Department that you would put on your child's bedroom window to alert the fire department that a child was asleep in that room??? Those are a big no-no now. Such are the times we live in.

2. Is there going to be another Citizens Police Academy and how can I get involved?

BGPD is currently planning another CPA and will advertise in the Southside Times and on their web site. We will get the word out as well! Don't miss this opportunity!

IMPD's next Citizens Police Academy is scheduled for April 8, 2008. This is the 15th year that IMPD has done a Citizens Police Academy. Please contact Gena Jones at 327-6650 for more information.

3. Is it possible to see a copy of City ordinances?

BGPD has a copy of the city ordinances and can provide what is needed if the citizen can narrow it down to a particular section or concern.

IMPD states that you can view the ordinances online at Indygov. org or contact the Indianapolis council office at 327-4242.

4. Is it legal for salespeople to call from 7-9 pm or after? Do door to door solicitors need a permit?

You can purchase No Solicitation signs which will deter some activity and the homeowner can enforce. For Beech Grove, door to door solicitors do need a permit. Feel free to tell this to the solicitor. You always have the option of not answering the door. You should NEVER open the door to a stranger if you are uncomfortable, no matter what time, day or night. Further, you should NEVER HESITATE to call the police if something does not appear right.

Remember, if it doesn't look right to you, it probably isn't ......

If you have any other questions, please let us know. This is as educational for us as it is for you!

Be Safe!

Kim

Crime Alert

This happened last night (1/26/08). One of our block captains wanted to alert everyone to this activity.

Just wanted to warn everyone about something. My mothers car had the window busted out and her portable DVD player and screens stolen. Her neighbor 4 houses down had their mini barn broken into and their snow blower stolen. And two doors down in the other direction, another neighbor had their garage broken into, but nothing was taken. All of this happened on South 11th between Alton and Churchman.
Stephanie

Fire at Churchman Woods

I checked with BGPD this morning to see if there was anything the Crime Watch group could do to help the residents displaced by the fire this morning at Churchman Woods. Chief Witmer wanted to pass this information along.

"The manager at Churchman Woods has stated that they have more than enough help in assisting any residents in need. They will keep the Crime Watch group in mind should any needs arise".

I will post any information as I receive it.

Be Safe!

Kim

Crime Watch Block Captains

One of the questions asked at the meeting last week was "How much time does it take to be a block captain and what does a block captain do?". There was a also a question about how one gets involved in our Beech Grove Crime Watch program. I wanted to address both of these issues.

First of all, by coming to our meetings, by visiting this blog and by taking an extra minute to become aware of your neighbors and neighborhood, you are involved in the Crime Watch program.

The theory behind the Crime Watch program is to get neighbors talking to neighbors. That's pretty much it. As we take an interest in our neighborhoods, we quickly become aware of who belongs there and who doesn't. Even if you do not have a designated Block Captain, you can still participate, just by keeping an eye out and reporting suspicious activity.

If you decide to be a Block Captain, it simply means that you will be a point of contact for the area you decide to represent. You will receive more detailed information regarding police reports in your area. It is up to you how you choose to use those reports and the information you give your area. It is also up to you as to if you decide to have your own neighborhood meetings. As a Block Captain, you will make a list of your area, with addresses and contact information. By doing this, you will have a contact list and your area will know how to contact you in case they need to discuss an issue. (By the way, I still need to get my contact list together for S. 3rd. I really wish I had that on a day like today when there may be issues in our neighborhood that we need to watch.)

It is our goal to have two large rally-type meetings a year. One like we had in January and perhaps one when the weather is warm so we can gather in the park for a pitch-in type activity. It gives us a chance to voice our concerns and socialize with our neighbors. That is what Beech Grove is all about!

We hope to host educational meetings for everyone on a bi-monthly basis. In November, we had the Narcotics Team give a wonderful presentation. On March 19th, the BGPD will give a presentation on home security issues. These meetings are not mandatory, but encouraged.

Awareness and education deters crime.

There are also occasional block captain meetings if there is information we need to get out or need to prepare for a meeting.

The Crime Watch program is in no way meant to be a hindrance, just a form of communication and a tool for Beech Grove citizens to use. We are not vigilantes and we are not police officers. We can only support them and they strive to keep Beech Grove the safe and secure place it is.

I hope this helps. If you would like more information, please contact either myself, Debbie or Dan via this web site. All comments are reviewed prior to posting so you can contact us without it being posted as a comment.

Take care and be safe!

Kim

Crime Update

Below is a summary of incident reports filed by BGPD for the last 90 days. This is not an all-inclusive report as it does not represent any domestic disturbances. It also does not represent cases where our department may be assisting IMPD. We are still working on getting more detailed reports posted on this site. The report dates for this summary are 10/27/07 thru 1/16/08.

Arrest on Warrants - 7
Assaults - 2
Damage to Property - 1
DWI Arrest - 3
Found Property - 1
Harassment - 1
Investigation - 2
Larceny - 3
Lost of Stolen Property - 1
Missing Person - 1
Narcotics Investigation - 2
Public Intoxication - 1
Rape - 1 (Not actually in Beech Grove, but report was taken at St. Francis)
Recovered Property - 1
Sick-Injured Officer - 2
Stolen Vehicle - 2
Traffic Arrest - 7

If you have any information, I would love to hear from you. For more information on becoming involved in the Crime Watch program, please see the link regarding Crime Watch or visit the BG Crime Watch web site at BGcrimewatch.org.

Thanks to all for getting involved.

Be Safe!

Kim

A Great Meeting

Thanks to all who took the time to attend the Crime Watch meeting on January 16th! What a great turn-out!!! Everything that is right about Beech Grove was represented at the Community Center during that meeting. We had a panel that consisted of Mayor Wright, Police Chief Witmer, Deputy Chief Malloy, Fire Chief Buckley, BOW director Sam Merle, Prosecutors assistant Stacy Walls, Deputy Prosecutor Sharon Ely and IMPD Crime Watch coordinator Shirley Purvitis.

There were many, many questions asked and our panel was open and very informative. It was a perfect example of how our administrative officials all work hand in hand to give Beech Grove residents a safe, secure community to call home. No politics-No BS, just information given to the residents in attendance.

We did not get to all of the questions and I will try to get those answers and post them here. We are also in the process of posting the police reports so you can see exactly what is going on here in Beech Grove.

As I said last night, this is all a work-in-process. We are working towards a community Crime Watch program.

In the mean time, stay safe and thank you all for participating!!

Kim

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Congratulations are in order for a few members of the Beech Grove Public Safety team.

James R. Pierce was officially sworn in as Executive Officer/Aide to the Fire Chief for the Beech Grove Fire Department during the Council meeting on January 7, 2008.

Kellen Malloy was officially sworn in as Deputy Chief of the Beech Grove Police Department during this same meeting.

Police Chief Witmer also reported that Major Jason Stachel graduated from the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia after extensive training. With Major Stachel's achievement, we now have six officers on the BGPD with this FBI distinction.

Congrats to all!!

Attorney General Pushes Sex Offender Web Ban

This story was posted by the Indy Channel (WRTV6) website.


INDIANAPOLIS -- Convicted sex offenders' access to certain types of Web sites would be regulated under a plan brought forth Friday by Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter.

Legislators and Carter are crafting legislation that would ban sex offenders from using social networking sites, chat rooms or instant messaging programs that also allow minors on their sites.Proactive enforcement of such a regulation would likely be difficult, given the relative anonymity of the Internet, but if the proposal becomes law, it could be used to mount additional charges against anyone arrested in an Internet-related child sex crime.

"The Internet is a powerful communication tool that is being exploited by convicted sex offenders who have found cyberspace a convenient avenue for hiding their identity from young people," Carter said in a release. "Indiana must be proactive in establishing laws that address this type of deceitful behavior by convicted felons." The proposal would make it a Class D felony for a convicted sex offender to use social networking sites, chat rooms or instant messaging programs frequented by minors. The offense would be a Class C felony if the offender contacted a child or was previously convicted. A survey conducted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicated that as many as one in seven people between the ages of 10 and 17 has gotten unwanted sexual solicitations online in which contact was attempted in person, over the phone or through the mail. As many as a third of children with Internet access has been exposed to unwanted sexual material on the Web, the survey concluded. Carter's office said four states already have laws regulating sex offenders' access to social networking sites.