Greetings, Welcome to the October issue of the Westover Division Response Area 3 monthly community letter. In this issue you will find crime reviews for the month of September 2009 as well as information on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Citizen Academy beginning October 13 Please share this document with other members in your community. Public awareness of crime and crime patterns is vital to assist in developing lines of communication between citizens and police, as well as forming working relationships between citizens and police. If you or someone you know would like to be added to the distribution list for this document please contact me at Westover Division office at 704-432-2442. This newsletter is available in Spanish. If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time, I’d like to introduce myself to you. I’ve been the Response Area 3 Commander since November 2008. I’ve been with CMPD for 15 years and graduated with the 116 Recruit Class in January 1995. My first assignment was in the Central Division, and I’ve had assignments in the Highway Interdiction and Traffic Safety Unit, Armed Robbery Unit, Metro Division, and Internal Affairs. I’m originally from Santa Maria, CA and a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. I’ve lived in Charlotte since 1994. I look forward to getting to know more of you as we partner together to fight crime in our neighborhoods. Best regards Sergeant Jacquelyn Hulsey October 2009 CMPD Westover Division: Response Area 3 Newsletter Pictured above is the map of Westover Division Response Area 3. The response area is bordered by South Blvd. to the west and Woodlawn Rd. to the north. Major commercial areas in the response area include the South Blvd. corridor, Park Towne Village, and Park Selwyn Terrace. The majority of the response area is comprised of residential neighborhoods including Madison Park, Montclaire, Starmount, and others. Pinewood Elementary School, Montclaire Elementary School, Starmount Elementary School, and Smith Language Academy Middle School are also in the response area. The Lynx Light Rail runs along the border of the response area, and the Tyvola Station and Archdale Station are located within our boundaries. The Response Area encompasses 3.9 square miles of land area and 49 street miles. The approximate population is 12,698. Summary of significant September events: woke to find a male suspect standing near her bed. The male came toward the victim and tried to hold her down on the bed. The victim fought back against the suspect and the suspect fled from the home. It is unknown how the suspect gained entry into the victim’s home. This incident occurred at the Yorktown Apartments. Dr. The victim stated he was approached by a suspect on foot who pointed a gun at him and demanded money. No injuries. block of South Blvd with the daily cash deposit. The employees were approached by a suspect in the parking lot who displayed a gun and took the deposit bag. No injuries. face with a beer bottle by an unnamed suspect. Minor injuries. individuals arguing over personal matters that resulted in assaults. occur during the overnight hours. The majority of Larcenies from Auto in commercial parking lots are occurring in the afternoon to evening hours, or late in the evening near the bars and bowling alley on Montford Dr. See the map below for incident locations and addresses. CMPD Westover Division: Response Area 3 Newsletter September 2009 Crime Statistics September 2009 Incident Type Frequency Larceny from Auto 17 Larceny-Shoplifting 14 Larceny-Other 10 Residential Burglary 6 Aggravated Assault-Other Weapon 4 Commercial Burglary 3 Larceny from Building 3 Armed Robbery 2 Residential Burglary-Storage Bldg 2 Aggravated Assault-Gun 1 Attempted Rape 1 Auto Theft 1 Total 64 The Focus Crimes for Response Area 3 in September were Residential Burglary, Larceny from Auto, and Robbery. Focus Crimes are those which we dedicate additional resources towards to address. Focus Crimes are selected based on the impact they have on the community as well as the frequency with which they are occurring. Focus Crimes are established on a quarterly basis. Residential burglary dropped from 10 incidents in August 2009 to 6 incidents in September 2009, larceny from auto dropped from 21 incidents in August 2009 to 17 incidents in September 2009, and total robberies dropped from 3 incidents in August 2009 to 2 incidents in September 2009. Larceny from Auto – September 2009 Residential Burglaries – September 2009 CMPD Westover Division: Response Area 3 Newsletter Crime Prevention Tips: Larcenies from Auto the intent to steal an item from within the vehicle, as opposed to stealing the vehicle itself. Although these larcenies from auto occur at any time and at any location, the majority of them are occurring in medium to large sized parking lots at business locations or apartment buildings. Citizens are often leave items in plain view in their vehicles which are being stolen. The vehicles are being entered either through an unlocked door, or by force, such as breaking a window or prying the door open. Items commonly stolen are GPS units, MP3 music players, cellular phones, briefcases/handbags, sunglasses, and even loose change lying in cup holders or ash trays. To minimize the risk of becoming a victim, please remove all visible evidence of these items from your vehicle. This would include items such as power cords or mounting devices as these items may lead a suspect to believe the electronic device is stored somewhere else in the vehicle. Residential Burglaries leaves the victims feeling violated and uncertain as to their safety. The burglaries in Response Area 3 tend to occur during daylight hours when no one is in the residence. As a general rule, a suspect breaking into a home is after property and does not want to encounter a resident. This is why these incidents commonly occur while individuals are at work. This does not mean you should not safeguard yourself from an intrusion during the evening. Please be sure to keep your doors and windows secure, and employ the use of lighting, hedge trimming, and other safety tips to keep your home safe and unappealing for would be burglars. If you would like an officer to evaluate your home for safety and security feel free to contact the Community Coordinator Officers at the Westover Division, 704-432-2442. Please be alert and aware of activity in your neighborhood. Encourage your neighbors who are home during the day to take an active role in watching the neighborhood as well. If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood report it to police by calling 911. Residents are sometimes reluctant to call police and report a suspicious person because they fear they may be wrong. We (the police) would rather respond and not be needed versus not being called and have a break-in. Another crime tactic employed by burglars is to knock or ring a doorbell to see if a resident is home before breaking in. This is rare, but does occasionally occur. If you are home and receive an unexpected knock at the door make your presence known by announcing a statement through the shut and locked door. A simple statement such as “I’m busy!” will alert a thief to your presence and discourage an unwanted encounter with you. Auto Thefts complexes, business locations, or other parking lots. Vehicle theft from a private residence in Response Area 3 is rare, but does occasionally occur. To minimize your chances of becoming a victim of Auto Theft remember to park in well lit areas, close to buildings or other people. Keep your car doors and windows secured, and consider extra security measures such as audible alarms or “The Club”. Do not leave a car running or with the keys inside while unattended. This is an invitation for an opportunistic thief. This is also a violation of City Ordinance and officers are actively enforcing the ordinance by issuing citations. Citizens often ask “What if I have a vehicle with the remote start feature?” Our response is that the potential CMPD Westover Division: Response Area 3 Newsletter thief may not realize the engine will shut off when the vehicle is entered. The thief may still break a window to access the car, and ultimately a crime is still committed. Other Crime Tips: Please record the serial numbers of your valuable items in a secure place. Remember, if you save the serial numbers only on your computer and your computer is stolen you won’t be able to provide the information to police. Serial numbers are crucial to police to be able to recover property and develop suspects in cases. Photograph jewelry and other valuables that don’t have a serial number. Engraving is another excellent way to identify your property and deter thieves. If you are going to engrave your property, engrave your driver’s license or state identification number on the item. Do not engrave your social security number for security reasons. We have engravers at the Westover Division office we will gladly loan you. When school resumes in August watch for and report truant juveniles to police. Juveniles absent from school and wandering neighborhoods and shopping centers will likely create mischief or commit crimes. Westover Division has a truancy officer, Officer Steve Arnold, who is dedicated to tracking juvenile offenders, monitoring school attendance, and returning truant youths to school. A call to 911 to report truancy will assist him in doing his job. If you see suspicious activities please don’t disregard them. Trust your instincts and call 911. If you see someone lurking around your neighbor’s home call 911 first and then call the neighbor. While waiting for police be the best witness you can be. Don’t approach the potential offender. Just look for as many identifying features about the person or vehicle as you can safely observe. CMPD Westover Division: Response Area 3 Newsletter Meet Your Westover Officers Officer Kamesha Bridges Officer Bridges is a native of Charlotte and a graduate of Garinger High School, class of 1999. After high school Officer Bridges attended Eastern Carolina University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2003. Officer Bridges began the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Academy in July of 2004 and graduated with the 144 assigned to work in the Westover Division and currently works in Response Area 3. Officer Bridges is a Crime Scene Officer within the division and is specially trained in the collection of evidence from crime scenes. Officer Bridges can be reached through the Westover Division at 704-432-2442. CMPD Westover Division: Response Area 3 Newsletter Westover Foster Care One of the negative aspects of being in law enforcement is witnessing the cruelty some members of society can impose on other persons and animals. As officers we strive to right the wrongs and help those in need. Occasionally the desire to assist goes above and beyond what is considered “standard operating procedure” or “routine”. Sometimes you just have to do more. Recently the officers in the Westover Division served a search warrant on a home for contraband. As a result of that warrant officers located two extremely malnourished and neglected puppies. These puppies were confiscated and surrendered to Animal Control which is the standard operating procedure. Knowing the fate of these puppies due to their condition officers asked Animal Control Officials if there was a way the puppies could be saved. Animal Control advised us the puppies could be saved if there was someone willing to take on the responsibility of foster care. With that, Animal Control nursed the puppies back to health, administered all their necessary vaccinations, and when given a clean bill of health the puppies were assigned to the care of a handful of dedicated officers here in the Westover Division. These puppies are receiving around the clock care and tons of love and affection. Currently these puppies are considered evidence in a court proceeding against the accused party for animal neglect. Once the case is resolved in court the puppies will be posted for adoption through the Charlotte Humane Society. The puppies are both females so we named them Cagney and Lacey (for those of you too young to remember, Cagney and Lacey was the 1980’s hit TV cop show featuring two female officers). CMPD Westover Division: Response Area 3 Newsletter Community Meetings and Events: Madison Park Community Meeting Selwyn Park Community Meeting 7:30 PM Meet quarterly – Date to be determined Second Monday of each month 4800 Wedgewood Dr. Wedgewood Baptist Church Starmount Community Meeting Meet annually – Date to be determined Montclaire Community Meeting 7:00 PM Fourth Monday of each month Montclaire III Community Meeting Archdale Church of Christ Meet annually – Date to be determined 2525 Archdale Dr. Please contact me at event advertised here. CMPD Westover Division: Response Area 3 Newsletter
Madison Park
Westover October Newsletter
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Charlotte, North Carolina