WWNA Crime Watch

WEDGWOOD WEST

Neighborhood Association

WWNA Crime Watch

Police Department to conduct public awareness forum July 28

The Fort Worth Police Department will conduct a public awareness forum at 7 p.m. July 28 at Southcliff Baptist Church, 4100 S.W. Loop 820.

Community groups and residents will have the opportunity to hear about the department's latest projects and programs, as well as ask questions and give feedback to police officials. The police chief and other police representatives will attend the forum.

To learn more, call 817-392-4215.

Security Alert!

Be Wary of Paving Contractors Acting as City Vendors

A company offering paving work to area residents is claiming to be a contractor for the City of Fort Worth but, in fact, there's no connection.

The company states on its Web site and in presentations to potential customers that it has done paving work for the City of Fort Worth. However, the city's Finance Department does not list the company as a registered vendor.

Residents are urged to verify the claims and credentials of any company thoroughly before signing a contract. Get a company name, contact name and phone number, then call the number to verify the company's claims.

(This warning provided from the City of Fort Worth.)

Preventing crime can begin with us and some suggestions for reducing opportunities for vehicle or home burglaries are:

Join Crime Watch or Citizens On Patrol and be a part of reducing crime in our area!
Visibly display a "No Soliciting" sign on your front door to discourage illegal soliciting. Soliciting companies are legally bound to honor these signs.
Garage Doors - make sure garage doors always closed; are fitted with interior lock or windows prohibit viewing from outside.
Windows - Install secondary locking devices that can be easily removed in case of fire.
Doors - make sure they are strong and can withstand force and are equipped with deadbolt locks. Storm doors are helpful deterrents as well.
Home alarms are helpful and clear display of yard signs denoting their installation are strong deterrents.
Do not leave your garage remote in your vehicle if it is parked outside your garage. In fact, avoid leaving the following items in your vehicle:
- Address Books
- Electronics such as cell phones, laptops, cd players/ipods, GPS systems, etc.
- Briefcases
- CD's
- Cigarettes
- Clothing
- Shopping Bags
- Credit Cards
- Purses/Wallet
- Money (even loose change attracts theft)
- Removable radios
- Sports equipment
- Weapons
Keep doors locked when driving your vehicle or waiting at a store.
Follow these suggestions to help deter vehicle burglaries:
- Take keys out before proceeding to vehicle
- Lock your car
- Park in well-lit areas
- Park in attended lots
- Leave only ignition/door key with lot attendant
- Completely close car windows when parking
- Don't leave valuables in plain view
- Use your garage
- Lock garage door and vehicle inside
- Replace T-shaped door locks with straight locks
- Engrave expensive accessories
- Use tire/wheel locks
- Install audible alarm
- Take out removable radios and face plates
- Avoid parking between large vehicles (they provide cover
- Do not approach vehicle when stranger is near it!

For more information contact Crime Prevention Specialist in South Division: 817-922-3405. For more information on Citizens on Patrol contact 817-922-3418.

Neighborhood Crime - We can all help to keep our crime rate down in Wedgwood area by keeping a keen eye on our surroundings and reporting suspicious activity. For non-emergencies, please call (817) 335-4222.

For updated stats about community crime, as well as other important news: the Fort Worth Police Department's South Division newsletter for March, 2009 is now available online at http://fortworthpd.com/south/March%2009%20Newsletter%20Web.pdf . Also, in reviewing the Chief's Report, statistics showed that our district, District 6, had the lowest crime rate in the City during January! For a copy of the Police Chief's February Report, click here.