Community Roll Call

A hit and run accident is an accident in which one of the vehicle operators leaves the scene prior to police arrival on a reportable accident, or the exchange of names and insurance information on a non-reportable accident. In the State of Wisconsin a reportable accident is any accident where one or more of the vehicles has $1,000.00 or more estimated damage or there is personal injury. For example, a two vehicle accident where the estimated damage to one vehicle is $750.00 and the other vehicle is $900.00 without injury does not need to be reported. But given that same accident, if either one or both of the vehicles has sustained more than $1,000.00 in estimated damage, or any passenger in any vehicle is injured, then a State accident report needs to be filed. When in doubt contact the local law enforcement agency.

 

Being aware following an accident will make all the difference. If you are in an accident, but especially a hit and run accident, be sure to get as much identifying information about the other vehicle and driver as possible. Things to look for are the license plate, make, model and color of the vehicle, the type and location of any damage to the vehicle and any other identifying features such as antennas, bumper stickers, extra lighting and anything that would make the vehicle recognizable. Also, try to find anyone who may have been in the area and can provide more information to the police once they respond. If you find other witnesses and they cannot or will not remain, try to solicit their name and phone number so that police can follow up with them.

 

Be suspicious of those drivers that do stop right away but want to give you money or ask for money in an effort to leave the police out of the incident. If they want to give you money, there is an underlying reason why they don’t want the police involved. If they are trying to get money from you on the scene, that may be an initial indication that they are trying to take advantage of you or even that the accident wasn’t “Accidental” at all.

 

The thing to keep in mind following any accident is make sure you assess to see if there are any injuries. If there are injuries, take the appropriate steps which will include contacting police and fire personnel; render first aid if you are qualified. Whether there are injuries or not, keep your wits about you and use your common sense. Having a cell phone along with you while you travel is clearly an asset. And again, when in doubt as to whether an accident is reportable or not, contact local law enforcement.

I was reading over some of the postings on the Town Square bulletin board associated with WauwatosaNOW.com. I am pleased to see some of the posters sharing information about crimes taking place in their neighborhood and what can be done to prevent future crimes. Based on what I read I would like to address some issues as to what is suspicious and when it is appropriate to call the police.

 

First of all “Suspicious” is not a stranger walking up our street. But that same stranger walking back and forth, hanging around, looking up and down driveways, looking into cars or looking into homes; now that is suspicious. A vehicle that is unknown to our neighborhood that drives up our street is not suspicious. But if that same vehicle is continually driving up and down the street, or through the alley or parked in the driveway of an unoccupied house; now that is suspicious. How about the movers,  plumber or cable guy at your neighbor’s house while they are away on vacation? Suspicious? I would think so. Now of course, this small paragraph does not identify all the possible activities that can be suspicious; you will have to be the judge in most circumstances, trust your intuition.

 

If it is suspicious, it does warrant a call to the police department. That is an immediate call, do not hesitate. The sooner you call the sooner we can respond and hopefully contact the person or persons involved in the suspicious activity. As a police officer there is nothing more frustrating than receiving the call about suspicious activity 10 -20 minutes after it was observed. And worse than that is talking to the neighbors after a burglary or other such crime and finding out that a clearly suspicious person or vehicle was observed in the area, but that person did not want to bother the police.

 

I hope this post helps sort out some confusion. Alert neighbors are a great crime prevention tool. If we look out for each other our neighborhoods will continue to hold their value and charm as well as remain a safe place to live and raise a family.

 
As usual, questions or comments can be directed to me by clicking on the email link shown at the top of this blog.

Calling all concerned citizens. Do you have a Block Watch program in place on your block? If you do THANKS! If not, we here at the Wauwatosa Police Department need your help. We need your help in starting up a Block Watch program on your block and being a Block Watch Captain. At no cost to you and just a little effort, you and your neighbors can help reduce the opportunity for criminals to commit crimes in your neighborhood.

What is a Block Watch? It is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of citizens, in cooperation with law enforcement, to reduce residential crime. You may hear it call Neighborhood Watch, Block Watch, Home Alert or Citizen Crime Watch; but they are all the same idea with the same goals in mind.

What is a Block Watch Captain asked to do?

 

1. We ask that you take a blank block watch map and go door to door, introduce yourself and the Block Watch Program to your neighbors and gather each household’s name, address and phone number. After you gather the information you will return it to the Wauwatosa Police Department’s Community Support Division. Once the information is entered into our database you will receive several type written copies for every neighbor’s record

 

1. Either you or a Co-Capitan, (Co-Capitan is not a requirement), would be asked to host an introductory Block Watch Meeting in which one or two Community Policing Officers from the Wauwatosa Police Department would come and speak to everyone attending. At the meeting we will further explain the Block Watch Program and the Police Department’s expectations. We will also address any current crime trends as well as home and personal safety and will answer any questions posed by the participants. At this meeting Block Watch signs will be distributed to all participants. If  no one wants to host a meeting, that meeting may be held here at the police department.

 

1. Deliver our quarterly newsletter to the Block Watch participants on your block. We will deliver a package of newsletters to your home at the time of publishing. These newsletters are chock full of information that includes crime prevention tips, crime trends and upcoming community events.

That’s it, that’s all it takes! This is a proven program with proven ideals that can help in preventing crime in your neighborhood. A strong orgnainzed neighborhood will send the criminals to a neighborhood that is not as strong and organized.

Do you have further questions? Do you want to get a Block Watch started? Do you want to revitalize a current Block Watch? Then call the Wauwatosa Police Department at 414-471-8430 and ask to speak to someone in Community Support!

This coming weekend and the week following is going to be cold according to forecasters. Here a few safety tips regarding your vehicle and traveling.

- Never start your vehicle and leave it running unattended and unlocked.

- Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in a running vehicle.

- Never drive your vehicle until all the windows are completely free of ice and snow. It is unlawful to drive
with an obstructed view.

- Have a cell phone with you while traveling.

- Ensure you let friends and loved ones know your route of travel as well as the time you plan to arrive
and/or return.

- Have an emergency kit inside your vehicle which should include at a minimum extra appropriate winter
clothing, blanket, flares, snacks, matches, emergency candle and “Help” or “Call Police” Signs. See fit to
add anything else you feel is needed.

- Only abandon your vehicle if you can make it to a safe haven, never go off wandering for help. If you do
abandon your vehicle contact the area law enforcement agency immediately to advise them of the
situation.

Following these few simple tips should help you stay warm and safe during the cold driving season. If you can think of anything to add to this list, please contact me via email by following the link provided at the top of the blog.

Officer Donald M. Semega (Don)
Wauwatosa Police Department
Community Support Division.