Community Roll Call

Those really cool GPS devices that many people are using have become the new target for bad guys. Unlike most thefts from vehicles when the bad guys only target unlocked vehicles, they are going that extra step and forcing entry to the vehicles to get to the GPS. Victims are not only losing these expensive electronic devices but are also suffering several hundred dollars in damage to the vehicle as the bad guys break windows, windshields and/or door locks.

Those GPS's are then being sold for pennies on the dollar or even traded for small amounts of narcotics. The answer? Remove not only the GPS from your vehicle but everything associated with it including mounting platforms and power cords.

You can never take away the bad guy's desire or ability, but you can take away their opportunity. Take a few extra seconds and remove anything from your vehicle that might be attractive to the bad guy.

Mothers day is not too far over the horizon and the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers with help from the Wauwatosa Police Department and the Wauwatosa Police Reserves will be hosting the 6th Annual "Pancakes with Mom". The event will once again be held on Mother's Day, Sunday May 11, 2008 at the Muellner Building located at Hart Park. Ticket prices remain the same at $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12. More details about the event will follow as the date gets closer.

As you know by now the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers pays rewards of up to $1,000.00 for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest for crimes committed in Wauwatosa. The pancake breakfast is the Crime Stoppers main event to fund the pay outs. The Crime Stoppers are seeking support in many ways to make the pancake breakfast a success. Already onboard for this years breakfast are Wauwatosa Savings Bank, Landmark Credit Union, C&G Printing and Promotions, The Little Read Book and Firefly Candles.

 The biggest need as of Sunday February 27, 2008 is items to be used for door and raffle prizes. If you or your business would like to make a donation of these type of items please contact Cindy Datka of G&G Printing and Promotions at 414-443-0027 or Officer Don Semega at 414-471-8430 Ext. 5114.

If you are the parent of a child in any of Wauwatosa's secondary schools you most likely received a notice regarding a survey being conducted as it relates to the School Resource Officer program. Officer Douglas Braun, the City's first SRO, has been receiving several questions about the program and as such has asked me to post some information to better inform the public regarding the School Resource Officer. 

School Resource Officer Program

The School Resource Officer (SRO) Program was initiated in September 2005. The SRO is assigned to the Community Support Division and serves under the direct supervision of the Community Support Sergeant, Sergeant Jeffery Farina. The SRO is a uniformed position and assigned to the Secondary Schools during the day from Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm.

A second SRO was added in January 2007 enabling and SRO to be assigned to each High School. Each SRO is also responsible for responding to the Middle and Elementary Schools when needed and available. The Current SRO's are Officer Doug Braun at West H.S. and Officer Jeff Griffin at East H.S.

The overall scope of the responsibilities of the SRO is basically unlimited. Specific duties of a SRO officer are, at this time, expected to include the following responsibilities:

• Promote rapport between Police Officers and students in the secondary schools.
• Work to protect the school, staff and students from crime and violence.
• Serve as immediate resource for staff and students.
• Conduct criminal and quasi-criminal investigation that occur during the day and that would have normally necessitated the dispatching of a Patrol Officer.
• Handle follow up investigations of crimes other issues.
• Make arrests of students when appropriate.
• Coordinate SRO efforts with the Detective Bureau fo the Wauwatosa Police Department.
• Promote a working relationship with other police-student resources in the Wauwatosa School District.
• Make presentations to students, parents and staff members on law, law enforcement, safety issues and good citizenship.
• Refer troubled students to proper professional resources within the guidelines of school policies as needed.
• Work with parents of runaway students.
• Counsel students who are established juvenile offenders.
• Coordinate the Crime Stopper Program in the secondary schools.
• Attend various school functions as deemed necessary such as secondary graduations, proms, dances, certain athletic events, etc.
• Meet periodically with the school district administration to discuss and evaluate the SRO program.

From January to June and September to December of 2007 the School Resource Officers responded to over 330 calls for police service. The calls included child abuse, battery, robbery, disorderly conduct, theft, possession of controlled substances, intoxicated juveniles, possesion of tobacco products, warrants, missing juveniles, threats, vandalism and truancy.

The SRO's also made over 100 presentations to students, staff and parents on such topics as personal safety, drug and alcohol awareness, internets safety, bullying, conflict resolution, juvenile law, and legal consequences. Officer Braun is also a staff advisor  for the Wauwatosa West H.S. Key Club and Officer Griffin is involved in a mentoring program for juveniles.