Community Roll Call

Cell Phone Usage

Officer D.M. Semega — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:42:01 GMT

Do you have a cell phone? Just about everyone uses them to communicate with one another. One glaring problem that we face is the call fading out, which is usually due to people being on the move. While the cell phone's purpose is to allow people mobility, there are many times when 911 operators or other rescue and safety operators cannot get the required information to send help or even call you back should you just be leaving a message for some basic service. Following are some suggestions that may help avoid this problem. When calling stop moving and give your message and do not move until you have completed your call and the information needed has been shared; if you are just leaving a message for a return call we recomment that you stop moving and give the information and a call back number twice, going slowly. This should ease the communication process and allow us to provide you with better service.

Identity Theft, How Does It Happen?

Officer D.M. Semega — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:40:58 GMT

The instances of identity theft are on the rise however the ways that offenders steal our identities for the most part is low tech. Following you will find a list of how identities are being stolen:

Stealing wallets/purses from shopping carts
Pick pocketing
Stealing mail and applying for your pre-approved credit offer simply by changing the address to a vacant home or PO Box
Rummage through residential and business trash containers
Posing as someone legally permitted to gain your credit report
Collude with or bribe employees of businesses or other organizations who have your personal information on file
Break into homes and find personal information laying about
Hack into corporate computer systems
Legally getting access to your credit card while conducting a transaction then copying or electronically scanning your credit card number
In home service calls where the service provider might see your banking or other personal information on a desk or table

Here is a short list of things to consider when safeguarding your personal information:

Shred every piece of paper that you do not need to keep that has any personal information on it
Delete much of the pre-printed information on your personal checks
Ask your Doctors, banking institutions and even your grocery store how they are safeguarding your information and if they sell any of it
Change all your banking, internet and computer passwords on a regular basis
Be careful as to what information you are sharing over cordless phones, cell phones, instant messaging or text messaging
Sanitize your home before having an in home service visit
Check you credit report frequently; each major credit reporting agency must provide you with one free report annually.

Wireless Amber Alerts

Officer D.M. Semega — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:58:00 GMT

Are you aware that you can sign up to receive free wireless Amber Alerts on your cell phone in the form of a text message? It takes all of about 3 minutes to register your cell phone number and pick the zip codes you want to receive Amber Alerts from. Visit www.wirelessamberalerts.org and follow the very easy step by step instructions. In selecting your zip codes you need only select one zip code for a metro area per county because of the way the system is set up. For example, if an alert is issued for 53208 which is a strictly a Milwaukee zip code, every zip code in the County of Milwaukee will receive that alert. As a matter of fact, in nearly every case, an Amber Alert will go State wide. This is crime prevention that comes in two forms, free and easy. Please consider signing up for the Wireless Amber Alerts.

SHREDDING DAY - Hosted By Crime Stoppers

Officer D.M. Semega — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:55:00 GMT

RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...

The Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers along with Shred It are hosting a Shredding Day on Saturday September 13, 2008 at the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot, 7725 W. North Ave, from 8:00am until 1:00pm. This event his being held in conjunction with MMSD's household hazardous waste disposal. Entry to the parking lot will be from North Ave and exit will to Wauwatosa Ave / 76th Street.

The purpose of this event is to help you protect yourself from identity theft by providing, free of charge, the opportunity to shred up to 3 boxes per household of papers that may contain any of your personal identification and account numbers. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States with 15 million reported victims a year, that means that every 2 seconds an identity is stolen!

Again, this is a free event. The Crime Stoppers will howerver be excepting cash donations to further their crime prevention and crime solving programs. Their biggest expense is in supporting their most successful program which is paying cash rewards for tips that lead to the arrest of persons who have committed crimes in the City of Wauwatosa.

Please take advantage of this shredding day to help protect your identity and your future.

RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...

Tosa's Night Out A Success

Officer D.M. Semega — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:52:51 GMT

The Wauwatosa Police Department and the Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee are reporting that Tosa's Night Out 2008 was a success. The thousands of people who attended enjoyed the safety displays, food, music, children's activities, flashlight walk and fireworks!

Many thanks not only to the folks who attended but to all the participants who helped make the Night Out the great night it was. Once again Wauwatosa shows what a great community it is.

Tosa's Night Out; Still Time To Register

Officer D.M. Semega — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

There is still time to register for Tosa's Night Out, Tuesday August 19, 2008. The fun begins at 5:00pm on Tuesday and goes until the completion of the Bartolotta's Fireworks display. You can register in person at the Little Read Book, 7603 West State Street, Wauwatosa up until 4:00pm on the day of the event or at Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut Street, Wauwatosa from 12:00 noon on the 19th until we run out of T-shirts.

This is a huge event with safety displays, public service displays, fun free rides for the children, free water, free ice cream and family friendly pricing on food items. Don't miss this opportunity to join others from the Wauwatosa community as we demonstrate our unity and commitment to crime prevention.

You are reminded that this is a pet free event and Hart Park is a no dogs allowed venue.

Whatever Happened To The Police Auction?

Officer D.M. Semega — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:44:20 GMT

I have received some questions as to when the Wauwatosa Police Department is holding the next auction; the answer is right now. But wait, don't come running over to the department because we have gone high tech! Instead of holding an annual auction, recovered property can be bid on at www.propertyroom.com just like on Ebay. For the past couple years the department has been using propertyroom.com as a clearing house for unclaimed recovered property.

Here is how it works, after an exhaustive effort of trying to locate the lawful owner for a piece of recovered property it is shipped to propertyroom.com who in turn lists it on their website for bidding. The winning bidder pays shipping and handling and the price received for the item is split 50/50 between propertyroom.com and the City. The funds returned to the City are then placed in the general fund.

So, if you like the idea of looking for bargains at a police auction you can go 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and shop. Good luck!

Amplified Sound / Music From Motorvehicle

Officer D.M. Semega — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:45:06 GMT

Many of todays vehicles are coming from the factory with high performance stereos and many of those that do not are outfitted with after market systems with lots of power.

Wisconsin State Statute 346.94(16) addresses loud, amplified noises including music, coming from a motor vehicle. This Statute like all traffic Statutes is adopted by Wauwatosa Ordinance 11.04.010. 346.94(16)/11.04.010 states that any amplified sound coming from a motor vehicle that can be heard from a distance of 75 feet or greater is a violation. The first offense carries a forfeiture of $96.40; second offense in a twelve month period carries a forfeiture of $172.00.

Of special note to parents and others who may loan their vehicles out, owners of a vehicle can be cited for this violation even if they are not in the vehicle at the time of the offense. So as a registered owner who may even be out of town while your vehicle is be driven by someone with the music too loud can receive a ticket for $96.40.

Tosa's Night Out, Formerly National Night Out

Officer D.M. Semega — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:38:00 GMT

Tosa’s Night Out –

Lighting The Way To A Better Community

The Wauwatosa Police Department and the Wauwatosa Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee are pleased to announce that Tosa’s Night Out (formally National Night Out) has been scheduled for Tuesday August 19^th, 2008. WaterStone Bank has once again agreed to be our major sponsor.

This year’s event brings a new name and a new date but rest assured that no other changes have been made to our great lineup of activities which include a children’s activity area, free inflatable rides, free Kid ID kits, a coloring contest, the CP Railroad Kidde Train, and more. TNO also includes; live music with the Tosa Tonight Concert Series, family priced food and refreshments, safety displays and vendor exhibits, our annual “flashlight walk against crime”, and an exciting Bartolotta’s Fireworks display.

2008 will mark the 14^th consecutive year that Wauwatosa has celebrated this event. All TNO 2008 activities will take place at Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut Street. Event highlights include:

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Family Activities at Hart Park

5:30 PM - Tosa Tonight Concert

8:00 PM – Flashlight Walk Against Crime

9:15 PM – Bartolotta’s Fireworks

The evening’s main event will be our traditional “family flashlight walk against crime”. The 1.5 mile walk route will wind thru the Honey Creek Parkway and scenic Wauwatosa Village.

The event is free and open to everyone. Officially registering for the walk however will allow participants to receive a commemorative t-shirt, sponsored checkpoint items along the walk route, and more. The nominal registration fee is $8.00 for the first person, $5.00 for the second, $3.00 for the third and fourth persons, with the fifth family member free.
Each participant will receive their official t-shirt at the time of registration. You may register at the Little Read Book Store at 7603 W. State Street (telephone 774-2665) during regular store hours. Registration will also be available on the day of the event (while supplies last). Because the official registrations routinely sell out we recommend you register early.
You may also visit the City of Wauwatosa’s website at www.wauwatosa.net and click on the Tosa’s Night Out link under “hot topics”. See you there!

Burglaries

Officer D.M. Semega — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:36:00 GMT

Recently there has been some burglaries in various areas around the City and many of them could have been avoided if some simple practices were put into place. Please take the time to review the bullet points listed below and try to employ them around your home, it should reduce the chances of you becoming the victim of a burglary.

Never leave an unattended garage or garden shed unlocked or with the doors open.
Never allow a stranger into your home.
Never leave your doors or windows open if you cannot physically monitor them. Unmonitored doors should be closed and locked, windows should be closed so that they are open no more than 4" and they are pinned so that they cannot be opened any wider.
Light the entire exterior of your home during hours of darkness.
Always roll up vehicle windows and lock the vehicle, even if you are away from it for a short period of time.
All bikes should be locked in a garage or to an immobile object when not actually being ridden.

The "Bad Guys" rely on three things - Ability, Desire and Opportunity. The one thing we can take away from the "Bad Guy" is his or her OPPORTUNITY!

Graffiti Ordinance 7.30

Officer D.M. Semega — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:24:00 GMT

There has recently been a real issue with a number of graffiti incidents in the City and I thought it would be appropriate to blog some excerpts from the City's Ordinance.

7.30.030(a) indicates that is unlawful for any person to apply graffiti to any natural or man made surface on any city owned property or, without the permission of the owner on any non-city owned property.

7.30.030(b)(1) indicates that it is unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to possess any graffiti implement and according to 7.30.020 that includes aerosol paint, broad tipped marker, gum label, paint stick or graffiti stick, etching equipment or any other device capable of scarring or leaving a visible mark.

7.03.030(c) indicates that no property owner shall allow graffiti to remain for more than 10 days. Failure to clean graffiti from private property may result in a citation.

So what does all this mean? Simply minors are not allowed to possess any graffiti devices and property owners are requried to remove all graffiti on their property within 10 days. The City of Wauwatosa and County of Milwaukee will remove graffiti from their property.

Further, you are asked to report any graffiti on private or public property to the police department so that a report can be filed which may include the taking of photographs.

Crime Stoppers "Pancakes With Mom" Wrap Up

Officer D.M. Semega — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:17:00 GMT

On Sunday May 11th the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers with assistance from more than 70 volunteers hosted 1001 people for it's Sixth Annual Pancakes With Mom". Along with the many pancakes that were served up the volunteers helped serve 180 pound of sausage, 60 gallons of coffee, 11 cases of fresh fruit, 13 gallons of apple sauce, 24 gallons of orange juice, 14 gallons of fruit topping and 400 carnations.

The volunteer corps included Wauwatosa residents, business owners, area students, members of the Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee, Whitman's Boy Scout Troop 111, Underwood's Cub Scout Pack 118, The Wauwatosa Police Reserves and even some family members from as far away as Door County, WI and Rochester, MN.

On behalf of the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers I want to thank all the volunteers and our guests who made the breakfast an outstanding event. Much needed funds were raised and will be used to reward anonymous tipsters who provide information leading to the arrest of people involved in committing crimes in Wauwatosa.

Scam Alert From The National Crime Prevention Council

Officer D.M. Semega — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:52:08 GMT

Recently the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) issued a scam alert relating to to stimulus and tax rebate checks. Please take the time to read the alert.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Department of Justice are warning consumers about emails and phone calls from scammers claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). The IRS does not gather information for rebates by telephone. Nor does it send unsolicited email to taxpayers about tax account matters. Filing a tax return is the only way to apply for a tax refund; there is no separate application form. Similarly, if you get an email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the IRS that asks you to call a phone number or email back your personal information, don't click any links. Instead forward it to www.phishing@irs.gov and then delete it. Clicking on a link in an unsolicited email carries risks of spyware, pagejacking, and phisisng - threats that can lead to the theft of your identity. The only official IRS Web site is located at www.irs.gov. visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov/phishing for more information about phishing scams.

6th Annual Pancakes With Mom

Officer D.M. Semega — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:28:00 GMT

The Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers is hosting its Sixth Annual Pancakes With Mom on Sunday May 11, 2008 at the Muellner Building in Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut in the City of Wauwatosa. They will be serving from 8:00am until 12:00pm and everything on the menu is all you can eat including pancakes, Klement's sausage, fresh fruit and Starbucks Coffee as well as other items.

Advance tickets are still available at the Little Red Book located at 7603 W. State Street in Wauwatosa; $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children 3 and older. You may also purchase tickets at the door on the day of the event. In addition to free door prizes we will be holding a raffle for some very nice items. All proceeds will benefit the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers and allow them to pay cash rewards for tips that lead to arrests for crimes committed in Wauwatosa.

Being able to offer cash rewards to anonymous tipsters is an extremely effective crime fighting tool. In 2006 and 2007 the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers received 25 separate tips which resulted in 8 arrests and solved 7 crimes. During that two year time frame the Crime Stoppers disbursed nearly $3000.00 to anonymous tipsters. So far in 2008 they have received 3 tips that have resulted in 4 arrests, solved 5 crimes and the dispersal of $850.00 in reward money.

So the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers are asking for you support by your attendance at this very worthwhile event. You may also lend support by volunteering to help out anytime between the hours of 7:00am and 1:00pm on the day of the event. All volunteers will receive a free breakfast as well as one for that special "Mom" in their life. If you wish to volunteer please contact Officer Don Semega via email at dsemenga@wauwatosa.net or by calling 414-471-8430 Ext. 5114. Make sure you leave a name, call back number and mailing address.

Stranger Danger

Officer D.M. Semega — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:49:42 GMT

Warmer weather is finally here and that means our children are going to be moving about outdoors and maybe out of sight from time to time. Included here you will find some ideas on what to share with your children regarding strangers and proper conduct in dealing with them.

1. First of all remind your children that a stranger is "Someone you do not know". Make sure they understand that the person's age, race, gender or appearance have nothing to do with who a stranger is

2. Make sure they understand some strangers are helpers, but also make sure they know how to positively identify those strangers. Here are some "Helpers":

Police Officers
Firefighters
Ambulance workers
Doctors
Nurses
Uniformed Security at the mall, zoo or other such place
Uniformed workers at various retail establishments noted by their aprons, smocks or matching shirts and the like.

3. Some suggested "Rules" to teach your children as it relates to strangers. Add any others you feel are appropriate.

Never talk to a stranger (You may consider allowing a simple hello)
Never take anything from a stranger
Never go with a stranger
Never help a stranger search for a lost puppy, kitten or child.

4. Teach them "Run, Yell and Tell"

"Run" means that you run to a safe place such as a McGruff House,store, trusted neighbor, school, friend, gas station, police car, fire truck, etc.
"Yell" means that you yell for help while running.
"Tell" means you tell a a grown up to call the police once you arrive at the nearest safe place.

5. Employ a "Code Word" in your home. This is a word or phrase that only Mom, Dad and the children know. Not even Grandma or Grampa should know that word. That way should you need to send another family member or neighbor to pick the child up from school, day care or any other function; the person picking them up has to give the code word to your child before your child goes with them. Teach your child that no matter who is picking them up, they do not go unless the code word is said.

Please note that providing the code word to the person picking up your child does not preclude contacting staff or others in charge at the place / event the child is being picked up from.

Should the code word have to be used change it immediately, use each code word or phrase only once. You can make it fun by allowing the children to make up the code word.

As always, these are merely suggestions and may not be suitable or appropriate for you and your family and only you can decide that. "Stranger Danger" should be reviewed regularly by improptu verbal questions and proper answers or behaivors need to be positively reinforced.

Feeding Of Stray/Feral Cats

Officer D.M. Semega — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:38:00 GMT

Recently this office has received several complaints about citizens feeding stray or feral cats. As such I felt it appropriate to address this issue in an effort to explain the City's Ordinances regarding the feeding of these animals.

Covered under Wauwatosa Ordinance 9.04.020 is the "Regulation of Animals". Under this ordinance it is unlawful for anyone to allow an animal/pet of any species to run at large. Further, all dogs and cats need to receive the rabies vaccine and be licensed through the Wauwatosa City Clerk's office. That being said, if a person feeds and/or provides indoor or even outdoor shelter of any sort to an animal, they have in fact established ownership of that animal even if the animal is never taken into that person's residence.

So if a citizen is found to be feeding and/or sheltering an animal that roams at large, is unlicensed or has not received the rabies vaccine; that citizen can be held responsible for that animal by the City and may be issued citations in violation of 9.04.020. This of course would include stray/feral cats. The citations may begin at $172.00 for each violation and can increase incrementally up to $2,576.00 for subsequent violations.

The proper way to handle stray or feral animals is to call the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control office at 414-649-8640 and report it to them. They have the means to retrieve the animal in a humane way and process it in an effort to make it ready for adoption.

Tax Time Safety

Officer D.M. Semega — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:49:15 GMT

Here comes some pertinent tax / ID theft prevention items:

Lock up your personal information. This includes all tax information, bank statements, credit card statements and unpaid bills. Yes, even at home; do you really know everything about your guests?
Don't fall for scams. During the distribution of rebate checks, no one will contact you for personal information and this includes your bank or the government.
Don't respond to requests to verify personal information unless you have actually initiated the contact. Don't share any indentifying information over a cordless or cell phone.
Shred. This includes anything of a personal or financial matter, ecspecially those credit card offers.
Review your mail. Check monthly credit card and banking statements for unfamiliar or unauthorized activities.
Check your credit report. The law entitles you to at least one free credit report from Equifax, Experian and Trans Union each year. If you get one report from each entity spaced out properly, you could get a free credit report every 4 months.
Report supicious activity immediately. Notify the authorities of any activity you did not authorize as it relates to any financial or personal matter.
Mailbox. Get your mail immediately and never leave outgoing mail for the courier to pick up.

Following these simple tips now and all year will help to protect yourself from ID theft.

Updated Armed Robberies Crime Alert

Officer D.M. Semega — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:01:59 GMT

Three armed robberies were reported on March 14th and 15th, 2008

Noodles & Company, 7700 block W. State St., 14th at 10:28pm
Street Robbery 7600 block W. State St., 15th at 12:40am
Days Inn, 11800 block W. State St., 15th at 9:42pm

Each robbery was conducted by two black males sometimes wearing hooded sweatshirts, ski masks and/or a do-rag to cover their faces. In each case it seems one suspect would act as a lookout while the other approached the register or victims.

In each of these robberies at least one gun was displayed. Seen leaving the scene of two of the robberies was a newer black automobile, maybe a Chevrolet Malibu. The suspects are further described as 5'8" to 6'1", late teens to early twenties and thin to medium build.

Two armed robberies were reported on March 9th, 12th, and 29th, 2008

7300 block of Milwaukee Avenue, 9th at 10:25pm
7300 block of Harwood Avenue, 12th at 11:04pm
7100 block of West State Street, 29th at 9:10pm

In each case a lone black male described as being 5'7" to 5'10", dark complexion, heavier build at 180 to 200 pounds and 35 to 45 years of age. The suspect usually starts a conversation with some small talk and then displays a hand gun and demands money.

Possibley vehicles in these armed robberies are:

A large 80's 4 door, possibly a Ford or Mercury, dark blue or gray in color.
An early 90's BMW, loud exhaust, red in color.

You are reminded to remain alert at all times and contact the police immediately for suspicious circumstances and persons.

If your are the victim of a robbery, remain calm and do exactly as the robber asks, nothing less or nothing more. As soon as it is safe notify police and do not compare notes with other victims or witnesses; keeping separate and not talking to others will allow the investigating officers to gather the best evidence.

Anyone with information regarding any of these or other crimes commintted in the City of Wauwatosa can remain anonymous and call the Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers at 771-TOSA. Tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for cash rewards up to $1,000.00

Crime Alert: Armed Robberies

Officer D.M. Semega — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:13:37 GMT

Three armed robberies were reported on March 14th and 15th, 2008

Noodles & Company, 7700 block W. State St., 14th at 10:28pm
Street Robbery 7600 block W. State St., 15th at 12:40am
Days Inn, 11800 block W. State St., 15th at 9:42pm

Two armed robberies were reported on March 9th and 12th, 2008

7300 block of Milwaukee Avenue, 9th at 10:25pm
7300 block of Harwood Avenue, 12th at 11:04pm

In each case a lone black male described as being 5'7" to 5'9", dark complexion, heavier build and 35 to 45 years of age displayed a hand gun and demanded money. A similar incident took place in another Milwaukee County City in which a red BMW with a loud exhaust was observed.

You are reminded to remain alert at all times and contact the police immediately for suspicious circumstances and person.

GPS's The New Target

Officer D.M. Semega — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:42:00 GMT

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.