Weekly View » Cynthia Orr

IMPD Explorers Highlighted at Meeting

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 05:10:13 +0000

IMPD East District Commander Waters opened the Aug 14th Task Force meeting with good news about crime statistics in the East District. Violent crime is down by 4 percent and residential burglaries are down by 11 percent. There was a preview showing of an upcoming episode of the TV show “Cops” which will feature IMPD officers. The TV crews have just finished their ride alongs and filming, so Waters was not sure when it would air. (By the way, anyone wanting to do a “ride along” with an officer is welcome to do so. Just contact Officer Tammy Peters at 327-6267.)
Karen Lightbourne was introduced as the new liaison from the Mayor’s office and Rocio Garcia has been hired as the Latino Crime Coordinator and to assist Officer Candy Perry in her initiative to work with youth on the Eastside. They have received a three year grant to help develop the efforts IMPD is making to involve the Latino community in crime prevention.
Special speaker of the evening was Officer Daniel Bullman who explained the IMPD Explorer program. This program involves youth ages 14-19 who have an interest in becoming police officers. They go through training similar to Police Cadets and, in addition to weekly meetings, volunteer community service hours in a number of areas. The 28 current Explorers have undergone training as part of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and some have gone through bike patrol training (not as easy as you might imagine!) to assist with patrolling the Monon Trail, traffic control and security at area art fairs and other events throughout Marion County. One Explorer spoke following a video of their training and some of activities they participate in with active IMPD officers. He had learned about the program through his Warren High School counselor and is committed to joining the police force following college. In addition to general physical skills, Explorers learn people skills, good citizenship and psychology. The program assists them in obtaining grants and scholarships to help them complete higher education following graduation from high school. If you know a young person who might be interested in joining the Explorer program, have them call 327-3041 or speak with their school counselor.
Several new Neighborhood Crime Watch captains and other concerned citizens attended the meeting and, as always, were welcomed. Meetings are open to everyone and the public is encouraged to come meet people from resources that can help keep your neighborhoods safe. Task Force meetings alternate from afternoons one month to evenings the next in an effort to be available to as many people as possible. The next meeting will be at 2 p.m. on September 11th at East District Headquarters, 201 N Shadeland.
Mark your calendars for the annual IMPD Community Day to be held Saturday, Sept 21st from 10 AM to 1 PM across the street from Headquarters at Crossroads Bible College. Besides all the IMPD special units (horse, canine, bomb squad) there will be games, prizes, food and drinks, educational information, health screening and attendance by the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Senior Abuse Discussed at Task Force Meeting

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:10:40 +0000

The guest speakers at the East District Task Force Meeting on June 12th were Cookie Vargo, representing Adult Protective Services and Barney who volunteers as a presenter from Senior Sentinels. Cookie told us that it is federally mandated that every state have Adult Protective Services but it is up to the individual state how that is set up. In Indiana, an “endangered adult” can be anyone 18 or older. In Central Indiana, there are only six investigators who cover four counties. They receive about 1,100 to 1,200 calls per month about elders who need anything from a visit to check on their welfare to emergency intervention for physical or mental abuse. Sadly, the abuse cases are often perpetrated by family members who find themselves unable to cope with the incredibly demanding task of caring for an elder. In some instances, it is matter of family members stealing from elder relations, denying them needed medical care as a means of control, or neglecting to provide proper meals and hygiene when the elder is unable to provide for themselves.
If a situation is time critical, call 911. IMPD officers are trained to deal with these situations and are partnered with a number of agencies who can offer immediate help.
Barney is one of several volunteers with Senior Sentinels who talks to groups at church or neighborhood groups about some of the 60 or more topics that directly impact elders. Most presentations last about 30 minutes and can be arranged through the Adult Protective Services office. Identity fraud of elders is the most common topic and he shared a number of ways seniors can help protect themselves. First and foremost is that you should NEVER carry your Social Security card with you. It is not valid as an identity card and there are few instances where the entire the number is required. If you are on Medicare, he suggested that you make and laminate a copy of your Medicare card, with all but the last four digits of your Social Security number and the alpha character whited out. Once you have given them to the pharmacy, the doctor’s office, or other places, there is no reason they need to be given again as they should already be a matter of record.
He also shared that the advertisements you see on TV to check your credit rating are a scam. Don’t respond to any unsolicited request to check your credit rating. Instead, he recommended that you request what is known as a “credit freeze.” There are three credit reporting companies and you must request a freeze from each of them either online or by certified mail. (Request forms for each of the companies are available from the Indiana Attorney General’s office.) By Indiana law, the freeze must be placed within 5 business days of your request. Within 10 days you will receive a confirmation letter from each credit agency containing a unique PIN or password. The freeze will prevent someone from opening accounts or using your credit information, even if they’ve stolen your Social Security number. This is a free service in Indiana.
Should you need to allow a credit report issued, like if you want to finance a new car, you can unfreeze the history for a specified period of time or unfreeze it for a specific party by notifying the credit bureau according to its procedures. Since you can obtain a free credit report every year, he suggested you request one every four months from one of the credit bureaus, on a rotating basis. The only Web site recognized by all three Consumer Credit Reporting companies where you can request your credit report at no cost is www.annualcreditreport.com. Should you find that your credit report shows unauthorized credit issued or accounts opened in your name without your knowledge, contact IMPD fraud services immediately.
The next monthly East District IMPD Task Force meeting is on July 10th at 2:00 p.m. at East District Headquarters, 201 N. Shadeland. If there is a specific topic you would like to have addressed, please contact Community Liaison Officer, Tammy Peters at 327-6267.

East District Officers Recognized

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:10:44 +0000

If heroes are ordinary people doing extraordinary things, what do you call it when heroes do extraordinary things? I have no idea, but whatever it is, East District IMPD has a good number of them. At the East District IMPD monthly Task Force meeting on May 8, we were introduced to several of these special officers.
Officer Steven Spears was awarded recognition as Officer of the Month for April. He took it upon himself to follow a lead he spotted comparing reports from East District to those of surrounding counties, received the support of his superiors, and through personal commitment and dedication took that hunch and ended up uncovering a multi-county drug and burglary ring. His outstanding efforts resulted in numerous arrests of criminals who have plagued the eastside.
Officer Mike Bragg was also at the meeting and told us how he took a late night phone call from a citizen reporting drug activity at a home in their neighborhood. The citizen had kept excellent observation records which included descriptions of cars and people, and times of suspicious activity. Even though Officer Bragg is a Neighborhood Resource Officer and not a detective and was off duty at the time, he responded. He coordinated his investigation with officers in a nearby district and, with the encouragement of his superiors, did what needed to be done. Over time, he was able to bring down a marijuana growing operation which included seizure of not just plants, but also guns and heroin.
Also recognized for outstanding effort on behalf of the east side was Officer Sherron Franklin for the initiative she has begun on behalf of families and at-risk juveniles. She has created an initiative on the east side to connect families with local resources to avoid escalation of juvenile confrontations with the law.
Sergeant LeEtta White saw a need, especially in low income apartment complexes, to break the cycle of women who seem to go from one bad relationship to another in which they feel helpless to stop drug sales from their homes and abuse. Sergeant White created an empowerment program for women, partnering with local resources to help break that cycle. She has even written a book on the program which is now in its seventh printing. Sergeant White was also instrumental in starting the Baker One initiative in East District which tracks the most serious domestic violence offenders in Marion County. Her success in our area has led to the program being implemented now throughout IMPD. This spring she received the Police, Fire and Sheriffs Community Relations of the Year award.
A new initiative still in the planning stages is a liaison position to improve communication and understanding between IMPD officers and the Hispanic population on the east side. Officer Candy Perry from another district will get things started and do some training. Interviews are being held in May to hire an officer specifically for the Latino Outreach program.
Guest speaker, Officer Kendale Adams is one of four Public Information Officers at IMPD. Officer Adams said IMPD has moved into the social media arena now and is available through Facebook, Twitter and their Web site at indy.gov/impd.
Police Week is May 7th through 16th but the dedication of these heroes is worth recognition every day.
The next Task Force meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 12th at IMPD East District Headquarters, 201 North Shadeland. Come say thank you and learn more about what makes East District special. The meeting is open to everyone.

Eagle Scout Honors Fallen Officers

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:09:58 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Eagle Scout Tony Wooten, a student at Franklin Township Middle School East, created a memorial as his Eagle Scout project to honor officers from Indianapolis Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Department and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department who were killed in the line of duty. In addition, Tony created an Honor Wall to display East District Officers of the Month. The memorial was dedicated on May 8th at East District IMPD headquarters with speeches by Chief Rick Hite and East District Commander James Waters. Tony is the first person in his family to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and many of his family members were present for the dedication. National Peace Officer Memorial Day is May 15th.

IMPD Explorers Among CERT Graduates

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:10:46 +0000

Have you ever wondered how you would react in a serious crisis? Would you freeze or panic? Would you know what to do and how to organize people around you to deal with the situation at hand?
For two CERT classes, a final exam on April 27th put those questions to the test during a simulation dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake. There were utilities to be cut off, fires to be put out, people to be rescued and given medical attention, and communications to be maintained by the various groups with the Incident Commander who coordinated efforts and deployed resources. Even knowing it was a simulation, the adrenaline ran high as everyone dealt with the crisis. It was hard to remember it was a test and the injured were volunteers acting as victims. With people scattered around calling for help or crying out, some trapped under piles of debris, at times it looked like mass chaos. In actuality it was a well organized effort by everyday people stepping up in response to immediate needs in a chaotic situation.
Twenty-nine private citizens from all over Marion County and 17 IMPD Explorers skillfully executed their responsibilities, resulting in successful completion of the exercise. Following a debriefing, participants were presented with certificates of course completion and issued backpacks containing basic necessities needed for emergency response efforts.
It was especially rewarding to see so many young people ages 14 to 19 involved in the program. The IMPD Explorer’s Post 435 is sponsored by IMPD and works with young people who have an interest in possible careers in law enforcement. They undergo training in a number of areas, go on field trips and volunteer at major events in Marion County assisting IMPD officers with traffic and crowd control. To learn more about the IMPD Explorer program, contact Officer Daniel Bullman or Sgt. George Long at 327-3105.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is a national program presented by the Office of Homeland Security. It is a 21-hour course preparing volunteers to assist in their neighborhoods should a major disaster prevent professional first responders (police, firefighters, medical crews, etc.) from reaching your area for days following major catastrophic events such as earthquakes, tornadoes or floods. Courses are offered several times a year. More information and schedules can be found online at www.indy.gov/dhs or by calling 327-3900.

Community Emergency Response Team

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:09:38 +0000

Reading the recent articles about the devastating Flood of 1913 it’s hard to imagine the damage incurred. Could it happen again? You bet. We should each take a minute to think about what we would do in our homes and neighborhoods if we were suddenly without power, clean water and easy access to food. There are about 800,000 people in Marion County. Realizing that due to the relatively limited number of professional first responders (police, firefighters, ambulances, etc.) it could take as long as three or four days for them to reach you, would your family have a plan?
Fortunately, there are people trained to assist in such situations. They are volunteers known as Community Emergency Response Teams. Most counties in Indiana have training sessions for teams, presented by Homeland Security, as part of a national network of CERT. In Marion County, the Indianapolis Division of Homeland Security is currently offering such training and there will be additional sessions starting in April, September and October. Each includes a total of 21 hours of training at 3-hour weekly classes, culminating in a simulated disaster to test the knowledge and skills gained during the training.
Volunteers are trained to locate and turn off utilities, extinguish small fires, treat minor injuries, perform light search and rescue operations, and relieve survivor stress. Teams are activated by Homeland Security to respond immediately after a disaster in their own neighborhood and assist emergency personnel when requested to do so. Of primary importance is the saving of lives, followed by safeguarding health, protecting the environment, and then the preservation of property. Homeland Security has a multitude of emergency plans in case of disasters from floods, tornadoes, ice storms, blizzards, and even terrorism. For instance, CERT volunteers will be involved in a disaster simulation this month to set up a center to dispense prescription drugs for survivors who have had to evacuate their homes.
If you are interested in going through CERT training, please contact the Marion County CERT online at www.indy.gov/dsh, email them at DHS@indy.gov or call 317-327-3900. There are about 90 languages spoken in Marion County, so people with language skills are always especially needed. Those with other specialized skills are also in demand. But the most important criteria is a simple desire to be a trained team member to assist in whatever way you are directed to help. There is a program for Teen CERT also for youths ages 12 and older (grades 6-12).

Security Systems: Are They Worth It?

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 05:09:33 +0000

At the March 13th meeting of the IMPD East District Task Force, guest speakers from two local alarm companies made presentations. Brian Weatherford of Multiguard Corporation said at the least you would probably want a motion sensor with a video camera option. This system provides a live feed directly to the company when an alarm is triggered. The company then reviews the video before calling 911 so you are not charged for false alarms caused by ransacking raccoons or a branch swaying in the wind setting off the alarm. The camera can be set up for infrared detection as well. If an intruder is caught on tape, 911 is called and dispatched to your home and the clip can be e-mailed to you so it can be provided as evidence to the IMPD investigators. Chris Koschnick of Guardhouse Security Services told us his company offers systems very similar to those of Multiguard. He added that medical and emergency alerts, fire and smoke detection, and both landline and cell phone connection are available as well.
There are some great advantages to having a home security system, if for no more than the peace of mind it can bring that your home is protected whether you are there or not. Some systems even provide an option for you to connect your monitoring system to your phone or computer if you just want to check it for yourself. Prices vary according to the options chosen and the company used but be sure you know what you’re paying for before having one installed.
Also it’s important to understand what a security system will and will not do for you. Services vary by plan and company, but let’s say you’ve chosen a good quality video camera triggered by motion, with an infrared capability so there is an image even in a dark room. An intruder breaks into your home while you’re away, the alarm goes off and the personnel at the company begin monitoring the feed from your cameras. They verify that it is, indeed, a burglary in progress and call 911 with all the appropriate information. Altogether, this has probably taken 3-4 minutes on average. An officer is dispatched immediately to your home and arrives in less than 10 minutes. But consider this: The average burglary takes approximately 8 minutes from the time they break in until they are out the door with all your jewelry and electronics. So what good would a security system do you if the burglary has been completed before an officer can arrive?
For one thing, having officers on the scene as soon after the burglary as possible allows them to look for evidence while it is still fresh. If you’re away on spring break and the crime is not reported for a week, much of the evidence may already have disappeared. A second benefit to having the security system is that the burglary has been caught on tape. If the quality is good enough, they can use it to help identify the criminal and it can be provided to the Prosecutor’s office to be used as evidence in a trial.
Daphne Whitmire of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office was an attendee at the Task Force meeting and said they rarely get a good video to assist in convicting burglars but it would certainly be helpful to them. The video will also help to document what was stolen. Daphne emphasized that you should keep a home inventory sheet listing all major electronics and appliances (at a minimum) with a record of the type, model, and serial number. Anything of value should be engraved with your name on it to help identify it. If the police find a cache during an arrest which includes six wide screen TVs, it’s impossible to identify which one is yours without such a list. If you can provide the inventory information when making your report to the police, they can contact you if your property is recovered.
In addition to being part of an active Neighborhood Crime Watch group, a home security system is certainly something to think about. If you are considering installation of a system, talk to several companies and compare services in addition to cost. Understand what you are buying, and what it will or will not do. Just having a security system can be a deterrent in itself because it’s always safer for a burglar to break into a home without security than it is to take a chance of being caught on tape.
The next IMPD East District Task Force meeting will be held on April 10th at 6:30 p.m. at IMPD East District Headquarters, 201 N. Shadeland (the old Eastgate shopping mall), south entrance. If you have a specific topic you would like to have addressed at the meeting, please contact Officer Tammie Peters at 327-6267.

Courtesy and Competition

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:09:11 +0000

Sometimes I think our society has become so competition oriented that we’ve forgotten many of the common courtesies that used to be taken for granted. No matter what we’re involved in, it seems we try to push harder, stretch further and go faster than anyone around us. Our sense of competition is part of what keeps our country moving forward because it’s a sign of ambition and working toward our dreams, but there are times when I wonder if we’ve lost the more subtle side. I used to chuckle at other drivers during my daily commute who whizzed past me far exceeding the speed limit, cutting from one lane to another and generally making a hazard of themselves. I wondered what they did for a living that they loved it enough to die for it or kill someone else in order to get to work.
It’s as if the sense of competition pervades every minute of every day, even on the road. It’s a simple fact that people sometimes do stupid things behind the wheel when you are in close proximity; it’s nothing personal. So why become embroiled in emotional outrage that someone else beat you to the stoplight or cut in front of you?
That takes us to the second part of the equation — courtesy. My basic premise in life is to not make anyone else’s life more difficult than it needs to be. I see lots of older people driving slower than the rest of traffic, gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles, because driving is the only way they have to go shopping or get to an appointment. Common courtesy dictates that I adjust my attitude and speed not to make their day any worse than it needs to be.
Back in the 1970’s there was a company in Canada that made family games, like board games. The big difference was that instead of trying to beat everyone else, you had to cooperate with the other players in order to succeed or everyone lost. Even in the 1970’s though, it was amazing how many people simply couldn’t do it. They’d start the game knowing what the group goal was and with the best of intentions, but as the game progressed, they would sabotage the effort because they just couldn’t comprehend a “win” without a single champion. Companies are finding younger employees unable to cope with commitment to team efforts and often they lack the courtesy skills as well.
Courtesy and cooperation start at home. When I was a teenager and rebelling against being told what to do, my whole family agreed that instead of having demands thrown at us, we would all use the same courtesy with each other that had been drilled into us (since infancy it seemed) with strangers. This didn’t change the power base or expectation of results, but it did create a less emotionally reactive response. Instead of being told to come to dinner, we were politely told that dinner was ready (with the understanding that we were to immediately present ourselves at the table). When we wanted something, we politely asked for what it was with a concluding “please” and received a courteous response in return. The premise was that we knew it was important to use please, thank you and other common courtesies with strangers, so it should be even more important to use them with people we loved. And it worked!
Growing up, all of my family members were active and busy but the one activity which was inviolate, was dinner. We arrived with hands washed, appropriately dressed (shirts on the men and no curlers in my hair). It didn’t matter if we were having chili or steaks, the TV was turned off, the phone was left unanswered and candles were lit. No one was excused from the table until everyone was finished, and conversation covered everything from our schedules to current events, world economy and ancient civilizations. We were all expected to contribute and respect each other’s time to talk. It provided excellent training for us. As we grew up and made lives of our own, there was never a time that we felt inadequate in any public setting because the courtesies and manners were so ingrained by then that they were automatic. We all raised children using the same etiquette rules. I remember telling my daughter once that she may never again need to know how to properly cut meat or which fork to use, but I never wanted her to feel at a disadvantage in a situation where she did need to know those things. At the time, I received the expected raised eyebrows but now that she’s grown, more than once she has thanked me for all the knowledge we gave her.
So go after your dreams to be the biggest baddest whatever out there, but remember that the things you do to get there affect every life that touches yours in any way. Courtesy costs you nothing and can make a world of difference to yourself and those around you. The next time you’re ready to raise your voice at some poor unaware motorist sharing the road, or interacting with family members, try a little courtesy and see if it makes a difference. I truly think it will.

Cell Phones and 911 Calls

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 06:05:49 +0000

Like it or not, the world has gone cyber. This has its good points and bad points, but on the good side is that if you have an emergency when you are not at home, chances are your cell phone is close at hand. When calling 911 from your land line, the address is automatically available even though the operator will verify it. The same is NOT true with a cell phone even if you have GPS. The GPS information received by the 911 Center from a cell phone can be as large as three football fields or more so it’s critical that you be as specific as possible in your directions. If you aren’t sure where you are look for landmarks, street signs or large buildings around you — anything that will help emergency personnel find you.
Your call may need to be transferred to another agency because cell phone areas do not necessarily follow map boundaries so even though 911 will get you started, your call may have to be transferred to, say, Lawrence or Speedway. If your emergency requires fire or ambulance services, you will be transferred to the appropriate dispatchers, so do NOT hang up during this transfer.
Seconds save lives. The more information the dispatcher has, the better information they can pass along to emergency personnel. In medical situations those dispatchers are specially trained to give emergency pre-arrival instructions, starting immediately. In any 911 situation, the dispatcher will need answers to the 6 W’s: Where is the emergency, What is the emergency, When did it happen; Who is involved; what is the Welfare of the person, and are Weapons involved? Cell phone coverage is not always reliable so if you are cut off, call back immediately rather than wait for the dispatcher to try to reach you. If you get a recording it’s probably because several people are calling about the same incident at the same time (such as a traffic accident) but STAY ON THE LINE because your call will be answered within seconds. Hanging up and calling again just puts you back at the end of line.
Not only is driving while calling dangerous but it increases the possibility of poor reception and makes it more difficult for emergency personnel to find you. If you cannot safely pull over then stay calm, pay attention to the roadway and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
Before traveling out of town, be sure to check first with your service provider to see how to reach the correct 911 answering point. With some providers your 911 call will go to the answer point nearest you but with others, you may end up talking to the one where you bought your phone. As an added precaution, it’s never a bad idea to look up the local emergency phone number and program it into your cell phone for any destination where you will be staying.
Be safe, but just in case of an emergency, be prepared.

Cool New Tools Aid Law Enforcement

Cynthia Orr — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:06:15 +0000

At the IMPD East District Task Force meeting on Feb 13th, Major Tom Kern shared a cool new mapping tool available online. It started as his brainchild when he was stationed at East District and has now been expanded to cover all of Marion County. The Web site can be found at maps.indy.gov. The site offers several mapping options including property ownership and crime reports and can be selected by specific address, by zip code or landmarks. The area selected can be expanded for more detail. All information provided is public information and no confidential information is shown on the site. If you’re interested knowing who an abandoned home belongs to or what crimes are being reported in a particular area, these maps are the tool that will give you that information. The aerial views are somewhat out of date but crime information is updated constantly as new reports are called in by IMPD officers. A caveat was given though about the type of crime shown on the list and we were reminded that the initial report may show, for instance, a domestic problem but as the investigation evolves the facts may change the crime category to assault or some other type. Subsequent reports at the same address for the same initial call would show the updated category. There’s a lot of information available on the site in addition to crime reports though, so check it out.
Also at the Task Force meeting, Lt Bruin reviewed year-to-date crime statistics compared to this time last year. In East District, violent crimes are up by 13 percent even though overall crimes are only up 3 percent. The increase in violent crimes is alarming and he once again urged people to please stay alert and to call 911 about any suspicious activity. IMPD relies on the eyes and ears of citizens. Obviously, the more information you can provide, the better the chances are for positive results, so be as detailed as possible as to number of suspects, sex, size, any distinguishing features like beards or tattoos, etc. More than one recent major drug bust has been successful because of a simple 911 call. Several attendees mentioned that often people don’t call for fear of retribution. To help alleviate those fears, Lt Elder, who is now in charge of both the narcotics and violent crimes units, handed out cards with three ways to make reports anonymously.
• Call Crimestoppers at 262-8477 (TIPS) or 800-222-8477
• Text “INDYCS” + your tip to 274637 (Crimes)
• Report online at CrimeTips.org
Lt. Elder said that even the police have no way of knowing where those tips come from and that any rewards available are handled through third parties. Sharon Tabard, supervisor at 911, repeated that in order to remain anonymous when calling 911, that should be the first thing you tell the 911 operator since officers are being deployed as soon as your call is answered even while the operator is still asking questions. Waiting until all the information is broadcast to say you want to remain anonymous is too late. She also reminded everyone that calls for in-progress crimes will always take precedence over calls not currently in-progress, but there will be a response to all calls.
The next East District Task Force meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. on March 13th at East District Headquarters, 201 N. Shadeland (Eastgate) and everyone is encouraged to participate.