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Oct-Nov-Dec 2016 Inside This Issue:

Cop’s Corner

Halloween Safety Tips

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

Important Contact Numbers

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Upcoming Captains’ Meetings

Police Headquarters Building 223 N. Memorial Drive Multi-Purpose Room*** (1st Floor) 7:00 PM

Upcoming dates; - October 4th, National Night Out Event, Hill Park - November 1st - December 6th - January 3rd ***Meeting locations may be changed

Please use these IPD resources

www.indepmo.org/actioncenter.public/

Action Center: While you can’t make official police

reports on it at this time, the action center is a great tool

for making complaints or inquiries with various city

departments. The police department takes all types of

complaints ranging from reporting a drug house,

neighborhood problems and traffic complaints.

www.raidsonline.com

Raidsonline: This easy and interactive website allows you

to view information on all crime reports made to the

police department. The interactive map is updated six

times a day and has a lot of neat features including crime

alert emails and submitting anonymous tips on past

reported crime.

www.facebook.com/ipdinfo

Facebook: Our Facebook page is another great resource.

We often post info about crime in Independence, police

department news as well as occasional crime prevention

Cop’s Corner

LIKE us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ipdinfo

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S - Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

A - Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

F - Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

E - Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.

H - Hold a flashlight or light stick while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.

A - Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent irritation.

L - Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

L - Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

O - Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

W - Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

E - Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook.

E - Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.

N - Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests? Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone:

Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. For

party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.

Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose

of 60 minutes of physical activity.

Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.

Keep candle-lit jack o'lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings,

and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small

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Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

REMINDER: If you have not already done so, please register your Neighborhood Watch group for 2016. Each group must register every year to be credited as an official group. You can pickup the registration form and a Neighborhood Watch Program Guidebook at the Englewood Substation or I can email you a copy of each. (send me an email and I’ll send them). Please drop off your form at the Englewood Substation (1717 S. Appleton), or email it to us. Your form will be added to our records as an ACTIVE watch group. Re-member all because you have a Neighborhood Watch sign in your neighborhood, your group may not be ACTIVE!

1.) The holidays is a great time to get to know your

neighbors - Step out of your house and introduce yourself

2.) Parking lot safety tips for holiday shoppers - Shop

during daylight hours, lock your car, and hide valuables

3.) Stay alert of your surroundings when shopping - Be

wary of strangers approaching you and avoid having your

hands full (too many gifts and cell phones)

4.) Shop with friends - there is safety in numbers, try not to

go alone

5.) Tips for shopping with children - Keep a close eye on

kids at all times, teach them who to contact (security or infor-

mation desk) if you become separated

6.) Tips for Shopping Online - Before providing personal

or financial information check the web site’s privacy policy

and reviews of the site

7.) Have a safe place to have items delivered - Have the

items shipped to a friend’s or a relative’s residence that is

home during the day or let your neighbor keep an eye out for

the deliveries

8.) Keep your home safe during the holidays - Keep pre-

sents out of view as long as possible, lock your doors and win-

dows at all time.

9.) Inform a relative or a trusted neighbor of your holi-

day travel plans - have them pick up your mail and newspa-

pers

10.) Celebrate the holidays responsibly - Watch how

much you drink, DON”T DRINK AND DRIVE

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Independence Neighborhood Watch 1717 S. Appleton Avenue

Independence, MO 64052

Fax: 816-325-7647

Neighborhood Watch Program Coordinator

Officer Luis Virgil

Phone: 816-325-7643

E-Mail: lvirgil@indepmo.org

www.indepmo.org/neighborhoodwatch

E-mail us your

crime prevention and

neighborhood watch articles

LIKE us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/ipdinfo

Emergency: 911 Non-Emergency/Information: 325-7300 Drug Activity: 325-6272 (NARC) Traffic Safety: 325-7290 Neighborhood Watch: 325-7643 Crime Prevention Officer: 325-7643 Public Information Officer: 325-7258 Hawthorne Place Apartments Officers: 257-7824 Independence Center Officers: 325-7876 Police K9 Unit: 325-7872

10 Action Principles of

Crime Prevention

Preventing crime is:

1. Everyone’s business

2. More than security

3. A responsibility of all levels and agencies of

government

4. Linked with solving social problems

5. Cost-effective

Preventing crime requires:

6. A central role in law enforcement

7. Cooperation and collaboration by all

elements of the community

8. Education

9. Tailoring to local needs and conditions

10. Continual testing and improvement

Important Telephone Numbers

If you are not on our E-mailing list, please email

lvirgil@indepmo.org and request to be added.

Don’t forget to REGISTER your

watch group for 2016

“Keeping President Harry S. Truman’s Hometown Safe”