Shift 1 Officer Rivera

Shift 2 Officer C. Hannold

Shift 3 Officer E. Perez

Shift One:	Karen Dietrich	954-828-5483	E-mail:  KDietrich@fortlauderdale.gov
Shift Two:	Lee Spector	954-828-5635	E-mail:  LSpector@fortlauderdale.gov
Shift Three:	Todd Peney	954-828-6649	E-mail:  TPeney@fortlauderdale.gov

 

---

Purse snatching in People's Park

March 3,2007

A lot of us get our exercise by jogging or walking in The People's Park but lately there have been reports of women who have had their purses stolen. They drive to the park and leave their purses in their car. Then when no one is looking a thief quickly breaks the car window and makes off with the purse. This is a crime that can be prevented. If you must take your purse, it should be put out of sight or locked in the trunk. You can also put any items you need in a fanny pack or in a pocket . Remember your purse should NEVER be left in plain sight in your vehicle.

January 22, 2007

Laptop Stolen: Pete Sheridan's car window was broken while it was parked in the lot at ANI Site on Riverland road and his laptop was stolen. This happened in broad daylight. The thief escaped in a silver Taurus, was African American and wore a white Tshirt.

This was a brazen robbery and we should all take care that we leave nothing of value in our cars. Especially in plain view.

Some suggestions to protect yourself and your property.

1)      Keep your vehicle doors locked.

2)      If you must leave anything of value in your vehicle, do not leave it in plain sight.. 

3)      Keep your garage door closed if you are not working in it. 

4)      Motion sensor lights around your home and on your dock can be a deterrent..

5)      Consider a silent boat lift alarm that goes off in your house if someone turns on your lift.  A sensor like Lo-Jack would be a good idea for valuable boats, too.  The cost may be less than your deductible.

6)      By their nature, yard sales attract people from out of the area and may bring the criminal element right to your front door.  Community sales are more secure.  If you are a LICIA member try our new free classified ad instead.

7)      If you will not be home to bring your trash cans in from the street, be sure to ask a neighbor or friend to bring them up close to the house.

8)      Ask for a stop for your newspaper delivery so the papers won't pile up on your lawn as an invitation to an � for burglars.

9)      Spend an hour writing down the model and serial number of the valuables in your home.  Even etching your initials on them allows the police to retrieve the items back from pawn shops.  Keep the list in a safe place other than on your computer which may be easily stolen.

10)  If you see any suspicious activity, whether on the canal or on the street, please call the police at (954) 828-5700 for non-emergencies or 911 if you feel it is an emergency.   You can remain anonymous if you prefer.

To see the latest statistics on crime in our neighborhood go to: http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/police/statistics/hoa/hoalauderdaleisles.html

---

DON`T BE A VICTIM :HERE`S HOW

 There is a serious threat of car burglaries. Some people view getting their wallet stolen as an inconvenience.  Unfortunately, there is more at stake than the hassle of waiting in line for a new driver’s license.   Burglary of belongings that contain personal information can lead to identity theft, which can have long-term repercussions.  Thieves who steal other people's identity often try to make purchases, obtain cable or utility services, forge checks, obtain wire transfers, open bank accounts and apply for credit, loans, or government benefits.  Victims of identity theft often have difficulty clearing their credit records and must invest a significant amount of time and energy to do so.  Imagine finding your dream home and being turned down for a mortgage loan because a burglar ruined your credit.  A damaged credit history can also increase the difficulty of finding a new job or renting an apartment, as employers and landlords often review credit records for new applicants. The more extensive the identity theft, the more difficult it will be to repair the damage.   In almost every single instance of a car burglary in our city, the victim left items of obvious value clearly visible in the passenger compartment of the car. 

 In more than half of the cases, the car was left unlocked with valuables in plain sight.

 Items most commonly stolen are: purses, wallets, cell phones, cash and laptops.  While a majority of these crimes are happening in busy parking lots in broad daylight, residential areas are also being targeted overnight.  Vehicle burglary is almost completely avoidable when a few simple steps are taken toward prevention.  We believe we can significantly reduce the number of vehicle burglaries if we get the message out and if simple precautions are taken.  The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) has been working for more than a year to raise awareness of this problem.  The FLPD has placed portable message board signs at strategic locations all along Federal Highway asking that everyone secure their valuables.  They have distributed thousands of prevention flyers to mall shoppers and have left leaflets on car windshields in parking lots.  They have written “Beat Watches” alerting residents when they see valuable items left in plain view.  They have also spoken at countless homeowners meetings and have drafted letters and articles for your neighborhood newsletters.   Unfortunately, this largely preventable crime is still occurring at an alarming rate.  We urge you to ask your residents and association members to make a conscious effort to lock all car doors and place valuables out of sight.  If you cannot take your belongings with you, place them in the trunk.  This applies even if you are only out of the car for a minute, such as running into daycare to pick up your child or pumping gas.  You can become a victim when you least expect it.   Together we can reduce the number of incidents of car burglary and identity theft if we all take a minute to protect our valuables. 

 Follow these simple steps to safeguard your vehicle and protect yourself against identity theft:

 Take valuables from your vehicle when you park, including: wallets, purses, store purchases, cell phones, laptops or any other item of value.

Be alert at gas stations and convenience stores.  Never leave a running or unlocked car unattended even for a                   moment!

 Do not leave bank statements, ATM cards, blank checks or credit cards in your vehicle.

Park in well-lit areas.

 Remember to take your keys, lock your doors and set the car alarm.

 It's your identity - do all you can to protect it!

Back to top

---

 TRAILER THEFTS!

 The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has also issued a warning concerning the increase in trailer theft.

There has been an increase in the theft of enclosed trailers. Keep in mind, hurricane season has begun. With the increasing number of illegal contractors that have migrated to this area, all trailers, enclosed or flatbed could become a target

Follow these steps to help us help you in preventing trailer theft.

1. Be sure to tongue lock your trailers at all times. The majority of trailers stolen have no locking device at all.

2. When parking your trailer, always try to block it in with another vehicle if it's detached and not in current use.

3. If your trailer is being towed by a vehicle, make sure the vehicle is secure; vehicles are stolen due to the attraction of what is possibly in the trailer.  3. If your trailer is being towed by a vehicle, make sure the vehicle is secure; vehicles are stolen due to the attraction of what is possibly in the trailer.   4. Park in well lighted areas; 50% of vehicle thefts happen at night. 5. Activate anti-theft devices - your alarm or steering wheel   lock.

6. Don't leave your registration or title in the trailer; keep them in your  wallet. These two documents make your trailer easier to sell.

Thank you for making your neighborhoods safer!

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department Auto Theft Unit

Fort Lauderdale Police Department Criminal Investigations Division 1300 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312         954-828-5496 -

Back to top

---