Crime Prevention Unit Completes Two Important Training Classes

This week, officers of the Leland Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit completed two training classes that will directly impact the Leland community.  One was the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and the other is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

Officer Michael Landen, Leland's Crime Prevention Officer, attended the Governor's Crime Commission (GCC) CPTED class in Shelby, NC.  This class teaches officers how to recognize techniques in reducing crime and victims of crime with the utilization of better lighting, security and landscaping techniques, to name a few.  Often overlooked, correcting simple problems such as overgrowth, neglect of facilities and making a business or home less appealing to criminals is often the only steps needed to prevent common crimes of opportunity, such as breaking and entering and robberies. 

Officer's Spence and Pierce (pictured with Chief Jayne) attended CIT, hosted by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and through the Southeastern Center for Mental Health in Wilmington.  Participants learned the importance of identifying individuals who may be suffering from mental illness during a police response and better ways of assisting them in their situations.  "It is easy to become jaded in this career field and forget our primary responsibility is to help people," one officer said at the graduation on Friday.  "This class reminded us that we often focus on the crime and often forget about the individuals.  Sometimes there are better options then arrest, especially if someone is suffering from a mental illness."  This was reiterated by a mother whose daughter was helped by a CIT officer years ago.  "Thier understanding of her situation and patience they demonstrated in getting the help she needed was the first step in her being able to deal with her mental condition even today."

Chief Jayne has advocated both of these programs as part of his commitment to Leland in creating a cooperative relationship between the police and citizens as well as addressing its ever changing needs and expectations of the police department.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

As the hurricane season intensifies, it is a good idea to be prepared for any pending emergencies.  Here are some ideas provided by the Wilmington Star News to help you ride out any possible storms:

Necessities

At least 7 gallons of water per person

Battery-operated television or radio

Spare batteries

Manual can opener

Flashlights and waterproof matches

Toilet paper

Baby supplies

Cash (ATMs may not work after the storm)

Change for pay phones

Rain gear/sunscreen/hat

Bleach or water purification tablets

Soap and detergent

Charcoal/lighter fluid or camping stove

Disposable plates, glasses and utensils

Ice chest and ice

Valuable papers, or copies, in a waterproof bag

Prescription and other necessary medicines

Blankets, tarp and masking tape

Three day's worth of clothing, sleeping bags

First aid kit, scissors, tweezers, bug spray

Food

Baby food and baby formula

Canned meats (Spam, chicken, ham)

Canned fish (tuna, sardines)

Canned meals: spaghetti, soup, stew, chili

Canned fruits and vegetables

Cereal, crackers and cookies

Coffee, tea, sodas, juice

Granola bars and nuts

Peanut butter and jelly

Pudding

When the storm approaches

Listen for weather updates

Check gas, oil in vehicle

Check your emergency evacuation supplies

Board up or put storm shutters on windows

Clear your yard of loose objects, bicycles, lawn furniture, trash cans, etc.

Leave swimming pools filled. Super chlorinate the water, cover pump, filtration systems and intakes.

If you can stay home

Obtain, mark clean containers for storing water.

Obtain a week's supply of nonperishable foods. Check your disaster supplies kit.

Stay inside away from windows.

If you must evacuate

Turn off water and electricity at the main valve, breakers or fuses.

Turn off propane gas tanks that serve individual appliances like a stove or grill. Do not turn off natural gas unless local officials advise to do so.

Leland/County Experience Vehicle Break Ins

It's becoming a broken record - thieves break into unlocked vehicles, stealing cellphones, small electronic devices and other items left in the cars.  Additionally, two cars were stolen in the area where, in one case, keys to the vehicle had been left in the glove box.

This marks at least the third incident in Leland over the past year where cars have been broken into, targetted solely because their owners left them unlocked and items plainly visible inside.

"We have posted warnings and used all the resources we can possibly think of to alert the public to lock their car doors and remove items such as computers, cellphones and cash so they will not be a target of these types of crimes", said Lt Charles Bost who is in charge of the Crime Prevention Unit.  "I'm sure most people have taken the proper measures to ensure they are not victims of these types of crimes by locking their car doors and removing their valuables.  However, when we receive these reports and, especially, several of them at once, its clear we have not convinced everyone." 

On Thursday night, houses in Snee Farm and Stoney Creek were rummaged through.  As of twelve noon on Friday, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Department, who has jurisidiciton of part of the two housing areas not incorporated in Leland, had taken reports of five car B&E's and one stolen vehicle.  Leland was investigating two motor vehicle break-ins and one stolen vehicle.

"We realize that we are not the only community that has this problem but it sometimes feels like an exercise in futility.  We have advised Neighborhood Watch Programs and HOA's about reminding their residents to lock their car doors and remove items from them but we still get reports like the ones we are working on now," said Lt Bost.  "The only way these types of crimes can be reduced or elminated is if the community works with the police in making their vehicles and homes less accessible to criminals."

Citizen Police Academy Graduate Inspired To Become Police Officer

Chris Winder had heard about the problems with residential breaking and enterings in his neighborhood.  His Neighborhood Watch Program had kept him informed through his "iNeighbor's" emails but he wanted to do more.  Then he heard about the Leland Police Department's Citizen Police Academy that was starting up soon.  He decided that maybe, through this program, he could learn more about what he could do to help out in his community, as well as what the police did.  And he figured, one night a week was not much time to contribute to this program.

He applied and was accepted into the class but did not realize at that time how "eye-opening" the experience would be.  "I was in corporate retail operations for 10 years, supervising 5 store managers and making good money but I wasn't happy.  I didn't enjoy going to work and the stress wasn't made up by the pay, so I quit.  I really didn't know what I wanted to do.  I knew I did want to become more involved in helping out in my community and that led me to the Citizen Police Academy."  Chris added, "what impressed me was the officers that came in to teach the classes - classes in narcotics, traffic, and investigations.  I also was struck by how much they seemed to enjoy their job even though they had so much to know and do."  That is when Chris realized that he might want to be a police officer.  He entered the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Program at Brunswick Community College this spring, the first step in police certification in North Carolina.  

Since the classes are at night, Chris decided to volunteer with the Leland Police Department during the day, helping with general tasks like fleet maintenance or anything else they might need a hand in doing.  He also takes time to study his material for BLET, asking officers and staff questions that come up in his classes.  "I'm thoroughly enjoying myself - and know this is the right choice for me.  Police work is tough, demanding, and stressful and things don't always go they way you might want them to but, at the end of the day, I know they enjoy doing what they do.  I saw it with the instructor's; I hear it when the officers talk about calls they go on.  They genuinely enjoy being police officers.  Wanting to come to work each day and enjoying your job - that's what everybody wants."

Leland Introduces its Crime Prevention Unit

In a effort to better address the needs and concerns of the community, as well as integrate the concepts of Chief Jayne's Community Problem Oriented Policing, the Leland Police Department reorganized its Community Resource Officer into a Crime Prevention Unit.

This reorganization is more then just a name change.  Previously, the Community Resource Officer (CRO) Program tried to focus on too many areas with little guidance or direction.  What the Crime Prevention Unit will do is focus back on what the goals of Community Policing have been over the past 30 years - working with communities to prevent crime and address "quality of life issues".  It also expands the program to include, not only a Crime Prevention Officer (CPO), but now the bike unit, which is comprised of Officers Joe Pierce and Josh Spence.  They will be a critical resource that allows the public greater access to police officer not tethered to their patrol cars responding call to call.  Rebecca Edwards, the Animal Control Officer (ACO), will also fall under the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU).

Under the supervision of Lt Charles Bost, the Support Services Division Commander, the programs that the CPU will focus on will be revitalizing the Neighborhood Watch Programs, reorganizing the Business Watch Program, and introduce Community Educational Presentations that will include Financial Identification Fraud and Computer Safety, to name a few.  The CPU will also deal with issues that may not directly involve violations of laws but fall under what are general known as "nuisance" calls, such as barking dogs and loud noise complaints.  Several of these have already been addressed by Officer Michael Landen (CPO) and ACO Edwards.  The final piece of the CPU will be communication with the citizens of Leland through personal contact and employing technologies such as Facebook and Twitter.

The CPU has already began working on these issues.  On June 19th, they participated in Wal-Mart's Safety Month program with a display of programs offered by the department and information on personal and home safety and security.  They have also been visible at the Movies in the Park and the Farmer's Market and have several other projects and programs in the works.

Residents of Leland are encouraged to contact the Crime Prevention Unit with their concerns and questions at (910) 332-5002 or by email at cpu@townofleland.com.   Also, you can visit the Leland Police Department's web-page and follow the links to the CPU's Facebook and Twitter pages.

Cameras help ease Wilmington traffic

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- Waiting for a traffic light to turn green can be frustrating. The City of Wilmington is out to make your commute much easier.

In a joint project with the state Department of Transportation, the city has installed 30 cameras at major intersections in Wilmington. Engineers can operate the cameras in a control room to manage traffic flow on overcrowded roads. The new system will allow better timing and coordination of traffic signals.

"For example, during the construction of Independence Blvd., we've used the cameras to notice that lanes were shut down in real time, made adjustments to the traffic signals to try to reallocate that green and reduce delay for the motorists," city traffic engineer Don Bennett said. "We've seen motor vehicle accidents where multiple lanes are blocked, and we will either retime that individual signal, or if we notice people are detouring around the incident to other signals, we can make adjustments to those."

The project has been in the works for the past seven years and cost $8 million. 

To view a map of the available cameras, please go to the following link:

http://www.ci.wilmington.nc.us/quick_links/residents/traffic_cameras.aspx

This link as also been added under this pages LINK as "Live Wilmington Traffic Cameras" and on the Leland PD Website page.

LPD's "Prescription Drug Drop Box" Holds Pounds of Discarded Drugs

Over 18 months ago, the Leland Police Department initiated a program to collect prescription drugs that had either expired or were no longer being taken. The genesis behind this program was to remove unwanted prescription drugs from general circulation, drugs that have begun, over the past years, to be abused and used by individuals who were not intended to have them.  This includes children in schools that take them from medicine cabinets to trade or sell, a problem that has grown over the past few years and has now become a greater problem then other traditionally abused and sold drugs, such as marijuana.  Use of prescription drugs has also increased in severity with older drug users who have moved from selling cocaine and heroin to also include prescription drugs, such as hydrocodone and Zanex.  Their desire to obtain these drugs have led to increases in break-ins into houses to steal them, as well as stealing them from pharmacies by prescription fraud or strong arm robberies.  Voluntary turn-in of unwanted prescription drugs can help prevent these abuses and crimes. 

On Wednesday, April 28th, the Leland Police Department held a press conference to display the contents of the it's “Prescription Drug Drop Box” that has collected pounds and pounds of narcotics.  Dropping them off at the police department is safer and more environmentally responsible then flushing them down the toilet or pouring them down the drain.  These drugs will be destroyed with the assistance of federal agencies so that they can not return to circulation and potentially be abused.


If you have prescription drugs that have expired or you no longer wish to have in your house, please bring them to the Leland Police Department and place them in the Prescription Drug Drop Box for destruction.


For further information concerning prescription drug abuse, go to http://www.theantidrug.com.

Commonly abused drugs:

Painkillers

Painkillers are drugs commonly prescribed for pain and are only legally available by prescription.

Painkiller abuse can be dangerous, even deadly, with too high a dose or when taken with other drugs, like alcohol. Short-term effects of painkiller abuse may include lack of energy, inability to concentrate, nausea and vomiting, and apathy. Significant doses of painkillers can cause breathing problems. When abused, painkillers can be addictive.

Brand names include: Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine, OxyContin, and Percocet.

Depressants

Depressants, or downers, are prescribed to treat a variety of health conditions including anxiety and panic attacks, tension, severe stress reactions, and sleep disorders. Also referred to as sedatives and tranquilizers, depressants can slow normal brain function.

Health risks related to depressant abuse include loss of coordination, respiratory depression, dizziness due to lowered blood pressure, slurred speech, poor concentration, feelings of confusion, and in extreme cases, coma and possible death.

Brand names include: Klonopin, Nembutal, Soma, Ambien, Valium, and Xanax.

Stimulants

Stimulants, or uppers, are most commonly prescribed for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but they are also used to treat a variety of conditions such as asthma, respiratory problems, obesity, and sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. When taken in higher doses, these drugs can produce euphoric effects and counteract sluggish feelings.

Health risks related to stimulant abuse include increased heart and respiratory rates, excessive sweating, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, hostility and aggression, and in severe abuse, suicidal/homicidal tendencies, convulsions, and cardiovascular collapse.

Brand names include: Concerta, Dexedrine, and Ritalin.

Cape Fear Bridge May Experience Closings

NCDOT may be closing lanes of the Cape Fear Bridge from May 28, 2010 - June 11, 2010 for maintenance.


The hours of closure may be as follows:


Monday - Saturday: 9AM - 3PM
               Saturday: 7PM - 6AM


Actual road closure may include:


Monday - Thursday: 7PM - 5AM


Additional lane closings and postings can be found on the "Links" section of this blog under NCDOT, as well as postings on our Nixel Alerting System.

Thieves Break Into Local Businesses on Village Road

Thieves smashed in glass window panes in businesses located at the Leland Business Center sometime during the night of March 11th - 12th, stealing computers, portable radios and cash.  The businesses that were hit in the poorly lit area were the Leland Copy Center and Bella's Boutique, a retail clothing store specializing in school uniforms and clothing.

Though material items were taken and substantial damage received at the businesses, the damage, according to one employee at Bella's, goes further then that.  What they are most upset about is more then just the material loss, for Bella's is more then just a retail clothing store. Bella's also offers services to children that may have problems at school, home or in just dealing with being children.  They provide counseling and assistance with juvenile coping skills, such as anger issues or problems with school work.  Beyond the retail store, there are several rooms designed to allow kids to work together on team-building and problem-solving projects, providing a place to speak to certified counselors and help both children and parents identify possible behavioral problems.  Many students are referred to Bella's by other social workers and programs.

"We'll fix the damage and replace the clothes, toys and other items taken.  It just hurts to think people would do something like this when we have the community's best interests at heart."

Often we forget about the victims and don't remember how crimes can impact people more then just a callous disregard for someone else's property.  Sometimes, it impacts people more then just replacing material goods, as with Bella's.

Detectives are aggressively investigating this case.  If anyone has information concerning this crime, please contact the Leland Police Department.

Third Citizen's Police Academy Kicks-Off in Leland

On March 3rd, the Leland Police Department welcomed nine Leland residents to the Department's third Citizen's Police Academy.  The Citizen's Police Academy is an effort by the police department to familiarize citizens with some of the aspects involved with being a police officer, including training in traffic, SWAT, and domestic violence, as well as other job requirements and responsibilities.

There are many things that police officers do that the general public may not realize they do, Chief Timothy Jayne told the class in his introduction.  He emphasized that this was a good way for individuals not trained as police officer to see that it is more then just patrolling the town and catching criminals or speeders.  In fact, being a police officer requires preparation to respond at a seconds notice to situations that may sometimes prove to be serious if not life-threatening, both to victims and officers alike.

This point was reiterated by former graduates of the program who told the new "recruits" that what they learned proved to be invaluable in understanding what officers do, an understanding that created a greater interest in them to work with their Neighborhood Watch Programs and volunteer at the police department.  Its with citizen participation that allows us to combat some of the issues of crime and other problems in our community Chief Jayne said.

The program will last approximately 12 weeks and graduation will be in early May with a recognition ceremony at May's Town Council Meeting.

January/February Crime Stats Indicate Break-Ins Still a Problem

The Leland Police Department conducted its second in what will be a monthly briefing of the Chief, Division Commanders and Sergeants concerning crime trends and analysis. These Crime Statistics, or COMPSTAT, meetings are part of Chief Jayne's Community Problem Oriented Policing (C-POP) initiative to identify and address crime trends or nuisance calls through a combination of traditional policing techniques and innovative cooperative efforts with other town departments, such as code enforcement and public works, private and commercial businesses, and Leland residents.

The analysis of the Crime Trends indicated that property crimes dominated crimes that are experienced by Leland residents, accounting for 64% of reported crimes in January and 70% in February. These crimes include break-ins, fraud, larcenies and property damage. Of these, break-ins into unlocked vehicles where property such as wallets, cell-phones and computers were left in plain view continued the trend experienced in previous months. Efforts have been made to address these issues through increased patrols and citizen awareness but vehicles continue to remain unlocked and property removed. The issue of addressing these "soft targets" will now be addressed by Corporal Rob Ernest, the department's Community Resource Officer, by ensuring that Neighborhood Watch Programs are made aware of these trends and provided methods to ensure residents know to lock their vehicles and remove property from inside them.

Shoplifting also appeared to be a problem, especially at Wal-Mart, with officers responding to 20 shoplifting calls over the past 2 months.

Sergeants Clarke, Naughton and Otto addressed crimes specific to each "beat". In District 1 - the area off of Village Road and Old Fayetteville and including Windsor Park - experienced the highest level of reported crimes, including 14 residential break-ins over the past two months. A majority of these break-ins occurred in the newer, less populated areas of Windsor Park and increased patrols and coordination with the Neighbor Watch Program in Windsor Park was recommended. District 1 also included several police initiated contacts with individuals in "suspicious" situations and DWI's.

In District 2 - Waterford, Magnolia Greens, Lanvale Road and Greyson Park - larcenies accounted for the majority of reported crimes. Though this included 2 larcenies from motor vehicles and 6 larcenies of motor vehicles - all of which were recovered - District 2 experienced the lowest level of reported crimes (41).

District 3 - Westport, Mallory Creek and areas east and south of US 17, 74 and 76 - were dominated by shoplifting from Wal-Mart. The second highest reported crimes were traffic offenses, which included 9 crashes, one DWI and one hit-and-run.

Finally, Sgt Hank Smith addressed repeat and nuisance calls which included responses to false alarms and school bus/driver related offenses, such as illegal passing. Adopting fees for repeated calls to false alarms are being explored while a meeting with school officials concerning the bus issue has already been conducted to address their issue.

By continuing this effort of crime analysis and addressing crimes through both traditional and non-traditional methods, it is hoped that the Leland Police Department can better address the concerns of their residents.

Leland Police Use Nixle Alerts for Construction/Snow Storm

Recent events in our community have proven the effectiveness of the Nixle Alerting System, a free system being used by the the Leland Police Department to better inform the Leland community of emergencies and events that could impact them.

In the beginning of February, subscribers to Nixle were informed of the pending DOT project to widen Village Road from the US 17/74/76 Bridge to South Navassa Road beginning on February 8th and lasting several months.  Though the project is still in the staging phase, Nixle will be used to update the community as to the progress or specific construction as DOT informs the police department.

More recently, on February 12th, as information was obtained that a pending snow event could be expected in Leland, the Leland/Nixle community was sent advisories and alerts as the situation escallated from rain, to a chance of snow to the 3 - 5 inches that fell that Friday Night and into Saturday morning.  These alerts included cautions concerning icing of the bridges and black ice.

Keeping the community informed is one of the primary responsibilities of the Leland Police Department and Nixle is proving itself as an important tool in reaching that goal.

If you are not a subscriber to Nixle, you may subscribe for free at http://local.nixle.com/leland-police-department/.

Routine Patrol Nabs Daytime Burglar

While on routine patrol near the Food Lion on Reed Road, Sgt Jim Otto saw an individual coming from the tree line that appeared to be out of place.  As he got out of his vehicle and approached the individual who informed Sgt Otto that he was homeless, he was asked a series of routine field interview questions, including if he was in possession of a firearm.  When the individual, later identified as Forrest Howard Cobb of 1115 Wellington Avenue in Wilmington, informed Otto he did have a gun in his backpack, Otto was asked and given permission to look in the bag.  What Cobb did not reveal was that he was also in possession of approximately $2900 worth of stolen property he had recently removed from a house in Windsor Park.


Cobb, who has been previously charged with auto larceny in Wilmington, had just broken into 1518 Pine Harbor Drive and removed property which included a $650 laptop, iPod, mobile phones, digital camera, jewelry and a semi-automatic handgun with three magazines and holster.  Cobb gained access by throwing an ornamental turtle located in the yard through the kitchen window located in the back of the house.  Investigation also revealed that Cobb attempted to steal a motorcycle but had to remove it through the kitchen and out the back-door since the garage door was locked.  The motorcycle was recovered behind the residence.


Cobb, who is on probation, was charged with breaking and entering, larceny and damage to property.  He was placed on a $10,000 secure bond.

LPD Assists In Arrest of Murder Fugitive

Leland Police officers assisted members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force in arresting Angus "Gus" Louis Richardson, 24, of 3751 Ridgewood Ave in Brookhaven, PA.  Richardson was wanted in reference to a shooting that occurred on December 28th in Chester, PA that resulted in the death of Otis Bullock, 21.


Information was received that Richardson was staying with family members at 106 Hill Lane in Leland.  He was captured without incident.


Richardson is alleged to have fired multiple shotgun rounds at a group of individuals that included Bullock brothers from a parked in a white SUV while the group was standing on a street corner. Otis Bullock was hit in the chest and died of his injuries; Leon Bullock, 19, was shot in the leg and is recovering from the severe injuries.


The incident apparently stems from an argument between Richardson's girlfriend and Bullock's sister, Tanisha Jenifer.  The women, who were friends, got into the argument over the phone on the day of the shooting, when Richardson intervened and threatened Jenifer.  Jenifer, in turn, informed her brothers of the threat who then proceeded with friends to Richardson's residence and confront him about it. It is this confrontation that is believed to have provoked the attack by Richardson on the individuals that resulted in the death of Otis Bullock.


Richardson is currently being held without bond in the New Hanover County Jail pending extradition to Pennsylvania.

Thieves Hit Unlocked Vehicles - Again

Sometime between Sunday, January 10th and Wednesday, January 13th, criminals broke into seven vehicles in Lanvale Trace.  Three of the vehicles had items stolen from them, three that had keys left in them were stolen and one received property damage.  Though all the stolen vehicles were located in woods near Leland, all were damaged.  These incidents have led to concerns in the neighborhood fueled by unsubstantiated reports of several unreported break-ins that have occurred there over the past few days.

What all of these vehicles had in common were that they were all left unlocked.  Like the rash of breaking and enterings that occurred in October of last year where 95% of the vehicles broken into were left unlocked, criminals target what are known as "soft targets" - those targets that require little effort or work to break into.  What made these vehicles even more desirable targets was the fact that items were left in them that were both of some monetary value and in plain sight.

There are several things that can be implemented to address this problem.  One is to conduct what are known as "saturation patrols" where officers move into an area where crime has been identified to either catch or discourage criminals from returning to that area.  The concern with this approach is that (1) crime is usually moved to another location, such as adjoining neighborhoods; (2) requires manpower which Leland does not have and; (3) leaves the remaining parts of Leland unpatrolled and unprotected.

Another approach is known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or CPTED.  This involves identifying what conditions, other then unsecure vehicles with keys and property left in them, that is attracting criminals to this area.  This may include street lighting, road design or simple landscaping that prevents suspicious individuals from being detected due to overgrown shrubbery or trees, that may block the view of observant residents.  This, combined with an active Community Watch Program, can discourage criminals from ever entering a neighborhood to commit crime.

However, the simplest and quickest way to curtail this type of crime is not to give criminals the opportunity or items to steal or damage; in other words, lock your vehicles and remove property from inside them.  A locked vehicle will usually be passed by due to the time and effort required to break-in.  Locked cars are also less desirable if there is no property of value visible in the vehicle, such as laptop computers, wallets, purses or cash.  Parking in a well lit area or driveway that is lit is also a good deterrent.

These simple tips can prevent you from being a victim of a vehicle break-in or theft.

(Pictures courtesy of WECT - http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=11817084)