For
quick reference in reporting crimes or
suspicious activity, program our dispatch
phone number into the speed dial of your
home and cellular telephones.
Emergency Number: 9-1-1
Non Emergency: 713-365-3700
CHIEF’S CORNER
I recently talked to a woman in the Villages who was taken by a new internet scam. I received the following email this morning. It appeared to come from one of our Police Commissioners.
I really hope you get this fast,
I had to be in U.K for a short vacation.Unfortunately i got mugged at the park of the hotel where i stayed and muggers made away with my cell phone and my wallet.The wallet contained all the valuables I had. Now my passport is in custody of the hotel management pending when I make payment.I am sorry if i am inconveniencing you, but i have only very few people to run to in such a situation.
I will be indeed very grateful if i can get a loan of $2,750 us dollars from you,this will enable me sort my hotel bills and get my self a return ticket back home. I will really appreciate whatever you can afford in assisting me with via western union.
I promise to refund it as soon as I return. let me know if you can be of any assistance.Please let me know soonest.
Reply ASAP.
THIS IS A SCAM! DO NOT REPLY TO IT. As you can see, this can come from anyone. They use names from your email addresses to send the scam from. These types of scams typically originate oversees and are nearly impossible to prosecute. Please verify the origin of any email by phone before you send anyone money. Report such emails to the FBI Internet Crimes at www.ic3.org.
Haril Walpole, Chief of Police
Memorial Villages Police Department
Free Home Security Service Offered by Police Department
The Memorial Villages Police Department wants to remind all our residents that, in an effort to help our citizens better safeguard their home, we offer a free home security inspection service for the residents of Bunker Hill, Piney Point, and Hunters Creek Villages. MVPD has about a dozen officers certified by the state to conduct these inspections. Officers will check windows and door locks, and types of alarms for state-required minimum standards. Residents who pass the inspection are eligible for up to a 15% discount on their homeowners insurance. In addition to the state inspection, officers can make security suggestions concerning lighting, cameras, or how to secure your home when you are away.
“This service has been available for years, but very few people take advantage of it,” says Sergeant Haril Walpole, who coordinates the program. The police department is working towards getting the community more involved in crime prevention. Sergeant Walpole says, “Our officers work very hard to keep our community safe, but we can’t be everywhere, all of the time. We need more eyes and ears. That’s where the community can help.”
Residents can get a handout from the police department that explains the requirements for the insurance discount, as well as some additional security tips. The information can be picked up at the police station or sent by mail or email. For further information please see free to contact Sergeant Walpole at hwalpole@mvpdtx.org or 713.365.3712.
CRIME ANALYSIS SUMMARY
For the period of
December 23rd through December 29th, 2011
BUNKER
HILL
On December 26th an officer responded to the 12200 block of Memorial Drive for a vehicle driving recklessly that caused damage to city property.
On December 28th a resident in the 200 block of Gessner reported the rear window of their vehicle being broken out. Nothing was taken from the vehicle.
On December 24th a resident in the 11700 block of Long Leaf reported a found bicycle in front of their residence. The bicycle was taken and secured at the police department until the owner could be located.
On December 27th a resident in the 11500 block of Habersham reported unknown persons entered a building under construction and removed some construction equipment.
PINEY POINT
No activity reported.
HUNTERS
CREEK
On December 24th a Houston resident reported a theft on his cellular telephone while he was inside a business located in the 8500 block of Katy Freeway.
On December 26th a resident in the 800 block of Creek Wood Way reported a window broken out of the vehicle that was parked in front of the residence. Nothing was taken from inside the vehicle.
Crime Prevention Tips
This week I am going to talk about some burglary prevention ideas. I have inundated you with information about residential alarms and lighting, but there are a couple other options that I would like to bring to your attention.
Fake TV: This is a small lamp that costs around $30. I can be set to come on at dusk and is designed to be placed inside the house and it emits a pattern of light that looks like a TV is on inside the house. The intent is to make a potential intruder think someone is watching TV in the home.
Dog Toys: Even if you don’t have a dog, a few “big dog” toys or a food bowl on the back porch can stop someone lurking in your back yard from even approaching the house. Burglars tend to stay away from houses with dogs inside.
Car in Driveway: If all your vehicles will be gone while you are away, ask a neighbor to park in your driveway. Any indication that someone MIGHT be home is enough to make a burglar move on.
Of course you can place your house on the “housewatch” list by going to www.mvpdtx.org and submitting the information electronically. We will accept house watch requests through the non -emergency police line 713-365-3700, but there may be a delay, depending on the call volume.
Mark Stokes
Detective
Memorial Villages Police Department
Emergency Number: 9-1-1