Credit Cards

• Credit cards are as good as cash and clerks rarely check identification. Most credit card companies hold the owner responsible for all purchases until the card is reported lost. To prevent credit card loss:
• Keep your credit cards in a safe place.
• Report any losses immediately.
• Take only the cards you will need for shopping.
• Check your credit card statements for accuracy.
• Keep a record of your credit cards and phone numbers to call if they're lost or stolen.

Deliveries

• Do not give criminals an easy opportunity.
• Schedule deliveries for times when you are at home.
• Make arrangements to have your parcels delivered to a neighbor if you are unable to be at home.
• If you live in a multi-unit building, bring packages left outside for your neighbors into a secured area.

Cash

• The tendency to carry large amounts of cash is greater during the holidays. If you must carry cash:  Take only the amount you plan to spend when shopping.
• Keep all money in a safe place - never leave your purse or wallet unattended or out of your sight/immediate control.
• Avoid flashing your money in public.
• Stay aware of who is near you at ATMs or cash registers

Home security during the holidays

• Many people keep their gifts out for days during the holidays. Homes are also more vulnerable, given the time spent away from home shopping or visiting. Don't display what you have.
• Close the blinds/curtains at night or while you're away.
• Garage locks are usually the weakest locks you have. Avoid hiding presents in the garage. A second-story closet or attic offers you safer storage.
• Break up boxes, especially for purchases like TVs. Bundle inside out and only put out to your collection point on the pick up day. Don't advertise what you have.
• A holiday light display (inside or outside) shows ownership and increases the overall lighting in the area.

Transporting gifts in your car

• Never leave gifts unattended or in the back seat of your car. This invites opportunity for a thief to break into your vehicle.
• Always lock your car.  Lock all purchases in the trunk.
• Pick up major items at the end rather than the beginning of a shopping trip.
• Immediately remove all purchases from your car when you return home.

• Know your charities and retailers.
• Fake charities: If you're asked for a donation, verify the legitimacy of the charity before giving. 
• Gift cards: Only purchase gift cards from trusted retail outlets.  Make sure gift cards have not been tampered with before
  purchasing. 
• Scam emails and online shopping: Shop only at trusted retail sites. Do not respond to unsolicited emails or click on their links.

Anonymous Tips 

• TEXT your tips to 847 411 (TIP411). Enter MPD, a  space, then your tip
• APPS: download free MPDTip app on your iPhone or Android smartphone
• Also access MPD Tip online at MPD Facebook and www.minneapolismn.gov/police

The new app and text number do not collect a user's phone number, IP address or e-mail address. Each tip gets assigned a six-digit number that the department uses to manage the information.

The MPD is encouraging people to use the app or to send a text message if they have information on cold cases, drug activity, homicides, robberies, or want to share any other information that they think will be useful to the MPD in solving or even preventing crimes.

Tipsters are encouraged to include as much detailed information as they can as that helps the MPD determine if the tip pertains to a particular case or an active investigation.

All tips are 100% anonymous

Text messages cannot be traced

Two-way interaction with police

MPD investigators respond to texts

NOT to be used as a replacement of 911 or 311*

*If you have an emergency or need an emergency responder, call 911.The app is also not meant to replace the City's 311system nor meant to report on chronic neighborhood crime and livability concerns.  

311 app

Download the free 311 app in the App store or Google Play. With it, you can report issues to Minneapolis 311:

• Abandoned vehicle
• Debris in street
• Graffiti
• Parking meters
• Parking violations
• Potholes
• Damaged/broken sidewalks
• Snow/ice on sidewalks
• Snow/ice on street
• Traffic sign repair
• Traffic signal trouble
• Traffic signal timing
• Broken street light
• Traffic sign repair
• Traffic signal trouble

 GPS will provide the location of the service request and people will also be able to submit a photo to add more detail to their request.

You can also:

• See what has been reported near you and track progress of it being fixed
• Connect with neighbors
• Visit the city web
• Check for city jobs
• View property information in Minneapolis
• Get snow emergency information
• Check if your vehicle is in the impound lot
• Get information on garbage (Solid Waste & Recycling)
• Pay your utilities
• Visit the city's facebook and twitter pages
• And:

Register your bike for free in Minneapolis!

  

Why?

• It's free and quick! (just a few minutes)
• It increases the chances your bike will be returned to you if stolen
• Officers are able to check if a bicycle is registered
• Bicycle safety, facilities, education and resources will be enhanced if city planners know where bicyclists ride in the city
• Registration could assist in identifying incapacitated riders without IDs (like kids)

How?

One of 3 ways:

• Call 311
• Free 311 app found at minneapolismn.gov/311
• Online:
  www.minneapolismn.gov/police/about/evidence/police_about_bicycles

With the long stretch of cold weather we're having and will certainly have again in the near future, I thought a reminder on Cold Weather Preparedness was appropriate. 

There have been a couple of stories in the news lately on hypothermia and cold weather exposure.  The Duluth college student who was out all night on a front porch, suffering injuries from extreme hypothermia: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/285743/

And here's another story - with a completely different (positive) outcome - about a family who was stranded in subzero weather in backcountry for several days yet survived unscathed because they were prepared: http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/11/us/nevada-family-found-alive/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Preparedness is so important!  Please take the time to make a preparedness kit for your vehicle this winter!  Here is a great link outlining winter driving preparedness.  Click on "Preparedness Kit" for a great list - including pictures - of what to keep in your car this winter: http://www.wunderground.com/education/winterdriving.asp

Some of the things they suggest are flashlights, shovels, radios, extra hats, mittens, boots, and sleeping bags or blankets. These can be costly if purchased new - but for emergency purposes, no need to buy new! Many of the items can be found at second hand stores and garage sales.

Make sure your loved ones - especially your children - know where to go if for some reason they are not able to get into the house. Consider exchanging cell phone numbers with trusted neighbors so your kids always have a safe, warm house to go to if you are ever delayed returning home.

Lastly, please share this information with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone else! 

Remember, HAVE a plan, KNOW the plan, and PRACTICE the plan! 

Stay safe and warm this winter!  

Casidy Anderson / Community Risk Reduction Officer

Minneapolis Fire Department

612-673-3184(o) 612-919-7790(c)

[email protected] 

If you have been a victim of a Property Crime, you have likely called Police Support Technician Sandy Kellogg.

Sandy has worked in a variety of MPD Units over the past 28 years: Property Room, Personnel Unit, Criminal History and Records, Police Activities League (PAL) with Cops & kids and Precinct 5.

As the Fifth Precinct Property Crimes Secretary, she answers all the phone calls that are directed to the Investigators and adds your detailed property losses to reports of Burglary, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Thefts and Robbery.

In the last year, Sandy had 6,468 incoming & outgoing phone calls and added over 1400 serial and model numbers into the reports.

She mails Burglary victims an informational letter requesting serial/model numbers and detailed descriptions of your stolen items. A Burglary Prevention Information letter is also enclosed and email address to sign up for crime updates in your area.

Sandy's other responsibilities include: Composing statistical charts, taking Minutes of Meeting, preparing Investigator's supplements for County Attorneys, coordinating some community events and assisting the Inspector with Letters of Appreciation that citizens have written for Police Officers. 

Sandy Kellogg

Sandy's Suggestions:

After 5 years of working at Precinct 5, Sandy has developed some recommendations for all. 

1.     Today, take a pad of paper & pen, walk around your home & write down every brand, serial number & model number. Lay out all your jewelry on your bed & take close photographs, ideally with good lighting to show the color and a ruler next to them to show size. We don't want to imagine someone would steal your favorite sentimental piece but they could! 

2.     We are connected with 60 Pawn Shops in MN. They are required to 'hold' items for 30 days before displaying items for sale. Generally, that is plenty of time to get a 'hit/match" to your serial & model numbers and you will then be notified

3.     Purses and Laptops:  Don't leave purses and laptops unattended on a restaurant table or hidden in your car. Thieves quickly break car windows. They already know what they will buy with your credit card and do so immediately.

4.   Great job to the many Good Samaritans for returning 'found' items and calling 9-1-1 for any suspicious people in your neighborhood!

Feel free to call Sandy at 612-673-5715 with any questions or concerns.  

In the Minneapolis Police Department, we try to get out information whenever possible of significant arrests, and there are ways for residents to subscribe to information that will give them more localized data (block leaders receive this; contact your Crime Prevention Specialist if you are interested), but what happens after they are arrested?

We don't have time to go into every single crime we have ever mentioned, but see below for follow up of selected cases:

John Reed

Latino community Crime Prevention Specialist

Minneapolis Police Department

[email protected]

612-673-5579

AVIOD THEFT AND BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

Protect your smart phone from theft by following these simple tips.

• When not in use, store your phone in purse and pocket.
• Avoid being distracted when using your phone.
• Avoid hanging purses or bags on chair backs.
• Do not lend your phone to strangers. 

Caqlilow-ahow dhanka telefoonkaaga. 

Ka hortag tuugada kana foojignow hareerahaada.

Ilaalsho telefoonkaaga qaaliga/casriga ah adigoo raacay atolooyinkan wax ku oolka ah. 

• Marka aadan isticmaalayn telefoonka gasho jeebka ama boorsada.
• Ha ku mashquulin telefoonka isticmaalkiisa
• Iska ilaali in aad surato boorsada kursiga aad ku fadhido gadaashiisa ama aad laadlaadiso.
• Telefoonkaaga ha u dhiibin qof aadan garaneyn.