TPD Blog

Help Stop Motorcycle Thefts

During the last few weeks, the Tulsa Police Department detectives have seen an increase in motorcycle thefts.  And with warmer weather and more motorcycles about, unfortunately, motorcycle thefts are likely to increase.

Motorcycles are relatively easy to steal, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is easy to alter, and motorcycle parts are easy to interchange.  There’s also a huge market for motorcycle parts on eBay and other internet auction sites. 

However, there are a few things you can do to keep your bike safe and help reduce motorcycle thefts:

• Keep your bike locked inside or in a secured area.  It may take a few seconds to roll it in, but doing so can greatly reduce the risk of theft.
• Keep your bike covered.  Oftentimes, thieves scout for particular makes and models, and a cover will help “disguise” your bike.
• Use fork or steering locks, a gas shut-off switch or other anti-theft devices--as a matter of habit.  A motorcycle can be stolen in just a few seconds, so get into the habit of using the anti-theft devices often, even for just a short stop at the convenience store.
• A heavy chain and lock may not keep aggressive thieves from taking your wheels, but it can deter them or delay them significantly.  A bike without a chain is a much easier target than one with two chains securing each wheel to a phone pole, concrete pillar, railing, or other fixed object.
• Be wary when buying a used motorcycle.  Most bikes have a seventeen-digit VIN stamped on either side of the headstock.  If the VIN does not look right, if you see grind marks, light stamping, or the numbers are misaligned, contact the police to investigate further.  It could be that the bike was stolen and the VIN has been altered to conceal the theft.
• If you’re not buying a used bike from a dealer, but a private seller, ask the seller for their driver license, name, address, date of birth, and other information.  Fake identities have become very common in dealing stolen motorcycles.
• If you come across that “one-of-a-kind” custom chrome part on an internet auction site, at a price that’s more like a “steal” than a bargain, chances are it could be stolen.  If it’s too good to be true, it likely is.  Consider the reputation, location, and visibility of the seller before you buy any parts online; otherwise, you could be supporting thieves and other less-reputable operations.

Remember, the harder you make it for theives to steal your bike, the less likely your bike will get stolen.  Ride safe!

Identity Theft

Many of the offenders committing identity theft and forgery are drug abusers. In order to finance their addiction these offenders are stealing mail, dumpster diving behind businesses and breaking into cars, homes and businesses looking for any documents or articles that may contain this information. Your personal information is then being used to apply for credit cards, retail credit or to counterfeit checks with your account number.

It is important to protect your information at all times and ensure that any business that obtains your information in the course of doing business is questioned by you as to how they are going to protect or destroy that information once they have finished with it.

If you find that you have been victimized, refer to the information supplied on this site. Follow the steps outlined and keep a personal file on each incident to aid in clearing up your credit. Included on this site are downloadable forms and tip sheets that you may print and use at your discretion.

Identity Theft
If someone has used your personal identifying information, such as your social security number, date of birth and name, to open lines of credit or to obtain services, you will first need to contact all 3 major credit reporting bureaus to place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit report. When you call the following toll-free numbers, this will notify businesses that you may be the victim of fraud. Request a copy of your credit report to review. Contact the following bureaus:

Trans Union:
1-800-680-7289

Experian:
1 888 397 3742

Equifax:
1-800-525-6285

Review all of the information on your credit report and determine if the entry is a mistake or fraudulent.

The following information will assist in investigating your case: a copy of your credit report listing the fraudulent accounts, collection notice or other documents that identify where the crime occurred, etc.

If you feel that you have been the victim of an Identity Theft, contact police.

Fraudulent Checks
If your checkbook has been stolen or lost, call the Police Department and request an Officer to do a Theft or Loss report.

If your stolen/lost checks are being used in Tulsa by someone forging your signature, you need to first contact your bank to close your account. You will also need to complete an Affidavit of Forgery at your bank for any forged check that has cleared. In many cases, the forged checks will be handled primarily by your bank. Your bank will credit your account once you complete the Affidavit of Forgery. They will often send a copy of your Affidavit, along with the original check, back to the business that accepted the check. It is now the responsibility of that business to file the police report since they lost either cash or merchandise.

Fraudulent Schemes

This type of crime is on the increase due to the ease with which funds can be transferred via paper or electronic documents. To protect yourself from becoming a victim, you should do the following:

-Get a copy of your own credit report every six months and check it to make sure there aren't any credit card or checking accounts you didn't open.

-Never give your credit card number to someone who calls you on the telephone.

-Read your monthly statements carefully and report any discrepancies immediately.

-Rip up or shred your old checks and bills before putting them in the trash.

-When you renew your driver's license, don't use your Social Security number as your license number. There's no sense in making your Social Security number too easily available.

-Guard the Personal Identification Number (PIN) you use on your various credit cards. Don't write them down in your personal planner, and don't leave them on a slip of paper in your purse or wallet.

-Learn to ask "Why?" when people request financial information.

Safety first

By DAVID SCHULTE World Staff Writer
12/26/2007

More than 600 children are killed in pedestrian-related accidents each year, according to the Safe Kids Worldwide organization.

Another 33,000 children a year are treated in emergency rooms in the United States because of such accidents.

Safe Kids and the Tulsa Police Department offer the following tips to protect children on the way to school:

-Make sure children younger than 10 years of age cross the street with an adult.

-Always walk facing traffic.

-Teach children to cross the street at a corner.

-Make sure children use crosswalks whenever possible and obey traffic signals.

-Teach children to look left, right and left again when crossing a street and continue looking for cars as they cross.

-Children should make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

-Advise children to stop, look and listen before crossing railroad tracks.

-Tell children to stay five giant steps away from the street when waiting for a bus.

-Make sure children cross at least 10 feet in front of a school bus.

-Have children wear white clothing or reflectors when walking at night.

Each year, more than 500,000 people are treated in emergency rooms in the United States because of bicycle-related injuries, according to www.neurosurgerytoday.org. In 2006, more than 65,000 received head injuries from riding a bike.The following precautions can help keep children safe while riding bicycles:

-Always wear a properly-fitted helmet that meets the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. A helmet should be worn center on top of the head, strapped and buckled. It should fit snugly.

-Ride with traffic flow and as far to the right as possible.

-Always obey traffic signals and lights.

-Look back and yield to traffic coming from behind before turning left. Use appropriate hand signals to alert cars and pedestrians when turning left or right.

-Watch out for potholes, cracks, rocks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks or anything that could make a cyclist lose control of the bike.

-The bike should fit the height, weight and age of the cyclist.

-Inflate tires properly.

-Check brakes before riding.

-Cyclists should ride behind one another and with the traffic flow.

-Avoid riding after dark. If nighttime riding is absolutely necessary, place reflector tapes or stickers on clothing and bicycles, and use a headlight to increase visibility.

Sources: Safe Kids; Tulsa Police Department

By DAVID SCHULTE World Staff Writer

Copyright Tulsa World 2007. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Christmas Safety Tips

The Tulsa Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.  As the holiday season comes to an end we would like to remind everyone of a few safety tips.

Disposing of Your Tree
If you are using a real tree, it is likely that it has become dry.  You should keep the tree away from the fireplace or any other source of fire.   For safety purposes, a dry tree should be discarded.

Trash Disposal
The week after Christmas is one of the busiest for our refuse department.  While it may be tempting to place the boxes from Christmas in front of your residence, we would recommend that you place everything in bags.  Large boxes should be broken down and then placed in bags.  Would be criminals may be given an opportunity if they are made aware of your newly obtained gifts.

This picture depicts what NOT to do following Christmas.

As we approach 2008, we would like to thank everyone for their commitment and service to this community.  We could not do our job without you doing yours and for that we sincerely thank you.

Captain Travis Yates
Tulsa Police Department
Headquarters Division

Theft Device Found On ATM

By DEON HAMPTON World Staff Writer
12/22/2007

Police are warning consumers to be aware of any suspicious devices on automatic teller machines they are using.

A "card-skimming device" and a hidden camera recently were found attached to an ATM in Tulsa.

The devices were affixed to the exterior of the machine in such a way that they looked like legitimate parts of the ATM, police said.

A card skimmer is an electronic device that captures the data stored on ATM cards' magnetic strips as the cards are inserted into the machine. The data can be used to produce duplicate or "clone" cards for fraudulent transactions.

Hidden cameras can be used to monitor a person's keystrokes on an ATM's keypad to acquire the user's personal identification number.

Officials said the devices have been found on ATMs around the country but that this is the first time one has been noticed in Oklahoma.

"These type of scams have been around for years," said Officer Jason Willingham, a Tulsa Police Department spokesman. "It's just a different form."

In the past, thieves have

"shoulder surfed," or watched from a short distance away as people entered their personal identification numbers in ATMs.

With the card-skimming technology, the thieves are able to retrieve PINs and information encoded on ATM cards' magnetic strips from remote locations.

Willingham wouldn't confirm whether any local ATM users were victimized or disclose the location of the modified ATM.

Any victims would have been notified by their banks, he said.

People who think their cards have been compromised or who suspect that such a device might be on a machine should contact their financial institutions, police say.

For additional information about the scam, police are referring readers to the Snopes urban-legend Web site, which can be found online at Snopes.  Additional Information can be found at Bank Rate.

---

Deon Hampton 581-8413
deon.hampton@ tulsaworld.com

---

Avoid becoming a skimming victim

• Keep your PIN safe. Don’t give it to anyone.
• Watch out for people who try to “help” you at an ATM.
• Look at the ATM before using it. If it doesn’t look right, don’t use it.
• If an ATM has any unusual signs, don’t use it. No bank would hang a sign that says,“Swipe your ATM here before inserting it in the card reader,” or something to that effect.
• If possible, use the same ATM so you will recognize if something on the machine looks different.
• If your card is not returned after the transaction or after pressing cancel, immediately contact the institution that issued it.
• Check your statements to be sure there are no unusual withdrawals.
  
  
  
  Source: Tulsa Police Department

Copyright Tulsa World 2007. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Rape Suspect Sought

On 07/19/2007 the Tulsa Police Lab received information of a CODIS (Combined DNA Information System) match of an individual arrested and convicted in Arkansas with a case in Tulsa.

The case in Tulsa was a first degree burglary/rape of a 14 YOA female in the apt. complex located at 2800 S 116 E.A. The offense occurred on 04/20/2005 at approximately 2:00 a.m. The 14 YOA victim was asleep in a downstairs bedroom while her parents were asleep upstairs. Entry was made through the kitchen window. Victim was awakened when she felt someone on top of her. The suspect covered her mouth with his hand and told her to be quiet. Suspect informed the victim he had a gun and would kill her if she screamed. Victim was then sexually assaulted. Suspect left through the front door.

As a result of the investigation the Tulsa Police Lab a DNA profile was entered into CODIS. The match resulted from a DNA profile submitted by Arkansas authorities on an individual that was arrested and convicted on a burglary charge in Washington County Arksansas earlier this year.

As a result of this match a warrant for 1 Degree Rape and 1 Degree Burglary (number CF2007-4960) was issued for Jamel Dejuan Garner, AKA Gardner. He is a B/M, 509, 142, dob 07/19/1987. Investigation revealed Garner was living in Tulsa at the time of the assault. Attached is a picture of Jamel Garner from Arkansas probation and parole office.

The Northern Oklahoma U.S. Marshall's Fugitive Task Force is currently looking for information on the whereabouts of Garner.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Students are at much greater risk while traveling to and from school than at any other time in their school day. Nationwide about 800 children age 5-18 were killed while traveling by passenger car, on foot, on bicycle and by school bus.

The Tulsa Police Department, in cooperation with Tulsa area schools, will focus on the opening of School Zones in the Union Public Schools on Thursday August 16^th and the Tulsa Public Schools on Monday August 20, 2007. Special enforcement units will target marked School Zones and streets around many schools as well as School Bus Stops. Motorcycle officers and Traffic Enforcement Units will give special attention to all moving violations near schools and around school buses picking up and dropping off children. Citations that are written in a School Zone are  booked to court, no matter the amount over the posted 25-mph.

Starting this week, drivers are encouraged to actively look out for children walking and riding bicycles to and from school, and to be extra cautious around school buses. Parents are also advised to be very careful when dropping off and picking up their children in front of schools.

Curfew Enforcement/Bar Disorders

The Tulsa Police Department will increase enforcement on juvenile curfew violations and bar disorders starting Friday, July 27th. Special enforcement officers will begin increasing police presence in problem bar areas to address crowd disturbances, drunkenness and fights in and around clubs and other businesses that affect safety and perception of safety in the area.

There will be officers working overtime shifts on Friday and Saturday evenings all around the City of Tulsa issuing citations to juveniles out past curfew without proper supervision, as well as increasing patrols around problem bar areas and taking necessary action for those persons violating the law.

Failure to obey curfew hours for children under the age of 18 can result in a citation that is booked to court for the juvenile and their parent, but bar disturbances can lead to a citation or an arrest depending on the violation committed.

Curfew Hours

11:00 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday

until 6:00 a.m. of the following day; and

12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. on any Saturday or Sunday.

Related Links:

http://www.kotv.com/news/topstory/?id=132528

http://www.kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=132299

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/opinion/local_story_207174916.html

http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=95b28366-bf15-4172-bfac-9e0c0bcfcd48

Summer Months Prove to be Deadly for Teen Drivers

Studies show that summer months June, July and August are 100 of the deadliest days for teens. On average 2,000 teens die each year throughout the summer and an estimated 28 lose their lives on 4th of July alone. Teens spend 44% more time driving during the summer than during the school year. Add to that equation additional passengers in the vehicle, cell phone usage, switching radio stations and you've got a dangerous combination. So what steps should we as parents take to ensure our teen stays safe this summer?

Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students against Destructive Decisions) offer the following advice:

* Set family rules about driving, outline clear consequences for breaking the rules, and follow through.

* No friends in the car without an adult.

* No driving after 10 p.m.

* No use of alcohol or other drugs.

* No distractions while driving, including eating, changing CDs, handling iPods and putting on makeup.

* No cell phone use, including text messaging.

* Continue supervised driving once your child has received his or her license, and reinforce the rules and safe driving habits.

* Don't relent. Parents should continue the dialogue with their teens and frequently reinforce the acute dangers of distracted driving, drinking and driving, or using drugs and driving.

Child Safety

Jason Willingham gives us a refresher course in Child Safety. With the warm days of summer quickly approaching, refreshers are a good thing!

Listen to the podcast here:

http://www.tpdpodcast.com/2007/05/30/child-safety-tpd-talks-4/

"Cheese" drug targets teens

(TULSA, Okla.) May 22 - A warning for parents from Tulsa police. There's a very dangerous drug cocktail targeting teenagers that could soon hit the streets of Tulsa. It's a mix of heroin and cold medicine known as "cheese." In Dallas it's caused 21 deaths since 2005 and a reported 145 arrests in the Dallas school system, this year alone.

"Cheese" is made by grinding heroin with an over the counter cold medicine most often one with a sleep aid like Tylenol P.M. And it’s cheap. A $30.00 rock will get you 40-50 "cheese" hits.

Officer Jason Willingham says, "For two bucks, you can get a good rush on. That’s where the concern comes in."

With the drug reaching epidemic levels in the Dallas school system, Tulsa Police are on high alert.

DEA Agent James Capra says, "We've have some kids using it, trying it, and dying. There's no once or twice or three times. They die. We've had some instances where kids are snorting the drug and they're dying. They're overdosing and they're dying. Period. Goodnight."

And Tulsa officers fear "cheese", just five hours away, will soon be threatening kids here. "Drugs are just like anything else, it moves across the country. If it’s already in Dallas, eventually it’s going to move it’s way towards Tulsa. And it’s something that concerns us as police officers and as parents", said Officer Willingham.

Rick Murray of Tulsa's Recovery Dynamics counsels addicted teens. He thinks "cheese" may already have found its way to Tulsa, based on what he heard from a few kids. "I’m pretty sure they were discussing the affects, so I would have to believe they were discussing having had used it."

Murray also says some kids want to be the first to try a something new even if it's drugs. Experts say kids who use "cheese" come from a variety of economic backgrounds. And they almost always show two warning signs. The first is a change in their sleeping pattern. The second is a change in their behavior.

Dallas police say they've arrested users as young as 11-years-old. Heroin use at that age can reportedly cause permanent brain damage.

Copyright KOKI 2007.

Stolen cars in South Tulsa

(EAST TULSA, Okla.) April 25 - Tulsa police need your help to bust some car thieves.They've noticed a cluster of car thefts happening in South Tulsa. Police are concerned about the area near 71st and Riverside to 81st and Riverside.

A car is stolen every 26 seconds in our country. First on the list of stolen cars is the 1991 Honda Accord, followed by the 1995 Honda Civic and 1989 Toyota Camry.

Tulsa police officers say the best way to avoid being a victim is to use common sense. Corporal Steve Wood said, "A lot of the things that I talk to my own neighbors about is, would you like to be able to leave your lawnmower and your bike out in the front yard, but if you do that don’t be surprised if it gets stolen. It’s just common sense that you put those things away so you don’t become a victim."

Here are the top three things you can do to keep your car from getting stolen:

-Never leave your keys in the ignition, even when pumping gas.

-Always lock your doors. Police say plenty of people forget to do that.

-Think parking, a garage is the best, but if that's not possible try to park under a bright light.

If you would like to see where car thefts or other crimes are happening near you, use the Tulsa Police Department's Crime Mapper. http://www.tulsapolice.org/mapcentral.html

Copyright KOKI Tulsa 2007.

IRS Warns of Tax Preparer Fraud

You're probably pulling all your receipts, canceled checks and other paperwork together in anticipation of filing your income tax return. Fine, but a word of caution from the Internal Revenue Service: the sharks and scammers are out there.

Tax return preparation fraud generally involves the preparation and filing of false income tax returns by preparers who claim inflated personal or business expenses, false deductions, unallowable credits or excessive exemptions on returns prepared for their clients.

Preparers may also manipulate income figures to fruadulently obtain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.

In some situations, the client may not know of the false expenses, deductions, exemptions and credits shown on their tax returns. But, when the IRS detects the false return, the taxpayer must pay the additional taxes and interest and may be subject to penalties and criminal prosecution.

While most preparers provide good service to their clients, the IRS urges taxpayers to be very careful when choosing a tax preparer. You should be as careful as you would in choosing a doctor or a lawyer. It is important to know that even if someone else prepares your return, you are ultimately responsible for all the information on the tax return.

Some hints from the IRS:

• Avoid tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers.
• Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of the refund.
• Use a reputable tax professional who signs your tax return and provides you with a copy for your records.
• Consider whether the individual or firm will be around to answer questions about the preparation of your tax return months, or even years, after the return has been filed.
• Review your return before you sign it and ask questions on entries you don't understand.
• No matter who prepares your tax return, you (the taxpayer) are ultimately responsible for all of the information on your tax return. Therefore, never sign a blank tax form.
• Find out the person's credentials. Is he or she an Accredited Tax Preparer, Enrolled Agent, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Licensed Public Account or Tax Attorney? Only attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters including audits, collection and appeals. Other return preparers may only represent taxpayers for audits.
• Find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics.
• Ask questions. Do you know anyone who has used the tax professional? Were they satisfied with the service they received?

Tax evasion is a risky crime, a felony, punishable by five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

Courtesy of www.consumeraffairs.com

Home Burglary Prevention

Home burglaries can be a devastating event that may take years to overcome. In an attempt to provide information you can use to prevent this from happening to you, we have provided this list of prevention tips. While we have attempted to provide as many prevention tips as possible, we recognize that there are many ways which may not be listed. We hope that you use this list as a guideline and that it provides you with useful information.

* Invest in solid doors and good quality locks on doors and windows. This includes on all sliding glass doors as well. Make it not only difficult but also time consuming for a burglar to gain entry.

* Whenever you go outside, lock the door and take the key with you, even if you are just stepping next door or out mowing the yard.

* Don't put valuables where they can be seen from the window, especially items that can be easily carried.

* Be sure your garage door can be secured. Do not leave it open when you are away; an empty garage broadcasts your absence.

* When you aren't home, use a timer set to turn interior lights on and off at varying intervals as though your home was still occupied.

* Don't keep large amounts of cash or really valuable jewelry around the house.

* If someone comes to your door asking to use the telephone, make the call yourself. Don't invite them in.

* Don't hide a spare key under the doormat or under a flowerpot. Thieves know all the good hiding places.

* Plant thorny bushes under all windows. Trim back any trees or shrubs near doors and windows to eliminate hiding places for would-be thieves.

* Invest in a good security system along with motion sensor lights installed out of reach.

* Don't leave ladders outside. Keep any tools that could be used to break in your home safely locked away in a garage or shed.

* Get a barking dog or "beware of dog" signs. If you own a dog and go out of town, have someone come in and care for your dog in your home.

* Always double checks doors at night and lock all windows.

* Engrave all valuables such as stereos, microwaves, video cameras, with your driver's license number. Videotape the contents of your home. Keep the video and the list of all valuables in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box.

Courtesy of University of Florida Police Department’s Community Services Division 

Guns in the House

If you have a gun in your home:

• Always treat the gun as if it were loaded.
• Never point a gun at something or someone unless acting in self-defense or as permitted by law.
• Take ammunition out of the gun and store or lock separately from the gun.
• Always lock the gun and keep it out of reach of children.
• Store the keys for the gun and the ammunition in a different area from where you store household keys. Keep the keys out of reach of children.
• Lock up gun cleaning supplies which are often poisonous.

Home Burglary

Each year there are more than five million reports of burglaries. Typically, burglaries are preventable. The risk of being burglarized can be greatly reduced by taking simple steps.

• Install motion sensors or photoelectric lights on your outside lights.
• Mount exterior lights out of reach so that can not be tampered with.
• Use light timers inside your home to give it a "lived-in" look.

• Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. The deadbolt should have at least a 1-inch throw and the strike plate should have 3-inch screws
• Use supplemental locking systems (such as a charley bar and pinning) on windows and sliding glass doors.
• Make sure your front door is solid core and has a peep hole with at least 180 degrees of sight so that you are able to see who is at your door before opening it.

• Trim trees up at least six feet and shrubs down at least 3 feet to open up sightlines to and from your property. This will also eliminate a hiding place for a would-be burglar.
• Be sure to store items that could be used to enter your home. Lock up tools, ladders, etc.
• When installing landscape rock, use rock the size of river rock or smaller. Secure anything larger so that it can’t be removed and used as a tool to gain entry.

Landscaping

Target Hardening

Lighting