A friendly reminder to the citizens of Greenfield and guests; fireworks are not allowed in the city.  This means possessing or igniting such items.  Fireworks means anything that pops, sparkles or smokes.  While these items may be fun for some, they are also dangerous and a nusiance to others.  The Greenfield Police will be vigilant in enforcing municipal code 10.03 which defines the fireworks regulations.  Our goal is to help ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all the citizens. 

Detective Sergeant Patrick recently sent me the following information to share.  Do not get caught up in these scams!  When something seems to good to be true it usually is.  Scammers prey on peoples good nature and their greed.  Don't be a victim.

The Greenfield Police Department is going to implement an emergency alert program that will alert the citizens of Greenfield of emergency information via the telephone. The service is called Connect-Cty or what might be known as “reverse 911”.  The service “allows authorized government officials to create and distribute public information quickly and efficiently to the citizens, and employees, of the City of Greenfield.  The system can be used to send emergency or non-emergency messages within the City government or externally to local businesses and households.”  The messages will be sent as a recorded message via the telephone.  Some school districts are already using this system to disseminate school information.  Examples of it’s use could be “public notification in the event of a man-made or natural disaster such as a chemical spill or other catastrophic event; or distribution of public information that may be critical in the event of a local emergency situation such as a missing child or elderly person.

For more information and sign up options please visit our website at www.greenfieldpolice.org

Just another way the Greenfield Police Department is reaching out to its’ citizens in helping to make a safe community!

As you may already know, yesterday we honored a Milwaukee Police Officer who was a witness to an armed robbery while off duty.  His actions and descriptions of the suspects led the Greenfield Police to a speedy arrest of all the suspects.  A few days later, a resident called the Greenfield Police Department stating that he observed a person enter his neighbor's vehicle.  He was able to give a suspect description and the suspects direction of travel which led the responding officers to an immediate arrest of a suspect that had been entering cars and stealing from them.  Being a supervisor and a trainer for the Greenfield Police Department I would like to say that it was the training and top quality officers that led to these arrests but the key to both successes was the response of both witnesses.

There are a few simple guidelines to follow when being a good witness.

1) Call the police as soon as you suspect a crime is occuring.

 All to often when well intentioned citizens see a possible crime occuring they try to stop the crime and chase off the suspect.  This allows the suspect to get away, makes for a delayed response by the police, and can end in witness injuries.

2) Maintain a visual contact from a position of safety.

If you are calling from inside your residence stay inside, turn off any lights on in the room, and observe the suspect while talking to the dispatchers.  They will be sending squad cars to your location as they speak to you.

3) Try to observe details.

The dispatchers will help you with this.  Try to observe the sex, race, height, weight, and clothing of the suspect.  For vehicles note the license plate letters and numbers, color, style of vehicle and number of occupants.  Orient yourself to direction so you can tell the dispatcher the direction of travel for the suspect or suspect vehicle.

4) Never put yourself in harms way.

Remember that the police are equiped and trained to handle criminal activity.  They have legal priveledges granted to them for apprehending criminals that the general public does not have.  Let them handle the apprehension.

By following these simple guidelines you can help eliminate crime from your community. 

The holidays are coming up so I thought it was a good time to re-issue some previous blogs.

Keep Your Purse!

By Sergeant Peter Regenfelder

Friday, Nov 23 2007, 02:30 PM

October is the National Crime Prevention month.  A celebration of safety.  Please review the safety tips that I have given over the past several years.  All the advise is still applicable.  I would also encourage you to peruse the National Crime Prevention Council web site at www.ncpc.org.  There is a lot of crime prevention information there.  Please direct any crime prevention questions for the Greenfield Police Department to me through this blog or directly to Peter.Regenfelder@GFPD.Org.  This month also includes Holloween.  In keeping Halloween safe for our youngsters parents should follow the safety guidelines at www.trickortreatsafety.com.  If your neighborhood is having a special Halloween activity and you would like the Greenfield Police Department involved, I again encourage you to contact me so I can supply handouts, trinkets, bicycle patrol officers, or even McGruff the Crime Dog.

Let's celebrate crime prevention this month but try to prevent crime year round!

The following scam comes from the state crime summary:

Con Scheme Targets Seniors

AnchorBank recently received several reports from older customers that attempts were made to con them out of significant amounts of money.  The caller poses as a relative in trouble, often stranded in some way.  They claim to be in desperate need of immediate funds.  The caller then convinces the customer to withdraw cash and wire funds via Western Union, usually out of the country.  In the example detailed below, an AnchorBank customer lost over $20,000 to this con scheme earlier this week. 

 A caller posing as the customer's grandson called them in a desperate situation.  He claimed to have gotten his girlfriend pregnant.  They went to Canada to get a discrete abortion, and the "insurance company" was holding their passportsuntil they paid $5,000 cash for the high-priced procedure.  After some further conversation, the grandparents were convinced and withdrew cash from the bank.  They were questioned by the branch staff, but they were adamant that the caller was truly their grandson and that he was in serious trouble.  They insisted on the funds.  Later that day, their "grandson" called again, saying that the "insurance company" was requiring more money.  They wired another $5,000 to Canada.  Two more desperate phone calls later and they had been conned out of more than $20,000.  The imposter had also promised to wire some of the money back to them when he got home, and convinced them to relinquish their account information as well. 

 A common question asked about this scheme is: "How did they get the name of the grandson?"  While there are several possibilities, in the most likely scenario, the victim accidentally reveals that information during the first call.  The scammer might begin the call with, "Hi, it's me."  To which she may reply, "David, is that you?"  Then the scammer has the necessary information to continue.  If she asks who is calling, the scammer hangs up and tries another number.  Obviously, even if they have to try 50 numbers to find their mark, this scheme can be very lucrative.

 If you receive a call like this, DO NOT give out personal information or financial information.  Call the Police Department and contact your relative directly.

 

It seems that it is time for a reminder regarding handicap parking spaces.  Throughout the day hours the Greenfield Police Department receives many calls about people without handicap placards parking in handicap parking spots.  Some of these complaints involve non-handicap individuals and some involve handicap persons not displaying their placards.  Either way, this is a very frustrating situation for handicap drivers trying to park in a designated handicap parking spot.

Handicap individuals who have parking priviledges granted to them have been assigned either a handicap license plate or a handicap placard.  Both of these need to be properly dislayed in order to use the designated handicap parking spots.  If a license plate is assigned it should be properly affixed to the vehicle.  If a placard was assigned, it needs to be hanging from the interior rear view mirror.  Furthermore, the handicap parking spot can only be utilized when the vehicle in the parking spot is being used to transport the handicap individual assigned to the placard or license plate.  Family or friends using a handicap indivduals vehicle are not allowed to park in a handicap parking space unless the handicap individual is with them.  The number on the placard allows the police to find out who the placard is assigned to.

The handicap parking spot includes the area marked for the vehicle as well as the hashed area on either side of the parking spot.  This hashed area allows the handicap individual to get in and out of their vehicle.  This is not an area for motorcycle parking or vehicle parking.  The hash marks indicate it is not for parking of any kind.

Our society has granted handicap individuals specific priviledges  to help ease some of the day to day struggles that they face. Adhering to the parking laws can help alleviate some of the stressors handicap people face.  It can keep you from receiving a citation and possible towing of your vehicle for violating these laws.

This is timely information that I received from Inspector Wildish.

• Do not open your door to someone you do not recognize. Do not allow anyone to enter your home if you are not sure of his or her identity.
• Ask to see photo identification (I.D.) through a window. Milwaukee Water Works and other utility employees and contractors carry photo I.D. Legitimate employees will be happy to show you their I.D. if you ask, or call the utility office to verify their identification.
• Call the Milwaukee Water Works (414) 286-2830 if you are unsure about a person’s identification or to verify work to be done at your home. Call the police if you believe the person is an imposter.
• Do not allow anyone to enter your home claiming to collect a past-due bill, inspect plumbing fixtures, or to sell utility products such as a meter or other equipment. Milwaukee Water Works employees do not engage in door-to-door sales, do not collect a past-due bill in person, and do not deliver rebates or refunds.
• Advise your elderly loved ones, friends, and children about what to do if strangers approach their home and ask to come in.

If you believe that there is a scam artist at your residence, please call your local police department.

I want to pass this information on from the National Crime Prevention Council.  There is good information on keeping your home and neighborhood safe.  I got this from their website. 

Home and Neighborhood Safety

Well I think Spring is finally here!  People are opening their windows, walking their dogs, airing out their laundry and even mowing their lawns.  People that you haven't seen all winter are coming outside to enjoy the beginning of the warm season.  For most this is a pleasant time to exchange greetings and begin planning neighborhood events.  For others it is the beginning of a long hot summer of neighbor problems.  I would like to offer a few easy considerations to help minimize your neighbor problems.

1) If you have your windows open and you are playing music inside your residence, be cognizant of how loud the music is so you are not disturbing your neighbors.

2) Before cutting or trimming border property foliage speak to your neighbor about your plans and if necessary try and determine who's property the foliage is on.

3) When mowing your lawn try and keep your grass clippings off the neighbors property.  Believe it or not, this is a concern that the police are often asked to resolve.

4)  If your dog is "taking care of business" on your neighbors lawn - clean it up!  This is not only a courtesy but also the law.

5)  If you have your dog outside it should remain in your yard.  If it is barking continuously put it in the house.

These are some of the regular summer neighbor complaints the police are sent to.  Many of these concerns should be handled by neighbors respectfully speaking to each other to resolve these issues.  In the past, I have been sent to these types of calls to resolve these issues and after listening to the complaint I would ask, "So what did your neighbor say when you brought this to their attention?"  The response was often that they had not spoken to their nieghbor at all.  When I have spoken to the other party in the complaint I have often heard, "He could have just spoken to me.  He didn't have to call the police."  So, maybe some respectful communication and compromise can lead to a happier neighborhood.

Lastly, if your attempts at neighborliness are not working, the City of Greenfield does offer mediation through the Greenfield Mediation Center at no charge to residents.  For more information dial (414) 271-5464.

Enjoy the warmer weather in a friendly neighborhood you helped create!

I recently received an e-mail from Matt asking about the proper protocol for proceding through a four way intersection which is controlled by stop signs.  The question specifically asks if more than one vehicle is at the intersection at approximately the same time, who gets to go first?  According to state statute 346.18 the vehicle to the left needs to yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.  I'm sure Matt is now envisioning this scenario and looking at his hands trying to figure out who gets to go first!

Instead of trying to justify who gets to move first I would suggest considering safety and courtesy prior to proceding through marked or unmarked intersections.  Many of the intersection related accidents that I have gone to have involved someone being in too much of a hurry to get somewhere and safety and courtesy took a back seat to recklessness and impatience.  The amount of time spent at an intersection being safe and courteous will be much less than time spent at an intersection waiting for the police to arrive at your accident.  So please wait your turn, be courteous, and when you proceed do so in a safe manner.

 Another issue that this brings to mind is what witnesses to accidents should do when they see an accident occur.  I am often amazed when accidents occur at busy intersections and there are no witnesses that remained on the scene until the police arrived.  Sometimes these accidents involve injuries and no one has stopped to make sure that no one was hurt.  If you witness an accident please pull over at a safe location, call the police, and check for injuries.  Even if you do not know how to respond to the injuries you can give our dispatchers information about what the injuries look like so they can dispatch the appropriate personnel to the scene.  After this is completed, please remain on the scene so that the police can take a statement from you.  If you are unable to stay, at least give your name and a phone number to the people involved in the accident so you can be contacted by phone at a later time.  The information you could provide is important for police officers to determine how the accident occurred and if a traffic violation caused the accident.  This is usually an impartial view which may be more reliable than the information obtained from the drivers involved in the accident.  So please, stay around and help.

Matt, this was probably more information than you were expecting but thank you for your question!

It seems that whenever I ask my brethren at the police department for ideas for this blog, they always tell me to address what drivers should do when approaching a squad car that has it's emergency lights activated.  This is a big issue for police officers because their safety is on the line if vehicle drivers do not follow a few simple rules.  I have addressed this in previous postings so instead of "reinventing the wheel", I am going to re-publish a previous posting.

Let’s begin with a quiz.

Question #1
I'm driving along and I see a police car pulled over up ahead. The police car's lights are on. What should I do?

A) Speed on by, I don't have to do anything.
B) Stare at the lights becasue they're pretty.
C) Pull over, one lane AWAY from the squad car and proceed slowly by.
D) Slow down significantly and pass with caution.
E) C or D depending on the circumstances.

The correct answer is E. Wisconsin law requires drivers to move over, one lane AWAY from a stopped emergency vehicle (including police, fire, public works and tow trucks) as they proceed by the stopped vehicle. If traffic or road conditions do not allow the driver to move over, the driver is required to SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY as they pass the stopped emergency vehicle.

The penalty for a violation of this statute in Greenfield is $172.00 and 3 points.

Question #2
An emergency vehicle is approaching from behind as you are driving your car. You can see in your rear view mirror that it has it’s emergency lights on and you can hear that the siren is activated. You should:

A) Immediately stop your vehicle in the lane you are traveling in causing a hazard for the emergency vehicle to navigate around.
B) Stay in your lane of travel and significantly decrease your speed causing a moving hazard for the emergency vehicle to navigate around.
C) Suddenly change lanes without signaling to create a hazardous test for all drivers in defensive driving skills.
D) Signal a right lane change and cautiously move to the right and come to a stop in the curb lane allowing the emergency vehicle to safely pass on the left.
E) All of the above.

The correct answer is D. Signal a right lane change and cautiously move to the right and come to a stop in the curb lane allowing the emergency vehicle to safely pass on the left. It seems this would be the obvious answer, however, I have seen all answers occur while operating my emergency squad car with my lights and siren operating. This includes  answer E!

The penalty for a violation of this statute in Greenfield is $235.00 and 4 points.


These are both hefty fines but they can be avoided by knowing what to do when there is an emergency vehicle where you are operating your vehicle. Emergency personnel are pledged to helping keep the community safe but we need your help keeping us safe. Following these two simple statutes would not only be appreciated by emergency personnel but also by the families they go home to.

 I got this information from the National Crime Prevention Council and I though it was worth sharing given the number of incidences that occur at gas stations in the Milwaukee area.  Just a couple of simple considerations to help keep you safe.

Gas Station Theft Prevention

In my 10 years of service as a Police Officer I have heard many citizens question the behavior of police officers.  Examples of this are, "I told the officer I was sorry and offered to shake his hand.  He refused to shake my hand.  How inconsiderate!" or,  "I got out of my car like he asked and it was cold outside.  I put my hands in my pockets and he kept telling me I had to keep my hands out of my pockets.  I think he just wanted me to be cold!"  These and many other actions by the police may seem inconsiderate and impolite on the surface but officers respond in this manner based on their training and experiences as Law Enforcement Officers.

To help the citizens of Greenfield and people who are employed in the city of Greenfield better understand the "how's and why" of law enforcement, the Greenfield Police Department is offering a Citizen's Academy.  This is a 9 week program that will give participants a first hand view of our department.  A wide variety of topics will be discussed, from an introduction to the police department to understanding patrol procedures, state statutes and traffic law, officer survival and use of force, criminal investigation, evidence collection, crime prevention, and police officer requirements to mention a few.

Any adult that is a Greenfield resident or is employed in the city of Greenfield may apply to attend this academy.  Applicants must completely fill out an application which can be obtained from the Law Enforcement Center or downloaded from the police department's web site. ( http://www.greenfieldpolice.org/Community/Citizen_Academy/citizen_academy.html )

The first session is scheduled to begin Tuesday March 11, 2008.  The class will meet Tuesday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at the Greenfield Law Enforcement Center.  Class size will be limited so get your applications in early!  If you have questions regarding this academy contact Captain Schlecht at 761-5300 or stop in at the Law Enforcement Center for brochures and applications.

WHAT A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!!!!

I was just recently made aware of Assembly Bill 624 that is going to be reviewed by state legislators.  This bill is a must for concerned citizens.  The bill intends to provide civil immunity to neighborhood watch members who in good faith, report information to the local law enforcement agency about suspicious activities, persons, or vehicles in their neighborhood. That's what concerned citizens do!!  Concerned citizens report suspicious activity in an attempt to keep their neighborhoods safe!  Immunity from civil liability is a must to safeguard involved and conscientious neighborhood blockwatch members.

 The bill goes on to "require a person who brings an action against the neighborhood watch member for damages related to the report to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the report of information was not made in good faith.  In addition, if the neighborhood watch member is found to have acted in good faith in an action for damages, the court shall award him or her court costs and reasonable attorney fees."  So, if someone wants to bring a suit against a neighborhood watch member who reported an incident, it is their burden to prove the report was not made in good faith and if they can't do this they pay your bill.  As it should be!!

In order to get this bill passed the state legislators need to approve it.  So...all the neighborhood watch people reading this blog contact your state legislators and encourage them to pass this bill.  This is a long time in coming and this bill needs to be passed to protect all the concerned and active people involved in neighborhood watch organizations.