Thursday, October 27, 2011

Waunakee Police Department November Newsletter

Trick or Treat Reminder
Waunakee Halloween Trick or Treating will be on Monday, October 31 from 5 – 7pm.  Please be extra cautious of all the extra pedestrian and vehicle traffic during these times. As always, report any suspicious or dangerous behavior to the Waunakee Police Dept at 849-4523.

Alternate Side Parking Reminder
Alternate side parking begins on November 1, 2011 and ends on April 1, 2012.  Alternate side parking is enforceable between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.  On even numbered days between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., vehicles should be parked on the even numbered side of the street and on odd numbered side of the street for odd numbered days.

A rule of thumb is to figure out the next day’s date if you are parking your vehicle before midnight and leaving it until morning.

WI Concealed Carry Law
The new WI Concealed Carry Law goes into effect on November 1, 2011. This is a link to the WI Department of Justice (DOJ) website that covers; 2011 WI Act 35, frequently asked questions about the act, the application process for CCW permits and the training requirements.


Theft from Motor Vehicles Cases on the Rise
We have had a rash of thefts from vehicles and burglaries to open garages. We have identified numerous suspects and the investigation is ongoing. It’s very important that victims of these crimes report them to the police department. It’s not uncommon when these crimes get solved that we end up with more recovered property than was reported stolen because the stolen items were not reported to police.

A deterrent to such thefts can be as simple as remembering to keep your vehicle doors locked when parking outside and either remove valuables or secure them in the trunk. Also, be sure overhead garage doors are shut and garage service doors are locked.

In many cases items of value were in plain view in the unlocked vehicles. The department would also like to remind residents to be diligent in calling the police as soon as an incident is occurring or discovered.  We also recommend that you record serial numbers on all electronic items to assist us in recovering and returning property that has been stolen.

Hunter’s Sight In
The Dane County Sheriff’s Department will be hosting a “Hunter’s Sight In.”  Citizens will be able to take their rifles to the Dane County Law Enforcement Training Center to have them sighted in, in a safe and controlled environment. The program will run daily from November 5, 2011 thru the November 18, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.  The cost is $10 for the first gun and $5 for each additional gun.

Additional services offered include; bore sighting, scope alignment, scope mounting (if time permits), miscellaneous weapon repairs, open sight adjustment, weapon operation instruction, and disposal of old ammunition.

For more information contact:

Dane County Law Enforcement Training Center

5184 State Highway 19
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-2660

Girls On The Run Event Taking Place in Waunakee
On Saturday, November 12th Waunakee will be host to the 3rd Annual New Balance Girls on the Run 5k. The event is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. on Division Street and more than 1,000 people are expected to participate.

Based on the large number of participants and possible delays, citizens should be aware of the race route throughout the Village. The race begins on S. Division St traveling south to Woodland Dr., west on Woodland to Simon Crestway to South St, north on South St to 3rd St., west on 3rd St to Fish St., north on Fish St to 2nd St., East on Second Street to Short St, south on Short St to 3rd St., and finally east on 3rd St. back to Village Park.

Girls on the Run is a life-changing, experiential learning program for girls in third through eighth grade (Girls on the Run for 3rd - 5th grade and Girls on Track for 6th - 8th grade). The program combines training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goal of the program is to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.

For more information on Girls on the Run, please visit http://girlsontherundaneco.org/

Medicare Phone Scams/Fraud Warning
Beware of a phone call from someone claiming to be a representative of Medicare. In reality they're just trying to steal your identity.  This happened to at least one Waunakee resident.  Fortunately, the resident realized it was a scam and did not become a victim. 
The scheme targeting Medicare seniors relies on the telephone, not the Internet. The fraudulent phone calls usually identified as originating from an 866 area code claim to represent a Medicare or Social Security Office and ask consumers for personal information so that new Medicare cards can be issued. A call to the 866 number used by the Medicare scammers as their caller ID reaches a recording confirming that it is being used in the Medicare spoof. 
When people refuse to provide the requested information, a phony supervisor comes on the line to say that the information must be provided to remain enrolled in the Medicare program. The thieves then use information collected to steal victims' identities and remove funds from accounts through checks or electronic transactions.
Consumers should check caller ID on incoming calls and avoid giving out personal information including policy numbers, date of birth, social security numbers, credit card numbers or bank account information over the phone or on the internet - especially when speaking with or replying to email from strangers.
Be suspicious of any requests you get asking for personal or financial data. Never offer information. Always verify the identity of the person on the other end of the phone or emailing you. And remember that scammers will typically just hang up if confronted or threatened with a call to the police or attorney general.
Thieves use similar methods for a tax refund scam in which fake IRS phone calls or emails ask for personal and banking information so that the consumer supposedly can receive an additional tax refund. Consumers are reminded that the IRS does not solicit personal information via e-mail. These are just a few of the latest scams that are targeting senior citizens.  
If you have information about a fraud, report it to state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies.

 Questions can be sent to newsletter@waunakeepd.org   Questions submitted may be featured in future newsletters.  The person submitting the question will not be identified.