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Tempe crime prevention unit has moved

Here is a press release from the city of Tempe:

"The Crime Prevention Unit is no longer housed at 10 W Guadalupe Rd. The unit has de-centralized, meaning that we are located at 2 different stations. Mike Fleming and Cyndi Calender are located at the Apache Substation, 1855 E Apache Blvd. Julie Williams, Dan Brown, Brandon Eaden, and Andrew Rodriguez are located at the Hardy Substation, 8201 S Hardy Dr. The phone numbers are still the same and the Crime Prevention Officers/Specialists are still responsible for their same areas and expertise. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call and I'll be happy to direct you to the appropriate person.

Thank you and have a wonderful day,
Julie Williams
Tempe Police Department
Crime Prevention Unit
480-858-6333 Office
480-858-6339 Fax"

Tempe invites residents to learn about fire and crime prevention - October 2009

Tempe invites residents to learn about fire and crime prevention

Tempe, Arizona families can stop by Arizona Mills this Saturday for the annual “Shopping for Fire and Crime Prevention” event hosted by the Tempe Fire and Police departments, and many other community organizations. Tempe wants residents to learn the simple things they can do to help keep their families safe from fires and crime. The free event will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 3, at the mall, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, in Tempe.

Information booths will be set up inside the mall’s food court, with details on topics such as fire and crime prevention, water safety, auto theft prevention, safety for seniors, domestic violence awareness and disaster preparedness. Outside in the parking lot, near the northwest side of the mall at Entry 7, Tempe firefighters will guide tours of fire engines and showcase their interactive “squirt trailer” for kids.

Free vehicle VIN etching will be available in the parking lot starting at 8 a.m. Other outdoor activities will include ERIC, Tempe’s new mobile recycling education trailer, as well as the Tempe Police Command Van and other vehicles. The Arizona Auto Theft Authority also will be on hand to kick off their 2009 Statewide Vehicle Theft Prevention Campaign.

For more information on fire prevention, call the Tempe Fire Department at 450-858-7230 or visit www.tempe.gov/fire.

Pool Equipment thefts in Tempe

The Tempe Police Department Crime Analysis Unit has identified a trend of pool cleaning equipment thefts from residential yards. Between 04/29/08 and 12/05/08 there were 80 Pool Cleaning Equipment thefts across the valley totaling more than $74,000. If you have a pool, be sure to secure your pool equipment by keeping all gates closed and locked at all times. Crime Prevention is the first step in fighting crime in your neighborhoods. For more information and crime prevention tips, visit our website at www.tempe.gov/cpu

2007 Tempe Summary of Crime Stats

Here are some interesting crime stats taken from the cities web site:

The population of Tempe was 167,871 in 2007

• There were a total of 117,570 citizen generated calls for service in 2007 (an 8.7% decrease from 2006)
• The most common type of citizen generated call for service is the "suspicious activity" call. These calls account for approximately 10.4%  of the total number of citizen generated calls for service
• Approximately one police report is generated for every four calls for service (these are not necessarily criminal reports)
• In 2007 Tempe's crime rate was 74.8 Part I crimes per 1,000 persons.

City asks residents to help fight graffiti war

A proven way to fight graffiti is to remove it as soon as possible. The Tempe City Council has approved funding for a "graffiti buster" truck in it's 2008-2009 budget discussions. The truck will employ technology to help city workers match paint colors and thoroughly spray areas covered by graffiti. The city hopes this will improve response times for graffiti calls by allowing crews to work more efficiently.

They also are requesting help from residents and businesses. What can we all do? Here are some suggestions:

• if you witness graffiti, call the Police "non-emergency" number of 480-350-8311 and report it for immediate dispatch
• for graffiti removal call 480-350-8384
• paint over any graffiti on your private property with 10-days
• establish an active block watch
• install good lighting in dark and susceptible areas