From Tampa Police Department District I: Summer is here and with it can come an increase in property crimes. The Tampa Police Department would like to remind our residents to help reduce the risk of becoming a victim by taking proactive steps to prevent crimes such as vehicle burglary, vehicle theft, residential burglary and vandalism. The following steps can help insure you have a safe and secure summer: Make sure your home is secured when you are home, as well as when you leave. Lock all doors and set the alarm if you have one. Keep your garage door closed unless you are in the immediate …

An elderly woman was scammed out of $5,425, and authorities are asking the public to be on the lookout for the two women involved — and to be wary of similar scams. The alleged incident occurred around 2 p.m. last Saturday, according to police. An elderly woman was approached in the parking lot of a Commerce Palms Boulevard store by two women who showed her a wallet and a stack of bills they said they found in the lot. “One of the suspects claimed to have worked at a nearby store and had confirmed the money was counterfeit via a special 'counterfeit' machine that the store used,” according to…

From Tampa Police Department District I: Counterfeiters are bleaching genuine $5 notes and reprinting them as counterfeit $100 notes. The watermark on genuine $100 bills shows Benjamin Franklin, while the watermark on counterfeit $100 bills shows Abraham Lincoln, instead. Counterfeit detection pens do not work on this note. To look for the watermark, hold the bill up to the light. The image appears to the right of the portrait and the portraits should match. If counterfeit notes are detected, please contact U.S. Secret Service Tampa Field Office at (813) 228-2636.

Maryanne Hunsberger, crime prevention practitioner at Tampa Police Department District I, said that the district has experienced an increase in bicycle theft from open garages. Hunsberger says bicycle theft can be greatly reduced if owners take adequate security measures by investing in equipment that will be effective. For instance, residents should use a quality locking device such as a U-shaped hardened steel with a locking bar, or a hardened steel chain and padlock to secure their bikes. Weak, inexpensive locks do not deter a proficient thief. Also, folks should always close their garage …

Maryanne Hunsberger, crime prevention practitioner at Tampa Police Department District I, shares the guidelines to keep in mind when reporting to the police. Information the dispatcher will need from you: The problem The location Time of occurrence Your name Your phone number Your address Additional details of situation How to describe a vehicle: Type Make and model Year Color License tag number, state Location and direction of travel Distinguished features Description of occupants and how many How to describe a person: 1. Start from the top - What is the person wearing? Hat Glasses Facial …

From Tampa Police Department District I: Citizens should remember that distraction crimes are committed by both men and women and they sometimes work in pairs. Generally, distraction thieves are professionals, well dressed and well-spoken men and women who do their deeds mainly in retail businesses such as supermarkets and discount superstores, mall stores, hotel lobbies, car rental agencies, and airport terminals, among other places. Crimes take place in both daytime and night time. Distraction thieves also pull their crimes outdoors in the daytime, in parking lots of businesses and banks; …

From Tampa Police Department District I: For those who have Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union accounts, if you receive the following text: FWD: FWD: (9174328854) TampaBay FCU YNLK alert 225649. Please call 530.2303635, be aware. The message is a scam.  Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union representatives said that they will not send you a text regarding suspicious activity on your account. A representative will call and there will be a tracking number attached to the inquiry. They verified that this is a scam.

From Tampa Police Department District I: There is a scam going around referred to as the Grandparent Scam. A  senior citizen gets a phone call from someone saying they are with a foreign police department and that their grandson/granddaughter has been arrested for whatever and that the grandson/granddaughter needs to talk to them. At this point, a young person gets on the phone and explains they have gotten caught up in a drug case or some foreign law violation through ignorance. They need bail money and are scared to call their parents. Then, sometimes a "lawyer" gets on the phone and …

Whether you are shopping at the mall or traveling up north, follow these easy steps to be safe this holiday season. Automobile Safety: Do not leave valuables visible. Lock everything in the trunk. Do not keep spare keys in the car - criminals would have access to your car and your house. Lock all the doors and windows, and close the tops on convertibles and T-tops. Personal Safety/Shopping Tips: Remember where you park, so you are not wandering the parking lots. Do not shop alone, or ask security to walk you to your car. Only take what you need. Don’t take a lot of cash or credit cards. Walk …

From City of Tampa Online: 1. Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. If you see people "hanging around" parking garages, parking lots, or the outside of stores, avoid the area. Notify the police or security department. 2. If possible, shop before dark. Coordinate shopping trips with a friend if you plan to be out late. Always park your car in a well lit area. 3. Lock your car doors and windows even if you are only gone for a few minutes. 4. Keep packages and other valuables out of public view, preferably locked in the trunk. 5. Park near street lights if possible and have …

From City of Tampa Online: With “Black Friday” and the holiday season upon us, the Tampa Police Department will launch a strong police presence in mall parking lots starting Wednesday, Nov. 23. Officers will take their enforcement efforts inside the mall to prevent shoplifting while officers on horseback, motorcycles and unmarked cars patrol the shopping mall parking lots. Chief Jane Castor will address the troops as they kick off the operation designed to prevent car burglaries, car thefts and shoplifting at 10 a.m. by the Police Command Post Westshore Mall in front of Maggiano’s. The annual…

Remember that burglaries are crimes of opportunity, where entry is gained due to homeowners knowingly or unknowingly leaving a window, a door, or a garage door open or unlocked. Tampa Police District I's neighborhood affairs liaison Maryanne Hunsberger shares some easy tips to help you not be a victim of a burglary. 1. Lock All Your Doors 24/7  Most unlawful entry is through doorways. 51 percent of break-ins occur during daylight. 49 percent of break-ins occur after dark. 8,600 break-ins a day, 1 every 13 seconds. 2. Deadbolt All Exterior Entrances Most burglaries are the result of forcible …

According to Tampa Police, there’s been a recent spike in home and vehicle burglaries in District One, which includes all of South Tampa. Many of these incidents have result in theft. District One Police believe that unlocked garage doors and vehicles have contributed to these crimes. As a result, police have compiled a list of tips to aid residents in securing their homes and vehicles. Keep your garage door closed when it’s not in use. If in use, never leave the garage unattended. Try to keep any door leading from the garage to the house locked. If you have a house alarm, set it to alert you…

Bicycle theft is common in all cities. If you have ever had a bike stolen you can relate. Some people spend a lot of money on bicycles so the thefts can have a huge impact, not only on recreational activities, but also the wallet. Manufacturers mark most bicycles with a serial number. If your bike does not have a serial number, engrave an identifying number on the frame. You may want to use the same number on the wheels and other components. If you use your Florida Driver's License as your identifying number, it will give police officers the ability to run your information immediately when …

Tampa Police Department District One is encouraging our neighborhood watch groups or businesses to sponsor National Night Out celebrations in their neighborhood or at their business. Once again we will share Tampa Police Department assets (motorcycles, horses) at our locations. National Night Out involves citizens, law enforcement, civic groups, businesses and local officials. Since 1984, “National Night Out - America’s Night Out Against Crime” has grown to involve over 37 million people from more than 15,000 communities. National Night Out is designed to: Heighten crime and drug prevention …

"Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator." "Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier." "Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste - and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up in the driveway. And I might leave a pizza …