I was fortunate to attend last Saturday’s Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis and happily watched my Wisconsin Badgers win the game, on to the Rose Bowl! You will note that I have not mentioned how well my Packers are doing this year, it just would not be fair to you Bears fans, so I have left it alone. Maybe Brett Favre can help you guys out? But I digress, the reason I brought up the football game is that I have not been to a game for several years and was surprised to learn that I would be subjected to a “pat down” search if I wanted to enter the stadium. That search, which was professionally done, involved a quick touching of coat sleeves, waist and my coat pockets, basically everything above the beltline.
Then this week, one of our Chief’s Email subscribers sent me a video, which is attributable to promoting why a school system in Michigan is so adamant about searching their students. This video, below, has been out in the internet for some time, but I thought I would pass it along to you. It is amazing what one can conceal when one puts their mind to it. It also serves as a reminder as to how dangerous it can be for police officers when they make a traffic stop. From time to time some of you have questioned why it takes 2 officers to stop a car and hand out a ticket. Truth is it takes only one, the other one is there so that the officer writing the ticket has a better chance of going home at the end of their shift. The video is really surprising, take a look.
HEROIN – THIS IS NEW 
Recently one of our officers recovered capsules that contained heroin. This is packaging is new in the area, in fact, a company that produces posters and handouts on what drugs look like has asked to use these photographs in their next printing. We, of course, told them to have at it; the more people know about these things the better chance they have of knowing what their kids are up to. I have attached the photograph of the capsules of heroin that were recovered. As you can see, they look like a capsule that one might ingest by swallowing. Given the low absorption rate when heroin is taken orally, I doubt that kids are swallowing these things, but rather just using the capsules to conceal and transport the drug. Regardless, it is new and it is here in Portage and now you know about it.
DRUG TEST KITS
Speaking of drugs, I recently spoke with Ms. Sharon Cawood from the Porter County Substance Abuse Council. Did you know that their organization sells drug testing kits to parents who wish to test a child, 17 years or younger. The kits are $5 and parents can purchase up to 4 of these kits at a time. Credit cards are not accepted, cash only, no checks, just cash. These kits will test for marijuana, heroin, cocaine and ecstasy and she has advice for parents on how to get your kids to say NO when it comes to using drugs. She also can help direct you to places in Porter County for help if your kid is already using. What a great resource!
Ms. Cawood is not always in her office and so she asks that you call and make an appointment with her, do not just show up unexpected.
She can be reached at (219) 462-0946
CAR BREAK-INS
Tis the season to take what is yours and give it to others. We have had several reports of car break-ins in the city and most of them could have been avoided. The reports are not really “break- ins” as much as they are “let-ins”. Many of the victims have left their cars unlocked at night only to awake and learn that someone has entered their unlocked vehicle and taken their valuables. Our STOP Team has put together a hand out and is visiting various locations where these thefts have taken place. Here are a few hints and suggestions that may prevent you from being a victim
LOCK YOUR CAR
- Hide valuables, don’t advertise what you have, that is what glove compartments and trunks are for
- Keep your car tidy (Hopefully my kids are reading this), neat cars with nothing of value in sight reduces your chances of being a victim
- Completely close those windows, it takes but a slim piece of metal or wire to get into your car through a small opening
- Mark your valuables, use a marker or engraver or it will be difficult to get the items returned if we are lucky enough to recover them. Many serial numbers these days are on labels that are easily removed or scratched off
- Watch for suspicious activity, people walking up and down parking aisles and checking door handles or cars that keep cruising the area. If it does not look right, well, you know the drill
- Christmas shoppers, make sure your purchases go into the trunk and take a look around and see if anyone has followed you to your car or is watching you as you place your items into the trunk
- Keep your door key ready to go, have it between your thumb and forefinger before you arrive at the door. You do not want to be looking for your key and not notice the bad guy coming up from behind
- Get in your car and lock the door, then start the engine
- Remember, never go with anyone who orders you back in your car and tells you to drive them somewhere, if you do, chances are you are not coming back. Yell, scream, kick, throw the keys in their face and run. Bad guys hate that sort of attention
STROKE VICTIMS – NEW INDICATOR
Neurologists report that if they can provide help to a stroke victim within 3 hours , they can pretty much reverse the effects of the stroke. The real trick and challenge is recognizing that your friend, associate or loved one has suffered a stroke, it can be tough to identify those characteristics. Doctors stress the easiest way is to ask the person TO DO THESE 4 simple things-
- Ask the person to SMILE
- Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK a simple sentence- are they coherent? For example, have them say “ It is sunny out today”
- Ask the person to RAISE BOTH ARMS
- Ask the person to stick out their tongue- is the tongue crooked? This is a bit more difficult to determine, after all, what is crooked? The first 3 indicators are the best and have been promoted by the medical profession for a good amount of time
I have been told that if everyone who sends these warnings on to 10 people, that you can bet that at least one life will be saved. I did my part, how about you?
That’s all I have today. Good luck with the shopping and hustle and bustle out there. Most of all be safe. This is the time of the year when many people are taking advantage of your good cheer and the happiness that the season brings. They are counting on you to be less observant and vigilant then you might otherwise be. Remember, if it does not look right, it probably is not right. Call the police and let them do their job, that is what they get paid to do.
Contact Us!
- Emergency - "911"
- Routine Business - (219) 762-3122
- STOP Team - (219) 764-5676
- We Tip Line- 1 - 800 - 78 - CRIME