DES MOINES WILL BE OBSERVING NATIONAL NIGHT OUT ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020

TIPS FROM THE POLICE DEPT   TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED DURING THIS CORONAVIRUS CRISIS   FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BASED SERVICE DELIVERY UNIT

• Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might instead lead to more robocalls.

• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. Scammers are trying to get you to buy online or in stores products that aren’t proven to treat or prevent the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the FDA to learn more. 

• Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources. Visit only verified sites for federal, state and local government agencies.
• Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t. They will take your credit card information, but you will receive nothing. Stick to online sources you know.
• Don’t respond to texts and emails about payments from the government. The details of stimulus funding and benefits are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
• Watch for fake emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Be cautious about your giving. Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Work with known charities. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation.  If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.

Additionally, the FBI is also reminding us all to always use good cyber hygiene and security measures. By remembering the following tips, you can protect yourself and your family and help stop criminal activity:

• Do not open attachments or click links within emails from senders you don't recognize.
• Do not provide your username, password, date of birth, social security number, financial data, or other personal information in response to an email or robocall.
• Always verify the web address of legitimate websites and manually type them into your browser.
• Check for misspellings or wrong domains within a link (for example, an address that should end in a ".gov" ends in .com" instead).
• Don’t trust emails just because they look official. Mouse over links to make sure they’re going to a legitimate website.

Sgt. Doua Lor #4898

Asian Outreach Resource Officer

Neighborhood Base Services Delivery

Des Moines Police Department

25 E. 1st Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Cell Phone (515) 971-0792

Email: dblor@dmgov.org
 

SAFETY TIPS Ø Move all valuable items in the car out of sight such as GPS, purse, package, radar detector, and etc. Ø  Don’t leave a running car unattended in the street or drive way. Ø Lock all car doors and roll up all windows.  Ø  Don’t leave your keys in the car.  (Even if the car is in the garage.) Ø Let GOOD NEIGHBORS know you are gone for extended periods of time and advise them to contact the police when they see suspicious activity. Ø Try to have packages and mail picked up by family or trustworthy neighbors so they are not piling up on the porch. Ø Arrange to have garbage containers moved to the street and picked up if you are gone on garbage day. Ø Have adequate lights around the house and close all blinds/curtains so valuable items can’t be seen in plain view. Ø If you have a security alarm system, PLEASE USE IT.  Ø Record make, model and serial numbers of your property. Ø Take pictures of jewelry and other items that do not have serial numbers. Ø  When you see people walking in your neighborhood and acting suspicious, let them know you see them. If a burglar knows you see them, they are unlikely to commit criminal activity in your area for fear of being caught.   (Do not be confrontational.  (If possible, take down vehicle plate and description of person/vehicle.) Ø  When leaving your home, look around to make sure no one is watching you leave. Ø KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS.  Have block parties or barbeques.   Outdoor activities will help neighbors get to know each other. Ø If you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time you can always use the police department to assist with VACATION WATCH.  Officers will check your property when time allows.   CALL 283-4811. Ø Never Park in an unlit area, no matter how convenient it is. Ø  Don’t over burden yourself with packages.  (Don’t buy more than you can carry!) Ø Always have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Ø Always look through car windows before enter into the vehicle to assure no one is hiding in the back.

Free trees for your property

The City of Des Moines is making it easier than ever for you to increase our urban tree canopy by planting trees on your property. As part of our annual Tiny Trees program, up to 5 FREE individual trees will be made available to city residents this spring, available for order at http://tinytrees.dmgov.org/.

FUTURE BUDGET CUTS LEAD TO SHELVING PLANS FOR A NEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL
DMPS announced in November 2017 its intention to build a new school at 3620 E. Douglas Avenue. The PK-6 school would have been the district’s second public Montessori school, and served some students currently attending Brubaker and Garton elementary schools.
Larger-than-hoped-for budget cuts will mean Des Moines Public Schools shelving plans for a new Montessori school on the city’s northeast side for the foreseeable future.
“The past several years of under-funding public education in Iowa is taking a toll, and our plans for a new Montessori school is a price that unfortunately must be paid,” said Dr. Thomas Ahart, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. “While the construction cost of the school building would have been met thanks to the statewide sales tax, the general fund expense of staffing and operating an additional school is simply not feasible at this time. As we prepare to reduce spending by millions of dollars, including not filling many teacher vacancies, this new school will simply not fit in our budget.”
Superintendent Ahart indicates that DMPS will have to reduce spending by the school district’s general fund by as much as $72 million over the next three years.
“Over the 110-year history of Des Moines Public Schools, the school district regularly adapted to changes in our community,” added Dr. Ahart. “Today, the needs of the families and neighborhoods in northeast Des Moines are a priority. However, until Iowa returns to supporting education in the way it has done historically, projects such as staffing and operating an additional new school must wait.”
DMPS will continue ownership of the property, which was purchased in December 2017, for possible use in the future. Renita Lord, who was announced as principal of the proposed school back in July, will continue as principal of Garton Elementary School.

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  NEIGHBORHOOD BASED SERVICE DELIVERY UNIT

      SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON