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October 2008
Greetings from Southeast Patrol Division,
What's New on the Police Front
The Wilmington Police Department's Southeast (SE) Division began on July 07, 2008 with the approval of the Wilmington City Council. A new facility was located to put officer's of the Police Department closer to the citizens they serve on the Southeast side of the city. The Police Department's Patrol Division was split into two new divisions to help serve your needs more efficiently. Even though all SE Division personnel are working out of the new facility at 2451 S. College Rd., the facility is still under renovation on a daily basis, therefore remains closed to the general public pending installation of a handicap ramp, easy accessible doors and changes to current office spaces to adapt to the way we do business. Once the facility is open to the public it will no longer be necessary to drive across town to obtain services such as copies of reports, fingerprinting for employment, etc. A new opening date has not been set, however we hope that it is soon and we will be making everyone aware when that time draws nearer. In the meantime, it is “business as usual”.
The SE Patrol Division is divided into two geographical areas, District 5 and District 6. The Division is under the command of Captain Randy Pait. Captain Pait is a 21 year veteran of the Wilmington Police Department, during which he has served in every division of the Wilmington Police Department. He was very instrumental as the Support Services Division Commander in the construction of the new Police Headquarters on Bess St. As a result of his work on the first building constructed specifically for the Police Department, he was selected to command the establishment of the new SE Patrol Facility. Capt. Pait graduated from UNC-Wilmington with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and is currently working towards finishing his Master's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration through Methodist University. He is a graduate of the 29th Session of N.C. State's Administrative Officers Management Program and of the 220th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy.
Capt. Randy Pait
910-341-0111
E-Mail: randy.pait@wilmingtonnc.gov
District 5 is under the command of Lieutenant Kathy Cochran. Lt. Cochran has been with the Wilmington Police Department for 19 years. She started in the Uniform Patrol Division and was the first female selected for the Problem Area Tactical Team, a uniform drug squad. She has also worked in Vice and Narcotics, the Detective Division, and most recently the Support Services Division, before being transferred back to Uniform Patrol. Lt. Cochran has a Business Management Degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, has graduated from the 41st Session of N.C. State's Administrative Officers Management Program, and was the first Wilmington Police Department female officer to graduate from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy, Session 234.
Lt. Kathy Cochran
910-343-3689
E-Mail: kathy.cochran@wilmingtonnc.gov.
District 6 is under the command of Lieutenant Obbie Blanton. Lt. Blanton is a 23 year veteran of the Wilmington Police Department, having worked in the Patrol Division the majority of his career. He has also served in the Traffic Unit, Support Services Division, and worked for the past five years as a Midnight Shift Watch Commander. Lt. Blanton has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Organizational Development from Mount Olive College and graduated from the 32nd Session of the Administrative Officers Management Program through NC State in 2002. Lt. Blanton is a second generation Wilmington Police Lieutenant with family ties to various other local law enforcement agencies. He is also a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor, specializing in General Instructor Certification, Law Enforcement Driver's Training and Hazardous Materials Operations and Awareness.
Lt. Obbie Blanton
910-341-0158
E-Mail: obbie.blanton@wilmingtonnc.gov
Police Beat
District 5 contains both commercial and residential areas, the largest of which are commercial businesses. The District is divided into three patrol areas: 5A, 5B, and 5C. The boundary lines for District 5 are Kerr Ave north to the city limits and south to Wrightsville Ave., east on Wrightsville Ave. to the city limits, and then basically everything northeast of Wrightsville Ave. to the city limits. Included in this area is the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
District 6, the largest patrol district in the city, is divided into two patrol areas: 6A and 6B. The boundary lines for District 6 begin at South College Road, east on Wrightsville Ave. east of South College Road to Shipyard Blvd. to Independence Blvd, west to the Cape Fear River. This encompasses areas of the city south to the city limits. Included in this geographical area are Pine Valley, Eagles Nest, Greenville Loop Rd., Echo Farms, St. Andrews Dr. and many more residential/business areas.
The arrest of three individuals this month by officers of the SE Patrol Division for crimes pertaining to Burglary, Breaking and Entering, and Larceny has resulted in the clearance of over 35 criminal cases. Additional charges are likely, as our Detectives are hard at work trying to link these three offenders to other crimes. Two of the individuals arrested were the direct result of a citizen witnessing a crime and calling police. The officers arrived on scene, located the two suspects, who both had warrants, and placed them under arrest. The citizen was an excellent witness and told officers the location the suspects had just been in. Further investigation resulted in officers locating a residence that had been broken into. Had it not been for the citizen getting involved the suspects may have gotten away. If you observe suspicious persons or vehicles, please be an observant witness and do not hesitate to call 911 to report this activity. Officers would much rather respond and identify these individuals for the record, than to not have known, only to discover that these individuals were responsible for criminal activity. Having an officer stop and talk to a suspicious individual may stop your neighbor or yourself from becoming a victim. If you as a resident observe someone who you feel does not belong in your neighborhood, please call!!
A good example of the above can be illustrated by using the Turtle Hall/Hawksbill Subdivision. Police personnel recently attended a Community Watch Meeting and discussed suspicious activity. On October 08, 2008 a resident called to advise an individual was going door to door asking for money. An officer responded, located the individual, and was able to determine that he was soliciting magazines subscriptions. This individual did not have the proper permits, and it is felt that he was attempting to scam money from the elderly. The individual was identified and is now in our data base for future reference.
Model Block Program
The Model Block Program (MBP) is designed to put an increased police presence and to use all available resources, i.e. Code Enforcement, Neighborhood Enhancement Team, Vice Narcotics, etc. to crush criminal activity in areas of the city deemed to require further attention based on crime statistics. The goal of the program is to reduce crime and clean up those areas. Below is an outline of the SE Patrol Model Block Programs.
The MBP for District 5 is the area surrounding Wal-Mart on Sigmon Rd.; the boundaries of which are Market St., New Centre Dr., and S. College Rd. This area was selected due to high crime statistics, specifically larcenies, breaking and entering of vehicles, and shoplifting. Some of the proactive measures we have taken to address these issues are: increased vehicle and foot patrol by officers, completion of field interrogation reports on suspicious persons loitering in the area, driver's license checkpoints, and strict enforcement of handicap and fire lane violations.
The MBP for District 6 is the area surrounding Bethel Road Park. This park is a new adventure for the City of Wilmington and is set to open for public usage in the near future. Problems associated with the park have been vandalism, alcohol, trespassing and minor burning. A deeper look into the areas revealed a few individuals with this type of background, as well as residences needing direct attention from Code Enforcement. Officers have increased patrols in the neighborhoods within the boundaries of Red Berry, Joe Wheeler, Whisper Creek, Eagles Nest and Greenhowe Dr. Please look forward to seeing officers patrolling on bicycles, dirt bikes, running License Checking Stations and working traffic enforcement in these areas.
Upcoming events:
October 25th - Juvenile Diabetes Walk at Greenfield Park
October 31st - Halloween
Nov. 1st - Iron Man Triathlon
Nov. 8th - Festival Latino at Hugh McRae Park
We believe Home Owners/Community Watch Meetings are very productive due to the information sharing that occurs. If you would like for us to attend your community meetings please call or email us. We would be more than happy to attend. Some of the most recent meetings we have attended are:
September 30th - Turtle Hall/Hawksbill Subdivision
October 7th - Crosswinds Apartments/St. Andrews Dr.
Traffic Enforcement Locations for the Month of September/October:
Waltmoor Rd.
Treybrooke Dr.
Pinecliff Dr.
Greenville Ave.
Bragg Dr.
S. College Rd. (2400 Blk)
Sigmon Rd.
Crime Prevention Tips
Halloween falls on Friday, October 31st this year. We would like to offer the following safety tips for your family:
1. Do not allow a child to go 'Trick or Treating' alone. Be sure older children TAKE A FRIEND and an ADULT accompanies young children.
2. Be certain to accompany young children to the door of every house they approach.
3. Be certain that parents are familiar with every house and all people from which the children receive treats.
4. Children should be cautioned that they should NOT enter any home without prior permission from their parents.
5. Children should be cautioned not to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent.
6. Make sure that all children carry a glow stick or wear reflective clothing.
7. When using facial masks, make sure that children can see and breathe properly and easily.
8. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.
9. Children should be warned to NEVER approach any house that is not well lit and does not have a porch or outside light on.
10. Children should be cautioned to remember any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents and/or the proper official.
11. Children should be cautioned to run away from people who try to trick them with special treats.
12. Children should be instructed to scream and make a scene if anyone tries to grab them or force them, in any way, to go with them.
13. Parents should inspect all treats and dispose of anything that seems to have been tampered with, has been opened, or is not wrapped.
14. A good alternative to 'Trick or Treating' is for parents to organize parties at home, in schools, or in community centers.
Have a safe and fun Halloween!
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