Full Notification

Crime prevention has become so important that an entire month of October has been dedicated to promoting it and showing people what they can do for their community: October is National Crime Prevention Month. The Grapevine Police Department encourages everyone to get involved in the community and their neighborhood.

The word “community” conveys an image of personal interaction, familiarity, comfort and safety. A safe community is a successful community.

Police officers believe members of a community need to know their community. When something is out of place or suspicious activity arises, report it. Awareness and involvement in your community and neighborhood is the key. People just simply need to pay attention and call the police when the need arises.

Criminals want to take away our sense of security and replace it with fear. Fear can be paralyzing and nobody wants to live in a community ruled by fear. Our police officers work hard but they need your help. As conscientious members of our community, you have a duty to protect yourself from crime and its effects.

The Grapevine Police Department offers many programs and services related to crime prevention. The department does home security inspections, business security assessments, and crime-free multi-housing programs. The department can also assist you in organizing a neighborhood watch committee. In May the Grapevine Police Department will offer residents the opportunity to have unwanted confidential documents properly discarded and shredded free of charge. The Police Department will also be conducting VIN Etching and Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspections/Installations at the event.

VIN Etching enables the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to be permanently etched (acid etch) into the major windows of a vehicle at free of charge to Grapevine residents. VIN etching is a theft deterrent and may entitle you to an auto insurance premium discount. Texas ranks number two in the nation in auto theft, with a vehicle stolen every five minutes.

This process makes the VIN easily accessible for law enforcement officers to identify your vehicle, discouraging criminal from stealing your vehicle due to the ease at which it can now be traced. There are several events the Grapevine Police have planned in October that community members can participate in.

The “National Night Out” on Tuesday, October 1st, 2013, is a good way for residents to get involved in crime prevention, safety, and overall awareness. Grapevine police officers came out to the neighborhood events to interact with members of the community and show them what they can do to prevent criminal activity.

On Saturday, October 19th from 11am to 3pm the Grapevine Police Department is hosting an Open House at it’s headquarters located at 307 W. Dallas Rd. Area residents are invited to drop by for free food, static displays, and facility tours. The department welcomes everyone by to fellowship with Police and Volunteer Personnel.

The following Saturday, October 26th from 10am to 2pm, the department will participate in a collaborative effort with the DEA and state law enforcement agencies focused on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from our community’s medicine cabinets. A national take-back day will provide a unified opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. This one-day effort will bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse. The program provides an opportunity for Grapevine Police to collaborate with the DEA and establish a safe collection site.

What can you do about crime this October? Stop by the Grapevine Police Department or contact one of the community relations officers for more information on programs and training relating to safety and security. Ask questions and share any suggestions you might have. Contact Sr. Ofc. Wade Easley at the Community Outreach Center, 817-421-2192 or Sr. Ofc. Scott Rhodes at the mall police substation, 972-724-2126.

Remember to think about safety and crime prevention this October. Support our police officers and fire fighters. Involvement is the key, not apathy. It’s your community.