Spokane’s Community Oriented Policing Services (C.O.P.S.) is, I believe, unique in that no other type of community policing exists like our model.  To qualify that statement, I feel a short history lesson on how Spokane C.O.P.S. came about is in order.  Click here for the full article. 

Chances of getting your stolen bike returned are greater if you register the bike!  Every year, C.O.P.S. volunteers register hundreds of bicycles throughout the city of Spokane for children AND adults.  For more detail, go to http://www.spokanecops.org/bicycle-registration

Contact your nearest C.O.P.S. substation to register your bicycle.

The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program Training for landlords and property managers provides a partnership between police, local property owners/managers, and residents to foster safe, healthy, crime free communities in rental housing.

This training is for property owners/managers / management company personnel with rental property within the City of Spokane and Spokane County.

To register, contact mvulcano@spokanepolice.org or 509-835-4572.

For more information, view our Crime Free Multi-Housing Brochure

Fully compliant properties have reported reductions in police calls for service up to 70%!

The CFMH Four-Step Membership Process

1. Sixteen hour training session for landlords, owners, and managers covering such topics as applicant screening, rental agreements, identifying illegal activities, evictions, working with police, fire, code enforcement, human services and more. Graduates receive a Letter of Completion.
2. Meeting minimum Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design requirements. This includes proper deadbolts, double window locks, peepholes on apartment front doors, proper trimming of bushes, security lighting, etc.
3. Member properties hold two documented meetings with their tenants yearly. Participation in National Night Out Against Crime qualifies as a meeting.
4. The owner, staff member or a resident is assigned as a liaison to the neighborhood area C.O.P.S. or S.C.O.P.E. Substation. Becoming a liaison does not require actually working in the substation.

Benefits

A stable, more satisfied tenant base.
Increased demand for rental units with a reputation for active management.
Lower maintenance and repair costs.
Increased property values.
Improved personal safety for tenants, landlords, and managers.

Check out this Crime Free Multi-Housing testimonial!

Crime Stoppers wrapped up 2011 with a whopping 535 tips that solved 31 cases and earned tipsters more than $1,975 in cash rewards.

The outlay of cash resulted from the arrests of 27 targeted fugitives, the solution of one criminal case, and payment of three school rewards.

Crime Stoppers is a national program that enhances community safety by paying cash rewards for information that solves crimes.  Unlike many such programs, it does not require that suspects be convicted in order to collect the rewards, thus assuring tipsters they can remain anonymous.

Spokane County previously had the Secret Witness program which was inaugurated in 1980.  It was consolidated into the international Crime Stoppers program in 2008 when its civilian board of directors decided to expand their law enforcement partnership beyond Spokane County borders.

Since then, a Crime Stoppers program has been started in Kootenai County, Idaho, and law enforcement agencies surrounding Spokane County have been offered participation in the program as a means to enhance their investigative abilities.

Since its inception, the combined Secret Witness – Crime Stoppers program has paid out $158,000 for information that resulted in the solution of a crime or arrest of a targeted fugitive.  In many instances, local crimes would have gone unsolved had not a tipster provided a key tip that led police to its resolution.

Another arena in which cash rewards are paid is the “Keep Guns Outta Schools” program which pays tipsters $75 for information that leads to the seizure of a dangerous weapon on school property. 

Persons interested in obtaining more information about the local Crime Stoppers program can visit the website www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org.  For information about the international Crime Stoppers program, go to http://www.csiworld.org.

The Spokane Police Department is still investigating property crimes, but have changed their approach to investigating those crimes to achieve the greatest impacts on public safety within the current budget constraints.

Chief Anne Kirkpatrick this week completed a short video on this topic.  It is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7MeDt7–Hs

Click here for Property Crimes Investigation Details for the basic facts so you have the information.

• If you are the victim of a crime that is in progress or just occurred.
• If you are witnessing a crime that is in progress or just occurred.
• If you are the victim of a crime and the suspect is still in the area.
• If you have a need to immediate police response to a crime.
• If you need to report a fire.
• If there is a medical emergency.
• If you need the Fire Department for a rescue or if you are trapped.

When to call Crime Check? (456-2233)

• To file a police report over the phone for a crime that is no longer occurring.
• If you witnessed a crime that previously occurred.
• If you have information about a past crime.
• To add information on a previous crime report.
• If you are the victim of a crime that is not in progress.
• To report a crime after the fact which does not require a officer/deputy at the scene.

Dangerous Criminal Gang Activity and Violence is Getting Worse

Due to the growth of gang membership regionally and as a preventative measure, the Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team and the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council (GSSAC), have created this website to educate the public about criminal gangs and to provide a way for residents to report tips to thwart the potential threat.    

Learn more…

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to be MCGRUFF the CRIME DOG

Spokane C.O.P.S. has openings for McGruff the Crime Dog volunteers!

Back in 1980, a dog in a rumpled trench coat said, “You don’t know me yet. But you will.” Since then, McGruff the Crime Dog has taught millions of people that the police can’t fight crime alone – crime prevention is everybody’s business and everyone can help “Take A Bite Out Of Crime.”    

Spokane C.O.P.S. McGruff the Crime Dog and his “handler” makes appearances at a variety of community events, schools, National Night Out Against Crime, daycares, senior centers and many more venues.

• All applicants must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check
• A 1 hour training is mandatory
• The wearer should be 5’7″ to 6’3″ in height, should appear reasonably fit and of normal build, and should not appear obviously female when in costume.
• McGruff costume must be worn in its entirety, including coat, head, gloves, pants, and gum-soled shoes. No additional visible clothing or headgear may be worn.
• No one should be allowed to wear the costume for more than 20 minutes in temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit unless they are wearing the special “cool-down” vest
• McGruff must be portrayed at all times as someone who values and is respectful of good relations with law enforcement, community officials, teachers, parents, youth, senior citizens, businesses, and community organizations

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If you are interested in volunteering as McGruff the Crime Dog, please fill out the form below.

Contact Information

Spokane C.O.P.S. would like to remind Spokane Citizens how to help protect themselves from becoming a burglary victim. Please help us help you – don’t become a victim! 

Safety experts agree that the best way to prevent becoming a victim of a crime, is to take every step possible to prevent it from happening to you. While no one can be guaranteed 100% that no one will break into your home; these tips will definitely reduce the likelihood!

- Keep exterior lights on at night.

- Make sure there aren’t any tall bushes that someone can hide in.

- Keep all your doors locked and install safety windows.

- Fix broken broken windows, busted locks and secure pet doors.

- Add a home security device to deter a criminal from choosing you as their next victim.

- Work with your neighbors to watch each others’ houses for suspicious activity.

- Keep the television and radio on at night or while you are away to give the appearance that someone is home.

- Secure your valuables inside your home.

- If you do become a victim of a crime, please report it to Crime Check at 456-2233.