ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 13, 2011
During the month of January 2012, we are unable to provide the service of checking child safety seats. Please call SAFE KIDS at 717-531-SAFE (7233) to find the closest inspection station. Sorry for any inconvenience.
December 1, 2011
The Police Department wishes to thank all the civic associations/citizens that worked hard with us during the recent residential burglaries we experienced since April 2011.
At a recent meeting with some of the civic associations, we outlined all the efforts done by the Hampden Twp PD to try and capture those responsible. This included surveillance equipment, night vision, thermal imagers, numerous search warrants, changing shifts and flooding prime time, requesting and receiving officers from Cumberland County CID and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s department. We also utilized bloodhounds from Summit Search and Rescue and technical assistance from PSP. We visited pawn shops in the area and received pawn sheets from several neighboring states. We also checked on storage areas for some of our local “talent”. Several area police departments (Lower Paxton, East Pennsboro, Hampden, Susquehanna, Swatara, and Northern York Regional) were working hard and sharing information during this time frame.
An alert patrolman from Lower Paxton Twp caught two of the three suspects responsible for the spree. Lower Paxton was extremely gracious in the amount of cooperation they provided in that they allowed our officers to participate in the search of the bad guy’s property and in the interview process. The three main culprits responsible for this spree are currently locked up and we have not had the problem since the arrests were made. During the investigation, the Hampden Township Police Department arrested three individuals for committing three residential burglaries and two individuals for business burglaries that occurred during the same time frame.
In another joint investigation involving East Pennsboro, Lower Paxton, and Hampden Twp, we were able to lock up two individuals that had been breaking into soda machines all over the three townships listed during a six month time period. East Pennsboro Twp PD also locked up two individuals that were doing burglaries in a related area to the main burglary spree we were experiencing. Hampden Township also experienced two burglaries and numerous thefts from vehicles that occurred in three developments during this same time frame. Swatara Twp PD stopped an individual in a stolen car and recovered another stolen vehicle and much of the stolen property. Armed with this information, the Hampden Twp PD in cooperation with Steelton PD was able to locate a stolen car taken during one of the burglaries.
You can now understand how busy this department was from April until October 2011. Again, we appreciated all of your efforts in calling in suspicious people and vehicles. One of the calls ended up involving juveniles and drugs. The detectives of this department also arrested a man who was stealing pocketbooks from victim’s vehicles while they were shopping during November. This guy was conducting this activity from Hazleton area down to the Cumberland County area. WE want to remind all citizens and visitors to Hampden Township to remain vigilant as this is still our main burglary and theft season.
August 11, 2011
TRAFFIC REMINDERS:
Per Pa Vehicle Code and the Hampden Twp Ordinance, vehicles must be parked parallel to and with the right-hand wheels within 12 inches of the right-hand curb. It is a violation if you park against traffic.
When the vehicle’s windshield wipers are in continuous or intermittent use due to precipitation, including rain, snow, sleet, or mist, your headlights must be on.
April 11, 2011
There will be another National Prescription Take Back Day held on April 30, 2011 at the Recreation building located at 5001 Park Street Ext. The time frame will be 10:00am to 2:00pm. Folks are invited to drop off their unused, unwanted prescription medicine to include liquids this time and then go visit the Touch a Truck event at the Emergency Services Building North on Good Hope Road. As it was last year, no questions asked, just put the drugs into a box and leave. Last year we received 55 pounds at the Hampden Township site alone and the Harrisburg area with 58 collection sites took in 1366 pounds, therefore our event was very successful. For those of you who cannot make it, we will be participating again later in the summer or late fall and the date and location will be announced.
March 15, 2011
Information for a Visa/Mastercard scam;
Person calling say - 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460, your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona ?' When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?' You say 'yes'.
The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud Investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number.’ The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works - The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the last 3 are the Security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the last 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card Do you have any other questions?'
After you say no, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do', and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back. Within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we were glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card. We made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number.. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master Card directly for verification of their conversation..
The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit; however, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
November 4, 2010
Information for an additional phone scam has been brought to our attention regarding AT&T and some area codes that are related to scams. Please click on the following link for more information: AT&T AREA CODE SCAM.
October 5, 2010
Please be aware that there are several phone scams out there. Usually they tell you that you won money, gift card, etc and that you just need to pay shipping and handling. They ask for your credit card information and then may fraudulently use that card.
Also, you may receive information via email or mail that says something similar to above, but it may include a check. Usually they advise you to cash the check and then return a certain amount for tax purposes, etc. These checks are usually counterfeit and then you are out the money that you rendered to them.
Keep in mind that if you ever receive an offer saying you won something, but you have to remit an amount for shipping, etc., most likely it is fraudulent. You should never have to remit any money for winning something. Do not give out any personal information via telephone.
Another specific telephone call that is fraudulent is someone claiming to represent the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and say they are calling regarding the collection of an outstanding debt. They claim you may be delinquent on a loan and they attempt to get sensitive information such as your name, social security number, date of birth, etc. They urge you to make a payment over the phone to “avoid a lawsuit and possible arrest.”
These suspicious phone calls are fraudulent. According to the FDIC, generally they do not initiate unsolicited telephone calls to consumers and they are not involved with the collection of debts on behalf of operating lenders and financial institutions.
If you feel that you are a victim of fraud, you may notify the following credit reports agencies to place a “fraud alert” on your credit report:
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, California 92834-6790
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9554, Allen, Texas 75013
September 27, 2010
Thanks to those who participated in the Drug Take Back that was held on Saturday, September 25, 2010. Thanks to the news media for helping to get the information out about the Drug Take Back event. A little over 55 pounds of drugs were turned in at Hampden Township, which does not include liquid medications that were referred to Silver Spring Township.
We are looking forward to working with the DEA on any similar endeavors in the future.
September 17, 2010
A recent diversionary burglary attempt in a Cumberland County municipality occurred during the early afternoon on 9/15/2010. A diversionary burglary is when more than one person is involved and a second or more individual enters the residence and attempts to steal items from within. The approach in this particular incident was two males approach the victim inquiring about a roof inspection and work being completed. One male diverted the victim’s attention while the other entered the residence.
Male #1: w/m, 5’10” 225lbs, wearing a green bb cap, green sweatshirt and blue work pants.
Male #2: h/m, 5’8” 165, wearing a green sweatshirt and dark work pants.
Both fled the scene in a full size silver or gray van with pa tags. The burglars were unable to take any items. If this occurs to you try and get the registration number or business card from the individual with safety in mind and report it to the police department. Remember construction contractors must have a state license.
August 9, 2010
The Hampden Township Police Department has been interested in finding a vehicle to remove unused, unwanted or expired medicines from the homes of Hampden Township. These pills seem to find their way into the possession of children and addicted adults. We are fortunate that the federal government likewise recognizes this epidemic problem and is providing us that vehicle without costs of disposal. Our involvement will be providing a uniform officer, collecting the medicines, and taking to a central collection point for pickup by an agency chosen by the DEA. It is only one day and for four hours only so please take the time to use this program.
The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is coordinating a one day National Take Back Day Initiative, a one-day collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to collect unused, unwanted, or expired pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement agencies for destruction. This one day effort is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 25 September 2010 and the hours will be 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Hampden Twp Police Department is participating and the event will be held at the Recreation building located at 5001 Park Street Extended. This is located across from Sporting Hill Elementary and by the Township Park and Pool Complex.
Residents and NON residents having unused, unwanted or expired pharmaceutical in the pill form are welcome to bring them to the location specified above. The program is anonymous and no data will be obtained from any individual participating. The containers holding the medicines will be retained by those dropping off the pills, this insures anonymity.
July 21, 2010
Credit card scam targeting restaurants, customers: (copy and paste the following link) http://cumberlink.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_fd054c60-94e4-11df-9492-001cc4c03286.html
June 15, 2010
A new link has been added called End of Year reports. These reports include a list of crimes reported, crashes reported, training and special events.
June 3, 2010
Over the next few years the Hampden Township Police will be changing their fleet. We will be phasing out the blue cars and will be going with a new design, the traditional black and white. As of June 1st our first black and white cruiser arrived and has been placed in service. We expect the second cruiser to arrive in another week. Residents can expect to see two new black and white cruisers patrolling the neighborhoods.
2010 Ford Crown Vic
May 13, 2010
Summer Beware
With Summer approaching, please make sure you shut your garage door. If you store alcohol in a refrigerator in the garage, and the garage door is left open, it is an invitation to unwanted entrance by youth looking for alcohol.
Also, unlocked car doors with property laying in plain view invites unwanted visitors.