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The City of Southside Place Police Department Steps Up DWI Enforcement

This holiday season, the City of Southside Place Police Department is increasing patrols to keep our community safe. With support from a TxDOT grant, officers will be conducting high-visibility enforcement to stop impaired driving and protect everyone on the road.

Please plan ahead. Designate a sober driver, call a friend, or use a rideshare. Drive sober. Get home safe.

#drivelikeatexan


Crime Safety Tips

Have you ever been a victim of Identity Theft and not know who to contact? The steps provided below will assist you in mitigating this growing trend. First and foremost, if you feel as though you have been a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department.

Here are a few prevention tips:

  • Never list your personal information such as your full name, date of birth, social security number, or driver's license on personal checks.
  • Always check your credit card statements to make sure the transactions belong to you.
  • Shred all documents containing your account numbers or other identifying information.
  • When using your debit card, make sure to only allow the last 4 digits of your debit card to appear on your receipts. If the entire debit card is exposed, simply black out all the numbers other that the last four digits.
  • Contact your credit bureau reporting agency and have a freeze placed on your credit. This will prevent new credit account from being created without your express consent.
    • Equifax 888-548-7878
    • Trans Union 800-916-8800
    • Experian 800-493-1058

To help protect your vehicle, we recommend the following tips:

  • Always lock your vehicle and take your keys.
  • Never leave your car running and unattended.
  • Park in well-lit areas.
  • Take valuables with you when you're not in the vehicle.

Statistics show that over 200,000 vehicles are burglarized in Texas each year, emphasizing the need for awareness and caution.

Jugging

  • What it is: Thieves wait in parking lots, observing potential targets who appear distracted fumbling with bags, children, or car keys.
  • Target profile: While the elderly have historically been targets, younger individuals carrying high-value items (like designer bags or new smartphones) are now equally at risk.
  • M.O.: Thieves assess victims' awareness levels and often choose those who seem preoccupied. Most incidents occur when a victim is leaving bank and parks their car leaving the money inside. 

Sliders

  • What it is: This method exploits distractions, particularly at gas stations.
  • How it works: A team operates with a driver and a passenger. The passenger exits the vehicle, slips into the victim's unlocked car, and quickly grabs the purse, disappearing before the victim realizes what has happened.

Safety Tips

  • Stay aware: Always be conscious of your surroundings. Question why someone is approaching you.
  • Look over your shoulder: Regularly check your surroundings, especially when entering or exiting a vehicle or building.
  • Security assessments: The Southside Place Police Department offers free security assessments for homes and businesses. To schedule, contact Detective McCoy or Senior Officer L. Davis at 713.668.2341.

The Grandparent or Parent Scam

The "Target" (complainant) is contacted via phone by a "Grifter" (suspect) who pretends to be either a friend of the Target's relative (typically a child or grandchild) or a person of authority (police officer, attorney, bondsman, doctor) who is professionally involved in the incident.

  • The grifter informs the target their relative was either involved in an at-fault accident where another person was seriously injured or was arrested by law enforcement for warrants.
  • The grifter makes a plea for money ($10,000 - $45,000 in cash) so they can assist the Relative by either paying their bill for medical treatment or by posting their bond so they can get out of jail.
  • The grifter instructs the target to get the cash in hand and place it in a specific style of box, while also determining where to send a courier to meet the target to take the box. 
  • The courier will then meet the target, collect the box, and depart. The courier will then drive to a location predetermined by the grifter and pass them the money box.
  • Additionally:
    • The grifter usually sounds like an educated male
    • They often know the first name of the target's relative
    • They might play either a prerecorded voice message or have another person talk live on the phone who purports to be the target's relative.
    • The relative will beg the target for financial help while crying during the conversation in an attempt to mask their true voice.
    • The couriers are part-time Uber or Lyft delivery drivers who do not know that a scam is being perpetuated.
    • The grifter typically does not threaten force against the target. 

If you receive a call from a suspected grifter, please stall by asking if they can call you back in an hour so you have time to go to the bank. After ending your conversation, immediately call the SSPD and report the incident. An SSPD officer will then intervene and instruct you on what steps to take so the suspect can hopefully be identified and arrested. 

Funeral Day Residential Burglaries

Residential burglars will often break into a person's home while they are at the funeral or memorial service of a loved one. 

As a means of assisting in the prevention of such crimes, the SSPD will perform a "Close Patrol" of Southside Place dwellings by visually inspecting them at least twice per hour. Please contact SSPD in advance if such assistance is needed. 

Seniors Scam Awareness

The senior population has recently seen an uptick in scams involving the elderly. The link below provides information on common scams and how you or a loved one can avoid becoming a victim.
Elder Scams - Senior Living

Housewatch Program

Are you going on vacation? The Southside Place Police Department offers the Housewatch Program to watch your home while you area away. Please fill out the form below. All information is sent directly to the police department and is completely confidential. If you have any questions, please contact the police department.


No Knock List

The City of Southside Place Allows all residents the opportunity to place their residence on the No Knock List. This allows residents who do not want commercial solicitors to come to their homes unsolicited. The No Knock List is provided to all solicitors prior to obtaining a solicitors permit with addresses that are not to be disturbed. The No Knock List does not apply to religious or political organizations. If you wish to be placed on the No Knock List, simply contact the Police Department Dispatcher at 713-668-2341 for more information. Your address will remain on the No Knock List until you issue a written request to be removed.  


Fingerprinting for Criminal History Checks

If you require a fingerprint card completed for employment or licensing, please contact MorphoTrust USA. They have several locations around the Houston area. You can visit their website or view the flyer provided below.

Home Inspections

Officer Davis with the Southside Place Police Department is trained and certified to conduct home inspections. Please contact the Southside Place Police Department to request an appointment. 

Contact Officer Davis
Contact Detective McCoy