Police do not call to collect on warrants, debts

There have been a number of recent reports that are troubling in nature, and I want to make you aware to be on guard. If you receive a call or email from someone claiming to be a police officer, a lawyer or bail enforcement officer saying they have a warrant for your arrest, verify who you’re speaking with.

The callers, manipulating caller ID to make the number appear from a local police department or jail, tell potential victims they have an outstanding warrant for an unpaid debt, missed jury duty or some minor infraction and that a fine is due. The callers then convince people to make payments through Western Union, MoneyGram or gift cards.

Criminals may have your phone number, place of employment and other personal information that makes them seem more legitimate. CALL 702-293-9224, ext. 1, to verify before you become a victim.

If you are contacted by someone who claims there is a warrant for you or is claiming to collect a debt that you do not owe, you should: 1) Ask for his/her name, company, street address and telephone number. 2) Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written “validation notice.” 3) Contact your local law enforcement agencies if you feel you are in immediate danger. 4) Contact the three major credit bureaus and request an alert be put on your file. 5) File a complaint with the FBI at www.IC3.gov.

Never give out personal or financial information to someone you cannot confirm. This will include your name, date of birth, bank account, credit card and Social Security number. Do not go to meet these callers.

The police will not call you first for a warrant. You will receive a knock on your door or a piece of certified mail. You will not receive a last-minute notice to pay any fine over the phone.

Nov. 23. Family disturbance: The caller advises fighting with the other half when the phone suddenly disconnects at 2:09 a.m. in the 500 block of Avenue B.

Grand theft: The disabled caller states her motorized wheelchair has been stolen from the porch area of her home at 9:59 a.m. in the 500 block of Fir Street.

Thought for the day: It takes pretty low-life thugs to take a handicapped person’s only means of transportation.

Nov. 24. Civil: One family member decides to lock the other out and wants us to know in case the other party breaks in at 1:01 a.m. in the 500 block of Date Street.

Traffic: The driver is advised that stop sign does not mean “slow down at intersections” at 9:32 a.m. in the area of Georgia Street and Adams Boulevard.

Thought for the day: The eviction process is the legal way to move someone out of a residence, and access cannot be denied to a tenant who is established.

Nov. 25. Traffic: The driver traveling on the shoulder to pass backed up traffic is advised that is illegal, despite it being all right in their preretirement position, at 9:54 a.m. in the area of U.S. Highways 93 and 95.

Drunk: The intoxicated patron is yelling and making a disturbance at 10:20 p.m. in the 900 block of Utah Street.

Thought for the day: The aggressive alcohol imbiber advises officers she would rather be in North Las Vegas, anyway. It’s off to the bus we go.

Nov. 26. Civil: The caller wants to report her vehicle stolen but learns loaning it to a family member who hasn’t returned it is a civil matter at 11:29 a.m. in the 100 block of Lighthouse Drive.

Burglary: The time away was fun, but returning to broken and missing items is quite disturbing at 6:53 p.m. in the 1200 block of Industrial Road.

Thought for the day: It might be time to set up friends or neighbors to check the residence when away to avoid coming home to a trauma.

Nov. 27. Accident: The caller states their vehicle has been the victim of a hit and run at 12:39 p.m. in the 500 block of Avenue G.

Destruction of property: The dirt bikes are causing some landscaping issues on their way to the desert at 3:05 p.m. in the 200 block of Kaelyn Street.

Thought for the day: Please remind your young people to be courteous of other people’s property.

Nov. 28. Accident: The tractor trailer has now become just a tractor, and the trailer is causing quite a hubbub at 11:10 a.m. in the area of Veterans Memorial Drive and U.S. 93.

Drugs: The two subjects appear to be under the influence as they are falling and slurring words at 3:19 p.m. in the area of 1200 Sixth Street.

Thought for the day: This is your brain (+). This is your brain on drugs (—).

Nov. 29. Accident: The bumper is no longer attached to the car, and the item sticking out the back of the passing vehicle was pretty solid at 6:03 a.m. in the area of Yucca Street and Boulder City Parkway.

Theft: The vehicle door was left unlocked for only a few minutes but long enough for the wallet to leave the scene at 10:40 a.m. in the 700 block of Adams Boulevard.

Thought for the day: Lighting, locking and location, folks.

Call(s) of the week: Suspicious circumstance: The caller reports that someone has looped a rope or chain around a nearby pole, and the pole and utility lines are swaying and creaking as the driver pulls and pushes it trying to bend a damaged bumper at 6:36 p.m. on Nov. 27 in the 300 block of Ridge Road.

Tina Ransom is a dispatcher with the Boulder City Police Department. She is coordinator of the Boulder City Citizen’s Academy.