ODM in the Community
November 22, 2024 – ODM Zebra Units and Community Engagement Team members participated in a movie in the park night at Freedom Park. The event was attended by over 100 community members, with popcorn provided by local business Uncle Bob’s Popcorn.
November 26, 2024 – ODM School Resource Officers and ODM Zebra Officers attended a Thanksgiving celebration at the Boys and Girls Club. The event was well attended, with great food and positive community interactions – a very welcoming community event!
Officers of the Month
On December 8,2024, while conducting a follow-up investigation at a Tucson area hospital, ODM Officers Harrison and Martinelli and LPO Wade located an address where a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound had occurred. A records check revealed numerous contacts for drug sales and weapons violations, which led the officers to investigate the circumstances of the gunshot wound.
Upon arrival at the possible shooting location, signs of narcotics sales were visible. Detectives responded and evidence of firearms manufacturing and narcotics for sale were located. Charges for the suspect included Prohibited Possessor of a Firearm, Narcotics, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
These officers' persistence led to dangerous firearms and narcotics being removed from the community and several felony charges for the suspect.
Crime Prevention Tip
For those missing a loved one, the holidays can be especially difficult. People seek companionship. Unfortunately, criminals try to take advantage of this to trick you out of your money – all they can lay their hands on.
The FBI provides information on typical romance scams and how to protect yourself. They urge anyone who's been taken advantage of to report the crime at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
As the photo above shows, the scammer doesn't even have to come up with their own lies anymore – they can use artificial intelligence to do the work for them, and probably with fewer spelling and other mistakes.
Romance scams rely on the victim's desire to believe that it's not a scam, that – despite increasing evidence to the contrary – they've found true love. But while true love has no price, these scams definitely do. According to the IC3, they cost Americans $600 million in 2020.
Targeted groups include women, the elderly, and people who have lost a spouse, but anyone can fall victim to these scams. Don't join their ranks.
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