Commander Randy Molina has been with the Fort Worth Police Department since 2007 and is now assigned to the Northwest Division, where he was born and raised. As an officer, Molina worked in Northwest. As a detective, he served in the Property Crimes Unit and was the sole Animal Cruelty Investigator for the City of Fort Worth. Upon promotion to Sergeant, Molina returned to Northwest Division as a Patrol Supervisor and Neighborhood Patrol Supervisor. After promotion to Lieutenant, Molina went to the Backgrounds and Recruiting Unit at the Police Academy. After a year at the Academy, he served in North Division as a District Lieutenant.

“I'm happy to finally return home to the Northwest Division as its Commander,” Molina said. Commander Molina holds a Master Peace Officer license and a Police Instructor license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. 

“As your new Commander, I am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community,” Molina said. “I aim to foster a strong relationship between our department and the community, based on trust, transparency and mutual respect. Together, we will work towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone. I look forward to meeting you all and hearing your concerns and suggestions. I appreciate your support as we embark on this journey together.”

You're invited to give Commander Molina your input at our June 6 Community Forum.

Call 911 to report a fire, traffic or medical emergency. But also call 911 to report suspicious activity as it’s happening. For example: someone pulling on car door handles and looking inside parked vehicles, an unfamiliar person entering a neighbor’s house when they’re not home or entering/leaving a business when it’s closed.

Call 817-392-4222, the police non-emergency number, to report a crime or incident that’s already happened. For example: vehicle break-in, theft, burglary, vandalism or suspected scam.

Call 817-392-1234 or use the MyFW app to report other issues to the City of Fort Worth. For example: traffic light out, damaged street sign, graffiti, pothole, high grass and weeds, illegal dumping, homeless camp, stray animal.

Reminder: Police do not monitor your Facebook comments and cannot see your Nextdoor posts. If there’s a problem police need to respond to—report it. 

In neighborhoods with an active Crime Watch, criminal activity has decreased and, in some cases, stopped altogether. Apartment complexes, businesses, schools and faith-based groups can participate in Crime Watch. If you’d like to get started, contact your Neighborhood Patrol Officer. Their phone numbers and emails are listed at the end of this newsletter. Or email Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent: dot.kent@fortworthtexas.gov

Several HOAs, including Marine Creek Meadows (right) and Villages of Marine Creek reached out last month to start or re-energize their Neighborhood Crime Watch programs. We'd be happy to visit your next meeting to explain the benefits of Crime Watch and how it works.

Thanks to District 7 Councilmember Macy Hill and her staff for reaching out to us when Parkview Hills HOA and nearby neighborhoods expressed concerns about recent crimes. After meeting with residents to hear concerns, officers set up traffic details to ticket speeders and drivers running stop signs in the neighborhood.

Crime Watch is for Businesses, Too!

NPO Sergio Martinez met with TownePlace Suites Lake Worth General Manager Sophia Rodriquez and TGC Group Vice President Cameron Caine to discuss crime trends and prevention tips. Businesses that would like a safety survey of their property and suggestions for keeping employees and customers safe should contact their Neighborhood Patrol Officer.

All businesses on NW 25th Street are invited to meet with police at noon Monday, June 10 to get the latest area crime stats, prepare for summer crime trends, learn what, when and how to report concerns. The meeting will be at Texas Forge Taekwondo, 1511 NW 25th St. Meet nearby business owners and managers, as well as Neighborhood Patrol Officers, to strengthen the area's Crime Watch program. The meeting will be in Spanish and English.

On Saturday afternoon May 18, Northwest patrol officers responded to a 911 call about a child standing in the roadway. The caller said the 6-to-7-year old boy was non-verbal, possibly autistic, and apparently lost. Officers J. Gonzalez and J. Starrett began going door-to-door in search of the parents, while the caller posted a photo of the child on Facebook and Nextdoor to make neighbors aware. Northwest Division Code Blue member Tina Wallen saw the post and took the initiative to contact more Code Blue members. She and members Chris Williams and Josh Troup joined officers in canvassing the area. They were able to locate the child’s father! The boy was reunited safely with the rest of the family at their home. “It's a great example of how resourceful and vital our Code Blue program is to our department,” said Sgt. Sandra Baldivia. Officer Gonzalez added, “We always appreciate the help we receive from our Code Blue members, but, on this particular day, I want to give a special ‘Thank You’ to Tina for a job well done!”

If you’re interested in learning more about Code Blue and Citizens on Patrol, email coordinator Sandra Jones: Sandra.jones@fortworthtexas.gov

Northwest NPO Joshua Vanbrunt, far right, also participated in National Police Week events, performing with the department’s Pipes & Drums unit. The unit was awarded 3rd place in a good-natured competition among units nationwide.

Nearly every week, Fort Worth Police take reports of people being scammed when using PayPal, Venmo, Zelle and similar online platforms. Here are two typical ways scammers operate.

Selling goods that never arrive. You purchase a dryer or other large appliance posted on Facebook Marketplace (or similar) that requires scheduling a delivery. The scammer requires payment up front. You send money, but the goods are never delivered.

Renting property they don’t own. You see a rental property listed online and contact the “owner” to arrange a viewing. When the “owner” doesn’t show, you call or text and they give you a code to enter the property. You like what you see, accept the deal and arrange payment online. When you return for move-in, the property is locked or someone else has moved in because the person you sent money to doesn’t really own the property.

Tips to avoid a scam

-The safest way to purchase online is to pay with a credit card. It’s disputable, so you’re more likely to get your money back if something goes wrong.

-If you do pay with Zelle, PayPal, Venmo or similar platforms, understand their policies for business transactions. For example: scammers may instruct you to use PayPal’s Friends & Family function, which doesn’t have the same protections as the business function.

-Be wary of sellers or renters you never meet in person. That’s a red flag!

-Anyone can claim anything online and post generic photos. Purchase from reputable online retailers or from actual stores where you can see what you’re buying.