FWPD West Division Newsletter

December 2025

West Division and Target team up to host "Cookies and Hot Cocoa with a COP"

On a cold, crisp winter day, the West Division NPOs, COP, Community Engagement, the Civilian Response Unit, and Target came together to spread cheer with hot cocoa and cookies on December 2, 2025. Neighbors stopped by to warm up, connect with the teams, and pick up simple crime prevention tips to help keep themselves and their property safe throughout the holiday season.

Neighbors helping neighbors: Aviva residents build safety awareness in multi-housing community

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, West Division NPO Vasquez and CPS Mitsuhashi visited Aviva Senior Living to talk with residents about staying secure in multi-housing communities. Residents received practical tips for staying safe both inside their apartments and around the property. Following the presentation, they were encouraged to ask questions and discuss specific safety topics and concerns that mattered most to them.

November at Founders Classical Academy: All About Honor

Students and educators are engaging in meaningful activities and discussions to explore the concept of honor. On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, SMSgt (ret) Mary Staffeld, USAF, addressed approximately 150 students from Kindergarten through eighth grade. She shared insights from her distinguished military career and recounted the story of Don Graves, a World War II Marine Corps veteran and one of only eighteen survivors of the Battle of Iwo Jima. This critical battle, fought in early 1945, involved 345 U.S. soldiers who launched a fierce campaign to capture the strategically vital island from Japanese forces. Of those, only eighteen survived the intense combat. Mr. Graves witnessed the historic raising of the American flag atop Mount Suribachi, an emblematic moment of American perseverance and valor, which was immortalized in iconic photographs and is commemorated by the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, D.C.  After SMSgt Staffeld’s presentation, NPO McEwan L17 and Officer Henry from the Directed Response Unit further engaged the students with an interactive session. Officer Henry showcased a variety of specialized equipment used in his daily duties, explaining how each tool functions and its role in keeping the community safe. The students listened attentively and then eagerly took the opportunity to ask questions, receiving insightful answers that helped them better understand law enforcement work. The event concluded with the distribution of police-themed gifts, providing the students with a memorable keepsake from the experience.

West Division Offers Hands-On CPR and AED Training for COP and CPAA Members

On Thursday, November 13, 2025, members of Citizens on Patrol and Citizens Police Academy Alumni came together for a special training focused on lifesaving skills. Bryan Jamison, a firefighter and paramedic who’s also a retired FWPD Captain, teamed up with Janene Johnson to lead the session. Everyone got hands-on practice with CPR and learned how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) step by step. The goal was to give participants the confidence and know-how to respond quickly and effectively in an emergency, so they can make a real difference in their community.

Can You Spot the Critical Difference Between Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack?

The chart below provides a detailed comparison between cardiac arrest and a heart attack, highlighting the fundamental differences between the two conditions. Cardiac arrest is primarily an "electrical" problem, where the heart’s normal rhythm is disrupted, causing it to stop beating effectively. In contrast, a heart attack is a "circulation" or "blood flow" issue, resulting from a blockage that prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching parts of the heart muscle. Recognizing these distinctions is critically important, as the treatments vary significantly: cardiac arrest requires immediate resuscitation efforts such as CPR and defibrillation, while a heart attack focuses on restoring blood flow, often through medication or surgical intervention. Understanding these differences can be lifesaving by ensuring the right response is given promptly.

Beat Happenings

Starbucks hosts Coffee with a COP

On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Starbucks located at 5901 Camp Bowie Blvd hosted a Coffee with a Cop event, welcoming both employees from nearby businesses and local residents. District 3 Councilman Crain was in attendance. The event offered a welcoming and informal setting for community members to engage with the Councilman and local police officers serving their neighborhood. Attendees were able to ask questions, articulate concerns, and discuss matters of importance to their community while enjoying coffee and conversation. Such events play a valuable role in fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve.

West Division NPO makes special appearance at 9-year-olds birthday. NPO McEwan fulfilled a special birthday request for Levi Thompson, a Ventana resident turning nine. Levi’s father wrote to the police department, sharing that his son wished to dress as a police officer for his birthday. West Division patrol officers Markus and Nichols delivered the police costume in person, while NPO McEwan added police-themed gifts to make Levi’s day extra special.

West Division NPOs, Patrol, and Community Alliance Join Life at Westland Estates Management to Host Trunk or Treat Event

West Division NPOs and Patrol, together with the Community Alliance unit, partnered with Life at Westland Estates management to host their first Trunk or Treat event on Halloween. The smiles on participants’ faces suggest this will be the first of many special events for the community’s residents.

Senior Resources

The Fort Worth Financial Exploitation Prevention Center is here to help Fort Worth residents prevent, recognize and recover from fraud and financial exploitation with support from the Crime Control and Prevention District.  Services include Money Smart and Victim support services.

Internet Safety

Help kids protect their devices

By

 

BCP Staff

November 24, 2025

Simple ways to keep porch pirates away this holiday season

As holiday deliveries ramp up, package thieves may be on the lookout for unattended boxes on your doorstep. To help protect your shipments from porch pirates, the Better Business Bureau suggests taking a few simple precautions this season.

Don't leave unattended packages.

• If you are expecting a package, attempt to schedule its delivery when you know you will be home.

• Ask your neighbors if they mind holding on to packages delivered if you plan to be gone for an extended time.

• Some retailers (like Amazon, a BBB Accredited Business) offer "garage delivery" to avoid having packages sitting out in the open.

Ship to store or post office box.

• If purchasing an item from a retailer with a physical location near your home, consider shipping it there instead. Retailers will require proof of purchase or identification before releasing packages they have received.

• Some online retailers offer delivery to a pickup location or delivery locker within another store that has a physical location near you. Check your delivery options when ordering.

• If porch pirates are often in your area, consider renting a post office box to receive package deliveries; the cost may outweigh the headaches. 

Customize your delivery.

• Add specific delivery notes when placing an order so drivers know where to leave packages.

• Use your delivery company’s app or website to redirect a package to another address or pickup point if you won’t be home.

• Reschedule delivery for a day or time when you’ll be available to accept the package.

Use a security camera.

• Installing a home security system with cameras or a video doorbell is a great way to deter package theft, especially when highly visible. Consider including a sign that specifically states that the residence is under surveillance.

• Set up your camera alerts so that you know exactly when the package is delivered. 

• Even if a package is stolen from your porch, the video evidence will help law enforcement track down the thieves (but be wary of the risk of internet-connected devices and research before you purchase).

Require a signature.

• Many delivery companies include the option to require a signature before leaving a package, letting you take physical possession of the item as soon as it is delivered. While this option works well for those often at home, especially for expensive items, it may create difficulties in receiving packages if your schedule and the delivery service differ, so do your research.

• Be sure to check with the delivery company on their policy for packages that are not signed for; they may return it to the sender after a certain number of attempts.

Opt-in to notifications.

• Most retailers provide tracking details with links to delivery services; some even send their own emails to let you know when something has landed on your stoop. Opt-in to shipping-related emails.

• Set up your own notifications with your smartphone or app to remind you of the date and time of expected delivery.

What are NPO's?

By having the Neighborhood Patrol Officers dedicated to specific geographic areas, the officers are not only able to become more familiar with the area than regular patrol officers, but they are also able to serve as a resource for and get to know area residents and business owners, learn about neighborhood concerns, and build working relationships with area Citizen on Patrol volunteers to work hand-in-hand in reducing neighborhood crime and promoting crime prevention tools. 

Primary Duties: 

• Work with crime analysts to identify crime trends within assigned neighborhoods, maintain open lines of communication with detectives, and assist the Information Management Section and supervisors in planning appropriate actions to address issues. 
• Foster positive community leadership as a means to empower citizens within their neighborhoods by encouraging involvement in Citizens on Patrol, Citizen Police Academy, and Crime Watch to work collaboratively to reduce crime and promote crime prevention tools. 
• Maintain open lines of communication between residents, business owners and the police department by attending community meetings and events, including neighborhood association and other community meetings. 
• Recruit Citizen on Patrol volunteers, schedule them for training, and provide on-going training and correspondence to encourage and retain active memberships. 

Enter your address on http://oneaddress.fortworthtexas.gov/ You will find your BEAT and NPO assigned as well as your nearest City Facilities, Services, and Crime Data. 

211 Texas

Connecting People and Services

No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905, and find information about resources in your local community. Whether you need help finding food or housing, child care, crisis counseling or substance abuse treatment, one number is all you need to know.

West Division Crime Stats

Below is a brief summary of recent crimes in West Division as well as timely safety tips to keep you and your property safe this holiday season

• Theft from open garages; taking bikes, tools, and/or entering unlocked vehicles to take items.

• Breaking into UNLOCKED vehicles and taking items

• Reminder to lock your vehicle, keep things out of sight (i.e., purses, bags, backpacks, wallets).

• Don’t leave guns unsecured in vehicles

• Breaking into vehicles by using rocks or other tools to break windows to steal items that are visible and look valuable.

With the holiday season upon us, thieves will likely target packages being delivered and left on front porches. (See article above to prevent becoming a victim of porch pirates).

NPO Roster

Community News

LVT Rise Community Center

Thomas Place Community Center