Marshfield Police Department

Plain Talk

Police Plain Talk articles are points of interest and safety to the community. The weekly Plain Talk article will be posted right here along with the previous 3 articles. Come back weekly to view the newest article.

March 13, 2010
New: Nixle Community Information Service

Nixle is a service that allows you to receive trusted and up-to-date neighborhood information for where you live, work, visit – or for where your family and friends are located throughout the country. The service is at no cost to you. You choose how you want to receive the information, whether it is over your cell phone by text message, by email, or over the web. This service allows you to stay connected to what is happening in the communities and the locations that are relevant to you!

Notifications might be considered in the following instances:

• A young child or adult with Alzheimer’s disease walks away from their home. The alert can include a picture of the child or vulnerable adult with a map identifying the area they were last seen.
• A public safety emergency requires people to stay in or remain away from their homes. A Nixle alert can let residents with a registered address in the affected neighborhood know what is happening, allowing residents to take a proactive role in their own safety.
• A serious injury or fatal crash in which traffic investigators close down the intersection for several hours during the morning commute. This situation might warrant a notification to subscribers who live or work in the area, encouraging them to select a different route to work.
• Other uses may include: large-scale public works projects, traffic safety implications around large fire scenes, community events such as parades, fireworks, picnics, etc., details about a case of H1N1 (swine flu) in the area, city council meeting information, utility outage advisories/boiler orders, and severe weather updates.

Registration is SIMPLE, QUICK and SECURE. Just go to www.nixle.com to register.

Texting Tip Line

The Marshfield Police Department, Wood County Crime Stoppers, and the Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth have created the “Texting Tip Line”. The texting tip line gives children and adults the ability to text in tips of possible alcohol, drug, and criminal violations while remaining completely anonymous.

Just dial 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your text message with the key word WCCS.

There is the potential of receiving a reward if the information proves credible and results in a successful investigation or arrest.

March 6, 2010
Blocking Sidewalks and Driveways

All city of Marshfield property owners are reminded that it is their responsibility to keep sidewalks next to their properties free of obstructions to allow for free movement of pedestrian traffic. This includes vehicles and other personal property as well as low hanging branches and protruding shrubs and limbs.

Let’s keep our sidewalks safe and hazard free.

Texting Tip Line

The Marshfield Police Department, Wood County Crime Stoppers, and the Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth have created the “Texting Tip Line”. The texting tip line gives children and adults the ability to text in tips of possible alcohol, drug, and criminal violations while remaining completely anonymous.

Just dial 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your text message with the key word WCCS.

There is the potential of receiving a reward if the information proves credible and results in a successful investigation or arrest.

February 27, 2010
Personal Safety and Home Security

Below are some basic personal safety and home security tips to keep in mind when at home or traveling.

• Avoid walking alone after dark.
• When walking, wear reflective vests or clothing and remember your “Rules of the Road.”
• When traveling, always tell someone your plans and check in with them periodically.
• If you are going on vacation, you can talk with your neighbors to help keep an eye on things. Leave lights on timers, and if it is an extended time away, have your mail and paper held.
• Never pick up hitchhikers!
• Keep your vehicle doors locked at all times to protect your valuables and help deter criminals from getting your personal information—even if you are leaving your vehicle for a short period of time. Do you have a garage door opener in your car? If you do and do not lock your car, your home is not secure.
• Keep your doors and windows locked at your home or apartment, including your garage service entry, even when you are home.
• If you should find your home or apartment door “entered”—do not go inside as a burglar may still be in the residence. Move to a safe location, call 911, and stay on the line with the dispatcher until the police arrive.
• If you believe someone has entered your home while you are there, leave if at all possible. If you cannot leave, go to a room where you have a phone, lock the door and call 911. Stay on the line with the dispatcher until the police arrive.
• If you are elderly or live alone, Lifeline or LifeAlert are options that should be considered in case you need emergent assistance and are unable to reach a telephone. For more informa-tion about Lifeline or LifeAlert, call 211.

Texting Tip Line

The Marshfield Police Department, Wood County Crime Stoppers, and the Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth have created the “Texting Tip Line”. The texting tip line gives children and adults the ability to text in tips of possible alcohol, drug, and criminal violations while remaining completely anonymous.

Just dial 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your text message with the key word WCCS.

There is the potential of receiving a reward if the information proves credible and results in a successful investigation or arrest.