Crime Prevention Tips of the Week (1/22/2021)

Car Vandalism:

Officers received reports from two residents who awoke to find large rocks were thrown through their car windshields sometime early this morning.  The damage is believed to have happened around 4 a.m. with the rocks possibly thrown from a moving vehicle.

• 4000 block of W. Freemont St. Around 4 a.m. a large rock was thrown through back window hard enough to hit the dashboard and crack it.

BPD Report Number: 2021-101209

• 300 Block of N. Garden St. Around 4 a.m. a large rock was thrown through the windshield of the victims car while parked in front of his home.

BPD Report Number: 2021-101214

Officers are asking residents who may have security cameras to review between 3:45am and 4:15am and let us know of any activity that might be related to these crimes.  If you have related video, please call non-emergency dispatch or send an email to crimeprevention@cityofboise.org

If you were a victim you can report online at https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/police/report-a-crime/ or by calling non-emergency dispatch.

Fire Safety:

Cooking, heating, electrical, smoking and candles are our big five causes for fires. As the weather gets colder, there are even more fire risks inside of your home. In the winter months, heating becomes an even bigger issue, with the increased use of:

• Wood stoves and fireplaces
• Improper disposal of ashes
• Heated blankets
• Heat furnaces
• Space heaters

Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

• Test your smoke detectors every month. For hard to reach units, use a broom handle or stick to press the test button.
• Replace batteries once a year. Use daylight savings time as your reminder. “Change your clocks… change your batteries.” If the low-battery signal begins to chirp, replace the battery immediately.
• Keep it clean. Vacuum the outside covers periodically to remove dust and dirt particles.
• Replace your smoke detectors every 5-10 years. Consider budgeting more money up front to purchase new detectors with a built in ten-year battery. If you are not sure how old your smoke detectors are, it is best to replace them immediately.
• For more smoke alarm and fire prevention tips click here.

Economic Impact Payment Cards:

Don't throw away your stimulus payment from the IRS! The prepaid debit card you just received in the mail may seem suspicious, but there are ways to make sure it's the real deal.

The IRS has sent out the second round Economic Impact Payments, also known as Stimulus Payments. But not everyone got paid through direct deposit or a paper check. Around 4 millions Americans received their payments on a prepaid debit card.

• Don't throw it away! It's good to be suspicious of unsolicited cards you receive through the mail but hold onto this one. The Economic Impact Payment (EIP) cards arrive in envelopes with the return address “Money Network Cardholder Services” from MetaBank in Omaha, Nebraska. They also have the Treasury seal. In addition, the IRS says it might send you an EIP card, even if its Get My Payment tool says you’re getting a check. 
• Call the number provided. You’ll get a letter with the EIP card telling you how to activate it. Be very careful that you call the correct phone number, 800-240-8100 (TTY: 800-241-9100). Don’t search the internet for a phone number. Scammers sometimes set up fake customer service numbers to deceive people and take their personal information.
• Follow the instructions. When you call the number provided, you'll need to give your name, address, and social security number. Only give this information out when you call the provided number. Don’t give your personal identification number (PIN), EIP debit card number or Social Security number to just anyone who calls or texts you.
• Don't pay. The card doesn't cost any money to activate. If you're asked to pay to receive your payment, you've been contacted by a scammer. Hang up and call the number provided with your card.
• Follow up. You can create a user name and password for your card online, at the Money Network site. Be sure to have your card handy when you log in. You can see your balance and transaction history online any time at EIPCard.com. You can get the same information by calling the toll-free number.
• Mistakes happen. If you lose your card or throw it out, you can get a replacement through MetaBank customer service or by calling 800-240-8100 (TTY: 800-241-9100).