By Chief 

Steven J. Wojnar

Dudley Police 

Department

 

Unfortunately, various people have been the victim of financial “scams.”  I was recently asked about contributions to national police organizations who solicit donations over the phone.  Many of us, including me, have received calls, from various groups, seeking donations.  I was asked if these organizations were legitimate and what, if any, benefits do local police departments receive?

Money related scams have been occurring for years.  Those responsible prey on unsuspecting individuals, such as seniors.  People take advantage of their kind nature and can sometimes fool them into believing a story.  The scammer’s goal is to obtain either quick cash or other personal information, such as bank account numbers.  It is natural for people to be skeptical of anyone calling, asking for money.  When it comes to police organizations soliciting funds, I do not wish to mention any group by name for the purposes of this article.  Some may be legitimately established national programs who do aid law enforcement.  I can only speak from the perspective of our department.  We rarely, if ever, see any monies from these various national groups who claim they raise funding for training, equipment, etc.  Most of our sources of funding come from state and local budgets, grants, and direct donations.  Locally, we have conducted fundraisers in the past.  We try to be as open as possible with our residents when these will occur to establish the fact, they are for specifically for us.  We want people to understand their donations are meant for local purposes.    

Certainly, some national organizations have supported the families of officers who have been killed in the line of duty and their work is commendable.  I can only recommend you do your research on any group soliciting funds.  Ask for a web site and other agency contact information to conduct your own research.  You can also request information be sent to you by mail (if you wish) or ask for a phone number for you to call back at your convenience.  Legitimate organizations should have no problem accommodating these simple requests.  Feel free to contact the police department if you ever have questions.  Certainly, if you ever feel hesitant, do not give.  You should never be pressured in anyway and you are always welcome to donate locally at any time.  Most departments or police associations maintain gift or donation accounts for these very reasons.  This money can then be spent locally on equipment, training, or personnel needs.  We thank our residents for their generosity and support over the years.  We do not wish to see anyone lose money or become the victim of a scam.  If you ever have a question, do not hesitate to reach out to the department and ask.  

For those still seeking vaccination or COVID related information, it can be found at www.dudleyma.gov or by calling 508-949-8036.  During these challenging times, we, at the Dudley Police Department, greatly appreciate the support we receive from our community.  

Thanks again for your questions and comments.  Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at [email protected].  Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen.