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Kokomo Police Department officers arrange police cars before the ribbon-cutting Thursday for the police outpost at Wal-Mart on East Markland Avenue. (KT photo by Kevin Seifert)Kokomo police more visible at Wal-Mart■ Police have set up a substation to deal with crime in the area of East Markland Avenue.By MIKE FLETCHERTribune staff writerWal-Mart shoppers can feel a little safer these days, as Kokomo police will be right next door.Thursday, KPD Chief Charles Hackett, Inspectors Dave Kellar and Steve Barton and other officers gathered with representatives from Wal-Mart, 1920 E, Markland Ave., for a ribbon-cutting marking the grand opening of the substation.This is the third such station the police department has set up as part of its neighborhood directed policing program, which started in 1994.Gateway Gardens, 800 E. Hoffer St. and Dunbar Court, located at Jay and Purdum streets, already have substations.“I am excited by Wal-Mart’s participation in this partnership,” said Hackett. “I feel it will be beneficial in our efforts with the neighborhood directed policing.”The trailer, equipped with a computer and telephone line, is on the westside of the store. An officer will be there to complete reports and do field work.Being open 24 hours, Wal-Mart has had shoplifters and purse snatch-ers. Thefts have been numerous at the store, but haven’t increased much in the last few years, said Rob Nulf, district loss prevention supervisor at Wal-Mart.In 1997, the Kokomo store reported $4,400 of shoplifting apprehensions, “that we know of,” said Nulf. The apprehensions resulted in 50 to 60 arrests.‘‘That’s about the normal, but internal thefts have increased,” hesaid,Internal thieves were responsible for $12,474 in loss in 1997, up from $772 in 1996. Three employees were arrested last year, he said.‘‘We’re trying to make it easier for police to allow officers more time on the street rather than driving across town to complete reports,” Nulf said. “It also helps to have the community see the police out in the area. It makes customers feel a lot safer coming to a Wal-Mart to shop.”There are about 100 Wal-Mart stores with police substations. Kokomo is the fifth store in a region which includes northern Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, said Nulf.
Newspaper Details
Kokomo Tribune
Kokomo, Indiana, US
Fri, Jan 23, 1998
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Kokomo-Howard C.
IN, USA 31 Jan 2019
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