🚨 FRIDAY FRAUD FACTS 🚨

Gift Card Scams: Gift card scams are incredibly common and can be associated with any of the other scams covered in this presentation.  No matter the type of scam, scammers disguise themselves as an official such as law enforcement or a bank employee.  The scammer then often requests payments for various reasons in the form of gift cards because the transactions are difficult to trace and it offers the scammer some anonymity.  If a person ever receives a phone call, text message, or communication of any kind requesting gift cards as a payment for something, they should just assume it is a scam.  No legitimate business or organization will EVER ask for payment in the form of gift cards.  Common examples of gift cards the Washington Police Department has seen requested in these types of scams are Apple gift cards and pre-paid Visa gift cards.  However, we have seen a wide variety of gift card types being requested for businesses such as Sephora, Nordstrom, Walmart etc..

Example: A real-world example of a gift card/phishing scam that was investigated by the Washington Police Department in 2025 was when an elderly person was contacted by an unknown individual, who was posing as an IRS agent.  The victim, who was in their 80s, was told by the scammers that their identity had been stolen and that they needed to empty their bank account.  During the initial conversation, the scammer identified himself as a real high-ranking member of the IRS and then gave the victim instructions to continue the conversation on WhatsApp.  Thinking that they were really talking to an IRS agent, the victim complied.  Over the course of several weeks, the scammers got the victim to take cash advances on both of their credit cards and clear out their savings account.  The victim then took those funds and made numerous gift card purchases, then provided the gift card information to the scammers on the phone.  When it was all said and done, the victim lost $7,000.00, which was everything they had.  This case is still under investigation, but it is starting to appear that the scammers are based overseas, which will make prosecution difficult if not impossible.

about 2 hours ago, Elizabeth Broeker
Hands typing on a keyboard with the text Friday Fraud Facts washmo.gov

Day Shift Summary 04/09/2026

A subject in the area of Bieker Road called to report vehicles driving past the buses with their stop arms out. Extra patrol will be conducted

An animal bite was reported in the 600 block of Burnside

A report was taken on the bike trail for an injury that occurred on city property

A verbal domestic was reported in the 100 block of Johnson

A property damage was reported in the 100 block of West 10th Street

A non-injury vehicle collision was reported at Hwy 47/3rd Street

A non-injury vehicle collision was reported at Heritage Hills and Hwy 47

A non-injury vehicle collision with road blockage was reported at Steutermann and Valley. This was the cause of the electrical outage on the southeast end of town

about 2 hours ago, Mindy Schmelz
Police Car Lights with the text "Day Shift Summary"

Due to an accident, please avoid the area of Steutermann Road and Highway 47.

about 18 hours ago, Sherri Klekamp
🌸🌿 The VIPs Are Back in Action! 🌿🌸

Washington in Bloom’s Volunteers in the Parks (VIPs) kicked off their season yesterday! They got a great start with trimming, pruning, and weeding—prepping the beds for another stunning display of flowers that will be planted in the coming months. 🌼✨

Love gardening or know someone who does? Come be part of something beautiful and help our community bloom!

👉 Sign up and join Washington in Bloom’s VIPs today!

#WashingtonInBloom #Volunteer #Gardening #CommunityBeautification
about 22 hours ago, Ashley Newman
VIP Volenteers In the Park - WashMO.gov/Parks - Be a VIP Volenteer and Make a Difference - QR to link to fill out the VIP application. four images of the VIP team trimming and weeding the flower beds around Washington Parks areas.
Great news! Washington Public Library patrons can now access archives of the Missourian from 1965 to 2018 in PDF format. This service can only be accessed from within the library. You can use the library's public computers or your own portable laptop/tablet, so long as you are in the library building. This database can be found under Magazines & Newspapers in our Research & Learn webpage: https://www.washmolib.org/o/wpl/page/research-learn .
1 day ago, Nelson Appell
Washington Missourian Archive 1869-2018 with a photo of an old Missourian front page

Night Shift Summary 04/08/26

Minor injury vehicle crash on Highway 100 at Highway A.

Property damage reported in the area of East 6th Street and Hooker Street.

Assault reported on Elbert Drive.

Vehicle was reported crossing the center line and running off the roadway. Subject was contacted and found to be intoxicated. Subject was arrested.

Hazards removed from the roadway on Highway 47 at Highway 100.

Vehicle was witnessed driving on a damaged wheel. Vehicle was located in the 700 block of West 7th Street. The driver was located and was found to be intoxicated. Subject was arrested.

Peace disturbance reported in the 600 block of West 7th Street. The dogs that were barking were brought inside.

1 day ago, Casey Hill
Police car lights with the text "Night Shift Summary"

Day Shift Summary. 4/8/26:

A verbal domestic was reported in the area of Southwinds.

A peace disturbance was reported in the 400 block of E. 5th St.

A private property motor vehicle crash occurred in the 800 block of Washington Corners.

A motor vehicle crash occurred in the area of Hwy 47 and E. 8th St.

A motor vehicle crash occurred in the area of Hwy A and Steutermann Rd.

A female was arrested for operating a vehicle without a valid license in the area of Hwy 47 and E. 1st St.

ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT

1 day ago, Chad Sloan
Police Car Lights with the text "Day Shift Summary"

✅ The Half-Cent Transportation Sales Tax has been extended!

The City of Washington is grateful to our residents for their continued investment in our roads, infrastructure, and community safety. These funds will support ongoing transportation improvements that benefit everyone.

Thank you for your continued support of our community!

2 days ago, City of Washington
City of Washington River Bridge with text reading: Transportation sales tax passes! Thank you Washington!
✅ The Half-Cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax renewal has passed!

The City of Washington is grateful to our residents for their continued investment in our community's infrastructure, services, and public spaces. These funds go directly toward improvements that benefit everyone.

Thank you for your continued support of our community!
2 days ago, City of Washington
City of Washington River Skyline with text reading  Capital Improvement Sales Tax Passes! Thank you Washington!

Night Shift Summary. Date:04-07-2026

A missing person report was taken.

A female subject was arrested in the area of 5th Street and Washington Ave.

Traffic crash reported in the area of Highway 100 and West Pride Drive.

Arrests do not imply guilt.

2 days ago, Matt Cooper
Police car lights with the text "Night Shift Summary"

The City has its Stormwater Management Plan available from March 26th to May 2nd online for public comments. This is part of the requirement for the City’s stormwater operating permit renewal through DNR. Click on the link below for more information.

https://www.washmo.gov/stormwater

#SWPPP #washmo #waterwisewednesday

2 days ago, Charles Stankovic
Stormwater running along curb into grated inlet
Please join us in welcoming our newest officer, Ryan Rapert (DSN 295)! Officer Rapert graduated from the police academy on Thursday, April 2nd, and was officially sworn in as a patrol officer last night. We’re proud to have him on our team!
3 days ago, Elizabeth Broeker
graduation
swearing in
signing the oath
pinning
Chief and mayor

Night Shift Summary. Date:04-06-2026

Suspicious person in the area of Washington Square.

Suspicious person in the area of A Roy drive.

3 days ago, Matt Cooper
Police car lights with the text "Night Shift Summary"
♻️ E-Cycle Event – April 11 ♻️

Got old electronics collecting dust? Bring them to the Washington Fairgrounds (Swine Pavilion) on Saturday, April 11 from 9 AM–Noon for safe, responsible recycling.

💻 Computers | 📱 Phones | 🖨️ Printers & more

Help keep e-waste out of landfills and support a cleaner, more sustainable community. Staff will be on-site to assist and answer questions! 🌎✨
4 days ago, City of Washington
Electronics Recycling Event flyer with list of recycling fees

📢 NOTICE

All City of Washington Park bathrooms are now OPEN for the season!

We’re happy to welcome residents and visitors back to enjoy the park with full access to facilities. Please help keep our parks clean and safe for everyone.

🌳 Enjoy the season!

4 days ago, Ashley Newman
Image of a playground taken from a parking lot looking up a hill. Reads, Bathrooms open at all parks.
🚛 Dumpster Bulk Pickup Schedule

Bulk item collection for properties served by dumpsters will occur during the following weeks:

April 20–24
October 19–23

Pickup will take place on each property’s regularly scheduled dumpster service day only, not throughout the entire week. Please place bulk items at the designated collection area prior to your normal service day.
4 days ago, City of Washington
dumpster service notice

Night Shift Summary 04/05/2026

Non-injury traffic crash on Highway A at Highway 100.

Questions regarding an attempted scam on Nickridge Drive. Reporting party did great and did not give any personal information to the scammers.

Property damage reported in the 400 block of West 5th Street.

Peace disturbance on Windy Hills Drive. Subject causing the disturbance stopped for the night.

Assault reported in the 600 block of East 9th Street.

4 days ago, Casey Hill
Police car lights with the text "Night Shift Summary"

Day Shift Summary. 4/5/26:

Check the well being conducted in the area of Hwy 100 and Hwy 47.

Peace disturbance was reported in the 600 block of Penn St.

Found property was located and turned into the PD.

A traffic complaint was reported in the 2200 block of Brookview Dr.

4 days ago, Chad Sloan
Police Car Lights with the text "Day Shift Summary"

Night Shift Summary 04/04/26

Subject came into the PD with questions regarding a possible scam. They did not give any information or money to the scammers.

Peace disturbance reported on Whispering Oaks Drive. Subject causing the disturbance left.

Hazards removed from the roadway in the 500 block of East 5th Street.

Alarm on Vernaci Drive. Accidental.

Peace disturbance in the 6000 block of Highway 100. Subjects agreed to keep the noise down.

Fraud reported in the 500 block of West Front Street. Subject passed a counterfeit $20.00 bill.

5 days ago, Casey Hill
Police car lights with the text "Night Shift Summary"

Day Shift Summary 04/04/26

Trespassing was reported in the 900 block of E. 5th St.

A female was arrested for driving while intoxicated in the area of Washington Square.

Assisted EMS with a sick case in the 1000 block of E. 5th St.

A peace disturbance was reported in the 1300 block of Stafford St.

ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT

5 days ago, Chad Sloan
Police Car Lights with the text "Day Shift Summary"