National Police Association asking you for donations in Highland? Don’t fall for it

Highland police are warning of a scam that is purporting to be associated with the police department.

The Highland Police Department issued a warning Wednesday that someone identifying themselves as the National Police Association is requesting signatures on a petition to return “Quality of Life Policing” to Highland. The solicitor is asking for donations to the National Police Association to “ensure this style of policing is funded and continues to reduce crime.”

There is no such affiliation with the Highland Police Department, and no affiliation between the organization and the city, according to Highland Police Chief Carole Widman.

“This is not a legitimate organization,” Widman said. “Members of the Highland Police Department will not call asking for money.”

The phrase “quality of life policing” is an “old-school broken windows theory” that states communities that take care of infrastructure and quality of life have lower crime rates. “They say your police department is cutting this kind of policing and we’ll make sure it stays there,” Widman said. “That isn’t true.”

Highland Police first heard about the solicitation when a business brought the “petition” to their city council member, who took it to Highland Police. The petition tells residents that the city council is asking for their donations to keep community policing happening, which Widman said is not legitimate.

“That’s the kind of policing we do anyway,” she said. The police department is funded through the city and does not need to solicit donations to do their jobs, she said.

Widman advised that anyone receiving the solicitation should throw it away. If you are called by someone identifying themselves as law enforcement who asks for money, Widman advises to terminate the call.

Anyone with questions or concerns can call Highland Police at 618-654-2131 ext. 1.