Latest News And Area Information
 

10/01/08 Car break Ins - A number of thefts from unlocked vehicles have occurred in the Country Club Estates area. Please make sure that if you park your vehicle outside at night that it is locked.

8/08 OWI CRACKDOWN - The Fontana PD will be joining with hundreds of other statewide law enforcement agencies in a impaired driver crackdown. From 8/17-9/3 FPD officers will be extra vigilant in detecting impaired drivers driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. Too many people are being killed or injured by these drivers each year and if caught they face extensive fines and insurance rates. If they are are repeat offender they can face jail time. If you see a possible impaired driver call the police. If you think you have had to much to drink call a friend, call a taxi or ask the bartender if they can arrange for a ride.

5/12/08 DRUG SEIZURE - FPD officers accompanied by County Drug Unit officers acting on information provided by citizens and other sources executed a search warrant on a Sauganash Drive rental home. Inside police recovered a large amount of drug paraphnalia, illegal narcotics, cash and a mushroom growing chamber. Five subjects including an illegal alien were arrested on various misdemeanor and felony charges.

1/20/08 Citizens should be alert to a false tax return scam that is going around the email/internet. People have been contacted to go to a website called returns@irs which claims to be the IRS website and that they are entitled to a special return. The web site then tries to get the victim to give them their SSN, bank info etc. Do not open this site. Just delete it. The IRS does not do business by email.

1/08 The police department has obtained a 4wd ATV from the federal government at no cost. This vehicle will be used for some patrol duties during special events, search and rescue and other village functions.

1/3/08 CounterAct has its first class. Officers Chalchoff and Goetsch presented the first session of CounterAct to the 5th grade students. There will be six more sessions and a graduation ceremony.

12/25/07 OPERATION "FEED THE NEED 2007 RESULTS   The citizens, students and businesses of Fontana donated over 550 items and $400.00 in cash this year. The items were evenly split between the two area food pantries.

11/07 The Department has taken possession of a used heavy duty 4 wheel drive ATV which it received free from the US DOD. This ATV will be used by all village departments but it's primary role will be rescue and patrol during congested times.

11/29/07 BURGLAR CAUGHT -  The burglary suspect is in custody but we urge our  citizens to use the tips we listed earlier to keep from becoming a victim themselves.

10/29/07 HOME INTRUDER - It was reported to police that a woman awoke around 645AM on 10/28/07 to find an intruder in her house. The subject fled taking a purse and jewelry. Police were on the scene within minutes but could not locate the subject. It was found that the subject had entered through an unlocked patio door. The investigation is ongoing. We urge all citizens to make sure that they follow basic security tips such as making sure all ground floor windows and doors are locked especially at night, outside lights are working properly, any vehicles parked outside are also locked and valuables placed out of sight.

Be sure to report any suspicious activity promptly to police.

10/5/07 SCHOLARSHIP - Are you a college student studying Criminal Justice or Police Science? Are you a Fontana resident? If so, see Chief Olson for information about a $500.00 scholarship given by the Walworth County Chiefs' of Police Association.

9/25/07 COUNTERACT TO REPLACE DARE:  Officers Chalchoff and Goetsch will be teaching the counter drug program COUNTERACT to 5th graders starting in January 2008 at the grade school.

9/25/07 HALLOWEEN HOURS - Trick and treating will be conducted between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on October 31st. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Masks should not block vision and light colors, flashlights or glow sticks help being seen after dark. If your child receives any suspicious items please call us promptly. We will have several squads out patrolling and as always handing out candy.

5/18/07 Possible Scam in Area - The PD has taken several reports of a female subject coming to people's houses claiming to be doing a survey for the Federal Dept of Health and Human Services and if the person will take the survey they will receive $30.00 cash. So far no one has taken the survey being rightfully suspicious of someone claiming to give away money. If you are approached, please call us immediately, we have been unable to confirm if this is a legitimate government survey.

INTERNET FRAUD, IDENTITY THEFT: This is the fastest growing crime in the US.  Be cautious of internet and mail fraud/schemes.  For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our links page or pick up a free pamphlet at the Library, the PD or the Village Hall.

BUYER BEWARE - CONTRACTOR FRAUD: The FPD is currently investigating several complaints about contractors who may have violated criminal laws by defrauding homeowners when they failed to deliver promised goods or services. These are difficult cases to investigate and prosecute criminally since in some situation what has happened is a civil matter between the contractor and the homeowner. We strongly encourage our citizens to check out any contractor they are considering employing. Do they have a permanent business address you can visit? Can the contractor show proof of insurance? Are they licensed by the state? Can they provide you with references? Be wary of anyone who answers these questions with a no. Do not give cash for down payments and ask for a receipt when you do pay. You can also check a potential contractor for any pending or past civil/criminal court cases on the CCAP on our links page.

SCAMS AND CON MEN: Recently one of our citizens fell victim to an overseas lottery scam. The citizen had received mail which told her she had won the Australian Lottery for 6.5 million dollars. The con artists convinced her that the winnings were hers if she would pay various taxes and fees. She ended up sending over $200,000.00 to a bogus firm in England. The FBI is investigating but the suspects have probably already changed their location and used false identities.  Remember the old adage " If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is to good to be true". Help us protect others from falling prey, call us immediately when you think someone is trying to scam you or a friend.

CODE RED NOTIFICATIONS: Law enforcement agencies in Walworth County have a unique tool that allows them to notify the public of special situations by phone. This is how the system works. If there is a unique incident in Fontana such as a missing child, the FPD will have the 911 center activate what is know as the CODE RED system. A recorded message will be made describing the child and any other information. The dispatch center will then program into the system the area to be notified which could be as small one city block or as large as the whole county. That message will then will be sent to every phone number in the designated area. If you answer the phone you will hear the caller identified as the 911 Center and then the message or it will be left on your answering machine.

PHONE SCAMS -  If you are called by someone claiming to work for a bank even if it is your bank do not give out any personal or banking information. No legitimate bank will call you to ask you for your account info, social security number or other personal information. Sometimes the caller will claim they are conducting an investigation into illegal activity at the bank and your assistance in providing the information is needed. If you are called tell them nothing an call the police promptly.