He seemed okay with it. We highly encourage our followers to verify who they are making donations to when contacted for fundraisers.. Required fields are marked *. The websites describe his career in law enforcement and his role as the creator of the police officers safety act legislation carried by former San Diego Congressman Randy Duke Cunningham. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. If you require additional information, then call us 1-800-247-4872 or email us at: Your contribution is very much appreciated and although the International Union of Police Association is recognized as a non-profit by the IRS, due to its particular status 5), donations are not tax deductible pursuant to IRC 170(c. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing to: The International Union of Police Associations, 5632 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 200 Sarasota, FL . A: A 527 political organization is a party committee, association, fund, or other organization organized and operated primarily for the purpose of directly or indirectly accepting contributions or making expenditures for an exempt function. The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. He said he ultimately left because he didnt feel like he was supporting the charitable efforts he had hoped to seeing a shift toward fundraising for PACs instead of charities and observing how little of the money went to the causes callers were touting. This was up from roughly $1 million raised by the group, which was founded in June 2018, in the last six months of the prior election cycle. The tour began with 18 members of law enforcement, who rode from New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Their impact and transparency ratings: The Police Unity Tour holds a Financial rating of 84 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. The result: a rise in super PACs that use sympathetic-sounding causes primarily to line their own pockets (the FEC has called this subset scam PACs). Law enforcement has a tough enough job without having to put up with charlatans masquerading as heroes. HARRISBURG Attorney General Josh Shapiro is warning Pennsylvanians to be on the lookout for bogus fundraising calls that purport to benefit the families of Martin F. Mack and Branden T. Sisca, the two fallen Pennsylvania State Police troopers tragically killed in the line of duty on I-95 South in Philadelphia. The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. A charity is only one type of nonprofit. Cookie Notice SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation. A secretive political group has been pulling in millions of dollars in recent months amid a growing Blue Lives Matter movement, with a cadre of telemarketers urgently telling Americans that now is the time to support the police and keep them safe. One hit wonders seeking to cash in on the tragedy of the day from floods and fires to missing children and more. ', Fleeing Suspect Arrested on Trolley After Man Stabbed Multiple Times Downtown, San Diego Neo-Nazi Robert Wilson Suspected in Anne Frank House Incident, Sierra Snowpack Grows to Nearly Double Normal, Easing California Drought, Theatre Week Becomes Theatre Month Enjoy Deals As Low As $15 All Through March, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. They improvise and evolve to stay one step ahead of unsuspecting donors. They count on local press coverage and a quick website. Kids Wish Network, however, spends only 3 cents of every dollar collected on kids. Leaving politics aside for a minute, how do you know if those calls are legitimate? California resident Kellie Van Westen, 69, said she has family members who are law enforcement officers and that she believed the roughly $1,400 she donated since 2019 would help bolster local police budgets and pay for equipment to keep them safe.. Multiple attempted calls from one number. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Individual officers can also become members, according to its website. The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 by Patrick Montuore, a police officer from New Jersey. Only one replied directly: 90 percent went to fundraising, and 10 percent went to police support. The National Police Support Fund is a national coalition committed to promoting the interests of America's. In fact, they count on the confusion to gather contributions. See the metrics below for more information. Some telemarketers who claim to be raising money for causes like homeless veterans and cancer victims work for political action committees , not charities, and keep much of the money they raise. "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". She said she was told the group was a charity benefiting police and troopers. The National Police Association advocates Support the Police, and Back the Blue, because Blue Lives Matter. A warning tonight about a phone and mail scam asking for donations. This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . Mostly they are the products of individual scammers who smell an opportunity to cash in using the name of a victim who may or may not even be real. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common respect for the rule of law and united in their support for the police officers who put their lives on the line every day in their communities. Super PACs are able to raise unlimited amounts of money, which they can use to advocate for political candidates or causes. The International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO was formed in 1979 to collectively represent those in law enforcement that are active or retired law enforcement officers to fight to improve, protect, and remember the lives of officers and their families in law enforcement the organization also works to improve legislation that protects and affects public safety officers, as well as representing the needs of law enforcement officers and support personnel, whether that be for better equipment, more staff or a fair wage. The case has not yet been resolved. These are Americas heroes. Videos on its site show cities in flames and say that officers have been injured during what the group describes as riots presumably referring to recent Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. Free online workshop! Several donors said they never would have given money to the group if they knew it would pay for Trump advertisements, including 70-year-old Susan Durie, a self-described bleeding heart liberal Democrat from Los Angeles who donated around $600 and said she felt like a victim of a scam since she thinks she was misled into believing that her donation would go to local police. Wow! IRS reports show that in 2011 alone, executive director Ken Howles drew an $87000 salary of the little money left over, only around 9-14% made its way into the hands of the troopers. A special program within the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.Speaking With One Voice, Moving With One Purpose. The super PAC said on Facebook in September that it had placed this billboard in multiple locations throughout Wisconsin and that more would be coming. In researching the organizations, I discovered numerous similar-sounding names for PACs raising funds for police officers. Local organizations that raise money on behalf of San Diego law enforcement include: Star/Pal for San Diego Police, which provides educational and recreational services for inner-city youth, and the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs Foundation, which provides support services for sheriffs personnel and families. In the first half of 2021, this organization reported donations of $4.3 million; expenditures were just under $4.2 million, the bulk of this going to overhead fundraising, lawyers, lead lists and so on. When a solicitor for one of these groups calls a prospective donor the pitch will include the truthful statement that they are a nonprofit organization. National Police Support Fund brings together Americans from all walks of life united under the banner of respect and support of our nation's law enforcement officers. According to the complaint, DPSF conned people into donating more than $9.9 million. Absolutely no legitimate law enforcement backed organization would stoop to this level of begging for money. Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. Sara Kemerer of the Cincinnati BBB says you should look them up at the bureau's website, www.bbb.org, or at Charity Navigator.org, or Guidestar.org. United Police Fund / National Police Fund scam harassment. The pop-up charity business is usually local, occasionally regional and rarely national. In two words, its not. Multiple voices could be heard in the background. He gave a range of donations to be made . An IRS report was filed on July 26. And that is likely the point. Oh, god, she said upon being contacted by CNN and learning how the money was spent, Im supposed to be smart, but boy was I a dope.. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. That means of a $35 donation, no more than $3.50 goes to their stated cause, highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets. During the pandemic, a plethora of fraudulent websites came out like a plague. It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. So I would like to say just beware of scammers , Ive copied the letter I received so in hopes that people will know not to donate unless you are 109% sure it not a scam. So we can Verify, National Coalition for Police and Troopers is a site owned by a PAC, isn't a charitable organization. I did not feel comfortable giving the information over the phone . For example, in 2019, nearly 90% of the organizations income was spent on its programming. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. When I googled the fund, a BBB caution was the first result. nationalpolice.org. A donation of $10, $15 or $25 would help keep . National Police Support Fund is a grassroots political organization that is committed to aligning the interests and needs of police officers with the publics issues and concerns within the national political process. Also worth noting is that while his organization is based in Virginia, and gets its mail in Stafford, TX, Fotis lives in Lake Worth, FL. The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is a real organization, but protect yourself and ask questions when you receive calls like these. After I rejected he offered some booster donations of 15,25, 35 dollars to Goodwill or other organizations. Recently, the District Attorney's office was made aware of calls from nearby area codes claiming to support local officers injured in the line of duty. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. Fake joke to start out. Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. In about 7 years (through March 2018), the union and relief fund spent a total of approximately $102.3 million, of which $82.3 million went towards fundraising. The safest way to donate on social media or crowdfunding campaign is to give to people you actually know. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. The National Policing Institute, a national, Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policing through science and innovation, has received information from several individuals who have been contacted by solicitors asking for donations in support of the "National Policing Institute," or in some cases the "National Police Fund," which we are not affiliated . I asked for the number so I could call back after I made my decision and he gave me the 1-866 number and said to call with any questions and thanked me for my time. The VIRGINIA POLICE FUND is an advocate on behalf of law enforcement to ensure they receive adequate funding for proper training and equipment and to inform the public about the issues facing law enforcement.. Virginia's law enforcement officers are some of the best trained officers in the world, however, with the limited resources of local communities, outside professional training is . I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. It also concerned him that so many prospects were elderly. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. The International Union of Police Associations and its related organizations go by more than a dozen different names, including the Police Officers Support Association and the National Emergency Responders Coalition. She remembers news stories two years ago, about 67-year-old Jerry Hinkle, a Cincinnati man who raised thousands of dollars for the Shop with a Cop program, then admitted in court that he spent it on personal expenses (the case ended with a plea agreement). A warning tonight about calls targeting people around the Tri-State asking them to help support the police. The PTRF/LEORF was created to provide specialized relief when, tragically, a law enforcement officer is killed in the line-of-duty or seriously injured in . When a charitys fundraiser calls to ask you for a donation, they have to follow some rules: A: We engage in activities aimed at supporting our law enforcement officers and standing up for their rights and values throughout the political process. Today, the organization has over 300 chapters across the country working to create positive change in local communities. The rule of law is being eroded in our communities, and we need true Americans to stand up and join voices in support of the public servants who keep us safe. He of course provided a non-reassuring answer with no defence when the jig was up, and ended the call. He initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020, according to data reported to the Federal Election Commission. The fund is the third in a series of outrageous attempts by founders David Dierks and Phil LeConte to extort money from generous Americans under the pretext of donations to the nation's police forces. I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. Tax filings also show that the union operates its own call center and that a company the union controls purchased a nearly 20,000 square foot office building valued at more than $2.5 million, where the union is now based. As a wife of a police officer this is absolutely disgusting! she stated. I have asked 5 times to be removed from their call list, but they are still constantly calling, at this point it is harassment and it needs to STOP! Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The call came to Get Gephardt to investigate who exactly it is that's making those calls. This group purports on various websites that donations are being used to back candidates who will stand up for police and introduce legislation to help officers and provide benefits to families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. They do disclose, however, that of the nearly $10 million raised, the super PAC gave more money back to the union roughly $350,000 for office, operational and overhead expenses than the $173,500 it spent on political activities between January 2019 and June 2020. Together, the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund and the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO, have spent about $82.3 million 77 percent of their operating expenditures on fundraising services from around 2011 to March 2018, according to a Public Integrity analysis of annual tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue . This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for "defunding" the police. . With everything that's happening this pandemic year, people are getting more and more calls to support their local police. She had noticed the term PAC on receipts she received in the mail but thought that meant the charities were working together and had a pact to support the police cause she believed in. Woman suspicious after calls to help police. The usual claiming they were legitimate. Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Now those same anarchists that rioted and assaulted law enforcement officers are using the Taliban playbook by destroying public statues and monuments while advocating for defunding law enforcement agencies, a narrator states in a video from July, as protests continued across the country. If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. So what happened to the other approximately 33% of . Marine Toys for Tots Foundation (Triangle, Va.) Committee for Missing Children (Lawrenceville, Ga.) Prevent Child . Read our full report on the organization here, https://bit.ly/3xMbldo. 2023 Cable News Network. I again was transferred to another person who wanted my credit card info and stated due to covid they wanted to decrease handling and credit cards was the best way to donate. If they are PACs, the fundraising effort is politically motivated and wont necessarily support San Diego-area officers or deputies or their families. The scenario is all too familiar. Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. The calls, which often target elderly donors, come from a variety of generic and similar-sounding aliases: The Police Officers Support Association, the National Emergency Responders Coalition and the National Coalition for Police & Troopers. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . Theres just one week to go before the midterm election. The scripts were designed to give the impression that they were helping out officers versus lobbying efforts, he said, adding that the political affiliation was only fully disclosed when someone proactively asked where the money would be going. Your email address will not be published. One very common hustle is the name game. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. I should have been more aware that it sounded fishy and of course just saw the ScamPulse.com warning. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. "Being that it was a recording right off the bat . Please enable Javascript in your browser and try I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. I found a few small line items labeled legislative services, but none that appeared to go directly to supporting police. Being a generous person, she agreed to mail them $50. An image from Law Enforcement For A Safer America PAC's Facebook page. Other policies that the NPA promotes include aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics and broken windows policingstrategies that have resulted in unconstitutional practices that undermine civil liberties. I asked if the donation was tax-deductible and he said no but could not elaborate as to why that was. (Santa Rosa, Calf.) Wendy Beckman got a call the other day from a man asking her to help retired police and firefighters. Up to June 2020, only 2% of the groups spending went toward political activities mainly for advertisements supporting President Donald Trumps reelection, according to data filed with the FEC. Are the money-gathering techniques these scam PACs use illegal? A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. They are the tragi-charities. The union has previously come under fire for hiring allegedly deceptive telemarketers and costly fundraising efforts that benefited its own organization and a police charity it operates. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. again. It also transferred $30,000 to another pro-police super PAC that the union operates, based on the officers listed on its filings. by Michelle Diament, April 2008. Has anyone else recently seen an uptick and calls from various police support organizations? I have asked 5 times to be removed from their call list, but they are still constantly calling, at this point it is harassment and it needs to STOP! If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. The matter now heads to the Senate, where the disapproval resolution may pass if every Republican plus rebellious Democratic Senator Joe Manchin (W.Va.) support the effort. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. Similarly, the Police Coalition of America, which promises "to enact positive change and legislation that protects our citizens as well as our law enforcement," spent $530,000 on . What should we investigate next? proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. Especially after a tragedy or military-related event, fundraisers and causes show up on social media and people create crowdfunding campaigns to help those affected. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). That means of a $35 donation, no more than $3.50 goes to their stated cause. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Help us grow with a monthly contribution. In the first half of 2021, this organization reported donations of $4.3 million; expenditures were just under $4.2 million, the bulk of this going to overhead fundraising, lawyers, lead lists and so on. He could not answer. How a donation will be used, or how much of the donation actually goes to the charitys programs. A: The National Police Support Fund is a grassroots nonprofit political organization founded in 2017 under Section 527 of the IRS tax code. Another useful fact: Organizations that file reports with the FEC have to list a treasurer. Wow! If the potential donors suspected they had given to the group before, the callers were instructed to say: I have no way of knowing because we feel that donations are given from the heart, not the hand, so we keep all donation records confidential, according to the FAQ.
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