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. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. The Greenfield, Massachusetts, police department warned about the group last year as well. . On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. He also wanted to highlight law enforcements hard work across the country. At least seven local police departments from around the country and a state attorney general have issued scam alerts and other notices about these fundraising efforts, warning residents in their communities as recently as this summer that they have no affiliation with this group. Across the industry, calls are computer-generated before being routed to telemarketers, something Politicause and TPFE employees said allowed their firms to maximize the number of calls and to pester people repeatedly. On its donate page, the NPA boasts of its work to preserve the American way of life and fight back against cop-haters. I did satisfy my rather small donation at their website https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com . The IRS has pretty broad rules for being a nonprofit organization. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for defunding the police. We strive to engage the public through political grassroots activity to support political interests that promote officer's interests. That way, you avoid all of . Gotten calls like this? As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. The latter is the name of the PAC I found earlier that had raised $3.2 million in contributions. Im calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,* the voice on the phone told me. 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. Read Also: How Do You Know If The Police Are Investigating You. Just hang up. In fact, they count on the confusion to gather contributions. For example, a very well known and respected group is the Make a Wish Foundation. Published I got a call from them saying it was the time of year to start up the donation drive, and the phone operator tries his best to kay in with a guilt trip to get you to "donate." Please enable Javascript in your browser and try They are the tragi-charities. By choosing the . The Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States and was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action and education. To promote the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops and community through positive engagement. he transferred me to check my address. Gas station secured small business bailout money, then paid for Trump billboards, After learning from CNN that his 92-year-old father had given $1,200 to the super PAC, Curt Busse said that the donations were made as his fathers cognitive skills declined, making him a prime target for telemarketers. The I.U.P.A. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. "The National Police Support Fund is neither a 501(c)3 nor a 501(c)4 organization, but rather a political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Lots of different special interest groups are nonprofits, including some private businesses that pay their executives quite well. Are the money-gathering techniques these scam PACs use illegal? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. The Better Business Bureau says if anyone calls or knocks asking you to help the police, the best thing you can do is ask them for information before you agree to donate. As the list of high-profile police shootings has grown in recent years and calls to defund the police have gotten louder, tensions between protesters and those who have rushed to the support of police some of whom have become part of a Blue Lives Matter movement have been building. 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. A profit according to Investopedia.com is revenue that exceeds expenses. If you are still not sure if your money is really going to the cause, call your local police or fire department and ask how you can donate to them. He could not answer. We do not support nor do we condone this group, the post stated. 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. In a nationwide, federal-state crackdown on fraudulent telemarketers claiming to help police, firefighters, and veterans, the Federal Trade Commission, together with 61 Attorneys General, Secretaries of State, and other law enforcers of 49 states and the District of Columbia, today announced Operation False Charity. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. 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. The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is a real organization, but protect yourself and ask questions when you receive calls like these. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots, Read Also: How Do I Become A K9 Police Officer. KENNER, LA (WVUE) - The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office warns of a scam from the "American Police Officers Alliance" asking for donations for law enforcement. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common . This person spoke broken english and told me to donate using credit card. The National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. 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 answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. These Are the 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in 2023. Filed Jan. 29, 2020, 3:45 p.m. GMT. But whats the truth. Simple: less scrutiny. Today, the organization has over 300 chapters across the country working to create positive change in local communities. A 5 On Your Side viewer got one of those calls recently, asking him to support the National Police and Troopers Association.But before saying yes, he called us to ask if it was legit. Woman suspicious after calls to help police. Super PACs generally have far fewer state-level reporting requirements and are regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which has fewer enforcement options than the IRS. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. The fund is a real nonprofit organization, but it is a political group created "primarily to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state or local public office. Email us: [email protected]. I found a few small line items labeled legislative services, but none that appeared to go directly to supporting police. A hustle is like the 70s disco dance. Wow! The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. Another law enforcement charity that faced disciplinary action was the American Association of State Troopers, which was fined a total of $321,115 in three states - Georgia, Mississippi and Pennsylvania. Key battles deserve tight alliances. It said callers were soliciting support for police officers but that the group was actually connected to a political action committee. It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. If you require additional information, then call us 1-800-247-4872 or email us at: [email protected] 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 (501 (c) 5), donations are not tax . He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . 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. Pearl S Buck International's stated purpose is to provide opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures, build better lives for children around the globe and promote the legacy of our founder by preserving and interpreting her National Historic Landmark home. 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. And soon, you say, sure, why not? Marine Toys for Tots Foundation (Triangle, Va.) Committee for Missing Children (Lawrenceville, Ga.) Prevent Child . The vast majority of donations since 2019 were under $200, meaning the funds came from tens of thousands of donors. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - From unmarked strip-mall offices in small-town Alabama, the calls go out across the United States, meant to talk people into giving . Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. generic photos, there is no real content validating that they do anything to actually support the police. A warning tonight about calls targeting people around the Tri-State asking them to help support the police. I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. POLICING THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN THE COUNTRY: What do Chicago's LEO's and citizens think? Do You Have To Call The Police After An Accident, How Long Does It Take To Get Into Police Academy, How Many People Were Killed By Police In 2020, Where To File A Police Report For Car Accident. The call was spoofed to appear to be from [a] Montana phone number, he wrote, noting that the caller did not identify the group as a political action committee, or super PAC, and telling his followers that it was not a nonprofit so donations are not tax deductible. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . But none of the money being raised actually goes to police departments, according to government records. It only means they do not seek to make a profit on their activities. Years later, as the success of the . Some tips for consumers: Listen carefully for the name of the organization. Gifts to actual charities are donations to PACs, which sometimes sound like charities, are not. Never disclose personal information. Or follow the simplest rule: Never give to anyone over the phone, said Margot Saunders, senior counsel for the National Consumer Law Center. The Better Business Bureau is warning about an organization that calls itself the National Police Support Fund which, despite soliciting contributions from St. Louis-area donors, isn't . Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? They improvise and evolve to stay one step ahead of unsuspecting donors. And that is likely the point. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. A union receptionist also confirmed to CNN that the super PAC is run by the union, but union leaders did not respond to repeated calls, voicemails and emails that laid out the concerns from other police departments and donors and asked why so little of the $10 million raised went toward political activities. He said that although it is more expensive for super PACs to solicit small donations which is what this one is doing spending so much on operations and so little on political activities is unusual. President Trump pardoned the sheriff even after the Department of Justice described Arpaio as being responsible for the worst case of racial profiling in U.S. history. Charity hustles work the same way. Only one replied directly: 90 percent went to fundraising, and 10 percent went to police support. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . Not authorized by any candidate or . Busse said he and his sister took over their fathers finances last year. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. The FTC and charity regulators and law enforcement officials in every state have teamed up on more than 100 actions against dozens of fake charities, which have collected tens of millions of . Promoting divisive rhetoric is detrimental to the public safety mission that requires any genuine law enforcement organization to be accountable to its constituents. Post has been removed or is no longer public. I should have been more aware that it sounded fishy and of course just saw the ScamPulse.com warning. A Warner Bros. A donation of $10, $15 or $25 would help keep . Please let me know if there are any actions ScamPulse.com suggests I take other than ignore any future requests. ', 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. He seemed okay with it. The BBB said days later, the New Jersey State Police photo had been removed from the site. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. 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Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. In the report, National Police Support Fund reported about $61,000 in . 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 . One of Fotis websites solicits money for individuals who were guilty of a crime for doing their job the way they were trained to do it. As an example, he cites former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. He gave a range of donations to be made . 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. The caller said he was phoning on behalf of the Committee for Police Officers Defense. Msg&data rates may apply. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. I told him that there is no such thing as a National Police Trust Fund. 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 Committee for Police Officers Defense, the telemarketers who called me, applied for tax exemption in California. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Quoting from its website, the Committee for Police Officers Defense is a 527 Committee designed to seek out radical prosecutors, judges and district attorneys. Another organization is named on the website as well The Police Officers Defense Coalition. I asked them to mail me a bill instead and they did , I called the phone number on the letter and did not get a respond so I decided to go to their website . He organized the Police Unity Tour as a fundraising event to honor members of law enforcement who had lost their lives in the line of service. Their impact and transparency ratings: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League has an Accountability and Transparency score of 92 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. 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. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. Many of the other complaints to the FTC about the political committee and its related groups said fundraisers used spoofed numbers and violated the law by calling them even though they were on the Do Not Call list, while others said they had been misled or even harassed by fundraisers. Videos on Law Enforcement for a Safer America's website show cities in flames and say that officers have been injured during what the group describes as riots. Soft on Crime groups are targeting record numbers of individual law enforcement officers in law suits for police brutality. 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. 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. 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! The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. At the end of 2021, robocalls raising money for police groups were thehighest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, according to Nomorobo, a robocall-blocking company that works with AARP on fraud prevention. 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. But other charities lie about what they do with donations or how much they spend on programs. Stated that donations were not tax-deductible. 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. Unless you want your money to go toward lawsuits , take my advice and find another charity to support although preferably one on another list to this one. In the case of National Police Support Fund, we accept contributions and make expenditures in order to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of candidates to federal, state, and local offices. So what happened to the other approximately 33% of . And cops are facing increasing disrespect on the streets as criminals have become emboldened by the wave of anti-cop rhetoric in the news media and by many politicians. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. This includes marketing and outreach to supporters and communities, grassroots political efforts, and digital marketing efforts. He never would have given money to any group if he knew that some of that money was going to pro-Trump campaign ads, said Busse. : r/Scams. Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. People are receiving phone scam calls asking for donations to help out local police departments or slain and wounded police offers. 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. Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the Police Unity Tour by donating through their website. Super PACs are able to raise unlimited amounts of money, which they can use to advocate for political candidates or causes. Trade groups like those that represent the fast food or soft drink producers operate as nonprofits. . He was super pushy trying to get me to donate for 75,95, 105 dollars. We highly encourage our followers to verify who they are making donations to when contacted for fundraisers.. After further investigation, they are not approved by the better business bureau and they have nothing but horrible reviews . @GunOwners. 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. I later learned the organization is based in Fairfax, VA, and is a political action committee, or PAC. 4. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state. 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. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. I told him I did not have any money to donate at the moment. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment.
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