The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 by Patrick Montuore, a police officer from New Jersey. According to the complaint, DPSF conned people into donating more than $9.9 million. 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. That way, you avoid all of . AARP Membership LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. 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. The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is a real organization, but protect yourself and ask questions when you receive calls like these. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. I feel they abuse their use of the name to maybe convey a false sense to the community about who they are and what they really do with the money.. I quickly identified over 70 super PACs with police or law enforcement in their names. What they do: ThePolice Unity Tour raises funds and awareness for members of law enforcement who lost their lives during their service. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. You May Like: Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer. It appears their lack of transparency regarding where the money goes was the reason for the BBB caution. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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 organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much He said his father has always leaned heavily Democratic, supported President Barack Obama and previously expressed strong anti-Trump views. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. A warning tonight about calls targeting people around the Tri-State asking them to help support the police. FEC filings show that of the group's minimal political spending, most has gone toward pro-Trump advertising such as billboards. generic photos, there is no real content validating that they do anything to actually support the police. In fact, they count on the confusion to gather contributions. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. 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. Instead, their contributions end up with a super PAC, Law Enforcement for a Safer America, which has ties to a controversial union and spends the majority of its money on its own operating costs. National Police Defense Foundation has earned a 81% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. It's always a variation of the above name. Contributions are not tax deductible. 2. I should have been more aware that it sounded fishy and of course just saw the ScamPulse.com warning. I asked him if the organization supports Donald Trump. The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. One very common hustle is the name game. I started rifling through my mail as he gave me the same exact spiel this time saying he represented United Police support fund. 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. The case has not yet been resolved. National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. 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. Consumer Protection. For example, in 2019, nearly 90% of the organizations income was spent on its programming. In this case, the pitch was for money for helping police officers in the continuing war against cops.. I found a few small line items labeled legislative services, but none that appeared to go directly to supporting police. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. appreciated. We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. . 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. But their website and solicitations are designed to look and sound like Make a Wish. And that is likely the point. The rest of the money has gone primarily to the firms helping it solicit donations including nearly $3 million in payments to one telemarketing company sued by the government last month for allegedly using deceptive tactics. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. What should we investigate next? Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor specializing in campaign finance and political corruption, said the fact that the super PAC had spent such a huge proportion of its contributions on its own expenses was jaw dropping and that it was equally concerning to hear that fundraisers were going after the elderly who they may consider easy marks.. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. Entire local police unions, which negotiate collective bargaining agreements for their members, can choose to affiliate with the group. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. Another charity that should come with a "donator, beware" sign is the Police Protection Fund. In a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, another woman, whose name was redacted, said she received multiple calls from the National Coalition for Police and Troopers, one of the super PACs various aliases. It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. All Rights Reserved. JW August is a San Diego-based broadcast and digital journalist. Trade groups like those that represent the fast food or soft drink producers operate as nonprofits. Being a generous person, she agreed to mail them $50. The National Police Support Fund. What should we investigate next? He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. I told him that there is no such thing as a National Police Trust Fund. The Better Business Bureau conducted an investigation and found . A donation of $10, $15 or $25 would help keep . It sounded like the solicitor was calling from a boiler room, where individuals dial from a list of working phone numbers. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. 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 . If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. 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. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. 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. Also Check: How To File A Police Report For Id Theft, You May Like: How Do Police Deal With Homeless. 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. Also Check: Do You Have To Pay For A Police Report. BREAKING The House just voted to block Biden's woke ESG rule, which would let Wall Street use your retirement savings to fund left-wing political causes. Charity hustles work the same way. Among the other warnings: The Miami Township Police in Ohio issued a scam alert in June referencing calls circulating from a Police Officers Support Association asking for credit card donations. The Reading Police Department in Massachusetts described the Police Officers Support Association as a scam charity last year. . 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. This comes at a time when some community activists have been calling for defunding the police. In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They improvise and evolve to stay one step ahead of unsuspecting donors. 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 website soliciting funds for Arpaio says, Liberals have targeted Sheriff Joe Arpaio with a multi-million dollar lawsuit (that could even result in jail time) because he was upholding the law of the land.. The safest way to donate on social media or crowdfunding campaign is to give to people you actually know. 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. These Are the 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in 2023. Stated that donations were not tax-deductible. 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. He initially solicited $95 and eventually said he would accept a $15 contribution as an offer of goodwill on my part. "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. Most of the money raised went to telemarketing 87 percent and other expenses. 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. I was contacted in Wilton, CT by representatives of the National Police Support Fund. As we stated earlier, these 50 charities account for almost $1 Billion in donations. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. 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. An employee who said he previously worked for two companies that raised money for Law Enforcement for a Safer America said that at his more recent job, callers were instructed not to disclose that they were calling on behalf of a super PAC. How to report a scammer? Also in Massachusetts, a Wilmington police officer received a call soliciting donations. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. 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. In two words, its not. A charity is only one type of nonprofit. For example, in the tax year that ended March 2018, the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund gave 11 families an average of $6,545 apiece. 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! Another telemarketing employee reached by CNN in the Philippines confirmed this, saying he solicited money on behalf of the super PAC and the IUPA using audio recordings of someone who sounded like they were actually calling from America, and that most of the people they reached were elderly adding he felt it was a scam because they didnt realize what they were actually donating to. By choosing the . The Police Officers Defense Alliance, for example, raised $3.2 million in 2020, and The American Police Officers Alliance raised $4.3 million. 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. This all looks very peculiar, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School who specializes in campaign finance. We don't engage in telemarketing. I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate. Theres just one week to go before the midterm election. This particular super PACs treasurer is a former cop who was arrested for stealing $50,000 from the police union for which he served as president. "Being that it was a recording right off the bat . 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. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. What they do: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League aims to minimize juvenile crime through outreach programs that pair officers with youth. @GunOwners. One Daughters Fight Against Charity Fraud, Exclusive Walgreens Cash rewards for members, AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia: Vacation Packages, Members save when booking a flight vacation package, AARP Identity Theft Protection powered by Norton, Up to 53% off comprehensive protection plans, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. January 11, 2019. We use the funds raised from these activities to support elected officials, candidates, and organizations whose goals and values align with our own. "My brother was a police officer, my cousin was a cop and one of my sons is a cop," she said. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). Our Police, Firefighters, and all First Responders do need our support. National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues. Required fields are marked *. To find out more about these organizations, I probed the FEC website, where super PACs report their activity. UPDATE 2020-10-29: Another new call from 585-206-3552 with a similar pre-recorded voice auto-responder identifying as 'Jeff Scott' with the National Police Support Fund. The vast majority of donations since 2019 were under $200, meaning the funds came from tens of thousands of donors. 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. . Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. 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 . The mailing scam, which was identified in a CNN article last fall and had already targeted residents in eastern states including Massachusetts and Wisconsin, asks recipients of the letter to donate $20 to an organization misleadingly calling itself the "Police Officers Support Association, PAC" according to Grass Valley Police Sgt. The application also included the name Police Officers Defense Coalition, as well as the Police Officers Defense Alliance. But the groups file financial disclosures with federal regulators under only a handful of names. It turns out Police and Fire Retirees of Ohio is a legitimate non profit lobbying group, though it is not a charity under IRS rules. You read that correctly. 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. Lots of different special interest groups are nonprofits, including some private businesses that pay their executives quite well. Alexandria, VA. National Police Support Fund and United Police Fund came together this November to urge Northern Virginians to get out the vote in, National Police Support Fund, Inc.Office/Mailing Address:2800 Eisenhower Drive Suite 220Alexandria, VA 22314, Donation Processing Center:PO Box 26248Alexandria, VA 22313-2648, Phone: (571) 364-6520Email: info@nationalpolicesupportfund.com, By providing your phone number, you are consenting to receive calls and SMS/MMS msgs, including autodialed and automated calls and texts using prerecorded voice, to that number from the National Police Support Fund. Sara Kemerer of the . That link will take you to Illinois, where I live. Even if you like the idea, how do you know the call is legitimate? The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. Our mission is to promote the interests of our nation's police officers within our nation's political and public policy process. 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. Is National police Support Fund legit? I told him I did not have any money to donate at the moment. Just as you sit down to dinner, the phone rings and the caller asks for a donation. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. Claire Reiss, 79, said she thought the more than $2,000 she donated would go to injured police and their families, but that she stopped giving away her money when the calls just wouldnt stop. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. The funds raised during their 4-day long ride are donated directly to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. 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. And Law Enforcement for a Safer America appears to be cashing in. He paused for a few seconds and said "okay, bye" and hung up the phone. 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. See the metrics below for more information. Post has been removed or is no longer public. 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 organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. We are entering the crucial last minutes of our ongoing struggle to defend police officers. 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. We'll send you the top local news stories every morning at 8 a.m. By clicking subscribe, you agree to share your email address with Times of San Diego to receive our free newsletter and breaking news alerts. With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. 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. Of those who gave more than $200, which are required to be disclosed to the federal government, roughly 80% were retirees, according to an analysis of the data. 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 robot voice saying the call would be recorded for record purposes sounded so real but it was just him. How much do I need to save for retirement? Learn about the latest anti-police movement, Download our 2022 police ballot measures analysis, Download our 2022 law enforcement support guide, Virginia Election Ad by National Police Support Fund, Pro-Police Organizations Worked Together to Get Out the Vote & Boosts Conservative Turnout in NoVa, https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/. 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. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. Below are our favorite charities for law enforcement: National Police Foundation. Years later, as the success of the program and its activities grew, six chapters on the east coast decided to convene and discuss how athletics could be incorporated into the organizations programs. The solution, the letter says, is clear: Give our law enforcement officers the crime prevention tools they need. In fact, former employees of these types of fundraisers have testified about how they used soundboard technology to play prerecorded messages as responses, in part so they could talk to several donors at once. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). Use a search engine to look for " your state + charity list ". National Police Support Fund is a grassroots political organization that is committed to aligning the interests and needs of police officers with the public's issues and concerns within the national political process. I did not feel comfortable giving the information over the phone . "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. 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. Msg&data rates may apply. When I googled the fund, a BBB caution was the first result. Type of a scam Charity. 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. This organization spends the vast majority of its donations on children. 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 was donating to anyone who asked him for money, he said. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. In fact, as Ive previously , supporting law enforcement and supporting reform movements such as Black Lives Matter are not mutually exclusive. Wendy Beckman got a call the other day from a man asking her to help retired police and firefighters. The usual claiming they were legitimate. 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. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. Simple web searches can show that the 'charitable organization' calling either 1 . Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. 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 . 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. Years later, as the success of the . I asked if the donation was tax-deductible and he said no but could not elaborate as to why that was. She verified my information and repeatedly asked me to promise to mail it back as soon as I received it. The pop-up charity business is usually local, occasionally regional and rarely national. If they are PACs, the fundraising effort is politically motivated and wont necessarily support San Diego-area officers or deputies or their families. Charities face relatively rigorous review from the Internal Revenue Service, and most states require them to register before they can operate there. Do police call for donations? 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. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. In the report, National Police Support Fund reported about $61,000 in . I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. Last month the National Police Association (NPA) filed an ethics complaint against Rachael Rollins, the new district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts (who recently .
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