In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. The National Police Association files amicus brief opposing Oregon's attempt to criminalize law abiding gun owners. SCAM: National Police Support Fund donation. 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. POLICING THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN THE COUNTRY: What do Chicago's LEO's and citizens think? Our mission is to promote the interests of our nation's police officers within our nation's political and public policy process. As we stated earlier, these 50 charities account for almost $1 Billion in donations. The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. 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.. 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. 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. They count on local press coverage and a quick website. This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. The union is run by a retired police detective, and it is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the countrys biggest federation of unions, which did not respond to requests for comment. I received a phone call asking me to donate to National Police Support Fund I was going to give them my debit card number over the phone but changed my mind at the last moment. We are entering the crucial last minutes of our ongoing struggle to defend police officers. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try 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 . Why does this matter? The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. 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. Groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter have inspired people to assassinate cops on the street. "The words police and words firefighter are not trademarked," Kemerer explained, "so it is very easy for scammers to use those names and create fake organizations. Please let me know if there are any actions ScamPulse.com suggests I take other than ignore any future requests. Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. In telemarketing calls, DPSF fundraisers told people that donations would be used for grants to disabled officers and to the families of officers slain in the line of duty. These Are the 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in 2023. Most of the money raised went to telemarketing 87 percent and other expenses. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. 9 Best Charities for Law Enforcement in the US (Complete 2023 List) National Police Support Fund is dedicated to providing a united voice for true Americans who support our nation's law enforcement officers. I said no i was told I would be sent a pledge form. 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. We are just passing along the information if you get a suspicious call asking for money for police officers.. 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 . Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. Below are our favorite charities for law enforcement: National Police Foundation. National Association of Police Organizations :: Home - NAPO CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Police charity asking for money - is it a scam? - YouTube For more information, please see our We use the funds raised from these activities to support elected officials, candidates, and organizations whose goals and values align with our own. I came across ScamPulse.com warning people about donating to the NPSF . 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. For example, a very well known and respected group is the Make a Wish Foundation. For the record, on their website, it never calls itself a charity or non . This all looks very peculiar, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School who specializes in campaign finance. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . Not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee.Paid for by National Police Support Fund, Inc. |Privacy & Refund Policy| Sitemap, Biggest Issues Facing Police Officers Today. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. 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. 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. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . The NPAs immigration proposalAuthorizing local law enforcement officers to perform federal immigration law enforcement functionsis based on fear-mongering and a clear recipe for abuse and division. 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. "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. In two words, its not. This includes marketing and outreach to supporters and communities, grassroots political efforts, and digital marketing efforts. Pro-Police Organization Isn't a Legit Charity, BBB Warns 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. This would allow me a chance to talk to your wife about considering further contributions. National Police Grassroots Organization Releases 2022 Law Enforcement 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. Absolutely no legitimate law enforcement backed organization would stoop to this level of begging for money. Below are a few tips for screening for legitimate charities. And soon, you say, sure, why not? Now, the last thing I want to do is discourage you from giving to causes you care about, like supporting police. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. 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. 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. 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! Are robo-calls from the 'Committee for Police Officers' Defense' (aka 9 highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, A caregiver discovers questionable charities are targeting her parents for their money, Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term -43% off the standard annual rate, Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services, Double down with a FREE second membership. He seemed okay with it. When I googled the fund, a BBB caution was the first result. That link will take you to Illinois, where I live. 2. I told him that I had some questions for him before I would donate. 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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. Unable to verify the federal tax ID, redirected to a toll-free number. Sadly, it comes down to their choice of words during a pitch; its unlawful to misrepresent how the money will be spent. Did you encounter any technical issues? Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. What should we investigate next? If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. 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. 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. Get Gephardt Investigates: Who is the 'Police Alliance' and why are Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Email Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken. A hustle is like the 70s disco dance. 4 talking about this. That is equivalent to 2.7 percent of the $2.7 million the organization raised from donors that year, according to its federal tax return. The man on the other end of the phone is asking for money for the protection of police officers. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. I said I do not donate over the phone, he said I did not need to they would mail me a pledge kit. Use a search engine to look for " your state + charity list ". again. Free online workshop! If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He could not answer. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one association, two coalitions and one support fund). 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. 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). AARP Membership - LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. . On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. 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. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. Authorities issue warning about pro-police mail scam - The Union Woman suspicious after calls to help police. He was super pushy trying to get me to donate for 75,95, 105 dollars. "So I really want to support the police for what they do.". Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. 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. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. I did not feel comfortable giving the information over the phone . Promoting divisive rhetoric is detrimental to the public safety mission that requires any genuine law enforcement organization to be accountable to its constituents. The National Police Support Fund : r/Scams - reddit . Is National police Support Fund legit? Bass, who set up several other super PACs, declined to comment. and our Our grassroots organization was formed under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows us to engage in political activity. Multiple voices could be heard in the background. On each call, my questions about how donations got spent mostly went unanswered. That means of a $35 donation, no more than $3.50 goes to their stated cause. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Just change the state to your state and verify the charity is listed with your state attorney general's office, or another regulatory office (each state has different requirements). Hope Cancer Fund The Tampa Bay Times and The Center for Investigative Reporting broke the charities up into five main categories: children, cancer, police/law enforcement, veterans, fire and other. Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the Police Unity Tour by donating through their website. 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. Ten Law Enforcement Groups Among Worst Charities in America It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund"). Getting 3 to 5 calls a day from 315-410-0874 phone number. I received a call today from someone from The National Police Support Fund, who claimed to be collecting money for a drive. Watch out for a new "police support fund" scam. Campaign finance data, however, shows that about 98% of the money spent is not being used for this mission. Just hang up. 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. Theres just one week to go before the midterm election. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. The first thing I noticed was that I wasnt talking to live people; the answers all sounded scripted and recorded. How to Verify a Military or Veteran Charity is Real Charity Navigator - Rating for National Police Defense Foundation How a donation will be used, or how much of the donation actually goes to the charitys programs. Trade groups like those that represent the fast food or soft drink producers operate as nonprofits. California Proposition 25 Defeated, Thanks in Part to Local Efforts And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. So have we all. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. 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. For anyone interested in supporting law enforcement, experts say, think local. As a result, he had a positive outlook on military and all law enforcement officers, Busse said, but he never expressed any particular interest in supporting the police through financial donations.. Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. 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. With this in mind, the midterm election saw a new partnership between us, the National Police Support Fund, and the. 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). See the metrics below for more information. The Wilmington Police Department has no association with this organization and we have never even heard of them, stated a May release from the department. Many donors say they believed they were supporting a charity that helps local officers. Can the police officers count on you?. 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 . 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. Our officers deserve our respect and support, the Super PACs website reads. All Rights Reserved. nationalpolicesupportfund.com Review - Scam Detector With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. That same tax year, the International Union of Police Associations gave 10 students pursuing advanced degrees in law enforcement an average of $2,500 apiece. The charitys affiliation with the government. 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.. People are receiving phone scam calls asking for donations to help out local police departments or slain and wounded police offers. The National Police Support Fund is a national political organization organized under Section 527 of the IRS Tax Code. Fake joke to start out. What they do: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League aims to minimize juvenile crime through outreach programs that pair officers with youth. I told him I did not have any money to donate at the moment. To find out more about these organizations, I probed the FEC website, where super PACs report their activity. 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 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. Eagerly he asked if I was comfortable with that amount. I've asked them repeatedly to stop calling this typically results in additional calls back to back from different numbers. 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. Beware scams posing as Law Enforcement fundraisers! In this case, the pitch was for money for helping police officers in the continuing war against cops.. I also learned that they were sued in the biggest FTC case in history. 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 .