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. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. And some are outright scams. One very common hustle is the name game. Charity hustles work the same way. The source of the funding information was OpenSecrets, a database that tracks spending in U.S. politics run by the Center for Responsive Politics. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots, Read Also: How Do I Become A K9 Police Officer. 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. Groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter have inspired people to assassinate cops on the street. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. For example, in 2019, nearly 90% of the organizations income was spent on its programming. FEC regulations state that political committees can only deposit a contribution into their account if that money came from a solicitation which expressly states that the contribution will be used in connection with a Federal election or the solicitation discloses that contributions are subject to federal election law. 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.. Our grassroots organization was formed under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows us to engage in political activity. 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. "But I'm sure there are a lot that are not on the level, so you kind of have to be cautious," she said. Im calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,* the voice on the phone told me. Has anyone else recently seen an uptick and calls from various police support organizations? I asked him where the money goes. The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 by Patrick Montuore, a police officer from New Jersey. It spent $103,700 on behalf of House candidates about 3% of the total, and it has contributed nothing directly to veterans groups. Whoops! Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. It appears there are a number of nonprofits up and running under the apparent control of Fotis. After I rejected he offered some booster donations of 15,25, 35 dollars to Goodwill or other organizations. Free online workshop! Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. In this case, the pitch was for money for helping police officers in the continuing war against cops.. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. 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. 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. Fundraising calls are allowed even if your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. The group's videos have received few views, but money has been pouring in. American Association of State Troopers claims to support retired state troopers. Published The union has recently claimed to have more than 100,000 members, but the IUPA has reported around 20,000 members in tax filings. A profit according to Investopedia.com is revenue that exceeds expenses. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. What they do: ThePolice Unity Tour raises funds and awareness for members of law enforcement who lost their lives during their service. Trade groups like those that represent the fast food or soft drink producers operate as nonprofits. The website soliciting funds for Arpaio says, Liberals have targeted Sheriff Joe Arpaio with a multi-million dollar lawsuit because he was upholding the law of the land. If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. You May Like: Do You Need A Degree To Become A Police Officer. While several recordings uploaded online show that some callers have briefly mentioned the term PAC or have said that the group is supporting efforts to elect lawmakers to advocate for certain issues, the Montana attorney general wasnt the only person to say the group hadnt identified itself as required. 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. Discovery Company. You read that correctly. When I asked which state this drive was for, the caller could not answer and instead said it is for a national charity. Virginia incorporation papers show James Fotis is president of the Alliance and changed the name to the Defense Coalition. He said his father served in the Navy for nearly two decades and was always proud of his service. In two words, its not. These charities usually rake in a few thousand dollars and disappear. You read that correctly. 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. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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). To find out more about these organizations, I probed the FEC website, where super PACs report their activity. If it is a scam they are awfully convincing on the phone but are also rather forceful. 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. A donation of $10, $15 or $25 would help keep . The cause sounds worthy: Please support your local firefighters (or police officers), the caller implores. "My brother was a police officer, my cousin was a cop and one of my sons is a cop," she said. One hit wonders seeking to cash in on the tragedy of the day from floods and fires to missing children and more. 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. Wendy is fine with that and will sleep better now. See the metrics below for more information. These callers typically use language that suggests they are charities raising money directly for local police. National Police Association Inc. has earned a 60% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. Learn how vehicle tech like blind spot warnings and drowsy driving alerts can help make driving safer. 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). We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. 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 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 . 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 . The case has not yet been resolved. 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! Only one replied directly: 90 percent went to fundraising, and 10 percent went to police support. Law Enforcement for a Safer America has raked in nearly $10 million in donations from January 2019 to June 2020 . 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.. This section is used to influence public opinion in support of the interests of . And the Morton Police Department in Illinois posted on Facebook about calls from a mysterious phone number with a local area code last year. Read Also: Do You Have To Call The Police After An Accident, 2021 KnowYourPolice.net appreciated. "As Pennsylvanians look to support [] By choosing the . When I googled the fund, a BBB caution was the first result. by Michelle Diament, April 2008. 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. AiThority Interview with Lori Anne, Director of Product Development & Management at Verizon, Branded Caller ID: The Pros And Cons In The Battle Against Phone Scams, A New Scam Is Making the Rounds Just in Time for Tax Season, Smishing: The new year is here and so are new scams. If you want fundraisers to stop calling, ask them to put you on the charitys do not call list. 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. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). I did satisfy my rather small donation at their website https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com . People are receiving phone scam calls asking for donations to help out local police departments or slain and wounded police offers. Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. Ask for information, check sites like Charitynavigator.org and then if it all checks out, write that check. Type of a scam Charity. Your email address will not be published. At the end of 2021, robocalls raising money for police groups were the highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, according to Nomorobo, a robocall-blocking company that works with AARP on fraud prevention. Absolutely no legitimate law enforcement backed organization would stoop to this level of begging for money. Police Protection Fund. Please let me know if there are any actions ScamPulse.com suggests I take other than ignore any future requests. Andy Cottam is among the many who received the call. Recommended Reading: How Many Hours To Become A Police Officer, Read Also: What Education Do I Need To Be A Police Officer. Law Enforcement for a Safer America officials did not return repeated requests for comment. 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. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Im calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,* the voice on the phone told me. 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. Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the Police Unity Tour by donating through their website. A special program within the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.Speaking With One Voice, Moving With One Purpose. Its made up of series of regular steps timed to the beat of the music that can be improvised as needed. Our mission is to promote the interests of our nation's police officers within our nation's political and public policy process. 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. 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. National Police Support Fund - Alexandria, VA. An elderly man in Trenton, Mi., received a dire letter that warned of the greatest threats to our public safety in our nations history. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. 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. Required fields are marked *. But none of the money being raised actually goes to police departments, according to government records. 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 . Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. We highly encourage our followers to verify who they are making donations to when contacted for fundraisers.. The recording says it is "Kenneth Allen from the National Police Support Fund" and they are asking for donations. A: The National Police Support Fund is a grassroots nonprofit political organization founded in 2017 under Section 527 of the IRS tax code. Key battles deserve tight alliances. "Being that it was a recording right off the bat . Entire local police unions, which negotiate collective bargaining agreements for their members, can choose to affiliate with the group. proudly complies with state regulations and required disclosures. On 12/30/2018, I received a call from (862) 333-2411 from a man with a deep voice and a southern accent, who identified himself as Dan, if I would like to make a donation to the National Police Trust Fund. 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. The National Police Association is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, IRS NTEE classification code B01, Alliance/Advocacy Organizations, within the Educational . 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. Email us: [email protected]. 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. Type of a scam Charity. National Police Support Fund representatives have been phoning potential donors in the St. Louis area over the past several weeks, including the wife of a retired police officer who said she . : r/Scams. The calls asking for donations come from aliases like the Police Officers Support Association and The National Coalition for Police & Troopers. 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. Please reload the page and try again. Simple: less scrutiny. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox posted on Facebook last year about a call he received from Roy on behalf of the National Coalition for Police and Troopers. Years later, as the success of the . Multiple attempted calls from one number. The usual claiming they were legitimate. The caller said he was phoning on behalf of the Committee for Police Officers Defense. 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. Once it was blocked through my service provider, an additional phone number began to call my home multiple times a day. 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/. So what happened to the other approximately 33% of . Tax records show the Fotis organization that phoned me raised $75,000 in 2021, up from $50,000 the year before. 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. 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. Filed Jan. 29, 2020, 3:45 p.m. GMT. POLICING THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN THE COUNTRY: What do Chicago's LEO's and citizens think? AARP Membership LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE. 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. Multiple voices could be heard in the background. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. Our Police, Firefighters, and all First Responders do need our support. Fake joke to start out. JW August is a San Diego-based broadcast and digital journalist. @GunOwners. I recently took about a dozen of these police-support calls to hear the pitches. Instead, theyre independent, expenditure-only political action committees, or super PACs. The answer is that, in many cases, these arent charities at all. Dont send your money to a national group collecting for causes that may not always be clear. Why does this matter? The filings dont show how much the groups officials are directly benefiting from the political committee it created, and it is unclear why the group deemed it necessary to create so many different aliases to use for soliciting donations. What they do: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League aims to minimize juvenile crime through outreach programs that pair officers with youth. . Recommended Reading: How To Become A Desk Police Officer, Also Check: Can Police Help Me Unlock My Car. 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. That means of a $35 donation, no more than $3.50 goes to their stated cause. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. The National Police Support Fund. The scenario is all too familiar. It also transferred $30,000 to another pro-police super PAC that the union operates, based on the officers listed on its filings. 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.. Nonprofit however does not mean they are a charity. 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 . With everything that's happening this pandemic year, people are getting more and more calls to support their local police. Please note that many legitimate local (and unaffiliated) police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail. See the metrics below for more information. Asking for donations to the National Police Support Fund. At the end of 2021, robocalls raising money for police groups were the highest-volume phone messages in most major U.S. markets, according to Nomorobo, a robocall-blocking company that works with AARP on fraud prevention. We found a website for them, but it gives very little information about the organization and their mission. I found a few small line items labeled legislative services, but none that appeared to go directly to supporting police. According to an analysis by The Center for Public Integrity (CFPI), the names of some of these "scam PACs" are listed below.