17 September, 2008

Senior Citizens Police Academy

Metropolitan Police Department
Senior Citizens Police Academy



In partnership with the DC Office on Aging, the Metropolitan Police Department established the Senior Citizen Police Academy. The inaugural class of the Senior Citizens Police Academy was created in June 2005 under the leadership of Chief Charles Ramsey. Since then, a class has been held each year. The purpose of the academy is to reach out to distinguished senior residents, who we believe can provide the District with a wealth of information and experience that can enrich and enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods around the city.

The next academy class will be held in the fall of 2008. Classes are compiled into a six-week curriculum, with 3-hour sessions held twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

The series of classes and the academy are designed to provide our seniors with additional education about the internal operations of the criminal justice system. Classes will focus on the following topics and areas on interests: the organizational structure of the Metropolitan Police Department and Citizen Advisory Council; the organizational structure of the DC Office on Aging; the process of the District of Columbia's Judicial System; Community Policing; Community Organizing; Community & Youth Outreach (Including volunteering); Homeland Security; Gun Laws; Financial Crimes, Fraud & Predatory Lending; Auto Theft & Crime Prevention; Homicides & Cold Cases; and much more.

At the end of the session, students will participate in a graduation ceremony and sign up for volunteer positions and/or community organizing around the city. The class is aimed at senior retirees who are looking to enrich their careers and embark upon the next journey in their lives.
Register for the Senior Citizens Police Academy*
For more information, contact:
Executive Office of the Chief of Police
(202) 727-4218 or (202) 727-8809
For information on the Senior Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, contact earl.wood@dc.gov.

Success Stories
Seniors Making a Difference

MPD and Federal Partners Reduce Violent Crime

MPD and Federal Partners Reduce Violent Crime
Contact

Traci Hughes (MPD), (202) 727-9346
Special Agent Jerome Sampson (DEA), (202) 305-8500

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced today that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has made significant strides in lowering violent crime in the District. Today, as part of MPD’s continuting operation with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Mobile Enforcement Team (MET), MPD made seven arrests, conducted five search warrants and seized crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana with a street value in excess of $12,000.

As announced last month, the DEA Mobile Enforcement Team (MET), a joint operation of MPD and the DEA, has been cracking down on drug related crimes, drug sellers and drug users in the Trinidad area and other neighborhoods. Last month the MET made 78 arrests and seized drugs with a street value of more than $125,000.

The takedowns are just one part of the way MPD is combating violent crime. Detectives are getting homicide suspects off the streets faster. Working in conjunction with the Homicide Intelligence Task Force, information about the homicide is immediately gathered, and sources are interviewed to prevent retaliation. The Homicide and Sexual Offenses Branch has a 60% closure rate, compared to 53% this time last year. Just in the month of August, MPD closed 15 homicides in less than 30 days.

As part of a multi-pronged approach to fighting crime in areas that have experienced an increase in violent crime, MPD, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATFE) and the US Marshal Service, violent crime in the District for the months of June through August has dropped by six percent. Historical crime trends show an increase in violent crime during the summer, and in 2008, violent crime in the District was at a five year low, dropping by as much at 16% since 2003.

“Our goal is simple: remove the gangs and crews by removing their drug territories, their sources of drugs and the weapons they use to commit violent crimes,” said Chief Lanier.

"This continued show of force and zero tolerance approach taken by DEA and our partners in the Metropolitan Police Department sends a strong message to those engaged in drug trafficking, violent crime, gun, and gang activity that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. Together, DEA and MPD will vigorously pursue these criminals and lock up those who engage in such violence and illegal conduct," said Mike Ferguson, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Washington Field Division.

The reduction in violent crime is due in large part to the formation of Crime Suppression Teams in each police District, the creation of a Homicide Intelligence Task Force, and partnerships with our federal partners in targeting violent offenders and drug traffickers.

Our federal partners are playing an integral role crime reduction. The MPD Gun Recovery Unit has recovered 369 guns this year. MPD has worked with the ATFE Firearms Trafficking Task Force to trace some of those weapons to point of sale/distribution. Overall, more than 1,700 guns have been taken off District streets in 2008.

“This is a great achievement for the District by the Metropolitan Police Department, said Mayor Fenty. “I commend our hard working members of MPD who put their lives on the line everyday to reduce violent crime and keep residents safe.”

LOCAL BLOODS GANG SECT INDICTED

EIGHT MEMBERS OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LOCAL BLOODS GANG SECT INDICTED ON FEDERAL RACKETEERING CHARGES
Blood Members are Charged with Kidnapping and Assaulting Young Female Gang Member who was Trying to Leave the Gang


WASHINGTON – Eight members of the 662 Boss Piru gang, which purports to be a sect of the notorious, nationwide Bloods gang, have been charged by a federal grand jury in a 19-count indictment with conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity, kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity and numerous local offenses, including kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, six counts of sexual abuse and obstructing justice, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy L. Lanier, and Joseph Persichini Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Washington Field Office, announced today.
The eight defendants are: Albert M. Price, 31, also known as “Original Gangster” and “Hellmary,” the believed leader of the gang; Marisa R. Gibson, 31, also known as “Angel of Death” and “Lady 151,” the believed leader of the female members of the gang; Deandre R. Tolson, 22, also known as “Bloody Sniper” and “Hellmary Jr.”; Marlowe St. Claire, 20, also known as “Bloody Lo”; Ceasar M. Hall, 19, also known as “Bloody Banger”; Latoye S. Morrison, 19, also known as “Lady Wax”; Lewis E. Fields, 21, also known as “Little Psycho”; and Dimitri Hightower, 29, also known as “Miciyh Jenkins” and “Bloody Micky.”
The indictment was returned under seal on September 9, 2008, and unsealed on Friday, September 12, 2008, following the arrest of several of the defendants. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned starting today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. If convicted of the charges, the defendants face the possibility of life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
“The horrific and violent kidnapping and assault of a young female gang member in this case by her alleged fellow gang members is a prime example of why we must be vigilant in not allowing gangs to get a foothold in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Taylor. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will use every tool in our arsenal to bring to justice those who engage in violent criminal conduct. This indictment sends a clear message to gang members who engage in such criminal activity that there are grave consequences for their actions.”

“The arrests of these individuals are a part of our continued law enforcement efforts to rid our streets of violent crime,” said MPD Chief Lanier. “The District of Columbia is not and will not be a place where individuals can engage in violent activity.”
"Today's announcement regarding the indictment and arrest of several members of the Bloods serves as a strong reminder that the FBI will continue to investigate reports of any violent or gang-related activity to ensure the safety of our community and its citizens," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Perschini.

The indictment alleges that the defendants are members of a criminal organization known as 662 Boss Piru, a “set” of, that is, a sub-group of, or gang affiliated with, the Bloods gang, a violent, nationwide gang. The indictment alleges that the 662 Boss Piru gang is a criminal enterprise that has operated since at least 2004, and which engages in a variety of criminal activities including prostitution, narcotics dealing, assault, threats, witness intimidation, kidnapping and robbery in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and elsewhere. According to the indictment, members of the 662 Boss Piru gang use intimidation, violence and threats of violence, including assault and kidnapping, to discipline and punish enterprise members and associates who violate enterprise rules or were disloyal.
The indictment further alleges that on June 8-9, 2008, the eight defendants kidnapped and assaulted a fellow young female gang member who was attempting to leave the gang. The alleged assault occurred in the 4900 block of Astor Place, SE, Washington, D.C. Thereafter, in a secluded area in 4500 block of Grant Street, NE, Washington, D.C., five of the defendants, Gibson, Tolson, St. Claire, Hall, Morrison, and Fields, are alleged to have forced the fellow gang member to perform sexual acts with four men that she did not know.
In announcing the indictment, U.S. Attorney Taylor, MPD Chief Lanier, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Persichini praised the efforts of the FBI Special Agents who are investigating this matter, and the work of MPD Detectives Ali Roberts, Thurman Stallings, Neil Jones and Derrick Bolding; MPD Sergeant Kevin Rice; MPD Officers Corey Perkins, Charles Monk, Sherrie Forester, Jeffrey Nassar and John Salamone; MPD Evidence Technicians Natasha Pettus, Tony Nwani, Carmen Pagan, Valerie Campbell, John Holder and James Holder; and Metro Transit Officer Lenny Smith. Also commended were U.S. Attorney’s Office support personnel Eugena Johnson, Nicole Lee, James Mazzitelli, Kim Hall and Teesha Tobias, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark O’Brien and Greg Marshall, who are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.