PSA102 Neighborhood Public Safety Meetings

Citizen Moderators, PSA Lieutenant, Patrol Officers, Sergeants, US Attorney and DC Attorney General Offices, Community Outreach Specialists, Crime Statisticians, CSOSA, Meeting Recorder, and our fellow neighbors and business members. We tackle crime head on listening to what's important to you by formulating strategic responses with police and government interventions, enforcements, planning and policy considerations designed to eradicate nuisance, public safety and security concerns.

16 December, 2008

MPD Posts Pictures of Stolen Goods Online

MPD Posts Pictures of $200,000 in Stolen Goods Online

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced today that hundreds of items of stolen property will be posted online for owners to view and retrieve.

In January 2008, members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Burglary & Pawn Unit worked jointly with members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and discovered a large-scale fencing operation at Rosemar Liquors in the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE. The stolen merchandise is valued at more than $200,000.

In an effort to return the property to its rightful owners, the members of the MPD Burglary & Pawn Unit have coordinated with the DC Armory for owners to physically view the stolen property. The property will be displayed at the DC Armory from January 5, 2009 to January 7, 2009. The Armory is located at 2001 East Capital Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. The hours for the public viewing will be from 12 pm to 7 pm on January 5th and 6th, and 10 am to 5 pm on January 7th.

To help expedite the retrieval of the items, the MPD will post the items on the MPD website at http://mpdc.dc.gov/stolenproperty for online viewing starting today until December 31, 2008. Individuals who have been the victims of crimes where property has been stolen can go to the MPD website and click on the link for the property viewing.

Once the property is viewed online and owners wish to claim it, they must use the links on the website to email the MPD Burglary & Pawn Unit and provide their name, address, contact telephone numbers, and the report number(s) for the stolen property. MPD detectives will then contact the owners and arrange to meet and physically inspect the property. At that time, owners must submit proof that they are the rightful owners.

If owners of the stolen items cannot view the items online, they may come to the DC Armory to recover their property. Report numbers taken at the time the items were stolen must be provided to enter the DC Armory to view the property. MPD officers and detectives will be on site to assist residents in identifying and retrieving their property.

To claim property, an individual must have:

* A Government Issued Identification Card and one of the following:
o The serial numbers of property stolen
o Insurance appraisals for stolen property
o Photographs of stolen property with copy of receipt and Police Report number

Any other proof of ownership will be considered on a case by case basis by the MPD investigators. Any property not claimed during this operation will be released to the Federal Government after 30 days to be sold at auction.

* View stolen property http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1242,q,566772.asp

09 December, 2008

Neighborhood Public Safety Meeting

REMINDER - PSA 102 MEETING - DECEMBER 9TH- SHERWOOD REC CENTER

PSA 102 Public Safety Meeting
Sherwood Recreation Center - 10th and G Streets NE
Tuesday 9 December 2008 7:00pm

DISCUSSION TOPICS:

- Community Updates on Pending Juvenile Justice Legislation and
Recent Prostitution Hearing
- Discussion and comments on DC Crime Omnibus Act
- Crime Statistics
- Community Safety Walk Announcements
- Your Comments and Concerns

FBI WARNS OF HOLIDAY SEASON CYBER-SCAMMERS

The FBI is reminding people this holiday season that cyber criminals continue to
aggressively seek ways to steal money and personal information. Scammers are using
several techniques to fool potential victims including sending unsolicited e-mails that contain attachments such as electronic greeting cards containing malware (malicious software), setting up spoofing websites that look like legitimate commercial sites, and unleashing phishing and vishing attacks where individuals receive e-mails asking for personal data.

In the greeting card scam, the cards are being sent via email. Like many other
Internet fraud schemes, the criminals use social engineering tactics to entice the victim, claiming the card is from a family member or friend. Upon clicking the link, the recipient is unknowingly taken to a malicious webpage.
Spoofing scams are when criminals create a false or shadow copy of a real website or
e-mail in a way that misleads the recipient. All network traffic between the victim’s browser and the shadow page are sent through the spoofer’s machine. This allows the spoofer to acquire personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and account numbers. Even though the e-mail looks like the real thing, complete with authentic logos and working web links, it’s a fake; the website where you’re told to enter your account information is also fake. The information entered does not go to the legitimate site, but rather to the spoofer’s account. The information you entered will most likely be sold to criminals, who’ll use it to ruin your credit and drain your account.
In phishing and vishing attacks, individuals receive e-mails or text messages indicating a problem with their account. They are directed to follow the link provided in the message to update their account or correct the problem. The link actually directs the individuals to a fraudulent website that looks legitimate where their personal information, such as account number and PIN, is compromised.
Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of cyber fraud:
• Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) email.
• Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited email.
• Be cautious of email claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information.
• Always compare the link in the email to the link that you are actually directed to.
• Log on to the official website, instead of “linking” to it from an unsolicited email.
• Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the email to verify if the email is genuine.

VIOLENT, PROPERTY CRIME DOWN IN NOVEMBER

Reported property crime was down 12% and violent crime was down 10% in DC compared to the same month last year, according to preliminary statistics from the MPD. For the month of November, property crime decreased in five of the seven police districts, with significant decreases in the First (-36%), Fourth (-29%), Fifth (-22%), and Seventh Districts (-28%). Violent crime also decreased in five of the seven police districts, with significant decreases in the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Districts.
Citywide, there have been two fewer Homicides compared to December 5, 2007. Year to date, as of December 1, there has been a five percent decrease in the number of Sexual Assaults. Robberies have remained statistically unchanged and Assaults are down 11 percent. Burglary was down by five percent, and Theft has remained statistically unchanged compared to the same time last year. Thefts from Vehicles increased 15 percent and Arsons were down 15 percent. Compared to the same time last year, property crimes decreased in the Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Districts. Violent crime decreased in six of the seven police districts; it increased in the Sixth District.

08 December, 2008

PSA 102 Public Safety Committee Meeting

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Police Ride-Along Program

Police Ride-Along Program
The Police Ride-Along program allows residents to accompany officers during their tour of duty in a police vehicle. This public education program gives residents a better understanding of police operations.
If you are interested in a ride-along, use the application below. You must also complete either an adult or juvenile release form.
Please print and complete the application and one of the releases below: Ride Along Application* Adult Release* Juvenile Release* (under 18 years of age)
Fax the application and release to the Patrol Services Bureau at (202) 576-8078 or send by mail to the address below. If the application is faxed, please call the Patrol Services Bureau the following day to ensure the paperwork was received. If the application was mailed, please call the Patrol Services Bureau in seven business days.
Completing this form does not guarantee that your ride-along request will be approved. It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm receipt of the application.
For more information, contact:
Lieutenant Allan ThomasPatrol Services BureauMetropolitan Police Department 801 Shepherd St NWWashington, DC 20011202 576-6600 office202-576-8078 fax
or email: allan.thomas@dc.govor contact your 1st District Police

MPD’S ANONYMOUS CRIME TIP LINES

CALL OR TEXT THE MPD’S ANONYMOUS CRIME TIP LINES
District residents will soon notice a new advertising campaign to promote the MPD’s toll free tip lines. Watch for the ads on Metrorail and Metrobus lines throughout the city’s neighborhoods to appear this week. The crime tip line — 1-888-919-CRIME – is staffed by detectives 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone who has information
concerning a homicide, gangs, guns, drugs, or other offenses can call the anonymous tip line, and a detective will report all information.

Additionally, community members can use their cell phones to
anonymously text tips to the Metropolitan Police Department. Give 5-0 the 4-1-1 with the new Text Tip Line: 50411. Text messages are monitored by members of the department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tips are then analyzed and passed on to the appropriate unit or division for follow up. Because the tip line is anonymous, the sender will not receive
a response to the original message.

BE Aware

USE COMMON SENSE

Report all crimes and any suspicious
activity or person immediately to the
MPD by dialing 911.
• Avoid walking alone late at night. Walk
in groups when you can.
• Always be aware of your surroundings,wherever you are. If you are wearing
headphones, do not turn up the volume so high that you cannot hear outside noises.
• Stay in well-lit or heavily traveled areas.
Avoid alleys, vacant lots, wooded areas, and other short-cuts or secluded areas.
• If someone attempts to rob you, do not resist. It is better to give up your property than to risk injury.

This is the 1st Police District

Also known as 1D. There is a sub-station call 1D1.

First District Community

Located in the lower central portion of the District of Columbia, the First District is home to the city's business and political center. It includes some of our nation's most recognized and cherished landmarks, as well as some of the city's most interesting and diverse neighborhoods.

Because it has both a district station and a substation, the First District is divided operationally into two areas: west and east. The western part of the district includes the US Capitol (House, Senate), the White House, Federal Triangle, the downtown business district (including the Convention Center and the Verizon Center), Chinatown, H Street, Florida Avenue to the south, Benning Road to the south and the waterfront. Most residences in this area are in the Southwest quadrant near the waterfront, although there is a growing resident population in such "downtown" communities as Penn Quarter.

The eastern part of the district, which is served by the 1D-1 Substation, includes the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood and the Washington Navy Yard. Capitol Hill is one of the oldest sections of the city, with many historic homes and buildings, including the US Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Eastern Market and Union Station.

With the PSA restructuring that took effect in May 2004, the First District now has seven Police Service Areas (or PSAs).

Crime Prevention Starts with Cleaning Up in Front and Behind Your House

SOLID WASTE EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
Keeping DC clean is a team effort - involving city government, residents and businesses - and DPW provides the tools for everyone to get on board. The Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program (SWEEP) is responsible for sanitation education and enforcement, and provides a variety of services to District residents to combat illegal dumping, clean up vacant lots, and support neighborhood clean-ups. When education does not result in following proper sanitation practices, SWEEP inspectors will enforce the sanitation regulations.

Juvenile Firesetter's Intervention

Juvenile Firesetter's Intervention Program

The Facts
Fires and burns are the leading causes of injury and death to children.
Children are twice as likely to die in fire than adults.
Even toddlers can start a fire with a match or a lighter.
Nationally, of every 100 people who die in child-set fires, 85 are children.

The Program
The Juvenile Firesetter's Intervention Program is a short-term counseling/education intervention program designed to enlighten parents and children about fire safety and the consequences of fire. Our service identifies at-risk juveniles ranging in ages from 2 to 17. It is also designed to assess the juvenile's need for short-term counseling or outside long-term counseling services.

Referrals
Primarily, referrals are made by members of the fire department and the juvenile court who come in contact with juveniles who are involved in fire incidents; however, anyone who cares about the safety of our children (parents, family, friends, neighbors, or others) can call for help.

For further information contact: The Juvenile Firesetter's Intervention Program(202) 727-1614

Text Telephone Numbers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Text Telephone Numbers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

To accomodate the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing residents of DC, TTY machines are available at all of the district stations as well as some specialized units.
If you need to contact the police, fire department, or EMS for response to an emergency situation, please call 911 immediately. The emergency number, 911, is TTY compatible and operators will be available to assist you 24 hours a day.
If you have a non-emergency need that is not specific to one of the districts or specialized units listed below, please call 311, DC's non-emergency number. Like the emergency number, 311 is TTY compliant and operators will be able to provide you with the proper assistance.
The numbers listed below have been activated to give the deaf and hard-of-hearing residents in DC an easy way to contact their PSA team members and get involved in community policing in their neighborhood.

District Address TTY Number
First District 415 4th St, SW 202.863.4032
1D Substation 500 E St, SE 202.543.2352
Fifth District 1805 Bladensburg Rd, NE 202.727.5437
Sixth District 100 42nd St, SE 202.398.5397