28 June, 2009

D.C. FIREARMS REGULATIONS CHANGES

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ANNOUNCES
FIREARMS REGULATIONS CHANGES
On June 17, 2009, the Metropolitan Police Department issued emergency and
proposed rulemaking expanding the types of handguns that can be legally registered
in the District of Columbia. The emergency and proposed regulations will allow a
greater variety of handguns to be registered in the District of Columbia. To protect
residents from unsafe handguns that are more prone to accidental discharge, lack
safety devices, and may be prone to firing when dropped, the Council of the District of Columbia identified the California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale (also known as the California Roster of Handguns Determined Not to be Unsafe) as a source list for safer handguns. Handguns on the roster have passed firing, safety, and drop tests and are certified for sale in California by the California Department of Justice.

The Chief of Police is authorized to periodically revise, by rule, the roster of handguns permissible for sale. The regulations will establish a District Roster of Handguns Not Determined to be Unsafe that will include the California list and handguns that are on the safe gun rosters of Maryland and Massachusetts. These regulations will allow for handguns with superficial differences from handguns on the roster – such as color or grip material - to be registered. The regulations will also allow for handguns that are removed from the California list for administrative reasons to remain on the District list. The Chief will also be issuing new regulations shortly dealing with the registration of additional revolvers not yet included on the District’s Roster.

Since the Heller decision, about 50 applications to register handguns have been
denied. This may have been for a variety of reasons unrelated to the safe handgun list, including that the individual was not eligible to register a handgun. MPD is reviewing these applications to evaluate whether the handgun might be eligible for registration under these new regulations, and will follow up with the applicants. In the meantime, individuals whose applications were rejected because the handgun was not eligible to be registered are also welcome to contact MPD’s Firearms Registration Section.

TWENTY-EIGHT NEW OFFICERS

TWENTY-EIGHT NEW OFFICERS HITTING THE STREETS OF DC
Patrols in DC neighborhoods are being boosted by the addition of 28 officers who were
sworn in during a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 22, 2009 at the MPD’s Maurice
T. Turner, Jr. Metropolitan Police Academy in Southwest. The new officers all completed approximately 24 weeks of training at the police academy, which includes a full program of physical, classroom, and firearms training to prepare them for the challenges of being a police officer. The subjects covered include laws of arrest, search and seizure, criminal law, traffic regulations, human relations, community policing, and ethics. In addition, recruit officers receive skills training in firearms, operation of emergency police vehicles, self-defense, advanced
first aid, and much more.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is focused on building a crime-fighting
partnership with the community, and developing our own promise and potential as a department.

Police work requires a certain type of individual — one who has strong interpersonal skills and the motivation to work with our partners to help build strong, safe and healthy communities throughout the District of Columbia.
If you’re interested in becoming a law enforcement officer, the MPD may be the place
for you. It’s a rewarding career choice that also provides job security. The MPD offers a starting salary of $48,715 per year; family health & dental packages; 10 paid holidays per year; a retirement plan; generous annual and sick leave; a tuition reimbursement program; and bilingual pay.

OPERATION DRY WATER

AUTHORITIES TO INCREASE BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS DURING “OPERATION DRY WATER”

Boating Under the Influence is illegal – and dangerous. This weekend, June 26-28, 2009,the U.S. Coast Guard and other marine law enforcement will be cooperating on increased enforcement of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) laws. If you’re boating under the influence, boating enforcement authorities will find you. You may be arrested, fined, and may face jail, impoundment of your boat and loss of your boating and/or driving privileges. Don’t risk it.

Never boat under the influence.
Operation Dry Water is a coordinated, national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities and to foster a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.
During Operation Dry Water, there will be an increase in the number of BUI checkpoints to collect and report BUI and safety compliance data. Curbing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities is a key to achieving safer and more enjoyable recreational boating. In 2007, Coast Guard statistics indicate that 21% of all boating fatalities were a result of alcohol use. This continues an upward trend in the percentage of fatalities where alcohol was the primary cause of the accident.

13 June, 2009

JUNE IS INTERNET SAFETY MONTH

JUNE IS INTERNET SAFETY MONTH
Recognizing a need to “educate the people of the United States on the dangers of the
Internet and the importance of being safe and responsible online,” Congress designated June as National Internet Safety month. As Internet use in the United States continues to rise, so does the concern over Internet safety. Internet crimes — including cyber-stalking, cyber-bullying, child pornography, Internet fraud, and identity theft — are problems that Internet users now face. Fortunately, despite all of the opportunities for criminals to use the Internet to prey on
their victims, there are also many techniques and precautions that Internet users, children and adults, can take to avoid victimization and maintain privacy online. In recognition of National Internet Safety Month, the National Criminal Justice Reference Service has prepared a compilation of Internet safety resources.

12 June, 2009

D.C. Street Closures June 13 2009

Street Closures for Lawyers Have
Heart and Capital Pride on 6/13. The
MPD wishes to advise the public that there
will be street closings in conjunction with the
Lawyers Have a Heart Race, Capital Pride Parade
and the Capital Pride Festival. Get details at
http://mpdc.dc.gov.

05 June, 2009

MPD City-Wide All Hands on Deck

Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced the District’s City-Wide All Hands on Deck (AHOD), which began at 6 am Friday, June 5 and will continue through 6 am on Sunday, June 7, 2009.

During AHOD, all available sworn MPD personnel will be on patrol throughout the District emphasizing community policing, focused law enforcement and community outreach. This will include increased foot beats, homicide detectives following up on their cases for new leads, and recruits passing out specific crime-related information.

The City-Wide AHOD features community-focused events on Saturday, June 6, 2009 where District agencies will be involved in neighborhood clean-ups and educational services.

During the Phase I of AHOD 2009, held in late April, MPD officers made 377 arrests, recovered six firearms, and seized more than $7,000 worth of drugs.

“Many District agencies are involved with this city-wide AHOD in our efforts to keep our neighborhoods safe,” Chief Lanier said. “That commitment shows the importance of this weekend focused on reducing crimes and bringing communities together.”

The Metropolitan Police Department offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any unsolved homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Residents are encouraged to attend tomorrow’s community service center events at Parkview Community Center (693 Otis Place, NW) and Benning Stoddert Community Center (100 Stoddert Place, SE) taking place from 10 am to 4 pm and volunteer in the clean-ups at these locations. Some of the services offered include job training and referrals, information about permanent supportive housing, substance abuse treatment and managing diabetes. In addition, volunteers are also needed to participate in the clean-ups taking place at Florida Avenue Park (1st and Florida Avenue, NW) and in the 4300-4400 blocks of Livingston Place, SE.

MPD Installs CCTV Camera

MPD Installs CCTV Camera at Kalorama Road and Champlain Street

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier, joined by Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, announced the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has installed a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera at Kalorama Road and Champlain Street, NW.

The camera, which is among 75 neighborhood crime cameras in the District, was installed because of a number of violent crimes that have occurred in the area. The primary goal of the CCTV system is to enhance the safety and security of residents, workers and visitors in the District of Columbia, while vigorously respecting the privacy rights of individuals.

“Public safety has and continues to be a top priority for my Administration,” said Mayor Fenty. “This technology is instrumental to our work as we continue to fight crime, and make our neighborhoods safe.”

Kalorama Road and Champlain Street, a well-traveled area to and from Adams Morgan, was the location of a recent police involved shooting in which a suspect was fatally shot, and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds. The officers had been stationed in the area due to the propensity of crime.

“The CCTV cameras are an important law enforcement tool for deterring violent crime and reducing the fear of crime in neighborhoods,” said Chief Lanier. “We are using a multi-faceted approach to combat crime by increasing the number of foot patrols, targeting violent offenders, and continuing to share information with our community partners. As a result of our efforts, we are seeing an increase in citizens coming forward with information to assist us in closing cases.”

“I was delighted to work with the Mayor on facilitating the installation of the CCTV camera,” Councilmember Graham said. “It’s a solid step forward to ensuring the safety of the residents of Ward 1.”