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.

11 January, 2010

PDL Bloods Gang Member Pleads Guilty

PDL Bloods Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Carjacking and Drug Dealing

Baltimore, Maryland - Gary Knight, age 18, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and other drugs and carjacking, related to his gang activities.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy, Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.

According to Knight’s plea agreement, in the early 1970s, a street gang that went by the name of “the Bloods” was formed in Los Angeles, California. The Bloods spread to other states and broke into individual units or “sets” — a term for a smaller criminal organization within the larger Bloods entity. Each sect was identified or affiliated with a certain street, neighborhood, or area. ATF agents in Baltimore have been investigating a Bloods sect known as the Pasadena Denver Lanes (also known as “the Lanes,” “PDL,” and “L-Gang”). This Baltimore street gang was responsible for the distribution of large quantities of illegal narcotics, including crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The PDL gang also committed acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults, robberies, and other violent activities. Gary Knight was a member of the PDL Bloods in Baltimore.

From at least January 2008 to May 2009, Knight participated in the PDL gang activities. Specifically, Knight sold heroin, crack cocaine, and other drugs, distributed heroin and crack cocaine to other PDL Bloods members and participated in gang sanctions and other violence against PDL members for disobedience. Knight was overheard on numerous calls discussing his involvement in drug trafficking and gang-related activities. Knight is responsible for the distribution of between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of crack cocaine and 3 to 10 kilograms of heroin during the course of the conspiracy.

In addition, Knight admitted that on May 9, 2009 he carjacked a woman as she was parking her car and stole her black 2007 Nissan Sentra. During the carjacking Knight, who carried what appeared to be a black gun, ordered the woman to get into the trunk of the car. The woman refused and began struggling with Knight. In the course of the fight, the victim noticed that the gun was a pellet gun. Knight tossed the pellet gun to the ground and choked the woman until she lost consciousness and forced her into the trunk of the car. The victim regained consciousness inside the trunk and while the car was in motion was able to pull the trunk release and open the trunk enough to roll out of the car. The victim then ran away in search of a police officer. Unable to find an officer the victim ran back to her home and called 911. Officers at the home observed bruises on the victim’s neck and took photographs. Officers also recovered the pellet gun. On May 12, 2009, members of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force were in the 1500 black of Abbotson Drive in Baltimore when they saw the black 2007 Nissan Sentra being driven by Knight. Police stopped the car and Knight was arrested. During a subsequent taped interview, Knight advised police that he was a Bloods gang member and that his rank in the gang was increased by committing the carjacking.

Knight faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison on the drug charge and a maximum of 15 years in prison for the carjacking. U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. has scheduled sentencing for April 1, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

Mr. Rosenstein and Mrs. Jessamy praised the ATF’s Violent Crime Impact Teams and the Baltimore City Police Department, for their investigation of this case.

The prosecutors expressed their appreciation to Secretary Gary D. Maynard and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for their assistance in the investigation.

Mr. Rosenstein and Mrs. Jessamy also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kwame J. Manley and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci Robinson, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney assigned to EXILE cases, who are prosecuting the case, and Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorneys Staci Pipkin and Brandis Marsh, who assisted in the prosecution.

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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