Metropolitan Police Celebrate 150 Years

 MPD Celebrates 150 Years.The
Metropolitan Police Department turned 150
on August 6. Look for a special decal on most
marked vehicles to highlight and celebrate this
landmark in the agency’s history. In addition,
many of our uniformed officers have chosen to
honor the sesquicentennial
b y w e a r i n g a commemorative badge
through September 30, 2011.
I n h o n o r o f  t h e
mi l e s t o n e , a d d i t i o n a l
information about the Department’s history
is being added to our website, including the
biographies of every Chief of Police since
1861, a history of the badge, and more each
week. To see the special section, visit www.
mpdc.dc.gov/150th.

September at PSA 102

Commander Hickson Unveils Changes to PSA Boundaries and Name Changes

PREVENT TERRORISM

The Washington region is a special place, one that we are privleged to call home. Now, citizens can help protect our home from those who would do harm by calling attention to potential threats to our community.

Now, when you see something that just doesn’t look right, you can quickly and easily make an electronic record of what you observed and report it to local police for investigation and possible action. The information you provide could be the difference in preventing an attack on one of our nation’s most cherished institutions or critical functions. Making a report is free, easy, and an important element of our shared responsibility to protect our nation from harm.

It is usually an individual business or service organization that will be the first to notice something out of the ordinary. When that happens, it is critical that these suspicions be immediately passed on to law enforcement, so that the information can be examined, evaluated and, if necessary, acted upon. The key to to preventing terrorist incidents in our nation’s capital is cooperation between law enforcement and the community. It is your awareness reported to police that can help predict and prevent attacks before they happen.

The iWATCH suspicious activity reporting tool enables users to provide detailed information about suspicious activities or behaviors that may indicate possible criminal or terrorist activity.

When a user logs in to www.iwatchdc.dc.gov, they are first presented with a Welcome screen (pictured at right). By clicking on "Make a Report," you will be prompted to enter your contact information (shown below) so that a member of the Metropolitan Police Department may contact you to follow up with any additional questions about what you’ve witnessed.

Follow the prompts, clicking on "Next" until you have completed all of the fields and pages that are applicable to the report you are making. The forms will prompt you for the basic information, such as the date and time of occurrence, the location (entered by typing a street address, cross streets, by clicking on the map), information about the subject(s), vehicle(s), and a brief narrative (description) of what you saw. You can also submit photos on the "Attachments" screen.

Once you’ve entered all the data, the system will provide an opportunity to review everything before you submit it.

iWATCH

The Washington region is a special place, one that we are privleged to call home. Now, citizens can help protect our home from those who would do harm by calling attention to potential threats to our community.

Now, when you see something that just doesn’t look right, you can quickly and easily make an electronic record of what you observed and report it to local police for investigation and possible action. The information you provide could be the difference in preventing an attack on  one of our nation’s most cherished institutions or critical functions. Making a report is free, easy, and an important element of our shared responsibility to protect our nation from harm.  

It is usually an individual business or service organization that will be the first to notice something out of the ordinary. When that happens, it is critical that these suspicions be immediately passed on to law enforcement, so that the information can be examined, evaluated and, if necessary, acted upon. The key to to preventing terrorist incidents in our nation’s capital is cooperation between law enforcement and the community. It is your awareness reported to police that can help predict and prevent attacks before they happen.

The iWATCH suspicious activity reporting tool enables users to provide detailed information about suspicious activities or behaviors that may indicate possible criminal or terrorist activity.

When a user logs in to www.iwatchdc.dc.gov, they are first presented with a Welcome screen (pictured at right). By clicking on "Make a Report," you will be prompted to enter your contact information (shown below) so that a member of the Metropolitan Police Department may contact you to follow up with any additional questions about what you’ve witnessed.  

Follow the prompts, clicking on "Next" until you have completed all of the fields and pages that are applicable to the report you are making. The forms will prompt you for the basic information, such as the date and time of occurrence, the location (entered by typing a street address, cross streets, by clicking on the map), information about the subject(s), vehicle(s), and a brief narrative (description) of what you saw. You can also submit photos on the "Attachments" screen.

Once you’ve entered all the data, the system will provide an opportunity to review everything before you submit it.

Reposting Message From DPW

Sandbag Distribution Moved To RFK Stadium, Lot 7
The DC Department of Public Works said today that the demand for sandbags by District residents exceeded its on-hand supply of about 7,000 bags. As a result, DPW discontinued distributing bags at 5 pm (Friday). DPW will receive a shipment of about 2,700 bags by Saturday morning that will be available for pick up by District residents starting at noon, Saturday, August 27, on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents, with DC identification, may pick up sandbags (up to five per household) at RFK Stadium, Lot 7. Distribution will continue until the supply is exhausted. The sandbags weigh between 40 lbs. and 50 lbs. and residents will need to load them into their vehicles.
Kevin B. Twine
Staff Assistant
Department of Public Works
Office of the Director
2000 14th St., NW
6th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
kevin.twine@dc.gov
(202) 671-2593
(202) 673-6833

An Important Message from Pepco

With the approach of Hurricane Irene, Pepco is preparing for potential widespread power outages this weekend. The company has mobilized extensive internal and out-of-state resources to repair equipment and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Due to the magnitude of the storm, the company expects the restoration effort to extend over multiple days. Just as Pepco is preparing for Hurricane Irene, we strongly urge you to prepare for the possibility of power outages.

Storm Center Update

Pepco has nearly 1,000 personnel dedicated to restoration, some from as far away as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

We continue to request mutual assistance from our utility partners.

Customers are receiving calls from Pepco to advise them of our emergency plans and urging customers to prepare. 

Safety is paramount. Customers should evacuate their homes if directed. If customers see downed wires, stay clear and report them to 1-877-737-2662, press 2. Downed wires and standing water can be a fatal combination.

As soon as safely possible, damage assessors will be surveying the storm's impact. The company will issue an estimated restoration time for bringing power back up to all customers. These estimates will be refined as restoration work progresses.

If your power goes out, call 1-877-737-2662 and take advantage of the automated reporting system. Do not assume your neighbor has called.

DISTRICT URGES RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR EFFECTS OF HURRICANE IRENE THIS WEEKEND

In a week of unprecedented weather in the Washington region — with an earthquake measuring 5.8 having shaken the entire East Coast on Tuesday — the National Weather Service is now predicting a significant potential for winds and rain associated with Hurricane Irene this weekend. A Tropical Storm Warning and Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the District and much of the mid-Atlantic region through Sunday. Public safety, transportation, and utilities are working to ensure that the city is prepared for the possible impact of the storm. Residents and business owners are urged to prepare their homes and businesses in advance of the storm’s arrival mid- to late-afternoon on Saturday.

A hurricane is a tropical storm with winds that have reached a constant speed of 74 miles per hour or more. Hurricane winds blow in a large spiral around a relative calm center known as the "eye." The "eye" is generally 20 to 30 miles wide, and the storm may extend outward 400 miles. As a hurricane approaches, the skies will begin to darken and winds will grow in strength. As a hurricane nears land, it can bring torrential rains, high winds, and storm surges. A single hurricane can last for more than 2 weeks over open waters and can run a path across the entire length of the eastern seaboard. August and September are peak months during the hurricane season that lasts from June 1 through November 30. Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.

Before the storm hits, have disaster supplies on hand, including:

»

»Flashlight and extra batteries

»

»Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries

»

»First aid kit and manual

»

»Emergency food and water supply

»

»Non-electric can opener

»

»Essential medicines and prescriptions

»

»Cash and credit cards

During a hurricane warning:

»

»Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.

»

»Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.

»

»Avoid elevators.

If at home: »

Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.

Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.

»If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.

Develop an emergency communication plan for you and your family in the event that you become seaparated. Learn more at:

http://72hours.dc.gov

Review the DC Department of Transportation’s "Emergency Tips Brochure" for evacuation procedures at:

http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/ On+Your+Street/Traffic+Management/ Emergency+Preparedness/Transportation+Tip s+During+An+Emergency+Incident

For up to date information on the storm’s position and current predictions, go to:

http://www.nws.gov

Keep informed on the District’s response to the storm, alerts, and updates by following on Twitter:

@DC_HSEMA or @MayorVinceGray

MPD EXPANDS SOCIAL NETWORKING EFFORTS

The Metropolitan Police Department joined other District agencies this week in launching its Twitter feed for residents, businesses, visitors and others interested in keeping informed about the latest information and alerts from public safety officials in the District of Columbia. By choosing to "follow" the tweets from MPD’s account — which is "DCPoliceDept" — subscribers have access to the latest alerts and information about road closures and police activity that may affect their commute, updates and descriptions of suspects wanted for violent offenses, releases about closed cases, and more.

Chief Cathy L. Lanier launched the service "to get pertinent information out to the public quickly." In addition to the MPD’s presence on Facebook, launched in 2009, Twitter offers the Department another means of communicating and providing timely information as necessary. Command staff have been trained in the use of the tool and have already begun using it to provide quick reports on vehicle accidents, links to boating safety information and laws, a reminder about National Night Out, and more. Join the other nearly-200 followers today!

To stay up to date on current activities and alerts from the Metropolitan Police Department, follow us on Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/DCPoliceDept

If you would like to join the conversation on Facebook, become a fan at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington- Metropolitan-Police-Dept/41218705255

FBI Launches Child ID App.

FBI Launches Child ID App. A new free tool from the Federal Bureau of Investigation is designed to help parents keep a convenient elecronic copy of their child’s vital information handy on their smart phone. The new app — "Child ID" — is currently available for iPhone with versions in the works for other mobile platforms soon. A child goes missing every 40 seconds in America. Help protect your child with this convenient, free tool.

Earthquake in the Metropolitan Area

United States Geological Survey reports an earthquake in the Metropolitan Area registering at 5.9 on the Richter Scale. Small aftershocks reported. As safety measure if experiencing please take cover under a desk, table, bed or door frames. Stay clear of windows and other glass. Please stay put. If you are outdoors find areas clear of buildings. Stay tuned to radio and tv news updates.

9/11 memorial motorcycle ride

Fairfax CEAN reports: On Friday afternoon, major traffic delays are expected on the Dulles Toll Road, Dulles Airport Access Highway, I-66 East and the Beltway due to a 9/11 memorial motorcycle ride, according to the Virginia State Police. Commuters should expect very significant traffic delays in the afternoon, especially during rush hour.

I-66 eastbound will be closed between the Beltway and Route 110 southbound as the riders pass through. Traffic on I-66 East will be diverted onto I-495. The on-ramps onto I-66 East also will be closed between Fairfax and Arlington County.

Connector Bus service will be affected for the routes that serve the Crystal City, Pentagon, West Falls Church and Vienna and Metro stations. For more detailed information, visit this Connector Web page. Information also will be posted on Connector’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Significant delays are expected for people traveling eastbound on the Dulles Toll Road and for all motorists leaving Dulles Airport, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. For more detailed information about ramp and lane closures, read MWAA’s advisory (pdf). Tomorrow, MWAA will be posting status updates on their Twitter feed.

An anticipated 1,800 motorcyclists will travel from Route 15 in Loudoun County to the Dulles Greenway to the Dulles Toll Road to I-66 East, exiting onto Route 110 South.

Riders are expected to enter Loudoun County beginning at approximately 2 p.m.

For more information about road closures and traffic impacts, read the Virginia State Police traffic advisory (pdf). The state police also have posted a map showing the route for the memorial ride.

Warning about Verizon Equipment

In light of recent incidents in which Verizon equipment has been tampered with in Washington, DC, the public should be aware of any suspicious activity that occurs at or around any Verizon equipment. Here are a few activities to be alert for:

1) There should be a marked Verizon vehicle present if an individual is working on a telephone box; orange cones should be present.
2) Non-Verizon vehicles should have signage indicating that their specific company is a contractor working on behalf of Verizon.
3) Be alert for activity at telephone equipment at off hours - Most service related activities will take place between the hours of 6AM-6PM.
4) Be alert for suspicious people. e.g., persons walking, on skates or on bikes (particularly any wearing red shirts) that stop at a telephone box, a cross connect box or fiber hub or other telephone facility and appear to be working on telephone equipment.
5) Be alert to someone carrying an ax, hatchet or cutting tool of any type including a scissors.
6) Be alert for someone who spends a very short time in an opened phone box.
7) All Verizon employees should be visibly displaying his/her company issued ID badge at worksites.

If you see any suspicious activity, please call 911 and give an accurate location, description of any persons or vehicles, and the suspicious activities being observed.

Thank you.

Cathy L. Lanier
Chief of Police

150 Years of MPD

New Events in MPD 1D!

MPD Warns of new scheme aimed at defrauding elderly

The Metropolitan Police Department wants to alert members of the community —
particularly senior citizens — of a recent advance fee scheme being reported in our area.
The perpetrators begin by approaching elderly individuals to offer jobs for $100 a day. They
then get the elder to open a bank account with $50 the schemer provides them. Afterwards,
the perpetrator drives the elder around to buy goods with the elder’s new checking account,
often for items valued much more than the original $50 — sometimes racking up thousands
of dollars in expenses. When the issuing bank seeks repayment for the expenditures over the
initial $50, the elderly victim is left with the balance, unable to pay. Residents are advised to
be alert to the potential for scams such as this and others in which they can become easy
targets. If an opportunity seems implausible, it is probably best avoided. The old saying that
“if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” definitely applies here.

Current and Upcoming Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zones Near PSA 102

PSA 501

Declaration Establishing a Drug Free Zone

Police District: 5D
Zone Number: 11-5D-09
PSA: 501
Dates: July 21 - 25, 2011

WHEREAS;
"Law 11-270, the "Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 11-441, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted first and second readings on June 6, 1996, and July 3, 1996, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on July 19, 1996, it was assigned Act No. 11-321 and transmitted to both houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 11-270 became effective on June 3, 1997." It has been codified to the D.C. Official Code as ?? 48-1001 through 1005. The Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone Act was amended by section 226 of the Omnibus Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2006, enacted on July 19, 2006 (D.C. Act 16-445).

WHEREAS;
The Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone Act of 1996, as amended (hereafter, "the Act") provides, among other things, that the Chief of Police may declare any public area a drug free zone for a period not to exceed 240 consecutive hours, based on the following considerations:

"The occurrence of a disproportionately high number of arrests for the possession or distribution of illegal drugs in the proposed drug free zone within the preceding 6-month period;

Any number of homicides related to the possession or distribution of illegal drugs that were committed in the proposed drug free zone within the preceding 6-month period;

Objective evidence or verifiable information that shows that illegal drugs are being sold and distributed on public space on public property within the proposed drug free zone; and

Any other verifiable information from which the Chief of Police may ascertain whether the health or safety of residents who live in the proposed drug free zone are endangered by the purchase, sale, or use of illegal drugs or other illegal activity." (DC Official Code ? 48-1002(b))

WHEREAS;
The Metropolitan Police department has issued appropriate directives (Special Order 03-02) to its members describing the requirements of the Act and providing operational guidelines for enforcing the Act.

WHEREAS;
Information pertaining to the above-listed considerations has been supplied to me by the Commander of the police district within which the following area is situated, and further information of the same nature is available to me from reliable sources, including, among other things, confidential police investigative reports.

NOW THEREFORE;
I hereby determine and declare that the following described area shall be designated as a drug free zone and that the respective police commander shall take all steps necessary to enforce the provisions of the Act in accordance with all applicable directives and operational guidelines of the Metropolitan Police Department:

DRUG FREE ZONE ESTABLISHED

Boundaries of Drug Free Zone:
Starting in the northwest corner of the area at the intersection of the western edge of the curbline on the west side of 3rd Street, NE and the north curbline of Adams Street, NE, proceeding east, along the northern curbline to the intersection of the curbline and eastern edge of the curbline on the east side of 4th Street, NE, proceeding southward along the eastern edge of the curbline to the intersection of the northern edge of the curbline on Rhode Island Avenue, NE, proceeding northeast along the northern curbline to the intersection of the curbline on the northeast side of 5th Street, NE, proceeding south along the eastern edge of the curbline to the intersection of the curbline on the southern side of V Street, NE, proceeding west along the southern curbline to the intersection of the curbline and the western edge of the curbline on the west side of 3rd Street, NE and finally proceeding north along the western edge of the curbline to the starting point.

Effective Dates and Times:
This Drug Free Zone shall be enforced beginning at 0001 hours (12:01 A.M.) on Thursday, July 21, 2011, and concluding at 2359 hours (11:59 P.M.) on Monday, July 25, 2011.

District Commander:
By memorandum of June 6, 2011, Commander Andrew Solberg, Fifth District, Metropolitan Police Department, submitted a request for declaration of a Drug Free Zone in the area described above. The memorandum, including a sketch of the boundaries of the Drug Free Zone, is incorporated by reference as a part of this Declaration.

SIGNED

Cathy Lanier
Chief of Police

Current and Upcoming Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zones near PSA 102

PSA 504

Declaration Establishing a Drug Free Zone

Police District: 5D
Zone Number: 11-5D-07
PSA: 504
Dates: July 21-25, 2011

WHEREAS;
"Law 11-270, the "Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 11-441, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted first and second readings on June 6, 1996, and July 3, 1996, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on July 19, 1996, it was assigned Act No. 11-321 and transmitted to both houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 11-270 became effective on June 3, 1997." It has been codified to the D.C. Official Code as ?? 48-1001 through 1005. The Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone Act was amended by section 226 of the Omnibus Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2006, enacted on July 19, 2006 (D.C. Act 16-445).

WHEREAS;
The Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone Act of 1996, as amended (hereafter, "the Act") provides, among other things, that the Chief of Police may declare any public area a drug free zone for a period not to exceed 240 consecutive hours, based on the following considerations:

"The occurrence of a disproportionately high number of arrests for the possession or distribution of illegal drugs in the proposed drug free zone within the preceding 6-month period;

Any number of homicides related to the possession or distribution of illegal drugs that were committed in the proposed drug free zone within the preceding 6-month period;

Objective evidence or verifiable information that shows that illegal drugs are being sold and distributed on public space on public property within the proposed drug free zone; and

Any other verifiable information from which the Chief of Police may ascertain whether the health or safety of residents who live in the proposed drug free zone are endangered by the purchase, sale, or use of illegal drugs or other illegal activity." (DC Official Code ? 48-1002(b))

WHEREAS;
The Metropolitan Police Department has issued appropriate directives (Special Order 03-02) to its members describing the requirements of the Act and providing operational guidelines for enforcing the Act.

WHEREAS;
Information pertaining to the above-listed considerations has been supplied to me by the Commander of the police district within which the following area is situated, and further information of the same nature is available to me from reliable sources, including, among other things, confidential police investigative reports.

NOW THEREFORE;
I hereby determine and declare that the following described area shall be designated as a drug free zone and that the respective police commander shall take all steps necessary to enforce the provisions of the Act in accordance with all applicable directives and operational guidelines of the Metropolitan Police Department:

DRUG FREE ZONE ESTABLISHED

Boundaries of Drug Free Zone:
Starting in the northwest corner of the area at the intersection of the western edge of the curbline on the west side of 17th Street, NE and the north curbline of I Street, NE, proceeding east, along the northern curbline to the intersection of the curbline and eastern edge of the curbline on the east side of 19th Street, NE, proceeding southward along the eastern edge of the curbline to the intersection of the northern edge of the curbline on H Street, NE, proceeding west along the southern curbline to the intersection of the curbline and the western edge of the curbline on the west side of 19th Street, NE and finally proceeding north along the western edge of the curbline to the starting point.

Effective Dates and Times:
This Drug Free Zone shall be enforced beginning at 0001 hours (12:01 A.M.) on Thursday, July 21, 2011, and concluding at 2359 hours (11:59 P.M.) on Monday, July 25, 2011.

District Commander:
By memorandum of June 6, 2011, Commander Andrew Solberg, Fifth District, Metropolitan Police Department, submitted a request for declaration of a Drug Free Zone in the area described above. The memorandum, including a sketch of the boundaries of the Drug Free Zone, is incorporated by reference as a part of this Declaration.

SIGNED

Cathy L. Lanier
Chief of Police

Declaration Establishing a Drug Free Zone

Police District: 5D
Zone Number: 11-5D-09
PSA: 501
Dates: July 21-25, 2011

WHEREAS;
"Law 11-270, the "Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 11-441, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted first and second readings on June 6, 1996, and July 3, 1996, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on July 19, 1996, it was assigned Act No. 11-321 and transmitted to both houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 11-270 became effective on June 3, 1997." It has been codified to the D.C. Official Code as ?? 48-1001 through 1005. The Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone Act was amended by section 226 of the Omnibus Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2006, enacted on July 19, 2006 (D.C. Act 16-445).

WHEREAS;
The Anti-Loitering/Drug Free Zone Act of 1996, as amended (hereafter, "the Act") provides, among other things, that the Chief of Police may declare any public area a drug free zone for a period not to exceed 240 consecutive hours, based on the following considerations:

"The occurrence of a disproportionately high number of arrests for the possession or distribution of illegal drugs in the proposed drug free zone within the preceding 6-month period;

Any number of homicides related to the possession or distribution of illegal drugs that were committed in the proposed drug free zone within the preceding 6-month period;

Objective evidence or verifiable information that shows that illegal drugs are being sold and distributed on public space on public property within the proposed drug free zone; and

Any other verifiable information from which the Chief of Police may ascertain whether the health or safety of residents who live in the proposed drug free zone are endangered by the purchase, sale, or use of illegal drugs or other illegal activity." (DC Official Code ? 48-1002(b))

WHEREAS;
The Metropolitan Police Department has issued appropriate directives (Special Order 03-02) to its members describing the requirements of the Act and providing operational guidelines for enforcing the Act.

WHEREAS;
Information pertaining to the above-listed considerations has been supplied to me by the Commander of the police district within which the following area is situated, and further information of the same nature is available to me from reliable sources, including, among other things, confidential police investigative reports.

NOW THEREFORE;
I hereby determine and declare that the following described area shall be designated as a drug free zone and that the respective police commander shall take all steps necessary to enforce the provisions of the Act in accordance with all applicable directives and operational guidelines of the Metropolitan Police Department:

DRUG FREE ZONE ESTABLISHED

Boundaries of Drug Free Zone:
Starting in the northwest corner of the area at the intersection of the western edge of the curbline on the west side of Montello Avenue, NE and the north curbline of Simms Place, NE, proceeding east, along the northern curbline to the intersection of the curbline and eastern edge of the curbline on the east side of Trinidad Avenue, NE, proceeding southward along the eastern edge of the curbline to the intersection of the southern edge of the curbline on Raum Street, NE, proceeding west along the southern curbline to the intersection of the curbline and the western edge of the curbline on the west side of Montello Avenue, NE and finally proceeding north along the western edge of the curbline to the starting point.

Effective Dates and Times:
This Drug Free Zone shall be enforced beginning at 0001 hours (12:01 A.M.) on Thursday, July 21, 2011, and concluding at 2359 hours (11:59 P.M.) on Monday, July 25, 2011.

District Commander:
By memorandum of June 6, 2011, Commander Andrew Solberg, Fifth District, Metropolitan Police Department, submitted a request for declaration of a Drug Free Zone in the area described above. The memorandum, including a sketch of the boundaries of the Drug Free Zone, is incorporated by reference as a part of this Declaration.

SIGNED

Cathy L. Lanier
Chief of Police

Support the Washington DC Police Foundation

Support the Washington DC Police
Foundation. The Washington, DC Police
Foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit
organization that brings together the business,
civic, and other professional communities to
promote public safety by providing financial
and in-kind resources to the MPD, expanding
public safety awareness, and advancing public
safety policy and initiatives. Learn more about
the extraordinary support the Washington DC
Police Foundation provides to the MPD. Learn
more about the Foundation at http://www.
dcpolicefoundation.org.

Child Identity Theft

In Kindergarten and in Debt: The Problem of Child Identity Theft
July 13th, 2011 Posted by Tracy Russo
This post appears courtesy of Joye E. Frost, Acting Director, Office for Victims of Crime

Those of us in the criminal justice community know technology can be a double-edged sword. Even as technological advances create new ways to tackle familiar problems in our communities, they also create new opportunities for crime – increasing our concern for privacy and data security. This is clearly the case with child identity theft – where, more frequently, criminals are using children’s identities to fraudulently take out loans, apply for employment, and open credit card accounts.

On July 12, 2011, our Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), hosted “Stolen Futures: A Forum on Child Identity Theft.” This forum was open to the public and was broadcast via webinar. Our goal was to advise the public on preventing child identity theft and resolving existing cases. At the forum, we were joined by legal service providers, victim advocates, law enforcement officials, and the public to discuss combating identity theft. Now more than ever, we know how important it is to detect identity theft as it happens and provide law enforcement with better tools and training to respond to these cases.

I am deeply concerned by the recent rise in identity theft targeting this vulnerable population. Child identity theft is an issue we’re only beginning to understand, but the more we learn, the more we see the tremendous damage these thieves can cause.

The numbers are grim: in 2009 alone, the FTC reported 19,000 incidents of identity theft involving juveniles. Studies tell us that the average victim of identity theft is still in elementary school when the theft begins. Some victims are reported as young as 5 months old. There are children in elementary or middle school with thousands of dollars in debt.

As Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mary Lou Leary commented during the opening remarks of this week’s forum:

“In many cases, these victims don’t even know what ‘credit’ and ‘debt’ mean – and in some cases, they’re not even old enough to form the words.”

Children may never realize they have been victims of identity theft until they begin to apply for financial aid or student loans, only to discover that doors are closed to them because of bad credit and substantial debts. They face hundreds of hours clearing their financial records after the theft is discovered—and often the additional stress of reporting a family member to authorities.

Children are particularly vulnerable: they can’t sift through falsified debts or illegal lines of credit. We must be their advocates.

I am proud that our office, through this forum, is taking steps to address this issue and is bringing together those that can help. Since 2004, OJP has had a dedicated Identity Theft Working Group to better understand the problem of child identity theft: who is most vulnerable, what data are most often stolen, who is the most common perpetrator of this crime, and what are effective strategies to detect – and prevent – this crime. This week’s forum builds on the ongoing work of the Office of Justice Programs and our Office for Victims of Crime.

There is more to be done to protect our children from the new threat of identity theft. But this is not work we can do alone. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with other government agencies, legal service providers, child-serving professionals, and victim advocates—all those with a role in these cases. Forums like this are the first step towards identifying this crime early and more effectively supporting its victims.

If you or your child’s information has been stolen or used by an identity thief, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.
For more information on the Stolen Futures forum and webcast, including the agenda: http://ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/stolenfutures/.

A Message from Commander Daniel Hickson

I have spent my first two weeks trying to absorb as much as I could concerning the current crime trends within the First District. The First District has made progress on reducing many categories of crime; however, one category of crime has been a chronic problem this year and that is the offense “theft other”. This would include all thefts that are other than “thefts from autos”. As police managers we continually view crime stats and offense reports attempting to identify any emerging crime trends and/or patterns. Thefts appear to be the one crime that is consistently showing an increase. Theft is not as serious an offense as crimes like robbery or burglary, but there is no question that due to shear numbers, more of your friends and neighbors stand a chance of being a victim of theft than any other crime.

The First District Crime Analyst has provided me with a detailed analysis of our thefts. This report shows that the locations of thefts within the First District are distributed between commercial, residential and public space. The one pattern that is clearly shown is that bicycles are the target of thefts more than anything else. In fact, bicycles were stolen in one third of all thefts that occurred in the First District in the last 30 days. I would like to appeal to all members of the First District Community to assist us in our attempt to address this pattern of theft of bicycles.

The first step that each person could take would be to store their bicycles in a secure location. There have been thefts of both locked and unlocked bicycles in the past month. In just about all cases that the stolen bicycle was locked, they were secured with a “cable” type bike lock, as opposed to the hard, U-shaped bike lock. The second step would be to maintain accurate records of all valuable property. Since there is seldom an eyewitness to the theft of a bike, the other opportunity to apprehend the criminal is through locating identifiable property. Unfortunately, we often discover when we take reports that bike owners have not recorded the bicycle serial number. If you record this valuable information and are able to provide it to the police in the event your bike is stolen, it would increase the chance of recovering your property.

I appreciate your assistance with helping us abate this crime trend.

Commander Daniel Hickson
Metropolitan Police Department
First District
101 M Street SW

ENFORCEMENT CUTS DISTRACTED DRIVING

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS ENFORCEMENT
CUTS DISTRACTED DRIVING

Pilot Programs in Syracuse, NY and Hartford, CT
Significantly Curb Texting and Cell Phone Use Behind the Wheel

SYRACUSE – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced dramatic reductions in distracted driving in Syracuse, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut, after two pilot projects measured the effect of increased law enforcement coupled with high-profile public education campaigns.

“These findings show that strong laws, combined with highly-visible police enforcement, can significantly reduce dangerous texting and cell phone use behind the wheel,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Based on these results, it is crystal clear that those who try to minimize this dangerous behavior are making a serious error in judgment, especially when half a million people are injured and thousands more are killed in distracted driving accidents.”

Each program, which was supported by $200,000 in federal funds and $100,000 from the state, examined whether increased police enforcement along with paid advertising and news media coverage could reduce distracted driving. The pilot efforts used “Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other” as the media campaign theme and were structured similarly to the highly-successful national seat belt campaign, “Click It or Ticket.”

During four periods of stepped up enforcement over the past year, Syracuse police issued 9,587 citations for driver violations involving talking or texting on cell phones while operating a vehicle. During the same period, police in Hartford, Connecticut, issued 9,658 tickets for illegal phone use.

Before and after each enforcement wave, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) actively observed cell phone use and conducted public awareness surveys at driver licensing offices in the two cities, which found:
In Syracuse, New York because of high-visibility enforcement – both handheld cell phone use and texting behind the wheel have declined by one-third.

In Hartford, Connecticut, where researchers initially identified drivers talking on their cell phones at twice the frequency (which left more room for improvement), there was a 57 percent drop in handheld use and texting behind the wheel dropped by nearly three-quarters.

“The success of these pilot programs clearly show that combining strong laws with strong enforcement can bring about a sea change in public attitudes and behavior,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “We applaud the work of the men and women of the Syracuse and Hartford police forces, and call on state legislatures, law enforcement and safety advocates across the nation to follow their lead.”

NHTSA plans to test this same three-part formula – tough laws, strong enforcement, and ongoing public awareness – at the state-wide level next.

In 2009, nearly 5,500 fatalities and another half million injuries resulted from crashes involving a distracted driver. Overall, distraction-related fatalities represented 16 percent of total traffic fatalities in 2009.

Nationwide, 34 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam have enacted texting bans. Nine states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands have prohibited all hand-held cell phone use while driving.

Click here to see the NHTSA report on the enforcement programs in Syracuse and Hartford. To learn more about NHTSA’s efforts on distracted driving visit www.distraction.gov.

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PSA 102 Neighborhood Public Safety Meeting

Tuesday 12 July 2011
Sherwood Recreation Center
7:00 P.M.
Public Safety Meeting

Lieutenant Christopher Micciche, PSA 102 Manager

Crime Report and Open Community Discussions.

Agenda

I. Introductions 2 min

II. Old Business 20 min
1. Last 30 Day Crime and Year to Date Crime
2. Police Report on Crime
3. Community Questions

III. New Business 20 min

a. Vacant Property (Crime Related)
b. Nuisance Property Report
c. Business/Retail/Apartment Crime Safety Report
d. Noise Ordinance Complaints
e. Parking and Special Attention Issues
f. Alley Report
g. Prostitution Complaints
h. Juvenile Crime Report

IV. Questions and Announcements 15 min

V. Adjournment 8:15pm