AUPCA MEETING REMINDER
From:   dmcmullin@juno.com (Donald E McMullin)
The American University Park Citizens Association will meet on Tuesday, 6
February, at 7:30 PM at the Tenley Library (second floor), Wisconsin
Avenue at Albemarle.  The meeting affords a good opportunity to discuss
with other AU Park residents issues of importance to the community.  Hope
you can attend -- and bring a friend!
 

OTHER MEETINGS
2nd District Citizens Advisory Council will meet with Commander Peter Newsham
at 7:00 pm at 2D Headquarters, 3320 Idaho Avenue -- Wednesday, January 7.
Guest speaker is Lt. Pat Burke to talk about traffic issues and underage
drinking problems. All are welcome.

ANC3E will meet at St. Mary's Armenian Church at 7:30 pm, Thursday, January 8
at Wisconsin and Fessenden.
 

ANTENNA HEARINGS
The DC Zoning Commission has scheduled a hearing for Monday, Feb. 5, 2001 at 7
p.m. on "... Development Standards for Antenna Towers."  To find out more
about this, including location, contact:   johnl@erols.com (Ann Loikow) or
cooperjm@aol.com (Jo Cooper).
 

FOX SIGHTING IN AU PARK?
A resident said he saw what he believed was a fox running down the street at
about 45th and Davenport, late one night. If your kitty cat is a late-night
party animal, you might want to impose an earlier curfew. Has anyone else
seen foxes (four-legged kind) in the 'Hood? How about the police on late
night patrol -- seen anything like this?
 

EXCERPTS FROM LT. MARK CARTER'S PSA 202 NEWSLETTER, JANUARY 2001
Lt. Mark Carter and Sgt. Walter Faryniarz
If you have any information to pass on to us, send an e-mail
(mpdcpsa202@netscape.net) or call 202-282-0070.

More and more people are using space, kerosene and other types of heaters.
Listed below are some home fire safety tips to keep your hope safe.
Smoke Detectors
Install at least one smoke detector outside every bedroom and on every level
of your home. Check the batteries monthly and replace them at lest once a
year.
Portable Heaters
Keep blankets, clothing, curtains, furniture and anything that could get hot
and catch fire away from heaters. Plug heaters directly into the wall socket
and unplug them when they are not in use.
Electricity
Use safety plugs in electrical outlets, especially if you have small
children. Avoid overloading electric outlets and running cords under carpets
and furniture.
Fire Escape Drills
Plan and practice fire escape routes and make sure everyone knows two ways
out of every room. Identify a place to meet outside in case of fire. Never
return to a burning building.

Copies are also available in Spanish. Contact Lt. Carter or Sgt. Faryniarz
 
 

CRIMES IN THE 'HOOD
CRIMES IN PSA 202, January 1 to 31, 2001
ROBBERY
4200 Davenport, gun, 1/1, 2045, grocery store
4500 40th St, gun, 1/1, 2035, sidewalk
4200 Warren, gun, 1/19, 2215, street
4200 Military, gun, 1/6, 2020, alley
4200 Military, f&v, 1/1, 2045, sidewalk
4200 Reno, f&v, 1/27, 2315, sidewalk
4300 Wisconsin, f&v, 1/18, 0031, convenience store
5300 Wisconsin, p/p, 1/17, 1645, retail store
4300 Garrison, pbs, 1/27, 2120, street
4700 Belt, pbs, 1/20, 1840, sidewalk
ASSAULT
5300 Wisconsin, 1/27, 1915, sidewalk  (closed)
4600 46th, knife, 1/5, 2005, house  (closed)
5300 Wisconsin, knife, 1/9, 1330, department store
BURGLARY
4300 Yuma, 1/12, 1415, house
5200 Wisconsin, 1/21, 1700, retail store
4300 River, 1/12, 0820, house
4400 Alton, 1/12, 0810, house
THEFT -- 15 (3 closed)
One was at 4800 Mass. (office); another at 3900 Chesapeake (school). The rest
were along Wisconsin.
THEFT FROM AUTO -- 11 -- all over the area.
STOLEN AUTO
4400 Jenifer, 1/17, 1100, street
3800 Yuma, 1/20, 1300, street
SIMPLE ASSAULT
4500 Wisconsin, 1/18, 1530, alley
4600 Davenport, 1/20, 0325, street
4800 Wisconsin, 1/07, 2120, parking lot (closed)
THREATS
4300 49TH, 1/14, 1530, supermarket
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY -- 11
Five occurred on Wisconsin; others were scattered.
FRAUD
5300 Wisconsin, 1/14, 1608, department store (closed)
5300 Wisconsin, 1/15, 1608, department store (closed)
UTTERING (bad check) -- 3 (1 closed)
At department stores and a bank
FUGITIVE WARRANT ARREST (Wanted in another jurisdiction)
5300 Wisconsin, 1/19, 1639, department store (closed)
5300 Wisconsin, 1/19, 1639, department store (closed)
UNLAWFUL ENTRY DISORDER
5300 Wisconsin, 1/26, 1610, retail store (closed)

SUMMARY -- Starting January 1, 2001
Robbery -- Jan-10
Assault -- Jan-3
Burglary -- Jan-4
Theft -- Jan-15
Theft f/ Auto -- Jan-11
Stolen Auto -- Jan-2
Simple Assault/ Threat -- Jan-4
Dest. Property -- Jan-11
Fraud-- Jan-2
Uttering -- Jan-3
Fugitive Warrant Arrest -- 2
Unlawful Entry Disorder -- 1

Total - 68

LAST YEAR'S CRIME PICTURE IN PSA 202
The following are not the official MPD numbers, because some crimes will have
been added and some deleted as the detectives work their cases. However, it's
pretty close to the actual number. Destruction of property can also include
attempts at breaking into buildings or cars.

SUMMARY- From January Through December, 2000
Sex Abuse -- Jan- (non rape) 1; Feb-0; Mar-0; Apr-0; May-0;
Jun-0; Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-1 (rape); Oct-0; Nov-0; Dec-0
Robbery -- Jan-8; Feb-1; Mar-4; Apr-1; May-4; Jun-4; Jul-5;
Aug-3; Sep-2; Oct-2; Nov-3; Dec-2
Assault -- Jan-1; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-0; May-1; Jun-3; Jul-0;
Aug-2; Sep-2; Oct-1; Nov-4; Dec-2
Burglary -- Jan-2; Feb-6; Mar-10; Apr-6; May-5; Jun-2; Jul-3;
Aug-13; Sep-6; Oct-3; Nov-2; Dec-2
Theft -- Jan-27; Feb-17; Mar-18; Apr-32; May-27; Jun-18; Jul-23;
Aug-29; Sep-27; Oct-20; Nov-24; Dec-25
Theft From Auto-- Jan-18; Feb-34; Mar-9; Apr-13; May-9; Jun-10;
Jul-8; Aug-23; Sep-16; Oct-14; Nov-18; Dec-9
Stolen Auto -- Jan-5; Feb-7; Mar-5; Apr-5; May-6; Jun-3; Jul-3;
Aug-5; Sep-1; Oct-1; Nov-2; Dec-4
Arson -- Jan-0; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-1; May-0; Jun-0; Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0;
Oct-0; Nov-0; Dec-0
Simple Assault/ Threats -- Jan-1; Feb-7; Mar-4; Apr-3; May-6; Jun-1;
Jul-7; Aug-4; Sep-1; Oct-1; Nov-3; Dec-6
Destruction of Property -- Jan-5; Feb-0; Mar-4; Apr-3; May-5; Jun-2;
Jul-2; Aug-3; Sep-9; Oct-6; Nov-4; Dec-14
Fraud/Uttering -- Jan-2; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-0; May-0; Jun-0; Jul-0;
Aug-2; Sep-0; Oct-2; Nov-3; Dec-0
Indecent Exposure Disorder -- Jan-0; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-0; May-0; Jun-0;
Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-1; Nov-0; Dec-0
Breaking & Entering Vending -- Jan-0; Feb-0; Mar; Apr-0; May-0; Jun-0:
Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-1; Nov-0; Dec-0
Drug Possession Arrest -- Jan-1; Feb-0; Mar; Apr-0; May-0; Jun-1; Jul-0;
Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-2; Nov-1; Dec-0
Unlawful Entry Disorder -- Jan-1; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-1; May-0; Jun-1; Jul-0;
Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-0; Nov-0; Dec-1
Carrying Pistol Without License Arrest -- Jan-0; Feb-1; Mar; Apr-0; May-0;
Jun-0; Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-1; Nov-0; Dec-0
Fugitive From Justice Warrant Arrest -- Jan-0; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-0; May-0;
Jun-0; Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-0; Nov-0; Dec-0

Approximate Total For Year: 763
Jan - 73;  Feb - 73;  Mar - 59;  Apr - 65;  May - 64; June - 46;  July - 51;
Aug - 84;
Sep - 64; Oct - 55; Nov -64; Dec - 65
 
 

COMPUTER VIRUSES REVISITED
The first virus I mentioned is the real thing. The second one, "Upgrade
Internet2" is a hoax. Ah well...

Thank you to all who took the time to  send the following  information
relating to hoaxes and computer viruses.

**** From: postmaster@brobeck.com (Brobeck WorldSecure Server Admin)
For information on internet hoaxes, including known hoaxes,  please
visit McAfee's hoax page at: http://vil.nai.com/VIL/hoaxes.asp

**** From: vze27vta@verizon.net (John A McCarthy)
There are excellent personal firewalls and virus scanners available for the
home user.  I personally use the ZoneAlert firewall and the McAfee virus
detector.
If  properly installed and configured, they provide excellent protection. That
being said, I never open e-mail from an unknown sender, and use my virus
scanner to check any attachment before opening.

**** whitelaw@his.com (Jim Whitelaw)
The Upgrade Internet2 virus is a hoax.  Usually the first line implores the
receiver of the warning to send it to everyone on their mail list.  This is
usually a tip-off that it is a hoax.  Here is a link to a Hoax site where
you can read about it.  http://vmyths.com/hoax.cfm?id=217&page=3

**** From: tellafriend@symantec.com
I thought you'd like to read about Upgrade Internet 2 Hoax at the following
URL:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/upgrade.internet.2.hoax.html
This service is brought to you by the Symantec AntiVirus Research Center
(SARC).
Lawrence M. Miller
lawrence.miller@starpower.net

**** From: sposniak@clark.net (Stephen Posniak)
Your list was about 50/50 real vs. hoaxes.  Although there have been a few
worms (these are generally transmitted by e-mail vs. viruses, which propagate
on disks and diskettes) which can spread simply by opening the message to
which the worm is attached, these do not exist "in the wild" - so far just
in  computer geek test tubes.  In almost all cases, the "payload" is
transmitted by clicking on an attachment.  In general, even if something came
from someone you know, if you were not expecting a message with an attachment,
do not click on the attachment.  When in doubt, delete it both from your
mailbox and from what (at least in Novell Groupwise) we call your trash.
(Microsoft-Outlook is one of the prime "targets of opportunity" for
malware developers.  A lot of worms propagate by mailing themselves to
every address in your Outlook address book.  this makes the message look
more familiar and less unexpected when it is received by the
correspondent.

The industry leader in the A-V industry at this point is Symantec, and the
best web page I know for checking out attachment names, subject headings,
message contents, etc. is the Symantec A-V Research center -
 <http://www.sarc.com>.  Go to "Virus Encyclopedia" or "Hoax
database," (the two are inter-related), and you will find out real
fast if you are dealing with something which is cause for concern.

The other important thing is to make sure your virus definition file
(aka pattern file or signature file) is up to date.  The A-V programs can't
stop everything, but they increase your chances of computing safely.
Best wishes to all,
Steve Posniak
ANC-3E-01 Emeritus

**** From: kenanddavida@starpower.net (Kenneth Giles)
Some of those e-mails have shown up on my computer with attachments.  I've
known
better than to open attachments from people I don't know - I've just deleted
the whole thing.

But are you saying that just reading the e-mail - not downloading the
attachment - can also spread the virus?  Because the way my computer is set
up, when I open Outlook Express one e-mail automatically appears, already
"opened" - that is, I can read the content.  (I don't know if I've described
this adequately, I don't speak computer.)  If that alone can spread the
virus, do you know how I can change this set-up?  Can you ask in Communit-E?
(I can't  be the only one with this problem.)  Also, I never "talk" to
strangers or give out my e-mail address, I've never banked or purchased
anything on-line ... how did I become a target?  What address list did I get
on?  How?  If you (or a reader) could explain, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks much!
Davida
 

INFORMATION FROM A PREVIOUS VIRUS EXPERIENCE

**** From: Fds3987649 (Mr. D'silva)
         Since I am employed in Network and Operations, I come across many
numerous viruses. On the job, of course I am protected by the Network Virus
protection. Depending on your PC, usually McAfee is of a better one, while
installed it updates automatically from its website when you are online and a
new product is available. If you have Norton, make sure you register yourself
with the Norton Central site, so that they send regular upgrades to your
system for new viruses that come out every month. Usually they always have an
upgrade for every new product that Microsoft, or Amd or Intel (by the way
these are all new chip makers, for new PC's) come out.
       You have to also remember that your Norton anti-virus should run every
time you turn on your PC, and do its regular maintenance once a month, or
weekly and make sure the system fixes and updates you with a report. Remember
one thing, as I have learnt my lessons, do not open any e-mail, or especially
attachments from an unknown person. You could save the attachments to the
floppy disc, run the antivirus program on your floppy disc, if its clean,
then open or else you could throw away the disc, to save costly repairs. I
blew my hard drive once before.
 

**** From: biking2@yahoo.com (Richard Clark)
 I'm becoming more suspicious and anytime a friend sends an attachment, I let
it
sit, call them and if I can't get a 200% comforting feeling I just delete it.
 My attitude is,  I lived over 60 years without that attachment, I certainly
can live a few more days. <grin>  I'm ruthless when it comes to attachments.

 
**** From:  Melville.Lyman@jhuapl.edu (Lyman, Melville H.)
Yes, viruses are a problem which is why we all need to keep current
anti-virus programs running on our machines.  I do a remote Norton update at
least once a week just to ensure that I have the latest data.

On the other hand, a "no attachments" policy means that you'll miss
out on a lot of what the computer world has to offer.  A "no links" policy
also would severely limit what you can do.

Don't download directly if you are suspicious.  Download to a disk and then
scan what you just downloaded.  Norton lets you do that.  Also, Norton is
generally fast enough to catch viruses even if you do download directly.

Again, it's your call, but I think that you had a bad experience,
learned a hard lesson about needing some sort of anti-virus program always
resident in your computer, and now can safely get back to enjoying the full
value of the internet.
 

AND FINALLY...
From:   LymanMH1@central.SSD.JHUAPL.edu (Lyman, Melville H.)

Improved Virus Warning
     If you receive a e-mail named "Bugs", go out and shoot yourself.  It is
already too late.  This is the worst virus ever.  It will scramble your hard
drive and destroy any disc within 36 inches of your computer.

     It will recalibrate your refrigerator to freeze your milk and melt your
ice cream.  It will demagnetize your ATM card, change the clock on your VCR,
and scratch your CDs.

     It will give your ex-wife/husband your new phone number.  It will hide
your car keys when you are late, reprogram your car's radio so you can only
get Muzak, and order old 8 tracks billed to your Visa.

     Bugs will give you Dutch Elm disease.  It will drink your beer, and
leave dirty socks in your living room.  It will leave the toilet seat up,
the hair dryer plugged in dangerously close the a full tub, cut the tags off
your mattresses, and refill your diet coke bottle with real.

     It is a terrifying virus.  It is also an interesting color of mauve.

     You are warned.
 
 

Again -- Thank you to all our good neighbors who are fluent in computerese
and willing to share their knowledge with us. -- KS