IT'S EASY TO BLAME THE CHIEF OF POLICE
If you watched the City Council hearings yesterday on whether or not
Chief Ramsey should get a raise, you'll have observed how easy it was
for the Councilmembers to blame the Chief for rising crime rates.

After all, if you're a Councilmember, it's hard to publicly state that
parts of your own ward and city are breeding grounds for criminals. It's
hard to admit that domestic violence and dysfunctional families occur in
sizable numbers and that you, the Councilmember, haven't a clue as to
what to do about it.

It's easy to blame the Chief for open-air drug markets. It's tough to
explain why so many of your constituents have a craving for and create a
demand for those drugs.

It's easy to blame the Chief for low homicide closure rates. It's hard
to tell your viewers that so many of your constituents are
understandably afraid to be witnesses against gun-toting violent
neighbors who have no qualms about silencing them. A Councilmember can
blame the Chief, but he or she probably hasn't got an answer for the
terrified witness.

Why do so many youngsters think it's OK to steal a neighbor's car and
trash it? What happens to those who are caught, sometimes again and
again? What is the City Council doing about them and about Corporation
Counsel's treatment of these young thieves? Who's talking to the parents
of these young criminals-in-training?

If the Council really wanted to reduce crime, it should consider passing
legislation that would bar anyone who is sent to prison from ever
returning to the District. That's a bold move that would drop the crime
rate in a hurry. However, so many families and friends of the inmates
would protest, it's unlikely that any Councilmember would have the
political will to do it. Besides, it's much easier to blame the Chief.

I'm not saying  there isn't plenty of room for improvement in the MPD,
particularly the perennial problem with 911 calls and getting  police
officers in a hurry as a result of those calls.

I am saying that it's ludicrous to focus on one person in one department
when the breeding ground for crime throughout the city is so deserving
of intense attention by the Council. Where are the hearings to find out
why there are so many dysfunctional families and so many criminals being
produced? Why is there so much recidivism and what is being done about
it, not just by the MPD, but by all concerned departments and the
courts?

These are tough questions and it's hard to get at them honestly. One
dare not insult one's constituents. But it's OK to go after the Chief of
Police. That's safe and easy to do.

----------

I will send the above essay to the Councilmembers and ask them to
redirect their considerable intellect and energy toward finding ways to
get at the root causes of crime in our city, and to stop hassling a good
police chief over a $25,000 raise. He's worth keeping on the job and
deserves the raise. The MPD is a more professional organization now than
it was when Chief Ramsey started the job. He should be encouraged to
continue his on-going efforts to improve it.

Kathy Smith
 
 
 

ROBBERY ARREST
From: "Jeffrey Moore" <JAMOORE@mpdc.org>
I've got some good news about the robberies in the upper end.  Below is
information that I sent to the list serves ref  a good  robbery arrest
Fri night.  We will try to tie this suspect with the others in the area.
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Posted June 16, 2003
On Friday, June 13, 2003, at approx 2005 hrs, in the 5200 blk 42 St, NW,
a suspect armed with a handgun robbed a lone  female of her purse.  The
victim was able to give a very good description, that included a
description of the suspect and the get  away vehicle.  The car was last
seen headed north on 42 St.
 
While the officer were canvassing for suspects, the suspect vehicle was
seen heading east on Military Road into the Fourth  District.  We gave
chase and caught the suspect vehicle near 14 St & Montaque St.  Both
suspects bailed out - we were able  to catch the passenger who was
positively identified by the victim.  The driver got away.
 
We recovered the escape vehicle, which was stolen car.  Inside the car
was the purse that had just been stolen, and the pellet  gun.
 
As I listed in an earlier posting, we have been experiencing an increase
in robberies in this area.  I am hopeful that this arrest will  bring an
end to this series of robberies.
 
--------------------

ANOTHER ROBBERY ARREST
On June 16, 2003, at about 2 a.m., 2-D Detectives noticed a gold colored
Dodge Dynasty in the 3500 block of Prospect  Street.  This vehicle
matched the description of a vehicle seen leaving the area of several
gun robberies in 2-D, including the  1200 blk of 36 Street and the 3200
block of 36 St - both of which occurred on June 7, 2003.   In both of
these robberies, the  suspect was wearing a surgical mask to hide his
identify.
 
The Detectives stopped the vehicle and found that the driver did not
have a drivers license.   A search of the vehicle revealed  a dark
colored pellet gun, a ski mask, and items that were the proceeds of the
robbery that had occurred only an hour earlier in  the Third District.
Also recovered was proceeds from our robbery in the 3200 blk of 36
Street on June 7, 2003.
 
At this time, both suspects have been charged with the robbery in the
Third District. Investigation has tied the suspects to both  our
robberies on June 7, 2003, and may lead to other closures soon.
 
 I will keep you posted.
 
 Jeff Moore
 Commander
 Second District
 
 
 
 

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS TRANSPORTATION STUDY-PUBLIC MEETING 3
From: "Bird, Melissa" <mbird@louisberger.com>
DDOT and Consultants will present preliminary recommendations for
traffic calming measures in the Friendship Heights Area.
Date: June 25     Time: 7:00pm
Location: St. Mary's Armenian Church at 42nd and Fessenden Street, NW.
If you have special needs to be accomodated during this meeting, please
contact Melissa Bird at the Louis Berger Group at 202 912-0343
 
 
 

TURTLE PARK SAFETY DAY
From: <toddandjean@netzero.com>
Jean Kintisch, VP- Events
Friends of Friendship Park is hosting our first ever Turtle Park Safety
Day on Saturday, June 28 from 10 am to Noon.  Our goal for Safety Day is
to educate our community about a broad range of safety issues.

Families can come see a Metropolitan Police canine unit, a Bethesda
Chevy Chase Rescue Squad  ambulance, Metro Transit Police bike patrol
officers, and U.S. Park Police horse-mounted officers.  Children can
participate in Children's National Medical Center's Teddy Bear Clinic
and take a sample class from RadKids (Resisting Aggression Defensively).

Starpower is sponsoring a child identification program named Project
Kidcare, which is the official program of the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with Polaroid.  Because
Starpower is purchasing the ID kits for us, we can offer this service
free of charge.

Parents can visit the "Ask the Experts" table and get answers from  a
pediatrician, a pediatric surgeon/trauma specialist, and a certified car
seat technician.  Brochures will be available from the Consumer Product
Safety Commission, the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children, the National Capital Poison Center, and the American Red
Cross.

To volunteer or for more information, please email Jean at
toddandjean@netzero.net.  This is a free community event and will be
held in fair weather only.
 
 

 
TALK AND BOOKSIGNING ABOUT ROCK CREEK PARK
From: Spilsbury <spilsbury@erols.com>
Politics and Prose, Thursday, June 19, 7 p.m.
Rock Creek Park, Gail Spilsbury (Johns Hopkins, $21.95)
Filled with paintings and archival and contemporary photos, as well as
history, Spilsbury's book celebrates DC's forested sanctuary through its
formation and preservation. The book explores the original vision for
the park: in 1918, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. urged managers and users to
make "the dominant consideration...the permanent preservation of [the
park's] wonderful beauty, and [to make] that beauty accessible...."
(Alternative date: Cleveland Park Library, June 28, 2 p.m.)
Talk and slide show
 
 
 

CITIZEN FORESTER PROGRAM
From:  <anc3b@aol.com>
The DC Citizen Forester Program is an opportunity for dedicated
individuals to help foster environmental stewardship. It is the first
urban forestry certificate-training program in Washington, DC.

Citizen Foresters are dedicated to improving the health of trees,
increasing tree cover, and promoting and protecting the city's green
infrastructure.

A Citizen Forester can be involved in a variety of ways, including tree
inventories, community organizing, environmental education, tree watch,
advocacy, tree preparation and planning, tree pruning and other green
infrastructure projects.

The Citizen Forester curriculum includes three modules, each with a
training component and a service component.  Individuals complete all
three training modules and perform volunteer service to become a
certified DC Citizen Forester.

The program is sponsored by Casey Trees, the Mayor, the National
Arboretum and the University of District of Columbia.

The Citizen Forester trainings are free of charge, but you must register
in advance. Session I begins June 24, 2003. Go to www.caseytrees.org for
more information.
 
 
 

CATS NEEDING NEW HOMES

**** From:  "kayandpaul" <kayandpaul@erols.com>
Our cat needs a home:  we're moving to an assisted living facility soon.
He is a big middle-aged tiger-striped gray cat, neutered.  Very gentle.
Great purr.  Call Kay and Paul McClenon at 202-363-4581 or e-mail
kayandpaul@erols.com.

****From:  Cristina Mossi Rhein <CMossiRhein@devis.com>
Our two cats need a home:  They are brothers (even though they don't
like alike) Both are super gentle. Have never scratched or bitten
anyone. Child-friendly. One of them thinks he's a dog - comes over when
called and sometimes will even fetch! Contact Tina or Mike e-mail:
cmossirhein@devis.com or mrhein@aidsfund.org.
 
 
 
 

ANTI-SPAM NOTICE
I received the following notice after last week's COMMUNIT-E. If you are
served by the e-mail provider "ace.nche.edu" you might want to contact
them. -- KS
--------
From:  <Netadmin@ace.nche.edu>
Your message to the American Council on Education (ACE) has been blocked
by anti-spam software as suspected spam, and was not received by the
intended recipient(s).
 
If this was done in error, please contact the intended recipient at ACE
to have them request that your e-mail address be placed on ACE's
"Whitelist." This will ensure that your future e-mail is not impeded.

We regret any inconvenience.
Scanned for viruses by the MessageLabs SkyScan(TM) service

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** From: <Bkravetz@aol.com>
RE:  Question about how to remove graffiti:

My friend Carole Sugar uses something called "Goof-Off" which she gets
at Strosniders and it works like a champ.
--------------
RE: Super early noise at Hechinger Building construction project :
Yes, no construction noise until 7:00 AM!  Call the police --- they will
ticket.

**** From: <Aijacelbl@aol.com>
I recommended Marco Enderle, the electrician (and I forgot to tell him
that I did...).
Aija Blitte

**** From:  anna f <anna0586@yahoo.com>
EXPERIENCED BABYSITTER/CHILD CARETAKER
seeks full or part-time work in AU neighborhood for summer. Also, can do
tutoring.
Responsible, dedicated, mature and amiable 17 year old. References
available.
Contact Anna Freedman at 202-363-2284 or anna0586@yahoo.com

**** From:  Chip Levy  <troinc@aol.com>
UPHOLSTERER SOUGHT
I have a leather "stressless" chair and ottoman that I'd like to have
recovered.  Does anyone have any experience with a good-quality shop
that works in leather?  Any help will be appreciated.

**** From: <LRol@aol.com>
FOR SALE BY OWNER
4406 Chesapeake St. NW               $ 445,000.00
202 966 3011
Attractive semi-detached house on quiet street in American University
Park. This house has been well maintained and has many upgrades.  Built
in 1926.

****From:  StarAKA4U@aol.com
Women's Fitness Boot Camp
Ladies! Get in shape for the summer for just $195, with a one-month
Fitness  Boot Camp, held at nearby Norwood Park. The Women's Boot Camp,
held Monday-Thursday from 6 - 7 a.m., will give you the jump start
you've been looking for. You'll get 10 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of
aerobics and strenght training targeting the upper body, abs, and legs
plus overall fitness, and 10 minutes of cool-down. Included is a before
and after fitness test that checks your weight, body fat, and endurance.
The program runs from July 7- July 31. To register,  contact Tonya
Walton at twalton@UPISA.com. Tonya, designer of the Women's Boot Camp,
is an experienced personal trainer with a B.S. in Exercise Science and 6
years of fitness experience.and is manager of a health club in Chevy
Chase.
 
 
 

THE BRAZIL BULLETIN
From:  "Heilbron, Shana (COUNCIL)" <sheilbron@dccouncil.us>
In This Week's Issue...
Economic Development Committee Considers Revenue Bond Requests
Brazil Rallies Support for Baseball In Washington, D.C.
Brazil Makes Site Visit to Department of Housing and Community
Development (DHCD)
Brazil, Committee Consider NCRC Nominees and Wax Museum RFP
Brazil Speaks at WCTC Press Conference To Introduce "Blues & Dreams"
Program
Brazil Holds Economic Development Committee Markup
Gold Stars of the Week
 
 
 
 

DOWNRIVE RACE POSTPONED
From: Canoe Cruisers Association <CanoeCruisers@lb.bcentral.com>
Reply-To: <13207-feedback-42@lb.bcentral.com>
Due to HIGH WATER, the 48TH CCA DOWNRIVER RACE has been POSTPONED until
SUNDAY, JUNE 29.

VOLUNTEER helpers are still needed - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!  We need
starters, finishers, boat inspectors, shuttles, and general gophers.
Most of all we need SAFETY BOATS.  If you can help with the race, please
call Star Mitchell at 301-530-3252 or e-mail her at:
kayakingvstar@aol.com

For race participants, sign-in begins at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Great
Falls Tavern, MD (or Old Angler's if the water is over 5').  The
take-out is Sycamore Island.  There will be lunch and awards on the
island for racers.

This is a race for ANYONE from the pros to parent/child tandem teams.
The fee at the sign-in is $25.  For more details go to <ccadc.org> and
click on <Potomac Downriver Race>.  Do join the fun and paddle the race!
 
 

--END--