TURTLE PARK'S HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
From:   toddandjean@netzero.net (Jean Kintisch)

This fourth annual event will be held on Saturday, October 28 from 10 am to
Noon at Friendship "Turtle" Park (45th and Van Ness Streets NW).  Activities
will include pumpkin painting, crafts, refreshments, a costume parade,
pinata breaking and live entertainment by Oh Susannah.  Please bring a
canned good to mark National Make a Difference Day.  This free event is
presented by Friends of Friendship Park.

I could also use some volunteers to help that day.  If you have any
questions, please let me know.  Thank you!
Jean Kintisch
VP-Events
Friends of Friendship Park
 
 

LOCAL POLITICAL RACES
In a recent  issue of COMMUNIT-E, I endorsed Martin Levine for School Board
and Tad DiBiase for ANC Commissioner. I would also like to endorse present
Chair, Jill Diskan for a return to ANC3E. Jill has been an outstanding
Commissioner and Chair of that organization. Chris McNamara is running
unopposed and I look forward to his return also to the ANC.

I still extend an invitation, to all who are running for local office in this
immediate area, to submit some information about themselves and tell us why
we should vote for them. Below is the first of these mini briefings:

----------------
Tad DiBiase

    My name is Tad DiBiase and for the past year I have served as your
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.  In that time I have led the effort to
bring a major commercial retailer to the old Hechinger's site and fought
against the development of townhouses at Albemarle and Nebraska Avenue, NW
and the TV tower at 41st Street.

    I have also worked with many of your neighbors to get the District
government to respond to a myriad of complaints ranging from noisy students,
shoddy street repairs, to businesses who aren't being good neighbors.  I
pride myself on getting responses to your complaints and following up on your
requests.  Finally, I led the ANC efforts to get our Web site up and running
at www.ANC3E.org.

    If re-elected I promise to continue those efforts and will continue to
work on behalf of our neighborhood to ensure that it remains the quality
place it has grown to become.  I am a strong believer in historic
preservation, yet I welcome development that is appropriately placed in our
neighborhood.  I will focus my efforts on bringing a major retailer to the
neighborhood and ensuring that we end up with a store at which we can all be
proud to shop.  As an Assistant United States Attorney for over five years,
my knowledge of the criminal justice system and the police department means
that our area will continue to receive its fair share of police coverage.

    My wife and I have lived in A.U. Park for seven years, and we have two
young daughters.  I hope I can count on your vote on November 7, 2000.  If
you have any questions (or complaints!), I can be reached at (202) 246-2083.

Tad

---------------
 
 

AUTO THEFTS AND THE MPD
Chief Ramsey is very concerned about the situation relating to stolen cars
and tow lots. He hopes to have in place, by Spring of 2001, a tracking system
called "E-Track" which will nsure that towing companies notify owners of
stolen autos as soon as the towing company picks up the located stolen car.
At present, some companies do notify the owner immediately; others hold on to
the car and charge the owner exhorbinant storage fees when the owner is
finally notified and comes to pick up the car. This is an outrageous
situation which the Chief has said must stop.

There are numerous towing companies of varying degrees of honesty in the
DC/MD/VA area. Some 6,000 cars are stolen in DC each year. About 80% of them
are recovered by the police in DC or other states, usually MD or VA. In many
instances, the recovering officer contacts the owner directly. When he can't
reach the owner, a towing company is called to take the car in for safe
keeping until the owner can be located and notified. A lot of recoveries
occur late at night when the police are reluctant to wake up people and ask
them to come to dubious places to get their cars. If the car remained on the
street, it would possibly be stolen again or scavenged for parts.

Even as I write this, there probably  are cars on tow lots within a few miles
of the owners who have no idea that they have been found.

If your car has been stolen in the past year or so, or is stolen in the
future, it may be worth your while to periodically call 2D Detective Larry
Williams on 282-0043 and ask him to check to see if your car has been
located. He can look to see if a notice was sent to the police teletype
system. He is the point person for 2D stolen cars. If you can't reach him,
leave a message for him with Lt. Trippi on the same number. When you call him
you will need the six digit CCN number which is on the report that was taken
at the time of the theft. You'll also need the month it was stolen, and the
tag number and VIN number if you know them.
 

MORE ON KIM WESTON
From:   toddandjean@netzero.net (toddandjean)

Regarding Kim Weston: We used his services a while back.  It may help people
to identify him if they knew he had "bad" teeth, including very loose teeth
in the front.  I don't mean this to be critical of his appearance, but it is
an identifying characteristic, unless he's changed his teeth.
 

CRIMES IN PSA 202, September 1 to October 15
SEXUAL ASSAULT
-- 4500 Burlington,  rape,  9/16,  0300,  sidewalk
ROBBERY
-- 4500 Wisconsin,  snatch,  9/4,  1900,  train car
-- 5300 Wisconsin,  PBS (pktbk snatch),  9/11,  2130,  restaurant
-- 4300 48th,  gun,  10/7,  2200,  supermarket
ASSAULT
-- 4500 40th St.,  9/28, 1845,  street  (closed)
-- 3900 Chesapeake,  9/20,  1150,  school
BURGLARY
-- 4120 Chesapeake,  9/13,  0800, house
-- 4500 Chesapeake,  9/15,  1000, house
-- 4600 Chesapeake,  9/9,  1645,  house
-- 4400 Garrison,  9/14,  0830,  house
-- 4200 39th St.,  9/3,  1500,  other ?
-- 4900 47th,  9/14,  1500,  garage
-- 6 Wesley Circle,  10/1,  2200,  house (not sure this is PSA 202)
-- 4700 Wisconsin, 10/1, 1800, office
THEFT
There were 32  reported thefts.  Locations often include stores, schools,
recreation facilities including health clubs), churches, houses, alleys,
garages, grocery stores,  restaurants, offices,  sidewalks,  hotels,
government buildings, etc.

There is a lot of shoplifting and theft of tools, bicycles, etc. from yards.
Theft of purses hung over backs of restaurant chairs is common. Six thefts
were closed.

THEFT FROM AUTO -- 22
This is a major ongoing problem, especially along the commercial streets.
It's fueled by visible goodies left in the car. The local vagrants and others
know that some people keep parking meter change in the ash tray, and that CDs
can be exchanged for a few dollars at that store in the 4500 blk of
Wisconsin. It's a real nuisance and I would love it if the city posted signs
along Wisconsin Avenue, warning people about the problem. I brought the idea
up at a community meeting recently and was told that the local merchants
probably would not like the idea.
Caveat emptor.

STOLEN AUTO
-- 3600 Windom,  9/15,  1000, street
This is quite remarkable that there has only been one stolen auto in a month
and a half.
Way to go!
THREATS
-- 4500 Van Ness, house
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
-- 4500 Wisconsin, vacant building
-- 4500 Wisconsin, parking lot
-- 3900 Chesapeake,  school
-- 4100 Legation, storage area
-- 4800 41st St., house
-- 4400 Harrison, street
-- 4100 Brandywine, carport
-- 4700 49th, house
-- 4400 Warren, street
-- 3900 Chesapeake, school
-- 3900 Chesapeake, school
-- 4200 Jenifer, street
I don't have the details. It looks as though some might be vandalism and I
suspect some are attempts to break into cars or buildings.

DRUG ARRESTS
--  3900 Chesapeake,  10/5,  2000,  school  (closed)
-- 4600 Wisconsin, 10/4,  1810,  sidewalk  (closed)

For additional sources of crime information, check out the MPD web site at
http://www.mpdc.org.  Selected daily crime reports are listed, by PSA, in a
report submitted by: owner-d2@this-people.com. Contact that e-mail address
and ask to be placed on the list.
 

SUMMARY- Starting January 1, 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
Robbery -- Jan-8; Feb-1; Mar-4; Apr-1; May-4; Jun-4; Jul-5;
Aug-3; Sep-2; Oct-1
Assault -- Jan-1; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-0; May-1; Jun-3; Jul-0;
Aug-2; Sep-2; Oct-0
Burglary -- Jan-2; Feb-6; Mar-10; Apr-6; May-5; Jun-2; Jul-3;
Aug-13; Sep-6; Oct-2
Theft -- Jan-27; Feb-17; Mar-18; Apr-32; May-27; Jun-18; Jul-23;
Aug-29; Sep-26; Oct-6
Theft From Auto-- Jan-18; Feb-34; Mar-9; Apr-13; May-9; Jun-10;
Jul-8; Aug-23; Sep-16; Oct-6
Stolen Auto -- Jan-5; Feb-7; Mar-5; Apr-5; May-6; Jun-3; Jul-3;
Aug-5; Sep-1; Oct-0
Arson -- Jan-0; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-1; May-0; Jun-0; Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-0
Simple Assault/ Threats -- Jan-1; Feb-7; Mar-4; Apr-3; May-6; Jun-1;
Jul-7; Aug-4; Sep-1
Destruction of Property -- Jan-5; Feb-0; Mar-4; Apr-3; May-5; Jun-2;
Jul-2; Aug-3; Sep-9; Oct-3
Fraud/Uttering -- Jan-2; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-0; May-0; Jun-0; Jul-0;
Aug-2; Sep-0; Oct-0
Indecent Exposure Disorder -- Jan-0; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-0; May-0; Jun-0;
Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-0
Breaking & Entering Vending -- Jan-0; Feb-0; Mar; Apr-0; May-0; Jun-0:
Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-0
Drug Possession Arrest -- Jan-1; Feb-0; Mar; Apr-0; May-0; Jun-1; Jul-0;
Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-2
Unlawful Entry Disorder -- Jan-1; Feb-0; Mar-1; Apr-1; May-0; Jun-1; Jul-0;
Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-0
Carrying Pistol Without License Arrest -- Jan-0; Feb-1; Mar; Apr-0; May-0;
Jun-0; Jul-0; Aug-0; Sep-0; Oct-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

Total To Date: 599
Jan - 73;  Feb - 73;  Mar - 59;  Apr - 65;  May - 64; June - 46;  July - 51;
Aug - 84;
Sep - 64; Oct - 20
 

MORE ON THE TOWER

****  From:akgulian@ix.netcom.com (Laura Akgulian)
I'm putting out a call to all Harvard alumni interested in drafting a letter
to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (an affiliate of Harvard). Steve Dodge,
the CEO of American Tower Corp., is a Trustee of Dana-Farber, one of our
nation's preeminent facilities advocating cancer prevention and research. Mr.
Dodge's lack of concern about the possible impact of the tower on our health
and environment runs counter to the Dana-Farber mission. Perhaps, with a
nudge from Harvard alums, the Institute will urge its Trustee to adopt a more
civic-minded way of conducting business. At least we can hope! People can
reach me by e-mail or phone at the numbers below.
Thanks!
Laura (Akgulian)
202-537-5996
akgulian@ix.netcom.com
 

****  From: N3qqb
Many people are concerned about the new tower. The tower is a legal necessity
for all TV broadcasters.  It has been mandated by the FCC that all TV
broadcasts be converted to digital in the coming years.
Some people are concerned about interference. The fact is that digital TV
transmissions will cause considerably less. Analog TV use AM or amplitude
modulation for the picture portion of its transmission. This is a strong
carrier wave with video synchronization signal for the vertical and
horizontal scans that make up the picture.
This signal can be heard on all sorts of devices that can't block them out in
the form of a loud hum. When the transmission is pure digital this will no
longer be the case. The signal will be transmitted on an FM Frequency
modulation carrier wave. FM causes much less interference and will do very
little if anything to add to unwanted noise in devices such as small radios
or intercom systems.
If you are concerned about RF or radio frequency radiation the higher tower
will keep the rf flux or field further away and less danger to the public.
The real danger is the small tower that has been there for many years. It is
a microwave link transmitter and it has been blasting the area with
microwaves at high watt levels for many years.  It is a well-known fact that
microwaves can and do harm to human flesh. That's how they cook your food.
However it is not well known that even in low levels microwaves can cause
changes in the brain fluids in the human brain. This was first observed in
radar operators in the late 1940s. It is even suggested that cell phones used
incorrectly can cause damage to the brain by directing too much RF in to your
head.
So if you want to help this community. Help get rid of the microwave
transmitters and stop worrying about that tower.
 

MORE ON LOCAL RAT PROBLEM

****  From: NancyLeRoy
I'm surprised that garbage is OK just in sealed bags.  I had thought that
garbage had to be contained in garbage cans or closed dumpsters.  I would
imagine even a lazy rat would have no problem getting through a plastic bag.
Aren't closed tops mandatory???

**** From: Anonymous
Concerning the rat problem....  It's more widespread than folks
imagine.  At night, I've seen rats throughout AU Park, even on interior
streets far from the commercial businesses and dumpsters along Mass or Wisc
Avenues.  I've happened upon 3 rats in the last week alone.

Residents needs to realize that THEY THEMSELVES add substantially to the
rat problem, EVEN IF AND WHEN THEY DON'T SEE RATS THEMSELVES.  (They're
nocturnal, after all.)  How?

By using bird feeders.
By feeding pets outside.
By storing pet food, birdseed, etc. in garages.
By placing trash out in plastic bags.
By leaving food residue in recycleables.

Any of these habits will bring rats around before long.   If folks want to
feed the birds, for example, they need to bear in mind that rats will make
their burrow within 25 feet of a reliable food source.  There's a good
chance that rats eventually will set up housekeeping virtually at their
doorstep ... yet almost never be seen.

Yes, commercial establishments need to be hounded about how they manage
their dumpsters and trash.  Commercial food garbage is far and away the
biggest contributor to the rat problem.  But HOMEOWNERS also have to pay
attention to neighborhood hygiene.
 
 

MORE ON LANDLORDS & AU STUDENTS

****  From: rlp@wamu.org (Richard L. Paul)
It seems to me that going to the university to complain about these
students misses the point entirely.  It's the LANDLORDS who we ought
to be putting pressure on if we want this solved.

Does anyone know how we might go about learning who owns these
problem houses?  Once we know who owns the house, I would recommend:
If you're woken up by a loud party, call the landlord and wake HIM or
HER up.  See how long they put up with problem tenants if those
problem tenants are causing THEM to lose sleep, rather than just their
neighbors.
 

****  From: kenanddavida@starpower.net (Kenneth Giles)
       Reply-to: rlp@wamu.org (Richard L. Paul)
That seems logical, but here's what happens.  In our case I happen to know
who the landlord is - even more unusual, he lives in the neighborhood. I have
his name, address and phone number.  Neighborhood delegations and individuals
have written him, gone to his house and called him at all hours.  He has an
answering machine and does not return our calls, he refuses to open his door
to us (believe me, he recognizes us!) and he has refused to accept our
registered mail.

The police know who and where he is, of course, but he isn't guilty of any
crime so they can't do anything.

He is at the student house occasionally (4528 Burlington Place) and whenever
I see him I go talk to him.  He has told me that as long as the students pay
their rent on time there is nothing he can do.  That is nonsense, of course,
but the neighborhood can't force him to evict them.

Just last night, a little after 10:00, there was a great deal of noise on my
street.  About a half-dozen males were outside the student house, another
was in front of my house drinking out of a large clear bottle - the kind gin
or vodka comes in.  A taxi had just pulled up, and four young women,
minimally dressed except for tall boots, got out.  The "party" then got so
loud that the police were called, and the "students" took it inside.  They
woke the neighborhood, of course, several hours later when the party broke
up.

If you have any suggestions about dealing with the landlord, I'd love to
hear them.

--------------

>From Kathy Smith:  I have a question for our Police and US Attorneys:
Could the above situation be called a nuisance property? Is this landlord the
owner of a house that could be shut down because of the behavior of those
living there -- loud noise, public drinking, perhaps underage drinking? It
sounds like a pretty bawdy house to me.
What about this?