Dear Neighbor,
    The first Street Smart came out in May, 1991.  Like so much else, it has
been affected by the digital divide. Two years ago it went online under the
name
Communit-E. That e-mail edition has become very popular and has grown to
include, in addition to the police and crime prevention news, information
about neighborhood events, meetings, local controversies, and a number of
things that have little or nothing to do with crime in the 'Hood but do have
a lot to do with the 'Hood in general.

    Because it is quick and easy to disseminate, I put it out weekly or as
items come to my attention. Sometimes it becomes a forum for other residents
to express their views. Our 2D Police Commander - Peter Newsham, Sgt. Bobby
Ladson and several Assistant U.S. Attorneys also receive it. It has become a
good way to get information to their attention.

    Over the years, a great many people have copied and distributed Street
Smart on their blocks, for which I and their recipients are very grateful.  A
lot of trees gave their all for Street Smart.

    The time has come to cut down the paper distribution so that only those
residents who are not on e-mail will get the paper copy which will continue
to be called Street Smart to distinguish it from its more outgoing sister.
All those on e-mail are invited to contact me at Ksmith1804@aol.com and get
on the online mailing list for Communit-E.

    Therefore, if you're not on e-mail, call your distributor
(Name)----------------------------
at (Phone Number)--------------------- and ask to continue to get the paper
copy. If you're on e-mail, contact me.

    And again, my thanks to the people who care enough to help keep their
neighbors informed about public safety issues.
 

THEFT FROM AUTO
This is the problem flavor of the month. Has been for some time. Please,
please don't leave items visible in the car. This includes CDs which can
easily be turned in for cash, no questioned asked, at the store in
Tenleytown.  2D Lieutenants Carter and White are doing an analysis of the
theft from auto problem in 2D. Apparently it's a tough crime for making
arrests and prosecution. One more instance where some crimes seem to pay.
 

From:   MPDC2DCMDR (Peter Newsham):
Thank you for sending the newsletter.  It will be nice to be in the loop.
Also, You might want to let your readers know that we are having an overall
2D problem with Thefts from Autos.  We have reductions in every other crime.
Most of the thefts occur when people are leaving property that is visible
from outside of the vehicle - - - - -- - - cell phones, cameras, and lap tops
are the main targets.  Please let your readers know how not to be a victim.
We will be establishing a district wide plan to address this problem.  Take
care.
 
 

WANTED POSTERS AND POLICE IMPERSONATORS
Some wanted posters  are now going up on the MPD Web Site: www.mpdc.org.
There are two scammers who are posing as D.C. Police detectives in 4D.
There's nothing stopping them from showing up here. They call ahead, show a
badge, get inside, and trick people out of money with some story.  One
suspect is a black male, tall, 40's - 50's, medium to dark complexion with
moles on his cheeks. The other is a white male, tall, thin face 30's - 40's,
short black hair, skinny.

Legitimate police detectives will never ask you for money, for any reason. If
you get a call from a detective, asking to come and talk to you, you can
verify such an individual by calling the 2D detectives at 282-0044. When the
detective arrives, ask to see his ID and picture. If you aren't satisfied,
don't let him in. Call the Detectives Office and ask that he be accompanied
to the door by a uniformed officer.

If you come into contact with these two scammers, call Detective Vince Tucci
at the Financial Crimes and Fraud Unit (202) 727-4159.

Remember that there are a lot of scams out here, including some from people
who claim to be in law enforcement. Telephone fraud is a big money-maker for
crooks, as is the door to door variety.
 

AND SPEAKING OF SCAMS
It's that time of year again when the property repair and lawn clean up
scammers return to the area.  It's important to get a second opinion from
friends or neighbors before hiring anyone to do work around the house. Best
to play it safe and not hire an unknown person who comes to your door,
offering to do work.
 

MAYOR AND VAGRANTS / HOMELESS TASK FORCE
I just learned that the Mayor has a task force going on vagrancy and homeless
issues. Anyone know anything about this?  Under the present laws, there
doesn't appear to be anything that anyone can do to get rid of the street
vagrants unless they engage in aggressive panhandling or are a danger to
others or themselves.

It's sad to watch some of these poor souls, living as no human being should
have to live. Yet they are so mentally ill that they refuse help that is
available. Friendship Place can offer help and urge them repeatedly to take
it, but it cannot compel them to accept it. Some of them may be carrying
infectious diseases. Others are drug and/or alcohol abusers and hang around
with too much time in idle hands. I have asked Commander Newsham to comment
on the relationship, if any,  between street vagrants and some of our
property crimes like theft and theft from auto.
 
 

US ATTORNEY WILMA  LEWIS
At the recent 2D Citizens Advisory Council meeting, Ms. Lewis gave a very
interesting talk and conducted a Q&A that went on for several hours.  Michael
Stern from the Corporation Counsel also spoke and answered questions. A
number of Assistant U.S. Attorneys were present and there was a wide range of
topics addressed, including the new Community Prosecution Program.
 

Major players in Community Prosecution for PSA 202 are:
Charlene Graves -- Community Outreach Specialist -- 282-0583
Heidi Pasichow -- Chief, Major Crimes Section -- 307-9999;
heidi.pasichow@usdoj.gov
Richard Tischner -- Grand Jury Section -- 514-7642; richard.tischner@usdoj.gov
John Irving -- Misdemeanors -- 514-7696; john.irving@usdoj.gov

Several questions concerned the proposed marijuana legislation. Ms. Lewis
emphasized that the issue is bringing the District into line with the
surrounding states so that DC does not become the gathering pit for buying
and selling marijuana. Apparently the gang activity for this drug is getting
to be every bit as ferocious as for Crack. She emphasized that mere
possession and possible future medical use are not part of the proposed
legislation.

One member of the audience said he was concerned about so many young black
males going to prison. Ms. Lewis agreed that was a problem but said that she
was even more concerned about the residents who were frightened and felt
trapped in their homes because of the drug activity on their streets, and the
violence travelling with it.

In answer to one general question regarding what charges are brought, for any
arrest, she said that the prosecutor must believe that each element of the
crime can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt before they proceed with
prosecution. They may not have all the facts at the beginning but they must
believe they have the kernels of truth, she said. In other words, unless a
case is pretty solid, it doesn't move.

Some reasons were given as to why charges are pled down to lesser charges.
Sometimes it enables the AUSA to get a one day bench trial before a judge
that will probably result in a conviction instead of a three or more day jury
trail that has a serious chance of not getting a conviction.  Sometimes a
lesser charge will result in some jail time, if even just a few months,
whereas a more serious charge is likely to result in immediate parole with
the defendant back on the street. Apparently the law is full of these arcane
little twists that are not obvious to the uninitiated citizen.

Over time, I hope, with the help of various AUSAs,  to learn more of them and
share them with you. The US Attorney now has a web site - www.usdoj.gov/usao/d
c.
 

THE NEXT GREAT SOCIAL REVOLUTION
Here is an issue for future discussion:  No matter how well we police and
prosecute  and incarcerate the current crop of criminals, there is an
unending flow coming behind them unless we start doing serious intervention
at the level of abused and neglected children, domestic violence, and other
early influences that help turn children into adult criminals. Our criminal
justice system, from police through incarceration, is huge and incredibly
expensive. That doesn't even count security costs and insurance rates and the
price of goods to offset theft from stores, and fraud. We are paying through
the nose to protect our persons and our property, yet there is no guaranteed
protection. When we are a victim, it can destroy our sense of happiness and
well being, if not our health and life. There is no end in sight under the
way we are currently doing business. Crime continues.

Therefore, as a society, we need to strengthen and coordinate all the various
elements working on prevention and early intervention so that we can tackle
crime proactively rather than the expensive and inefficient retroactive
method that we now use. Please think about it.
 

CRIMES IN PSA 202 FROM FEBRUARY 1 TO FEBRUARY 27
ROBBERY
- P/P (pick/pocket),  2/4,  unknown
BURGLARY
- 4100 Legation, house
- 4000 Warren, house
- 3800 Warren,  house
- 3700 Windom,  house, attempt
- 4800 Massachusetts,  supermarket
- 4400 Fessenden,  house
THEFT
- 4000 Brandywine,  unknown
- 5100 Wisconsin,  drug store (closed)
- 5200 Wisconsin,  restaurant
- 5300 Wisconsin,  retail store (closed)
- 5200 Western,  department store
- 5400 Western,  hospital
- 4500 40th St,  grocery store
- 4700 41st St,  construction site
- 5300 42nd Pl,  house
- 5200 44th,  unknown
- 4100 46th,  house
- 4800 46th,  house
THEFT FROM AUTO
(two in carport; rest in street)
- 4400 Albemarle
- 4300 Alton
- 4400 Alton,  attempt
- 4200 Wisconsin
- 4600 Wisconsin
- 5100 Wisconsin
- 5300 Wisconsin
- 4700 Belt
- 4700 Belt
- 4700 Belt
- 4300 Jenifer
- 5100 42nd St
- 5200 43rd St
- 5300 43rd St
- 5300 43rd St,  attempt
- 4400 45th,  attempt
- 4200 Ingomar
- 4400 Garrison
- 4400 Garrison
- 4400 Garrison
- 4400 Garrison
- 4400 Garrison
- 4500 Garrison
- 4500 Garrison
- 4200 Harrison
- 4300 Military
- 4600 49th
- 4600 49th
STOLEN AUTO
- 5300 43rd St,  street
- 4900 46th,  street
- 4200 37th,  street
- 3900 Yuma,  street
- 4400 Windom,  street
- 4900 Chesapeake
SIMPLE ASSAULT
- 4400 Sedgwick, house (closed)
- 4900 Wisconsin, street (closed)
- 5000 Wisconsin, restaurant (closed)
- 5300 Wisconsin, discount store (closed)
- 4500 40th St., bus (closed)
CPWL (carrying a pistol without a license),  3900 Windom,  street (closed)

SUMMARY: Starting January 1, 2000
Sex Abuse (non rape) 1
Robbery 9
Assault 1
Burglary 8
Theft 39
Theft From Auto 48
Stolen Auto 11
Simple Assault 6
Destruction of Property 5
Drug Possession 1
Fraud 2
Unlawful Entry Disorder 1
CPWL 1

Total: 133
 

Continued thanks to the A.U. Park Citizens Association and the ANC3E.
 

                                                            Kathy Smith