Retired MRPD Chief's Discussion

Since the first Monday in January falls on the New Year's Day holiday, the monthly Chat with the Chief will be re-scheduled to Monday January 8th from 7-9 PM at Artmosphere cafe.

Yesterday, the FBI released its Uniform Crime Report data for the first half of 2006. The data shows violent crime, particularly robberies and assaults, continuing an alarming upswing that began in 2005. An article in today's Washington Post article quotes criminal justice experts as saying, "Many communities, particularly those in urbanized areas, may be headed into a period of sustained crime increases ..." Not encouraging news, but not unexpected considering the significant increases we have experienced here in Mount Rainier over the past 12 months. As to the causes, the Bush Administration's cutbacks in aid to local law enforcement to help fund anti-terrorism activities and the war in Iraq, more than $2 Billion since 2002, is right at the top. James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University in Boston, was quoted as saying: "It's robbing Peter, and maybe even murdering Peter, to pay Paul." I could not agree more. Hopefully, our new Co

12/16/06 4000 block 35th St: Citizen armed robbery 12/16/06 3700 block 35th St: Citizen armed robbery 12/16/06 3100 block Queens Chapel Rd: Simple assault on victim 12/16/06 3200 block Rhode Island Av: Arrestee driving while impaired by alcohol 12/16/06 2900 block Allison St: Citation issued for public drinking 12/16/06 4200 block 28th St: Theft from auto 12/15/06 3400 Ceder Lane Alley: Suspects arrested for drug possession 12/15/06 2400 block Arundel Rd: Residential break and enter 12/15/06 4000 block 29th St: Break and enter commercial business 12/14/06 3300 block Rhode Island Av: Citation issued for urinating in public 12/14/06 2300 block Varnum St: Commercial armed robbery 12/14/06 3700 block Quincy St: Traffic stop, driver arrested for possessing drugs and a loaded handgun 12/14/06 3800 block Eastern Av: Break and enter commercial business 12/14/06 3700 block Quincy St: Traffic stop, individual arrested on an open warrant 12/14/06 4200 block 31st St: Vandalism to re

The police activity residents witnessed this morning was MRPD and PGPD Emergency Services officers responding to a barricade situation in the 3200 block of Varnum Street. At about 6:30 AM, MRPD officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on an individual who barricaded himself in the basement of a private residence. This individual implied that he had a weapon and threatened to kill police if they came in after him. At this point our officers left the residence, set up a security perimeter, and called the Prince George’s County Police Emergency Services Team for assistance. PGPD EST responded and took command of the scene. EST attempted to negotiate with the individual for his peaceful surrender, but was unsuccessful. EST’s use of tear gas also failed to entice him out of the residence. EST officers then made entry into the house and were able to subdue and apprehend him without injury.

Christmas Trees When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Although this label is not a guarantee that the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate that the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches when bent between your fingers, and needles do not break. The cut base of the tree’s trunk is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the fresh tree should not lose many needles. Wholesale Christmas tree growers generally harvest their mass-market trees in mid to late October. If you buy a tree from your local garden center (Lowe’s, Home Depot), nursery store, high volume discount store or from a lot operated by a service club, you are most likely getting a tree that can be as much as two months old before it gets to your home. You should ask the seller when his/her trees were cut and shop around for the freshest cut tree p

These tips will be coming to you in the December/January iss ue of The Message , but I thought it would be useful to post them here as well. Although these tips are particularly useful during the holiday season, you should be mindful of them all year long. Since crime peaks during the holiday season, it’s important that you learn how to keep yourselves and your loved ones out of harm’s way. Criminals look for the easiest opportunity when deciding where and when to commit a crime. Shoppers, particularly women, can be vulnerable to crimes such as theft, robbery and assault. The following crime prevention tips and recommendations will help you make your holiday shopping a safe and happy experience. · Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Knowing what is around you can keep you from being surprised, and it also allows you time to react if something appears suspicious. · Display confidence. Criminals tend to choose a victim who looks like an easy target.

12/09/06 3200 block Queenstown Dr: Suspect(s) stole auto 12/09/06 2900 block Arundel Rd: Non-aggravated assault arrest 12/09/06 2700 block Allison: Destruction of property 12/09/06 3400 block Newton St: Theft from auto 12/09/06 2700 block Allison St: Suspect(s) stole auto 12/08/06 4200 block 28th St: Suspect(s) stole auto 12/07/06 3200 block Queens Chapel Rd: Theft from business 12/06/06 4000 block 29th St: Theft from auto 12/06/06 4100 block Russell Av: Theft from auto 12/06/06 3800 block 32nd St: Theft from auto 12/05/06 4300 block 28th Pl: Suspect(s) stole auto 12/04/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Vandalism to property 12/04/06 4300 block 28th Pl: Theft from auto 12/04/06 3200 block Chillum Rd: Suspects tried to rob victim 12/04/06 2700 block Arundel Rd: Vandalism to auto 12/03/06 3500 block Bunker Hill Rd: Auto fire 12/03/06 3800 block 33rd St: Burglary and CDS arrest 12/03/06 4200 block Russell Av: Warrant Service during vehicle check 12/03/06 4000 block 34th St

The following safety video was produced by the Broward County Sheriff's Department (Florida) and provides important safety information to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. http://video.sheriff.org/psa_cartheft.shtml

12/02/06 4200 block Rainier Ave: Vandalism to auto 12/02/06 4100 block 30th St: Vandalism to auto 12/01/06 3300 block Chauncey Pl: Open warrant served after loitering stop 12/01/06 2300 block Varnum St: Suspects attempt commercial robbery 12/01/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Suspect cited for drinking in pubic 11/29/06 3100 block Queens Chapel Rd: Suspect arrested after citizen robbery 11/29/06 4200 Russell Av: Vandalism to auto 11/28/06 4200 block Rainier Av: Theft from auto 11/28/06 3300 block Chillum Rd: Vandalism to commercial business 11/28/06 3200 block Perry St: Theft from residential home 11/28/06 4100 block 34th St: House fire 11/27/06 3300 block Rhode Island Av: Suspect cited for drinking in public 11/26/06 4700 block 27th St: Theft from residential apartment 11/26/06 4400 block 28th St: Theft from auto 11/26/06 4000 block 33rd St: Theft of auto

I received this information via e-mail this morning. This is why I like to get holiday gift cards from my bank. Crooks have found a way to rob you of your gift card balance. If you buy gift cards from a display rack that has various store cards, you may become a victim of theft. Crooks jot down the card numbers in the store and then wait a few days and call to see how much of a balance they have on the card. Once they find the card is "activated", they go online and start shopping. You may want to purchase your card(s) from the store's customer service window where the gift cards are not viewable by the public. For more information on this scam, check out the information on Snopes.com. http://www.snopes.com/fraud/sales/giftcard.asp

11/24/06 3200 block Varnum St: Suspect arrested and served with warrant 11/24/06 3800 block 31st St: Theft from auto 11/24/06 3300 block Chillum Rd: Petty theft from business 11/24/06 3800 block34th St: Commercial armed robbery 11/23/06 28th & Taylor Sts: Theft from auto 11/23/06 4500 block 30th St: Unknown suspects rob victim 11/23/06 3700 block 36th St: Unknown suspects rob delivery person 11/22/06 4200 block Kaywood Dr: Theft from auto 11/22/06 4200 block 28th St: Theft from auto 11/22/06 4100 block Russell Av: Unknown suspect(s) stole auto 11/22/06 2300 block Varnum St: Commercial armed robbery 11/22/06 2800 block Taylor St: Vandalism to auto 11/20/06 3400 Rhode Island Av: Carjacking by gunpoint

11/18/06 3700 block 35th St: 2nd Degree assault by three suspects 11/18/06 4300 block Russell Av: Citizen strong-arm robbery 11/18/06 3500 block 34th St: Stolen auto 11/18/06 3300 block Otis St: Vandalism to auto 11/18/06 2300 block Varnum Rd: Theft from auto 11/18/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Defendant arrested for possession crack cocaine 11/17/06 3600 block Perry St: Theft from a tow truck driver 11/17/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Citizen robbery by 4 suspects 11/16/06 3200 block Chillum Rd: Attempt 2nd degree rape 11/16/06 4300 block Russell Av: Theft from auto 11/16/06 3400 block Shepherd St: Suspect(s) broke into victim’s home, laptop stolen 11/14/06 4200 block 30th St: Victim bitten by dog - no serious injury 11/12/06 2900 block Arundel Rd: Three males cited for alcohol in public 11/12/06 3700 block 36th St: Property damaged by suspect(s)

The Mount Rainier Police Department would like your help in locating the individual pictured below. He is identified as Eric Xavier Teachey, an African American male with black hair, brown eyes, about 5'10" tall and 145 lbs. We have an open arrest warrant charging him in two commercial burglaries of a business on Rhode Island Avenue, and we believe he may be responsible in at least four others on RI Avenue and 34th Street. If you know Mr. Teachey's whereabouts or if you see him on the street, please call Mount Rainier Police Communications at 301-985-6565 or 6566. Please do not attempt to stop or confront him, just call us immediately and let us know where you last saw him and as much of a description of him as possible. Please be detailed with clothing descriptions, and if he is in a vehicle, the make model, color, license plate number and last direction of travel.

Beginning Monday December 4th, residents and other interested individuals will have a monthly opportunity to meet with me to discuss issues affecting public safety, police and other City services, or any other matter you feel the need to get off your chest. I have arranged with Dyrell Madison to use the Artmosphere Cafe on the first Monday of each month betwen 7 and 9 PM for these meetings. So come on out, bring your thoughts and ideas, and have a chat with the Chief.

Our new police cruiser, purchased with monies received from the County Executive's Livable Communities Grant, is now on the road! This new vehicle is assigned to Corporal Vic Kenworthy as he patrols both Mount Rainier and the Town of Brentwood. It is a visible symbol of our cooperative relationship with the residents and businesses of Brentwood as " Partners In Community Policing ."

Remember this e-mail address: citizendetective@mountrainiermd.org The police department and the City's code enforcement officers need your help! We have established the above e-mail address so that residents can confidentially e-mail us information they may have about crime suspects, suspicious persons, suspected criminal activity or the existence of nuisances and other code enforcement concerns. Please let us know anything that you think will help solve an ongoing problem or prevent a future one. Even if you think your suspicions or information would not amount to much - you never know. The infamous Son of Sam was identified from a parking ticket . Remember, details are important: names, detailed descriptions of people and motor vehicles (tag numbers!), locations, times - as much as you know, or think you know. This e-mail account will be monitored daily by the Chief and our Operations Commander, LT Jimmy Stoots. The origin of any information will not be divulged to anyone

11/10/06 4500 block 31st St: 2nd degree arson to auto 11/10/06 3100 block Taylor St: Vandalism to auto 11/10/06 3800 block 34th St: Commercial burglary 11/10/06 35th & Rhode Island Av: Armed suspects assault and rob victim 11/10/06 Buchanan St & Chillum Rd: Suspect cited for drug paraphernalia 11/10/06 3510 Rhode Island Av: Unknown suspect(s) break into church 11/10/06 4300 block Kaywood Dr: Arrest for domestic assault 11/09/06 Police Headquarters: Open warrant served 11/08/06 4200 block 31st St: Vandalism to auto 11/08/06 4300 block 28th Pl: Vandalism to auto 11/07/06 4200 block 28th St: Vandalism to auto 11/08/06 One Municipal Pl: Citation issued for alcohol in public 11/08/06 3200 block Arundel Rd: Traffic stop, citations issued for open alcohol 11/07/06 2700 block Arundel Rd: Ten teens removed from vacant apartment 11/07/06 3200 block Varnum St: Theft of auto 11/07/06 4300 block 31St: Domestic call, recovered handgun for safekeeping 11/06/06 3200 block Per

11/04/06 3600 block 34th St: Attempted traffic stop, suspect caught by DC K-9 unit 11/03/06 4200 block 28th St: Unknown suspects attempt to steal vehicle 11/03/06 2500 block Queens Chapel Rd: Physical fight between family members 11/02/06 3300 block Chauncey Pl: Unknown suspects cause damage to auto 11/01/06 3200 block Rhode Island Av: Arrestee was causing a disturbance 10/31/06 4200 block Russell Av: Destruction to property 10/31/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Arrestee charged after brandishing knife in public 10/31/06 4000 block 34th St: Vandalism to auto 10/31/06 3300 block Chauncy Pl: Two suspects issued citations for alcohol in public 10/31/06 3700 block 34th St: Theft from auto 10/30/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Unknown suspect(s) break and enter business 10/29/06 3300 block Buchanan St: Attempt theft of auto 10/29/06 3100 block Queens Chapel Rd: Vandalism to auto 10/29/06 3200 block Rhode Island Av: Vandalism to auto 10/29/06 2700 block Allison St: Theft of auto

10/28/06 3300 block Chillum Rd: Suspect questioned after stating he had weapon 10/28/06 4100 Russell Av: Unknown suspect(s) break and enter victim’s apartment 10/27/06 3100 block Queens Chapel Rd: Subject cited for sleeping in vacant apartment 10/27/06 3500 Bunker Hill Rd: Emergency petition for transport to hospital 10/27/06 3500 block Rhode Island Av: Arrestee cited for open alcohol 10/26/06 3800 block 34th St: Stolen vehicle report 10/25/06 3300 block Rhode Island Av: Vandalism to auto 10/24/06 4300 block 28th Pl: Theft of property by breaking and entering 10/23/06 4200 block 28th St: Suspect robs victim of money and property 10/23/06 3100 block Webster St: Unknown suspect(s) damaged vehicle 10/22/06 2700 block Queens Chapel Rd: Strong-arm robbery by carjacking suspect

On October 14th at about 11 a.m. a black Honda Accord was taken in a carjacking from the Cypress Creek apartment complex. After the carjacking a silver 4-door Dodge Stratus was seeing fleeing the area with the black Honda Accord. Since October 14th, both of these vehicle have been involved in several persons crimes in the District I area, including Mount Rainier, the latest occurring this afternoon. The black Honda Accord is displaying Maryland registration plates MPH 085, and the Dodge Stratus is displaying DC tags BL 3715. Anyone observing either of these vehicles is encouraged to immediately call police at 301-985-6565/6566.

10/21/06 2900 block Allison St: Assault 1st degree after suspect displayed handgun 10/20/06 3100 block Queens Chapel Rd: Theft from auto 10/20/06 3500 block 37th St: Theft – pocket book snatch 10/20/06 4000 block 30th St: Vandalism to auto 10/19/06 3600 block Oak Lane: Abduction/rape 10/19/06 36th & Perry St: Citizen robbed by unknown suspect(s) 10/19/06 3800 block 34th St: Strong-arm robbery by carjacking suspect 10/17/06 3200 block Rhode Island Av: Assault on a police officer by public drinking suspect 10/17/06 4300 block Kaywood Dr: Theft from auto 10/16/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Breaking and entering commercial business 10/16/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Strong-arm robbery by unknown suspect(s) 10/16/06 3200 block Queens Chapel Rd: Theft of vehicle 10/15/06 3500 block Rhode Island Av: Suspect(s) broke into home to steal property 10/15/06 3200 block Chillum Rd: Theft of vehicle 10/15/06 4100 block 30th St: Suspect robbed victim with handgun 10/15/06 430

10/14/06 4105 block Russell Av: Theft of auto 10/14/06 4500 30th St: Theft of bike 10/14/06 3300 Chauncey Pl: Arrestee found to have open warrant 10/14/06 4200 block Russell Av: Unknown suspect(s) steal auto 10/14/06 3400 Rhode Island Av: Subject attempted to cash fraudulent check 10/13/06 2900 block Allison St: Theft from auto 10/13/06 3100 block Queens Chapel Rd: Arrestee found to have crack cocaine 10/13/06 3200 Chillum Rd: Juvenile missing report filed 10/11/06 3300 block Chauncey Rd: Unknown suspect(s) broke into coin machine 10/10/06 2200 block Varnum St: Subject arrested on open warrant 10/10/06 4200 block Russell Av: Theft from auto 10/09/06 3300 block Chauncey Pl: Arrestees were trespassing in vacant apt 10/09/06 3700 block 35th St: Call to fight- subject arrested on open warrant 10/09/06 1 Municipal Pl: Subject cited for drinking in public 10/09/06 3000 block Arundel: Unknown suspects steal auto and rob victim 10/08/06 4300 block 28th Pl: Citizen armed robbery

10/07/06 3700 block 37th St: Victim reported residential breaking and entering 10/07/06 2200 block Varnum Rd: Armed carjacking at gunpoint 10/07/06 3200 Perry St: Suspects attempt fight with victim on property 10/06/06 4100 block Russell Av: Suspects rob victim after entering car 10/06/06 3300 block Chauncey Pl: Individual arrested for trespassing after warning to vacate 10/06/06 3900 block Perry St: Vehicle towed because driver’s license suspended 10/06/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: 2nd break in attempt at commercial business 10/05/06 4100 block Utah (Brentwood): Arrest for open warrant after suspicious vehicle stop 10/05/06 3200 block Rhode Island Av: Attempt break in at commercial business 10/05/06 3400 block Rhode Island Av: Unknown suspect(s) break into business 10/05/06 2900 block Allison St: Unknown suspect(s) threw stone through window 10/05/06 4000 block 34th St: Unknown suspect removed window to business 10/05/06 3310 Chillum Rd: Suspect stole food from 7-11

I was interviewed by Fox 5's Karen Gray Houston last week regarding our proactive checks of sex offenders who live in the City. It was aired on the 5 o'clock edition but not at 10. If you missed it, here is a link to the full story on Fox 5's web site. Warning, you will have to watch a short advertising video before the story begins. http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=1031844&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Crime : The yearly totals that now include the month of September 2006 showed an overall increase of 7.83% over the same period last year. This increase in our overall crime rate is still being driven by increases in robberies (up 139%) and aggravated assaults (up 37%). These are preliminary numbers compiled for this report only, and may be revised as we review crime data for our September UCR submission. Final figures should be available after October 7th. Staffing: As of the date of this report, we have filled four of our six vacancies. We have two applicants for the two remaining vacancies, and we are moving along with their background investigation process. OFC Mike Halterlein is in his last week of field training, and I anticipate that he will be released to independent patrol as of Friday October 6th. OFC Crystal Goldring has completed her firearms training with the Prince George’s Municipal police academy. We are still awaiting a return from the FBI on her criminal backgro

10/02/06 3400 block Rhode Island Ave: Citation issued for drinking in public 10/01/06 25th & Queens Chapel Rd: Traffic violation caused vehicle impound 10/01/06 3400 block Rhode Island Ave: Suspect stole bike while victim shopped 10/01/06 4700 block 25th St: Domestic dispute requiring police assistance 10/1/06 3200 block Rhode Island Ave: Unknown suspect(s) stole tools from vehicle 10/01/06 3300 block Chauncy Pl: Suspect arrested for intoxication in public 09/29/06 2700 block Allison St: Suspect ran up to victim and snatched purse 09/29/06 3400 block Rhode Island Ave: Suspect cited for urinating in public 09/28/06 31St & Upshur St: Suspect arrested driving stolen vehicle 09/28/06 4200 block 28th St: Vandalism and theft from auto 09/28/06 3100 block Perry St: Victim reports threat from acquaintance 09/27/06 3300 block Chauncy Pl: Juvenile arrested and released to parent 09/26/06 3400 block Newton Pl: Citizen armed robbery by two males 09/26/06 3

9/23/06 4300 block Russell Ave: Vandalism to auto by unknown persons 9/23/06 33rd St & Perry St: Suspect arrested for alcohol and disorderly conduct 9/22/06 3300 Rhode Island Ave: Traffic stop, driver arrested driving stolen car/no license 9/21/06 3600 block Perry St: Victim assaulted by juveniles during encounter 9/21/06 2310 Varnum S: Suspect snatched and ran with chips from 7-11 store 9/21/06 3210 Chillum Rd: Subject checked for suspicious activity in parking lot 9/21/06 3100 Queenstown Dr: Unknown suspect(s) rob and ransack apartment 9/21/06 3000 Queens Chapel Rd: Unknown suspect(s) steal vehicle overnight 9/20/06 3300 block Buchanan St: Victim reports suspect breaking into auto 9/20/06 4200 Kaywood Dr: Victim reports vehicle stolen – arrest made in DC 9/20/06 Buchanan St: Two individuals issued citations for drinking beer in public 9/19/06 3210 Queens Chapel Rd: Citizen robbed while walking from 7-11 store at 3 am 9/19/06 3300 block Buchanan St: Suspect(s) steal i

08/01/06 Allison & 30th St: Unknown suspect(s) stole bike from residence 08/01/06 30th & Shepherd St: Attempt theft of vehicle in front of residence 08/02/06 4000 block 32nd St: Stolen property from residence 08/02/06 Buchanan St & Queens Town Dr: Victim assaulted crossing field 8:30pm 08/04/06 3000 block Taylor St: Residential break in – stolen bicycle 08/04/06 3400 block Newton St: Carjacking at approximately 1:30 am 08/04/06 4300 block 28th Place: Burglary by unknown suspect(s) 08/04/06 3600 Eastern Ave: Suspect was found to be in possession of heroin 08/04/06 4205 Eastern Ave: Suspect arrested for disorderly conduct at 9:30 pm 08/05/06 3300 block Chauncey Pl: Strong-arm robbery by suspect on bike 08/05/06 3100 block Upshur St: Unknown suspect(s) vandalized auto at 5:30 am 08/05/06 2400 block Chillum Rd: Warrant served on suspect who fled from police 08/05/06 4000 block 33rd St: Vehicle sto

Staffing : In my June report to Mayor & Council I talked about the status of vacancies in the police department. At that time we had six vacancies and I had anticipated filling at least four of those by August 1st. Regrettably, I did not achieve this goal. As of the date of this report, we have filled only three of our six vacancies. We have three applicants for the remaining vacancies, all of whom are recent graduates of the Prince George’s County Municipal Police Academy. We are moving along with their background investigation process. Two of the three officers we have just hired will be sworn in at the September 5th Council meeting – Officers Crystal Goldring and Kirk Banton. Our third new officer, Aaron Wilson is scheduled to start on September 5th. He cannot be sworn in until the November Council meeting because he will not reach the age of 21 until October 25th and is therefore ineligible for police officer status until after that date. Officer Michael Halterlein will

This morning, a citizen called A/LT Stoots and advised him that she had received a call from a telephone solicitor who stated that he was raising money for the Mount Rainier Police injured officers fund. Both the Mount Rainier Police Department and the Mount Rainier Fraternal Order of Police were unaware that such a solicitation was being conducted, and neither the Department nor the FOP has authorized any company or organization to solicit contributions for any purpose. Should you receive a call from anyone asking for contributions to this bogus charity, please do not pledge them any money or give them your credit card or other personal information. Please pass this information along to your neighbors and any City mailing list to which you subscribe.

Below is the text of my remarks on the occasion of my swearing in as your Chief of Police: For the last four of my 31 years in law enforcement I have served the Mt. Rainier Police Department in a variety of positions, both civilian and sworn. In all the positions I’ve held, from accounts payable, to Records Manager, First Sergeant and Lieutenant, I have been successful in engaging the loyalty and respect of the men and women of the Department. As a police commander, I have always demanded a high level of professionalism and service to the community, and have worked diligently to ingrain a strong community policing philosophy into our operations. These two qualities, professionalism and community service are the foundation of effective relationships with all those, both within and outside our community, who have a stake in ensuring the safety and quality of life of our residents. As your newly sworn police chief, I look forward to improving the department’s sense of “community” as it

This is how it's supposed to work: Last Thursday at about 10 AM, I was patrolling in the neighborhood of 29th and Taylor Streets when Communications dispatched a call for a suspicious looking individual walking up and down 29th Street. The caller was concerned that he was possibly "casing" the neighborhood for an opportunity to break into a house or a parked vehicle. The person who called in the complaint did not give their name, only that they lived on 29th Street. The caller gave a good description of the individual, and when Communications broadcast the lookout, I realized that I had just passed him on the street not two minutes before. I immediately drove around the block and saw the individual walking down 29th towards Webster. After a short period of disagreement on his part as to whether or not he should stop and talk with me, I was finally able to get his identification and call in a wanted check. Several minutes passed, and as we waited, he tried to convince me t

June 9, 2006 Michael E. Scott appointed Chief of Police Chief Michael Scott has served with the Mount Rainier Police since August of 2002. After serving as the Acting Chief since January 2006, City Manager Jeannelle Wallace appointed him as the Chief with the full support of the Mayor and Council. Prior to coming to Mt. Rainier, Chief Scott served with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division, from 1975 until his retirement as Support Services Branch Commander in 1997. After his retirement from active duty, he continued to serve with the Park Police as their computer operations and network manager before coming to MRPD in 2002. With over 30 years in police work, Chief Scott has acquired extensive supervisory and command experience, along with advanced training in liability management through the Local Government Insurance Trust, police ethics and community policing. He participated in the development of “Leadership ‘96,” an award-winning leadership prog

In May 2006, The Department of veterans Affairs (VA) discovered that personal information for over 26 million veterans and their spouses was stolen during a robbery at the home of a VA data analyst. The stolen information includes names, social security numbers, disability ratings and dates of birth of veterans who have retired since 1972. Because the stolen information could support large scale identity theft, the VA will send letters to those veterans and their families whose information was stolen. The VA is advising that anyone receiving a notification letter should consider placing a fraud alert on their credit files. This will alert creditors to verify applicant information before opening or changing any accounts. Additionally, the VA has established a dedicated toll free telephone number, 1-800-333-4636, in order to answer victim's questions. Possible victims should also be advised to contact the affected financial institutions and to file a report with the Federal Trade Com

Over the past week or so the police department has been receiving reports of a suspicious person knocking on doors late in the evening. This individual has apparently tried to talk his way into homes, and although purporting to sell home alarm systems, did not identify himself as an authorized salesperson for any alarm company. Our investigation into these incidents revealed that there is one individual who is a legitimate salesperson for Honeywell home security systems who has been operating in the residential areas of the City. He has been identified as Mr. Jared Arcus, and as of May 31st, the City has issued him a Solicitor’s Permit. His permit is valid through December 31st, 2006. Now, just because we have identified this one individual as being a legitimate solicitor, a word of caution is in order. Residents must still be wary when individuals come to their door whom they do not know and whom they do not expect. Never let anyone into your home unless they produce valid identificat

This evening at approximately 5 PM MRPD officers responded to the 3700 block of Eastern Avenue for a homicide which took place between 4:30 and 4:45. Upon arrival our officers were met by detectives from the DC Homicide Unit and were told that the homicide occurred in the District. What we know at this point is that the victim allegedly stole the suspect's motor scooter several days ago. The two encountered each other this afternoon along Eastern Avenue and the suspect confronted the victim about the theft. During the confrontation, the suspect produced a large edged weapon and stabbed the victim several times in the upper body. The victim ran to a private residence on Monroe Street and called DC Fire/Rescue for help. He then left the residence and collapsed on the sidewalk outside. He was transported to MedStar where he was pronounced dead at 5:05 PM. While at the scene, A/LT Stoots and CEO Nichol received credible information through an informant who is a City resident (and

Prince George’s County has an anti-crime gun program designed to help recover illegal guns and guns used in a crime. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of a gun used in a crime or a gun that someone possesses illegally can call 866-643-2369. Tipsters may be eligible for a $1,000 reward. Mt. Rainier residents who own firearms that they would like to turn in may call the police department at 301-985-6580. You can make arrangements to bring the gun to the department or we'll send an officer to pick it up. If you bring any firearm to the department, please call ahead of time and make sure it is unloaded and in a case or other packaging. Oh, and please, do not just walk into the station with a gun in plain view. It makes the staff nervous.

According to preliminary FBI statistics released Monday, 122 police officers were killed in the line of duty in 2005. Of those, fifty (50) officers were shot to death. In all, 55 officers were killed intentionally, two fewer than in 2004. according to preliminary FBI statistics released Monday. Vehicles were used in five deaths, the bureau said. At the time they were killed, 34 officers were wearing body armor, but the FBI did not say whether bullets penetrated the armor in any of those deaths. Handguns were used to kill 42 officers, while five were shot with shotguns and three with a rifle. Six officers were killed with their own weapons. The bureau said that authorities solved all the killings. Twenty-eight officers were killed in the South, 10 in the Midwest, 10 in the West, and five in the Northeast. Two officers were killed in Puerto Rico. There were 67 accidential deaths of officers in 2005, 15 fewer than a year earlier. There was no description of how those deaths occur

On May 3, 2006, President Bush announced the release of the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza: Inplementation Plan. Building on the national strategy he announced November 1, 2005, this plan ensures that resources will be utilized in a coordinated manner to respond to the threat of pandemic influenza. Major areas covered in the plan include: protecting human health, international efforts, law enforcement, and federal response. Over 300 critical actions are described in the document, many of which have already been initiated. For more information go to the following web site: www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influenza-implementation.html To download the document go to: www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/nspi_implementation.pdf

This picture was taken last Friday in front of the police station. Standing with me is retired CPL Kal Parker of the Charles County Sheriff's Department. Kal and I were classmates in the Prince George's County Police Academy, Session 14, in October of 1975. I did not know this, but during his visit Kal was very proud to tell me, that prior to his service with Charles County, he was the first black police officer to serve the City of Mt. Rainier.

Federal officials concerned about avian influenza want airlines to collect personal information about domestic and international passengers to help track a potential epidemic. Dr. Marty Cetron, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Director of Global Migration and Quarantine, said, "What we're asking for is the authority to collect the information in the context of modern travel on airlines. There are just a number of cases where acting quickly with electronic access to passenger information is going to make a lot of difference." The CDC wants to be able to easily find, notify and recommend treatment to airline passengers who have been exposed to avian influenza as well as such diseases as plague, dengue fever or SARS. The CDC plan calls for airlines to obtain the following passenger information: name, address, emergency contact numbers and flight information. Airlines would have to keep the data for 60 days and transmit to CDC within 12 hours, if asked

The federal government's top hurricane forecaster and Director of the National Hurricane center, Max Mayfield, came to Maryland's annual severe-storm awareness conference on April 17th to convince attendees to be vigilant this hurricane season. Hurricane forecaster William Gray of Colorado State University claims there is a 64% chance that a Category 3 or higher storm will hit the East Coast this year. The previous average was 31 percent. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of assigning disaster coordinators to 13 states, including Maryland. R. David Paulison, President Bush's nominee to lead FEMA, said, "We're going to lean further forward than ever before. Instead of waiting for [the storm] to come across, we're going to move into your state." He assured the audience that even with the agency's proactive efforts, "Response is still a local issue." (The Baltimore Sun)

The Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) has just posted a petition asking for support for HR 4424. H.R. 4424 would allow law enforcement surviving spouses and dependent children affordable health care coverage by participating in the Federal Employees Health Care Plan. Monthly savings could be as much as 80% of what they are now paying for health care. Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS) is requesting help in assuring passage of this legislation.Please go to the below listed web site and sign the petition. COPS will be gathering signatures to the petition before and during National Police Week, and will take it to Congress after Police Week events. http://www.petitiononline.com/hr4424/petition.html