Retired MRPD Chief's Discussion

The Mount Rainier Police Department’s weekly report is not intended to be a listing of every incident or call for service handled by the police department, but merely a general summary of incidents that may be of interest to the community. Some reports may be outside the date parameters due to extended investigations or other circumstances. Some cases are not included at all due to ongoing investigations. December 20 th : 4300 block of Russell Avenue : Theft from auto - 11am. The owner of a 2005 Ford Explorer reported that sometime between December 18 th and the 20 th someone stole the handicapped placards from inside his vehicle. Officers could find no sign of forced entry into the vehicle. 2700 block of Arundel Road : Forced entry – 11:35am. Officers responded for the report of a medical alarm coming from inside an apartment. When the officers arrived they received no answer at the door and called for fire/rescue and apartment management to respond and assist with a forced entry.

Before you leave: • Place interior/outdoor lights, televisions and radios on timers. Make sure your lights are timed for appropriate hours. • Unplug your garage door opener and lock the rails from the inside. • Inspect your home prior to departure and make sure all windows and doors are locked and secure. This should also include storage areas. • Make sure you secure outdoor items such as bicycles, toys, outdoor grill, etc. • Unplug all appliances to include TV, stereos, computers, toasters, and microwave ovens to prevent damage in case of an electrical storm or power outage. • Make sure the last person out of the house locks the door. Then make a check of the outside to make sure everything is secure. When you return: • If you arrive early please notify the MRPD to cancel your house check. If you anticipate a longer trip or delay, call to extend your house check. • Resume your mail, subscription and deliveries. • Inspect your home both interior and exterior. Report

If you will be traveling this holiday season, don't use social media sites to announce to the world that you will be away from home. Don't post about your trip until after you return.

December 15 th : 3300 block of Buchanan Street : Motor vehicle collision – 12:45am. Officers responded for the report of a vehicle blocking the roadway. When the officers arrived they found the vehicle in question occupied by a man who was asleep in the driver’s seat. Further investigation revealed that the man had backed into a parked vehicle. Officers also found an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle. The driver was cited for open container and blocking the flow of traffic. His vehicle was impounded. 4100 block of Russell Avenue : Motor vehicle collision/emergency petition – 4:35am. Officers responded for the report of a man down. Upon arrival the officers learned that an individual was involved in a minor motor vehicle collision and was not injured. Further investigation revealed that the man failed to pay full time and attention and struck a parked vehicle causing minor damage. He was issued a traffic citation and his vehicle was impounded. During the officers’

Police are asking residents to review their holiday purchases and shipments to determine if any packages are missing. If you have shipped a gift to a family member, confirm with the recipient that it has arrived. If the delivery company reports that the package was delivered, but you believe it may have been stolen, take the following steps: • Check the back or side door to see if the delivery was left at another location. Check with neighbors to see if the package was delivered to the wrong address. • Call the delivery company to confirm it was delivered. • Report the incident to police by calling 301-985-6565/6566. To prevent thefts, police encourage residents to follow these tips: • Track shipments, and try to be home when they are scheduled to arrive. • If you won’t be home, have the shipment delivered to your work, if possible, or ask the delivery company to leave the package in a discreet location, such as a back door. • Ask a neighbor to take the package inside until y

by Maggie Gazeli Fard , The Washington Post A “Gift Cards for Guns” collection event will be held in Prince George’s County on Saturday. County police will collect firearms in exchange for gift cards valued up to $100. The event is part of an effort to reduce gun violence in the county, officials said. The collection will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 601 8th Street, Laurel. Participants must place any guns, unloaded, in the trunk of their cars. A uniformed police officer at the site will provide further instructions. The guns do not have to be functional. Ammunition will also be collected, police said. This is the third “Gift Cards for Guns” event of the year. About 300 guns have been turned in so far, police said.

Twenty five percent of all drunk driving deaths occur in the month of December. Over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays there is a 40-60% spike in alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Don’t drink and drive this holiday season! Remember YOU choose your ride. Either a free ride in a police cruiser under arrest or free ride home in a cab. From December 14th to January 1st you can call 1-800-Sober Ride for a free taxi ride home.

The Mount Rainier Police Department’s weekly report is not intended to be a listing of every incident or call for service handled by the police department, but merely a general summary of incidents that may be of interest to the community. Some reports may be outside the date parameters due to extended investigations or other circumstances. Some cases are not included at all due to ongoing investigations. December 8 th : 3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue : Vehicle impound – 4am. Officers on patrol came upon a 2006 Nissan Maxima stopped in the traffic circle. Further investigation revealed that the driver and passenger were asleep in the front seats. Both individuals were awakened and officers determined that neither party could safely operate the vehicle. The vehicle was impounded and the occupants sent on their way. 3400 block of Perry Street : Stolen vehicle – 9:10am. The owner of a 2008 Ford truck told officers that she left the vehicle running while she was opening the front door

You may have heard about the tragic death of Kasandra Perkins, shot several times by her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, Jovan Belcher. Kasandra was killed after an argument related to her attending a concert. Her 3-month old daughter was in the home when her mother was murdered. Many women – just like Kasandra Perkins – fear for their lives and the Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County is here to help them. Our organization provides safe shelter and therapeutic services so abused women can escape the violence in their lives and move toward economic self-sufficiency. We also facilitate groups for men who abuse, holding them accountable for the violence they inflict on their partners, and teaching them alternative strategies to deal with their anger and need for control. This year alone we have provided safe shelter to hundreds of women and children at our Safe Passage Emergency Shelter, our staff has responded to thousands of hotline calls, and numerous abusers hav

The Mount Rainier Police Department’s weekly report is not intended to be a listing of every incident or call for service handled by the police department, but merely a general summary of incidents that may be of interest to the community. Some reports may be outside the date parameters due to extended investigations or other circumstances. Some cases are not included at all due to ongoing investigations. December 1 st : 4700 block of 25 th Street : Recovered stolen auto – 4:20am. MRPD officers were notified my DC police that they recovered a 2002 Cadillac Deville that was stolen from the 4700 block of 25 th Street on November 24 th . No arrests were made and the owner was notified of the recovery. 2500 block of Allison Street : Residential burglary (vacant apartment) – 9:55am. Officers were called to the scene by management officials who were conducting a final inspection of a vacant apartment prior to new tenants moving in. Management discovered that two men had broken into the a