WHEN YOUR STOLEN AUTO IS RECOVERED...
If you are fortunate enough to have a stolen auto recovered, there are
two important things you need to do:

1.) Notify Detective James Garner at 2D and let him know your car has
been found. (Unless of course it is Det. Garner who told you the good
news). He is on 282-0043. At the time you speak to him, ask him to
"remove your car from WALES." If you can't reach him, ask for a sergeant
or lieutenant and give him or her the message. Barring that, give the
message to whomever answers the phone in the detective's office --
282-0043.  DO NOT CALL THE STATION NUMBER THAT IS IN THE PHONE BOOK FOR
THIS PURPOSE.

2.) Call him one week later and ask him to check to see if your car is
out of WALES. He will then check to make sure that "Teletype" removed
the item.

Background: When you first reported your car stolen, a written report (a
PD251) was made and a notice was sent to "Teletype," an office at MPD
Headquarters. Someone who works in Teletype  put the notice of the
stolen car, its tags, VIN number, etc. into the computerized Washington
Area Law Enforcement System (WALES). The notice stays there for any
officer in DC, Maryland or Virginia to check until your car is recovered
and removed from WALES.  In the meantime, officers carry daily generated
"hot sheets" with them that list recently stolen autos from the
metropolitan area. If an officer  checks your tags against the hot sheet
and sees the tags on his list, he'll assume that you are driving a
stolen car.

Auto theft is often a gateway crime, meaning that the car was stolen for
the purpose of committing another crime such as a bank robbery,
burglary, street robbery, etc.  Therefore, you are not just another
traffic stop, but rather the officer will consider you a potentially
dangerous person and you may find yourself suddenly surrounded by
several officers with guns drawn -- a very frightening and potentially
dangerous situation. If you have young drivers in the family it can be
even more traumatic, since a great many car thieves are juveniles.

With the best of intentions, human error occurs and recovered autos are
not always removed from WALES. Often the only way a detective knows that
an auto is recovered is because it is no longer in WALES.

Therefore, it is very important that you take responsibility for making
sure that your auto is removed from WALES once it is recovered -- for
your safety and to save the detective  additional work looking for a car
that has already been recovered.
 
 
 

MEETINGS IN THE 'HOOD
The 2nd District Citizens Advisory Council will meet on Wednesday,
March 6 at 7 pm at 2D Headquarters at 3320 Idaho Ave.  Two major items
on the agenda are:

1.) A vote on a new monthly meeting day for the 2D CAC
2.) Discussion of PSA crime reduction plan
Also on the agenda:
3.) Chief Ramsey's representative on the Reserve Corps Program
4.) Commander Newsham's monthly report
5.) Youth CAC Program
 

CRIMES IN THE 'HOOD SINCE THE LAST REPORT:
>From Feb. 19 to 24:
ROBBERY
4500 Wisconsin, F&V, 2/24, 1050, parking lot
THEFT
5300 Wisconsin, 2/15, 0900, unknown,
UNLAWFUL ENTRY DISORDER
4000 Albemarle, 2/6, 1200, office
 
 
 

CORRECTION TO KATHY PATTERSON'S NEWSLETTER TO CONSTITUENTS
From: "Pagano, Penny (COUNCIL)" <Ppagano@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
The correct site for DC nomination forms  is www.dcagenda.org.
 
 

SIDESWIPED AUTOMOBILES AND INSURANCE RATES
From: Abauer4600@aol.com
Responding to article of sideswiped cars. My mother who lives on the
4400 blk of Brandywine had her car sideswiped to the tune of $1200.00.
We were told by Geico that if we made a police report that our
deductible would be lowered because it would then be covered under
uninsured motorist coverage.  Our deductible was indeed lowered by
$300.00.  Even if there is nothing that we can do to stop the incidents,
at least we can reduce the effect that it has on our pockets.
 
 
 

AND SPEAKING OF AUTOS....
The Washington Post ran a story last week about an FBI investigation of
tow companies. Some of the story follows. I just want to mention one
significant item that was missing from this story. The FBI was alerted
to this problem several years ago by MPD Detective Perry Soares, who
turned his materials over to the Bureau and gave them continued
assistance. The FBI does good work, but it doesn't always give credit to
those individuals and agencies outside of the Bureau who help it.
Detective Soares deserves some credit for the following success:

        "Federal agents said at a news conference that "Operation Towhook" so
far
        has led to 60 arrests; 26 convictions on felony charges of car theft,
fraud
        and drug possession; seizure of 59 illegal guns; and restitution of
        $850,000.

        "Once we got inside, it led to a lot more," said Van Harp, assistant
        director in charge of the FBI's Washington field office. "We found a
group
        of corrupt tow companies who were at the center of criminal activity in
the
        District."

        Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) also announced new towing company
regulations
        that he said will give the city more power to control tow operators and
shut         down those with problems."
 
 
 
 

MORE ON CREDIT CARD FRAUD
From: Albuckberg@aol.com (G Buckberg )
Regarding Joanne Capper's being billed by First USA for magazines that
were not requested, I suggest she contact the post office.  I believe
there is a section of the US Postal service that deals with fraud that
involves use of the mail service.
 
 
 

RECYCLING

**** From: "Robert Hyman" <roberthyman@erols.com>
The DPW recycling Inspector for our area is Deborah Bazemore,
202-645-8244. I hope this helps.

**** From: Larry Williams <lwindc@starpower.net>
In response to the concern that cardboard is not being picked-up by
Eagle, I suggest that you call Eagle and tell them what is happening.
Cardboard has a high fiber content and that makes it valuable for
recycling.  I have not had that problem on 4600 and Van Ness St.  I
would think Eagle will take some action to correct the problem.  As far
as the city taking it...well that is a another problem...
 
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** Marthans@aol.com
Local family with two young children is seeking a house for a summer
sublet in DC or a close-in suburb (while our own home is under
renovation). Please contact MarthaNS@aol.com.

**** "Ruttenberg, Charles" <RuttenbC@ARENTFOX.COM>
Does anyone have any recommendations on plasterers (the old fashioned
kind)? Thanks.

**** From: nancila@att.net (Nancy LeRoy)
I'm looking for a dog sitter, someone who lives in the neighborhood and
could stay at my house.  The person could be gone during the day (the
dog needs walking in the morning and late afternoon and a quicky just
before bedtime.  Nelly's a laid-back retriever mix, very docile and
friendly and she sleeps late if you do.  My house is pleasant, in AU
Park about 4 blocks from Friendship Metro, cable TV, nice fenced in
patio garden with pond.  I'm looking for someone to call upon, when
needed, for anywhere from three days to a couple of weeks.  This would
be an especially good deal for someone who lives in a group house and
would like some privacy from time to time.  Payment of $100 per week.
Phone: 202/362-8803.

**** From: "Harrison, Barbara" <Barbara.Harrison@usdoj.gov>
I HIGHLY recommend Richard Lane & Assoc., for small or large repairs
(carpentry, wall repairs, painting etc. etc.).  One of Richard's guys,
Steve, came to my home this a.m. to repair hole in the wall left from
plumber repair, and slight rock in toilet.  He got there in time, was
pleasant and fast, did a beautiful job!!  Lane can be reached at
301-753-1667, or cell phone 202-672-0034.

**** From: Anji Henderson <vual7@yahoo.com>
Missing sled??  A sled appeared in the small park across from Ft. Bayard
a while ago.. I didn't pay it any mind.. Then the park department
decided it would be wonderful to put in trees (we won't talk about
that), anyway I was waiting for my server and looked out the window to
see that yes indeed it was still there, and with the park service and my
soft spot for children I thought what if the kid is looking for it what
if it was stolen off the porch for a joy ride, what if the park throws
it away what if what if .. So I pulled it into my yard so no one would
throw it away .. Is anyone missing it ?? So I don't get a bizillion
e-mails about many sleds that may have become missing this one is blue
plastic, and has a name on it in black sharpie.. Please e-mail me
directly and it shall be returned..

**** From: Robmayers@aol.com (Robin Mayers)
An item in Kathy Patterson's Ward 3 Newsletter states:
   "* The Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Public
Works
    have begun stricter enforcement of regulations governing posters and
    flyers in public space. Be advised that undesirable paper graffiti
    includes signs, advertisements, or posters dealing with the sale of
    goods or services such as signs for cell phones, events at night
clubs,
    employment opportunities, construction services, carpet cleaning
    services and weight loss. DPW says these posters, flyers and litter
    detract from community pride and stability. Nailing or stapling
posters
    to trees is also prohibited.

While this does detract "from community pride and stability", it would
be good to initiate one special place that people could post such
information.  The neighborhood near the MacArthur Safeway has such a
board for the community to use.  Please advise how this could be
instituted.
Thank you. Robin Mayers, Belt Road Resident

-----------

>From KS -- I'd just like to remind everyone that greater participation
in COMMUNIT-E and Buddy Yingling's Tenleytown Yahoo Group would go a
long way to getting out a lot of information about events of interest to
this community. Tell your neighbors about these information sources if
you think they are not already aware of them. Buddy's is:
tenleytown@yahoogroups.com.
 
 
 

THE DCRA TEAM AND GLOVER PARK
From: CJLIVELY@aol.com  (Christopher Lively)
I found out today that the Ward Three DCRA team is going to Ward Four
most likely on March 1.  Needless to say I am quite disappointed.  After
Three Years of Total Dysfunction, Ward Three received Gloria Shelby,
Inspector  Jackson and the rest of the team that gave a crap about our
problems, worked WITH us to find solutions and listened to our
concerns.  We were just beginning to see the light.

Does anyone know if Ward Three will receive a new team prior to March 1?
Does anyone know if the new team will stay longer than 8 months?
Does anyone know if the new team is trained?

I am way past compassion for other wards - I cannot for the life of me
understand what was going on in the minds of DCRA management to pull
this stunt and I don't buy the story that this is for the good of the
city - last time I checked we were still a part of Washington and this
is not good for Ward Three and Glover Park

So, I will depend on MPDC - at least PSA 205 staff is still around and
responsive -- and they will be cross trained.  Then again, I understand
that other MPD districts need officers who have community policing
experience so we might be back to square one.

Is it any wonder that members of the communities are burning out?

Once again, it seems as if we are the training ground for departments
move them in -- train 'em --  move them out.
Christopher Lively
 
 
 
 
 

 HOW MANY CAN U SEE???
 From: degabron@aol.com (Dorothy Gabron)
 
Hi.........Try this one.  Count only one time.
 
 

Count the "F's" in the following text:
 

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-
IC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF YEARS
 
 
 

Managed it ? Scroll down only after you have counted them, okay?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

   How many? 3?
   Wrong, there are 6!!--no joke.
   Read it again.
   The reasoning behind is further down.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

   The brain cannot process "OF".
   Incredible or what?
   Anyone who counts all 6 "F's" on the first go is a genius. Three is
   normal, four is quite rare.  It'll drive your friends crazy.
 

--END--