COMMUNIT-E
January 15, 2004




THANK YOU:
Kathy Patterson and other City Council members for the work you are doing to try to bring some
sunshine treatment to the usually shrouded-in-mystery juvenile justice proceedings.
In some circles there is a lot of opposition to what the Council is trying to do. I suspect there would
be less opposition if those who oppose it found themselves among the many adult and juvenile victims
of criminal acts by city and county residents who are 17, 16, 15 and younger.

There are many horror stories involving the court’s secret handling of juveniles. In most cases, the victim is
unable to find out what happened to the young perpetrator, once arrested. Victims are unable to learn if the
assailant in a bodily attack is HIV positive. Juveniles can be arrested over and over for auto theft, and often
are, and let go only to steal again. Yet nobody hears about it. Many residents are terrified, for good reason,
of bullies and young thugs living on their blocks.

If you agree that some of these juvenile proceedings need to be open to the public, or at least to their victims
and affected neighborhoods, please let the Council know how you feel. There are hearing going on right now
and your support can go a long way to bringing about a fairer judicial system. – Kathy Smith

Letters of support for the hearing record can be sent to Council Members at these e-mail addresses:

Councilmember Kathleen Patterson <kpatterson@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
"Councilmember Vincent B. Orange" <vorange@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember Jim Graham <jgraham@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Chairman Linda Cropp <lcropp@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember Harold Brazil <hbrazil@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember Carol Schwartz <schwartz@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember David Catania <dcatania@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember Jack Evans <jackevans@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember Adrian Fenty <afenty@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember Sharon Ambrose <sambrose@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember Kevin Chavous <kpchavous@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,
Councilmember Sandy Allen <cmallen@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>,








BURGLARIES
From: Jeffrey Moore <JAMOORE@mpdc.org>
On Tuesday, January 13, 2003, a burglary took place in the 3000 blk Dogwood St at approx 1:30 p.m.
A black male entered the attached garage of a residence and stole a bike. The resident was home at the
time and was able to provide us with some very useful lookout information.

Earlier in the week, our casual clothes officers set up on a suspicious subject in Georgetown, and after an
extended period of surveillance, stopped and identified the subject. At the time, he was in the same vehicle
that was used during the commission of the burglary on Dogwood St Tuesday.

Yesterday evening, we identified the suspect, and got a positive ID from the Dogwood Street complainant.
Earlier this morning we obtained a warrant for the suspect charging him with burglary. He lives in PG Co.
We are working with the county police to have him arrested at this time.

In the past few weeks, there have been several burglaries that are similar to this case. We are now looking to
tie these offenses together. I will keep you informed of our progress.






GROUNDWATER ISSUE IN AU PARK
From: Lowell Weiss <lowellw@gatesfoundation.org>
Three weeks ago, there was an article in the Northwest Current about high levels of perchlorate
in the groundwater in the AU Park area. Is anyone on this list an expert on perchlorate? Should
residents test their tap water? If so, who offers perchlorate testing services?






COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** From: <Darnot@aol.com>
Adopt "Mitzy" a rubenesque loving orange tabby and her devoted lithe minky
black sister "Allie". Saved from a kill shelter, these wonderfully affectionate
girls are declawed, UTD on all vaccinations and ready to warm your heart and
hearth. Please contact cathy <cawad@cox.net>.

**** From: <Robin_Wolfson@discovery.com>
As a native Washingtonian, I am looking for old/antique maps of Washington,
DC (not reproductions) for personal use. If anyone has any that they are
interested in selling or giving away, please get in touch with me at
petirrojo@aol.com. Thanks! Robin
**** From: <JSLATTERY@bloomberg.net>
TenleyTown Babysitters: We are looking for teenage/college age babysitters in
the neighborhood. Our children are 3 years and 18 months old. Email me, Julie,
at jslattery@bloomberg.net if interested. Thanks

**** From: nancila@att.net
My daughter in Annandale VA is looking for a reliable dog walker. Does
anyone have any connections there? Thanks.

**** From: Marthans@aol.com
For Sale:
-Brown Leather Queen Sleeper Sofa (from Crate and Barrel). Rolled arms,
tight back. Great Condition. $1000/obo.
-Green chenile love seat (Crate and Barrel "Radio Days") and ottoman. $500.
-Dining Room Table. One-of-a-kind hand-carved Mexican mahogany. 98 x 36.
(table top is approx. 2" thick) 8 Chairs (including 2 arm chairs) have rush
seats, carved ladder back. $3,500.
Contact MarthaNS@aol.com Martha Saccocio

**** From: Kenny, Helene <KennyH@STARS-SMI.com>
Chevy Chase/DC nr Rock Creek Park: Lg furn apt w/fully equip kit, LR
w/fireplace, 1BR/FB, Sep entr, AC, Share W/D, Nr weekday bus lines, $1200
mo, Utilities, Cable, Internet incl., Short term rental considered. Refs and
Dep req., N/S, Avail...after 1/17. 202-244-9318 in evening






DAVID CATANIA TO SPEAK ON DC FINANCES
From: zappower25@aol.com
Thru: tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
Our Nation's Capital is a citizens group dedicated to fighting for fiscal
fairness for Washington DC. Congress has created a structural imbalance that
costs the District an estimated $400 million - $1.5 billion in lost revenues each
year. That means less money for schools, roads, police and social services.

Our Nation's Capital LUNCHEON SERIES
You are invited to hear DC City Council Member DAVID CATANIA provide his
insights on the District of Columbia's financial situation, and possible solutions
to the problem.

Date: Thursday, January 22, 2004
Time: 12:00 noon
Location: Charles Sumner School at 1201 17th St. NW. (It is
between Rhode Island and M Streets, near the Farragut North
metro stop.)
Cost: $10 per person
To register, call Zina Poletz at (202) 232-0229 or email us
at info@ournationscapital.org. Payments by check or cash
will be accepted at the door - at this time we cannot accept
credit cards.

S E A T I N G I S L I M I T E D ... so register now!
For more information about Our Nation's Capital and the
structural imbalance affecting Washington DC, visit
www.ournationscapital.org.





ANOTHER KIND OF CREDIT CARD SCAM?

[From KS – I don’t know if this is a real scam or not, but it’s a reminder to never
give out personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.]

From: Elaine Sherman <ElaineS@chds.org>
Both VISA and MasterCard told me that
this scam is currently being worked throughout the Midwest, with some
variance as to the product or amount, and if you are called, just hang up.
My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA" and I was called in
Thursday from "MasterCard". It worked like this: Person calling says,
"This is Carl Patterson (any name) and I'm calling from the Security and
Fraud department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been
flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This
would be on your VISA card issued by 5/3 bank. Did you purchase an
Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in
Arizona?"
When you say "No". The caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a
credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the
charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that
flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to
(gives you your address), is that correct?"
You say, "Yes". The caller continues ... . ."I will be starting a fraud
investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 800 number
listed on your card 1-800-VISAand ask for Security. you will need to refer
to this Control #".Then gives you a 6 digitnumber. "Do you need me to read
it again?" Caller then says he "needs to verify you are in possession of
your card. Turn the card over. There are 7 numbers;first 4are 1234
(whatever) the next 3are the security numbers that verify you are in
possession of the card. These are the numbers you use to make internet
purchases to prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers."Then he says
"That is correct. I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost
or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other
questions? Don't hesitate to call back if you do."
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card
number.. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20
minutesto ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA security dept.
told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutesa new purchase of $497.99
WAS put on our card.
Long story made short . . .we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
card and they are reissuing as a new number. What the scam wants is the 3
digitnumber and that once the charge goes through, they keep charging
every few days. By the time you get your statement, you think the credit
is coming, and then its harder to actually file a fraud report. The real
VISA reinforced that they will never ask for anything on the card (they
already know).
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from
"Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word for word repeat of the VISA
Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up.
We filed a police report (as instructed by VISA), and they said they are
taking several of these reports daily.


– END –