New District VII Commander, Major Timothy “JJ” Muldoon

Major Timothy “JJ” Muldoon is a 28 year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department. He served as a Patrol Officer, COPS officer and a member of the Special Assignment Team at the District I Station (Hyattsville) for eleven years. He worked as an investigator and Sergeant in the Narcotic Enforcement Division for eight years before returning to District I as a supervisor and Shift Commander. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and was assigned as the Assistant Commander of the Special Operations Division. He was promoted to Major in 2016 and became the Commander of the Narcotic Enforcement Division. Major Muldoon grew up in Prince George’s County, a fan of all local sports teams and spends his free time at his kid’s sporting events and fishing.

Major Muldoon: "I am looking forward to working with the District VII community and building on an already strong foundation left by Major Keleti."

Meet Chief Stawinski at the Safeway Shopping Center - Friday, Nov 30

A chance to talk to "Hank" and meet our new District VII Commander, Major Timothy “JJ” Muldoon

What's Next for the MD 210 Speed Camera?

(Click on the image for a pdf of the briefing)

• A PowerPoint Slide Show version is here
• WJLA News7 coverage of the speed camera is here
• Drivers make mistakes. Mistakes at high speed are often serious, sometimes fatal.
• Saving lives is not expensive. Just follow the rules.
• Serious and fatal crashes are very expensive.
• Aggressive Drivers Are Public Threats.
• Only the very few drivers who don't slow down near speed cameras pay the $40 fine.
• Removing MD 210 traffic lights will probably increase speeding.

Police urge online buyers, sellers to beware when meeting in person

(Click on the image for Abigail Constantino's WTOP report)

Prince George’s County police said that robbers have been targeting victims recently using classified ad apps and online vendor sites, and they want you to be careful as the holiday season ramps up.
Police said the cases have a similarity: Victims agreed to meet the suspect or suspects in order to buy or sell an item listed on the app. When they met in person, the suspects robbed the victims.
Police recommend some tips to help prevent these robberies, which increase especially during the holidays.

• Tell friends or family about your plans.
• Never go alone to meet the seller or buyer. Try to bring a second person with you.
• Talk to the seller or buyer on the phone, not just through the app or online.
• Meet in a public place, such as a shopping center.
• Trust your instincts. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Unless the item is too big to bring out of your home, never invite a buyer or seller to your home.

How To Respond When An Active Shooter Is In Your Vicinity

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY

QUICKLY DETERMINE  THE MOST REASONABLE  WAY TO PROTECT  YOUR OWN LIFE. CUSTOMERS  AND CLIENTS ARE LIKELY TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF EMPLOYEES  AND MANAGERS  DURING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER  SITUATION.

1. Run
• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Keep your hands visible

2. Hide
• Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view.
• Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors

3. Fight
• As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.
• Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter
• Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter

CALL 911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES ON THE SCENE 

1. HOW YOU SHOULD  REACT  WHEN  LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES:
• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions
• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety
• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises

2. INFORMATION  YOU SHOULD  PROVIDE  TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR 911 OPERATOR:
• Location of the victims and the active shooter
• Number of shooters, if more than one
• Physical description of shooter/s
• Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s
•  Number of potential victims at the location

RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF POTENTIAL WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 

AN ACTIVE SHOOTER MAY BE A CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEE. ALERT YOUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT IF YOU BELIEVE AN EMPLOYEE EXHIBITS POTENTIALLY VIOLENT BEHAVIOR. INDICATORS OF POTENTIALLY VIOLENT BEHAVIOR MAY INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: 

• Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs
• Unexplained increase in absenteeism, and/or vague physical complaints
• Depression/Withdrawal
• Increased severe mood swings, and noticeably unstable or emotional responses
• Increasingly talks of problems at home
• Increase in unsolicited comments about violence, firearms, and other dangerous weapons and violent crimes

Contact your building management or human resources department for more information and training on active shooter response in your workplace.

(Click here for the DHS advice to private citizens on active shooters.)

Sad to Say, Major Keleti Is Leaving Us

This evening I was notified that I would be transferred to the Narcotics Enforcement Division effective November 25th.  I wanted to thank each of you, the members of District VII CAC, for all the support you have shown me and the District VII Team.  It’s been my honor and privilege to work with such a great group of community leaders.  We have made great progress regarding community issues and especially the safety along Indian Head Highway.  I believe it is beneficial for all of us to work together as it is a win-win for the community and the police department. I will miss working on important community issues with you and will work with the new commander, Major Timothy “JJ” Muldoon, on a smooth transition.   I have known Major Muldoon for many years and know that he will fit in nicely. He is highly respected and has a great sense of humor.  I have cc'd him on this email so please add him to the CAC and SCCR email distribution lists for notifications.  Thank you for your support, please keep my number and feel free to reach out to me at any time!  It has been my honor to serve such an outstanding community. 

Editor's note: Major Keleti had our support because we responded to what we saw in him - a kind, responsive guardian who made us and our families feel safe. He was more than our District Commander, he was our friend.
He asked what we needed and he came through with a solution every time. His leadership has saved lives on MD 210.
We are the luckiest Police District in all of Prince George's to have had him here.
We wish him fair winds and following seas.
Major Keleti will be missed.

How to Secure Your Home without Buying a Security System

(Click on the image for the Washington Consumers' Checkbook report)

• Do you have good deadbolts on all your doors? Strong latches on your windows? Do you always lock your doors and windows? Have a barky dog?
• If you can answer “yes” to the first three questions, you’re way ahead when it comes to home security (and get extra credit for the dog). Because most burglars enter homes by simply opening unlocked doors or windows—or pushing and kicking locked ones until they open—even the most basic measures of protection will improve your security.
• Before investing in an alarm system, take a step back to evaluate—and improve—your home’s overall security. You can do many things to enhance protections that cost much less than an alarm system but do just as much good.

Howard Co. police partner with ‘Neighbors’ video-sharing app to curb local crime

(Click on the image for Hallie Mellendorf's WTOP report)

"Neighbors is a neighborhood watch app, produced by Ring, that uses doorbell cameras and alerts to keep the public up to date on neighborhood crime. The partnership aims to “provide the community with easy access to shared videos, photos and other safety information,” Howard County police said in a statement.

Police pointed out that the app is free and residents do not need to own a doorbell camera to access shared photos and videos. They also said the app would not compromise personal privacy; police will not be able to directly access users’ cameras."

How to Be a More Patient Person

(Click on the image for Anna Goldfarb's New York Times report)

"Patience, the ability to keep calm in the face of disappointment, distress or suffering, is worth cultivating. The virtue is associated with a variety of positive health outcomes, such as reducing depression and other negative emotions. Researchers have also concluded that patient people exhibit more prosocial behaviors like empathy, and were more likely to display generosity and compassion.

A 2012 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology identified three distinct expressions of patience: 1. Interpersonal, which is maintaining calm when dealing with someone who is upset, angry or being a pest. 2. Life hardships, or finding the silver lining after a serious setback. And 3. Daily hassles, which is suppressing annoyance at delays or anything irritating that would inspire a snarky tweet.

The good news is that same study found that patience as a personality trait is modifiable. Even if you’re not a particularly patient person today, there’s still hope you can be a more patient person tomorrow. So if you find yourself getting exasperated more than you’d like, here are ways to keep those testy impulses in check."

[Patient drivers are safer drivers!]

Prince George's County Police Officer Suspended

From the Police Blog:
On Saturday, November 10th, Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski announced the suspension of a Prince George’s County Police Officer after two citizens alleged that the officer demanded payment to overlook motor vehicle violations during two separate traffic stops.
One resident came forward to police Friday alleging that he paid the officer in question cash during a traffic stop at the officer’s demand in lieu of receiving a citation.  Chief Stawinski immediately launched an internal affairs investigation.  In the early hours of the investigation, a second citizen came forward who alleged the same officer also demanded payment for leniency during a similar traffic stop.
The officer’s police powers were suspended Friday evening while detectives investigate.  If any resident has had a similar encounter, please call our Internal Affairs Division at 301-772-4795.
The case will be reviewed by the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“It is very early in this investigation, but I wanted to assure our community that immediate action was taken and a thorough investigation is underway. I take these allegations very seriously. Maintaining the public trust is the highest priority.  As soon as the investigation develops more information, I will provide additional facts to our community,” said Chief Stawinski.

There are reports on ABC7 and on WUSA9.

Third Police-Involved Shooting in the Last 24 Hours

(Click on the image for Jack Pointer's WTOP report)

"The [third] reported incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. at the Courts of Camp Springs apartments, near the 6200 block of Maxwell Drive. No officers were hurt.
According to Prince George’s police Chief Hank Stawinski, officers investigating a car theft ring saw a suspect entering a stolen car that they had under surveillance. The suspect pulled out a gun as he approached it.
When they tried to arrest him, Stawinski said, the suspect fired at officers through a car window. Officers returned fire and wounded him, the chief said. They then administered first aid. The suspect was later taken to a hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition."

Proficient Drivers Are Key to Crash Avoidance

(Click on the image for the Wikipedia entry)

The Swiss cheese model of accident causation illustrates that, although many layers of defense lie between hazards and accidents, there are flaws in each layer that, if aligned, can allow the accident to occur.

Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (Published 2008)

(Click on the image for Tom's excerpt)

Excerpts from Tom’s excerpt:

• You may suspect that getting people to merge in a timely fashion, and without killing one another, is less of a traffic problem and more of a human problem. The road, more than simply a system of regulations and designs, is a place where many millions of us, with only loose parameters for how to behave, are thrown together daily in a kind of massive petri dish in which all kinds of uncharted, little-understood dynamics are at work. There is no other place where so many people from different walks of life–different ages, races, classes, religions, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, levels of psychological stability–mingle so freely.
• Henry Barnes, the legendary traffic commissioner of New York City in the 1960s, reflecting on his long career in his charmingly titled memoir The Man with the Red and Green Eyes, observed that “traffic was as much an emotional problem as it was a physical and mechanical one.” People, he concluded, were tougher to crack than cars. “As time goes on the technical problems become more automatic, while the people problems become more surrealistic.”
• We are all traveling the same road, if each in our own peculiar way. I invite you to join me on that road as I try, over the din of passing cars, to hear what traffic has to say.

Woman loses majority of life savings in Publisher's Clearing House scam

(Click on the image for the report)

• An elderly woman thought she was going to become an instant millionaire, but she ended up losing her life's savings instead.
• 74-year-old Hilda Stead lost $55,000 of her life savings in a phone scam. It all started with a call from a number she didn't recognize. "He said well you're a winner. And I had won $1.3 million and a new Mercedes," Stead said.
• Stead says she wants her story to serve as a lesson, especially for people around her age.
• Here are some other signs of a scam to keep in mind:

1. You're told you must wire money.
2. You have to deposit a check they've sent you.
3. The person on the line claims they're from the government or another organization, asking for money in the form of prepaid cards.

Click here for what Publisher's Clearing House says.

See What It's Like to be a Firefighter - Nov 10

5 Kids Killed in School Bus Stop Crashes this Week

(Click on the image for the NBC News report)

• "Five children hit by speeding car at Tampa bus stop: The driver is now in custody after witnesses say the car slammed into five children and two adults, leaving one child in critical condition. This is now the fourth accident at a bus stop in just the past three days and at least five children are dead."
• Getting on and off a school bus is the most dangerous time for the students who ride it.
• Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov 4, 2018. It will be darker earlier. Wear reflective clothing!
• Please be extra careful so we don't have this tragedy here.