Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing at Waldorf MVA Emissions Testing Site Starts April 1

(Click on the image for the COVID-19 Testing Site FAQs)

From the FAQs: How do I get an appointment and provider order to get a test at a VEIP location?

1. Call your healthcare provider or the local health department, if you do not have a provider. If you qualify for a test, your provider will order a test on-line through CRISP, the state’s health information exchange.  
2. Once your provider submits your order, you will be sent a unique code and a link to the on-line scheduling website in your e-mail to make an appointment. The number of appointment slots at each location is dependent on the number of test kits available. 

[Closest MVA emissions testing site is at 28 Henry Ford Circle, Waldorf, MD 20601 (Saint Charles Business Park off Post Office Road)]

MDOT/SHA Automatic Traffic Recorder Data Shows about 41% Reduction in Maryland Traffic Compared to Last Year

Southern Prince George's County traffic is about a 30% less than last year at this time.

Help Grocery Stores #FlattenTheCurve

(Click on the image for the video clip)

1. Make an organized shopping list so you can get in and out.
2. Stock up (DON'T hoard) so you don't have to come in as often.
3. Go to the bathroom at home.
4. Sanitize your hands right before you enter the store
4 1/2. Forgot when I filmed- wipe down the shopping cart/basket.
5. Touch only what you need to.
6. Maintain space between you, other customers, AND employees.
7. Ask if we'd like you to bag your own groceries.
8. Wash your reusable bags!
9. Sanitize your hands when you leave the store.

How To Go Grocery Shopping Without Infecting Yourself With The Coronavirus

(Click on the image for the video)

Coronavirus Fact Sheet for Seniors

(Click on the image to enlarge)

Update: MD 210 Resurfacing

Update from SHA:
"They are milling and paving MD 210 from Charles County line to the North of Palmer Road. There is a piece in the middle of this section of MD 210 that has already been milled and paved.  Right now there is one crew working from Charles County to Livingston Road.  Last night [March 24-35] they completed milling and paving from Charles County line to Livingston Road and now they will be working on the southbound stretch of the this portion of roadway.  Next week there will be two crews paving NB and milling SB on the remaining portions.  Paving will be daytime and milling will be nighttime.  With significant reduced traffic, crews are working 24/7.  The only restriction we are placing on them is that there cannot be any double lane closures during the day.  We anticipate they will have this work complete within the next two months, however with things changing every day it could possibly be complete sooner."

Original post (March 13):
Beginning Monday night, March 16 at 8 p.m. (weather permitting), crews from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin an area-wide resurfacing project on MD 210 (Indian Head Highway) from Palmer Road to Shiloh Church Road, a distance of 11 miles. The work is being done to improve the driving surface on MD 210. All work should be complete by late fall.
To complete all work, crews are permitted to close lanes on MD 210, Sunday through Thursday:

• Northbound—11 a.m. to 4 a.m. the next day [to avoid the morning rush hours]
• Southbound—8 p.m. to 1 p.m. the next day [to avoid the evening rush hours]

Additional lane closures and work times may be necessary to complete all phases of work. Equipment used for construction may be disruptive. MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our contractor. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to www.roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time commute conditions, go to https://chart.maryland.gov//.

Non-Violent Crime Reports To Be Taken by Phone

New Push To Fight Biggest Global Killer Of Kids

(Click on the image for Tanya Mohn's report in Forbes)

In Bogota, street design and speed control reflect a Vision Zero and Safe System approach to road safety that takes into account that humans are human.  (FIA FOUNDATION/CHILD HEALTH INITIATIVE)

• Traffic crashes are now the leading cause of death for children and young people aged 5-29 years around the world, 
• Each day something like 500 children are killed on the world’s roads — that’s two million deaths and 100 million injuries over the past decade. And while the problem has gotten worse in recent years, The blame for safety traditionally was placed on children’s personal behavior (‘don’t run out in front of cars’ ), but in the Vision Zero or Safe System approach, safety is addressed from a design perspective.  Speed bumps, pedestrian-friendly bumpers on cars, ‘school streets ’ where traffic is banned at key points in the day, and other measures work because they account for the fact that humans are human.
• The report noted that reducing traffic speed worldwide could help prevent tragedies and save lives. It recommended implementing a series of simple, known-to-work safety measures:

 — Footpaths on every urban street;
—  Protected crossings;
—  Speed limits of no more than 30 km/h (about 18-19 mph) on streets where children and traffic mingle; and
—  Targets and set plans for protected bicycle lanes in every city.

LOFEO Means Looking Out for Each Other

From Sarah Cavitt:
Many of us in this community are within the "vulnerable" population. Maybe we could all just take a little time to be more aware of our neighbors...

• Are the newspapers being picked up?
• Do you see any movement of the cars, lights, etc.?
• Do you have the phone number of your neighbor?
• If you're going to the store (is there anything left there) maybe you could offer to pick up something for them.

Crime Report: March 11-17, 2020

Provided by POFC Timothy Green, District VII / COPS, TDGreen1@co.pg.md.us, 301-292-5300.

"As a reminder, all community events/meetings schedule in the District VII Community Room are cancelled until further notice. Any meeting schedule outside of the station, I will not be able to attend per my command staff to protect the health/safety of everyone.

Also, thank you for everyone's support in reference to Christmas in April. Unfortunately, the event will also be cancelled due to the coronavirus. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me."

All meetings in the District VII Community Room will be cancelled until further notice

To err on the side of caution due to the senior population of District VII and COVID- 19 concerns,
all meetings in the District VII Community Room will be cancelled until further notice.
We regret any inconveniences that this may cause.  Please notify your respective members.
Thank You

Major J. Mitchell #1558
Prince George’s County Police Department
Commander, District VII
11108 Fort Washington Road
Fort Washington, Maryland 20744
301-292-5343(office)
jdmitchell@co.pg.md.us

Prince George’s Co. to Put Body Cams on Every Officer

(Click on the image for Cory Smith's News4 report)

Leaders in Prince George’s County, Maryland, say they are working to make police more accountable. There’s a plan to make sure every officer on patrol has a body-worn camera by the end of the year.
A briefing before the County Council's Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee on the body cameras is here.

PGPD Mourns Death of Off-Duty Detective

The Prince George’s County Police Department is mourning the loss of an off-duty detective who passed away earlier today at her home in Waldorf.
Shortly before 10:00 am, first responders were called to the home of Corporal Danita Ingram for a medical emergency. Despite life-saving measures, Corporal Ingram passed away a short time later. At this time, there are no signs of any foul play.
“Our police family is deeply saddened at the loss of Corporal Ingram. She served this community and agency for more than a decade. She will be missed. On behalf of the entire Prince George’s County Police Department, I extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her,” said Chief Hank Stawinski.
Corporal Ingram joined the Prince George’s County Police Department in 2008. She was assigned to the Bureau of Investigation, Narcotics Enforcement Division. She was 51 years old. She is survived by her four children, three sons and one daughter.

Crime Report: Feb 26-Mar 3, 2020

Provided by COPS Officer Cpl. S. Rannacher, sdrannacher@co.pg.md.us, 240-507-8110

District VII Beat Map

MDOT SHA Partners with Community Groups, Students to Promote Safety on MD 210 In Prince George’s County

(Image is similar to one of the actual signs)

MDOT SHA Press Release:
(March 3, 2020) – Safety messages created by students at Oxon Hill Middle School are being displayed on portable variable messaging signs along the MD 210 corridor as part of a partnership between the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) and community traffic safety advocates. The effort promotes driver and pedestrian safety along MD 210, also known as Indian Head Highway, one of the busiest roads in Prince George’s County.

Representatives from the community-based 210 Traffic Safety Committee hosted a highway safety slogan contest at Oxon Hill Middle School in the Fort Washington area, adjacent to the MD 210 corridor in Prince George’s County. To inspire their slogans, students were asked what message they would like to give to drivers traveling the busy roadway. Three winners were selected by the 210 Traffic Safety Committee and presented to MDOT SHA, which then formatted the slogans for placement on portable variable messaging signs.

“At MDOT SHA, safety is our top priority,” said Acting MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith. “We thank the 210 Traffic Safety Committee and Oxon Hill Middle School for their local leadership as we embrace the three Es of traffic safety – engineering, education and enforcement – and work together toward our mutual goal of preventing traffic crashes and saving lives.”

The winning slogans – No Need to Speed, Be the Best on the Road and Fools Break Rules – will be displayed on the message boards and featured on social media.

Education and awareness of driver behavior are critically important factors in reducing personal injury and fatal crashes. More than 75,000 cars travel daily along the MD 210 corridor. In 2019, local law enforcement issued more than 18,000 citations (8,554 of them were issued by speed cameras), and there were 834 crashes on the roadway, including three fatalities.

“We felt it was important to have the children involved and give them a voice considering they are our future drivers,” said Pastor Stephanie L. Bynum, a member of the 210 Traffic Safety Committee and organizer of the slogan contest. “[MDOT SHA] has been working diligently with the 210 Traffic Safety Committee to display the slogans. It is our hope that the voice of the children will have an impact on safer driving.”

In addition to recent lighting and signing upgrades, MDOT SHA is constructing a new interchange along MD 210 from south of I-495/I-95 to north of Palmer Road. The project will replace the existing intersection of Kerby Hill Road/Livingston Road at MD 210 with a grade-separated interchange and access ramps. Other improvements include the addition of access roads for residents and businesses, retaining walls and noise barriers along residential properties, and improved facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. Construction began in spring 2016 and the project will be complete in late 2021.

For more information, visit www.roads.maryland.gov.

Citizens Police Academy

From POFC Timothy Green:

• The county recently sent out the announcement for CPA (Citizens Police Academy). For anyone not familiar with the program, it allows those in the community to interact with members of the department (in various positions/divisions), go through different scenarios, and overall a better knowledge of the daily functions of a police officer. I facilitate the traffic portion of the training as you all know I love to do traffic, but everyone I know that has gone LOVES it. So if anyone is interested please reach out to me and I will submit names. It is held every Monday 6p-9p at our lodge. The expected start date is March 30th and will run through June.
• If you have any questions about the program, please reach out to me.
• Have a great week and be safe,

POFC Timothy Green #3977, District VII / COPS, 301-292-5300, TDGreen1@co.pg.md.us

[Several District VII Citizens Advisory Council member are CAC graduates and we can vouch that we thoroughly enjoyed the academy and have a much better appreciation of the skills and dedication of our police professionals.]

What if Attending a Game Was as Dangerous as Driving?

(Click on the image for  Jonathan Salmans' StreetsBlog report) 

Imagine you’re at a Steelers game at Heinz Field, and all 68,400 seats in the stadium are full. Partway through the game, part of the stadium collapses: 8 people are killed, and 578 people are injured. Imagine the level of shock, inquiry and general reaction there would be that this type of incident is unacceptable.

Now imagine if the engineers shrugged and said these types of accidents are inevitable, there’s nothing that can be done, and similar stadium collapses start happening at each stadium in the country on an annual basis around the country. Would you feel safe enough to attend a game or event at Heinz Field? Would you consider it acceptable for stadiums to be designed to such safety standards?

Stop the Spread of Germs

(Click on the image for a pdf version)

Thanks to Congressman Steny Hoyer for passing this on.

The Centers for Disease Control has issued the following guidance on preventing the spread of the coronavirus:

There is currently no vaccine to prevent the coronavirus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Additional information about the coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control can be found here.

What's the Fastest Way to Get Through a Traffic Jam?

(Click on the image for the Lifehacker video)

Lane Changer vs. Lane Committer: who buys the tacos?
12 miles in L.A. rush hour traffic on the infamous 405 freeway.

Spying on the Scammers

(Click on the image for the BBC video)

Millions of people fall victim to scams every year.
Many are run from criminal call centres, where teams of fraudsters operate around the clock.
An online vigilante, who goes by the name "Jim Browning", decided to do something about it. He hacked into a call centre in India where scammers target victims around the world.
Jim gained access to recorded scam phone calls as well as CCTV footage exposing the scammers at work.
What Jim did was illegal - but he says he wants to stop the fraudsters, and he passed his footage on to BBC Panorama.