Two Recent Fatal Crashes

 From http://pgpolice.blogspot.com/

PGPD Investigating Fatal Motorcycle Collision in Fort Washington

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motorcycle collision that occurred Saturday morning. The deceased rider is 64-year-old Douglas Pipkin of Waldorf. 

On November 6, 2021, at approximately 10:45 am, officers responded to the intersection of Indian Head Highway and Old Fort Road for a collision involving two motorcycles and a car. Just prior to the collision, Pipkin and the second motorcyclist were heading northbound on Indian Head Highway.

The preliminary investigation revealed the driver of the involved car had been stopped in the dedicated left turn lane at the intersection of Old Fort Road. Preliminarily, it appears the car’s driver attempted to exit that left turn lane late and merge back into northbound lanes of Indian Head Highway. Her car collided with Pipkin’s motorcycle. That collision caused the second motorcycle to strike Pipkin’s motorcycle as well. The driver and the second motorcyclist were not injured. Pipkin was pronounced dead on the scene.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device. Please refer to case number 21-0051411.

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PGPD Investigates Fatal Crash in Temple Hills Involving Dirt Bike

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision involving a dirt bike that occurred in Temple Hills on Wednesday. The operator of the dirt bike, 26-year-old Germaine Cooke of District Heights, was killed. 

On November 10, 2021, at approximately 6:20 pm, officers responded to the 4600 block of Saint Barnabas Road for a collision involving a dirt bike and a SUV. 

The preliminary investigation revealed Cooke was travelling eastbound on Saint Barnabas Road and the involved SUV was travelling westbound. As the SUV's driver made a left turn, the SUV and dirt bike collided. Cooke was taken to an area hospital where he later died. The driver and passenger in the involved vehicle remained on the scene and were not injured. 

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device. Please refer to case number 21-0052151.

"catalytic converter theft increased by nearly 300% between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021"

 From the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC):

• Virtually all vehicles with internal combustion engines have catalytic converters, which are intended to reduce 90% or more of harmful greenhouse gases emitted from an exhaust system. Converters offer tremendous benefits to the environment, as well as to the growing number of criminals who steal them.
• According to one major U.S. car insurer’s claims data, catalytic converter theft increased by nearly 300% between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. During those 12 months, almost $34 million was paid to company policyholders to settle claims. The previous year’s payout was less than $9 million.
• Catalytic converters are typically placed near a vehicle’s rear exhaust system, exposed and accessible to thieves. An experienced criminal needs only a few minutes and a battery-powered saw to remove a converter. Thieves operate so quickly that they often work in broad daylight.
• Modern gas- and diesel-powered engines pass exhausts through catalytic converters, where small amounts of rare and expensive metals, including rhodium, platinum and palladium, start a chemical reaction, turning the gasses into less-toxic pollutants for release. These metals make each stolen converter worth up to $800 to black-market auto parts suppliers and scrapyards. 
• Fueling the recent increase in converter thefts is the reduced mining of the three rare metals due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions at South African mines, which contain an estimated 95% of the world’s supply.

From Allstate:

• When possible, park in well-lit areas and close to building entrances.
• If you have a garage at your house, park your car inside and keep the garage door shut.
• Have the catalytic converter welded to your car's frame, which may make it harder to steal.
• Consider engraving your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the catalytic converter — this may help alert a scrap dealer that it was stolen and make it easier to identify the owner.
• Calibrate your car's alarm to set off when it detects vibration.

Division 7 Crime (September 22 - October 21, 2021)

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Division 7 Crime (September 1 - October 9, 2021

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District VII Walk & Talk - Simmons Acres, September 21, 2021

Division VII Commander Major Mitchell, our new Assistant Commander Captain Martin, Cpl. Rannacher, and Cpl. Blackwell were joined by members of the Division VII Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) in Simmons Acres on September 21st for a Community Walk & Talk with residents.  The Walk & Talk allows police to be visible to residents and addresses their comments and concerns one-on-one with the police.  Police and CAC members provided crime prevention flyers to residents and passing motorists. When we saw room for improvement, we advised residents on how to better protect their property.

91 Speed Camera and Red-light Tickets Did Not Stop a Driver from Killing a 3-month-old Baby Girl in Brooklyn, NY

Cartoon: Bill Roundy

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• A driver with 91 speed-camera and red-light tickets hit and killed a 3-month-old baby girl in Brooklyn on Saturday — and no one can understand how a driver with 91 speed-camera and red-light tickets, and multiple license suspensions, was still on the road to hit and kill a 3-month-old baby girl in Brooklyn.
• The mayor doesn’t even know, telling reporters on Tuesday (three days after he was first asked about it) that he’ll have to get back to them with details of why his administration has failed to implement the only existing law designed to hold the most reckless drivers accountable by requiring them to take an in-person safety class or have their car seized.

Be sure to also read, Who Failed Baby Apolline?

 

PC Magazine Rates DIY and Professionally Installed Security Packages

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 Click here for Consumer Reports' Home Security System Buying Guide