Security Advice From Deputy White

I have spent a great deal of time patrolling many for the NW communities in the county as of late with my focus on criminal opportunities that you the citizens provide would be criminals. I am still very surprised in the established NW areas that I have worked with for years still providing some of the same opportunities that existed before we began working together. I am pleading with you all to start being more committed to the concept of prevention and helping law enforcement help the communities that we proudly serve stay safe. As always call 911 for all crimes in progress and medical emergencies. Call 301-600-2071, to report all other incidents/concerns.

These are my concerns that I would like to remind you all of and hopefully enact immediate change. Thefts are on the rise from homes and cars; please try to adjust your behaviors if you are currently doing the following:

1). Leaving garage doors open with cars unlocked/open inside of garage or driveway(during nice weather).
- Common items taken from open cars: I-pod’s, Navigation devices, money, laptops, tools.
- Common items taken from garages: Vehicles, tools, bikes, toys, lawn equipment, landscaping décor.
- Open garages can also lead to many more victims of daytime home invasions due to easy undetected access into home from the garage. Home invasions place you face to face with criminals and bodily harm or death of you or family members can result. 2 daytime burglaries occurred this year already!

2). Poorly lit homes at dusk into the dark of night.
- Dim or unlit homes create a opportunity for attack or at home robbery/burglary upon visitor’s or the homeowner returning or leaving the home.
- Cars if left in the driveway or in front of the house on the street should always be locked and be parked in a lit area. The lights when used from the house when used with the correct bulbs can illuminate vehicles in driveways. Other home lighting can possibly illuminate vehicles on the street if street lighting is not available. Lighting is the most inexpensive way to enhance the security of anything! Light it up criminals hate being seen!
- Garages should be locked at all times whether day or night.

A matter of convenience oftentimes WILL cost you on some or many levels of security and safety thus, making it that much easier for the criminals to figure a way to make you a victim. Let’s not help them let’s help each other. I am always scheduling Home Security Surveys please contact me today to schedule one. The information gained from a Home Survey is just another tool at your disposal to arm yourself against crime, please use it. Take care all and be safe.


Dfc. Kevin D. White Sr. 0298
Frederick County Sheriff's Office
110 Airport Drive East
Frederick, Md. 21701
301-600-1046-Patrol
301-600-3985-Office
301-600-1527-Fax

Crime Update From Deputy White

The following crime trend occurred recently in the Southeastern portion of the county. Crime trends tend to move in areas that afford the criminals the opportunity for them to be successful. Let’s ALL be aware and report all suspicious activity to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office at 301-600-2071 for non-emergencies and 911 for all emergencies and crimes in progress. If anyone has any questions about this or the below alert please contact me, thanks…Kevin

An individual was reported to the Sheriff’s Office by a citizen for attempting to take mail out of their mailbox. Upon being confronted by the homeowner the suspect advised that they were passing out flyers. The individual was not passing out flyers they were stealing mail but posing as a some sort of employee of a company soliciting for business passing out flyers. Beware that the only mail that is to be in your mailboxes should be placed there by an official mail carrier of the U.S. Postal Service and NO ONE ELSE. The very sharp citizen called and reported the suspicious activity after catching them attempting to take their mail. Sheriff’s Deputies were there in minutes of the call confronted the suspect apprehended them and over 80 pieces of mail recovered in their possession. The suspect had been doing this for sometime and did confiscate checks and retail cards that had come through the mail and use them prior to being caught. I learned about this event from a newly revitalized NW area Coordinator who had the citizen who confronted the suspect contact her of the incident. So, I commend the citizen who called the Sheriff’s Office initially to report the suspicious activity in the first place and the Coordinator who in turn knew to notify me so I can pass this info on to all of you. This is exactly how the program is intended and should work! Great Job!

Now, thanks to the observant citizens where this occurred you all benefit and keep from becoming victims of this latest crime trend of mail theft/Fraud which MAY BE heading your way at anytime. Let’s all together be ALERT on the LOOKOUT for this and ANY other suspicious activity, vehicles and persons in your communities in or around mailboxes, or just SHOULD NOT BE THERE. Report ANY such activity to the Sheriff’s Office immediately and perhaps within minutes you too can prevent a crime from being successful against you and many others as this citizen did. Remember, we NEED your assistance if it’s suspicious to YOU it’s suspicious to US! Be safe EVERYONE and take care.


Dfc. Kevin D. White Sr. 0298
Frederick County Sheriff's Office
110 Airport Drive East
Frederick, Md. 21701
301-600-1046-Patrol
301-600-3985-Office
301-600-1527-Fax

Good Turnout at the Neighborhood Watch Meeting

I'll use Ryan Trout's words to summarize the meeting:

"Good afternoon all,Thank you for your commitment to the town of Woodsboro, your interest in learning about crime, and your desire to make communication in ourcommunity better. I really enjoyed the talks by Burgess Smith, Dfc.Sutton, Dfc. White, and Ken Kellar, and I want to thank each of you for taking the time to educate us on Woodsboro and community watchprograms. I would like to take this to the next step, and want to know who isinterested in helping. At the meeting I heard a lot of great ideas onhow to create a safer and more inclusive community. Some ideas I heard were:-
Community Day/Neighborhood Events-
Free Security Surveys by the FC Sheriff's Department-
Newsletter-
Starting a Community Watch program/Door-to-door recruitment-
More people for the Watch website-
Welcoming parties when new residents move in to town

If I missed anything, or if you have any ideas, please email me and Iwill be sure to forward it to the group. If you are interested in helping with a specific project, please let me know.Thank you again, and I look forward to hearing from you.Ryan P. Trout"

Additionally, one citizen asked if they could get an e-mail notification when a new blog post was issued. This can be done but the number of e-mail addresses is limited to ten. These need to be reserved for Block Captain use so unfortunately we cannot provide that service.

Please comment here too if you have any feedback or additional thoughts.