Free Pick Up of Old Appliances, Tires and Furniture from Your Home!

(Click on the image for CountyClick)

Have We Forgotten What Saves Lives?

(Click on the image for the report)

From page 13 of the report:
One of the most challenging issues contributing to traffic crashes is speeding, which is driving in   excess of the posted legal limit. According to NHTSA, in 2015, almost 30% of all fatal crashes   involved speeding as a contributing factor. Speed-related crashes took 9,557 lives in 2015 alone, an increase of 3% from the previous year. Speed-related crashes caused $52 billion in economic costs and $203 billion in comprehensive costs, based on 2010 data.
Speeding can have many consequences, such as an increased stopping distance, decreased time for the driver to react to emergencies and other roadway hazards, and higher levels of crash energy.   Further, other common contributing factors to crashes such as alcohol, seat belt use, and inexperienced novice drivers go hand-in-hand with, or are exacerbated by, speeding to produce deadly and dangerous situations.
A common policy solution to reduce crashes involving excessive speed is automated enforcement, specifically speed cameras. These have been shown to reduce both speed and crashes, according to IIHS. A study comparing similar roads in Maryland and Virginia found that a speed camera program resulted in a 19% reduction in the likelihood that a crash involved a fatal or incapacitating injury.

Highway of death: Why has Indian Head Highway had so many fatal crashes?

(Click on the image for Rich Johnson's WTOP report)

By Rich Johnson: You don’t have to ask him twice about why Indian Head Highway, otherwise known as Md. 210, is so deadly.
“Aggressive and reckless driving is the order of the day on Indian Head Highway,” said the Rev. Robert Screen, the chaplain at Fort Washington Medical Center.
Screen is often called upon in the middle of the night to console the loved ones of those killed or seriously hurt in crashes on the highway, which is near the hospital. He’s written letters to Maryland’s governor, state police and to Prince George’s County’s executive and police chief in order to voice his concerns.
“You just haven’t had the amount of police awareness, presence, enforcement policies to keep up with the volume of traffic … and the number of people … speeding,” said Screen.
On Tuesday, AAA Mid-Atlantic released data from its analysis of crash data provided by Prince George’s County police. According to AAA, at least 14 people have been killed in crashes along Md. 210 in the past four years. Three pedestrians also have died there since 2013.
The highway has developed a deadly reputation. Many residents also remember the worldwide headlines made in 2008, when eight people were killed in a drag race gone bad — an illegal drag racer plowed a crowd of spectators in Accokeek, Maryland.
[Citizens can save lives by slowing down as Major Sparkman has asked several times. The Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Plan is here.]

66 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Right Now

(Click on the image for the report)

By Consumer Reports: Ah, the joys of the connected life: opportunities to engage with global communities, be educated and entertained, and shop with ease. But these go hand in glove with intrusions from marketers and threats from criminals. The tips here, compiled with input from dozens of security experts, will help you take control.

Recent Scams

(Click on the image for the News4 report)

Susan Hogan reports on suspicious phone calls targeting seniors about Medicare insurance and on bogus computer support pop-up messages. Don't fall for these scams!

Inside the Mind of a Mugger

(Click on the image for the News4 video report)

By Scott MacFarlane, Rick Yarborough and Steve Jones:
A survey of convicted muggers revealed some helpful details about what they do and do not look for in their victims.

School system is seeking a nearly $133 million increase

Click on the image for Candace's report)

By Candace Rojo Keyes in the Sentinel:
"In fiscal year 2016, PGCPS received $669 million and received $698 million for fiscal year 2017 (the current year). Now, the school system is seeking a nearly $133 million increase in funds from previous years."

Don't Let this Happen Here!

(Click on the image for the News4 video report)

News4's Mark Segraves talked to police about 50 car break-ins that took place in just two days and on two blocks in the North Falls Church area. [Remove valuables and lock your car!]

County spends more than $110,000 a year on cars for its lawmakers

(Click on the image for Arelis' report in The Washington Post)

By Arelis R. Hernández:
The Prince George’s County government spends more than $110,000 a year on automobile allowances and take-home cars for county council officials, a perk that goes far beyond what is offered in neighboring jurisdictions.
All nine council members and the council’s two top administrators are either assigned a government vehicle or paid a yearly car allowance.
Between 2011 and 2016, council members driving take-home cars were involved in at least 15 collisions, including a major crash Nov. 21 that resulted in the arrest of council member Mel Franklin (D-Upper Marlboro), District 9, on drunken-driving charges.
They also received at least 107 speeding, missed-toll and parking citations, according to public records provided to The Washington Post.
Forty-six of those tickets went to council member Karen R. Toles (D-Suitland), District 7, a popular lawmaker who drew attention in 2012 after she was ticketed for driving 105 mph on the Capital Beltway.

Chief Stawinski Discusses DOJ Complaint

(Click on the image for Chief Stawinski's press conference)

See also Tracee Wilkins report on News4.

Free Spay/Neuter

The Prince George’s County Animal Management Division (AMD) has received a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture to provide free spay/neuter services for pets belonging to low-income individuals and families residing in Prince George’s County. The free service, available for dogs and cats, will run from February 1, 2017 through December 1, 2017, or until grant funding is complete.
Pet owners must reside in Prince George’s County to be eligible for the free spaying or neutering program and should provide proof of rabies vaccination. Pets without proof of rabies vaccination will be inoculated free of charge.
For more information on the free spay and neutering program or to learn how you may qualify, contact Catherine Hernandez at (301) 780- 7252 or visit www.princegeorgescounty4pets.com.

MGM National Harbor brings in $48.8 million in its first full calendar month

(Impact Grants, VLT & Table, Total $2.6M for January 2017)

"In its first full calendar month of operation, MGM National Harbor generated $48,828,135 million from slot machines and table games in January"
"Gross gaming revenue per unit per day in January at MGM National Harbor was: $241.88 for slot machines, $5,824.32 for banked table games and $1,494.45 for non-banked table games. MGM National Harbor operates 3,237 slot machines and 165 (126 banked and 39 non-banked) table games." [The press release is here.]

‘Urgent care on wheels’: Fire departments rescuing patients from costly ER trips

(Click on the image for Lynh Bui and Clarence Williams' report)

Washington Post:
In the 15 minutes after firefighters and a nurse knocked at Thelma Lee’s Maryland townhouse, they checked her blood pressure, told her what foods would keep her blood sugar from skyrocketing and set up an appointment — and a ride — to visit her primary care physician.
They also changed the battery in her chirping fire alarm and put a scale in her bathroom so she could monitor her weight before rolling out in an SUV to their next house call.
Firefighters in Prince George’s County visit or call her at least once a week in a county project that is part of a growing effort nationwide to rethink 911 services that would reduce nonemergency calls, plug gaps in health care and cut costs to taxpayers, patients and insurers.
In Prince George’s, the fire department identified residents who have called 911 five times or more in a calendar year and targeted some for home visits with nurses from Washington Adventist Doctors Community Hospital and the county health department.
“We talk about medical history, medications, check the house for safety hazards, call Meals on Wheels to eliminate what we can to prevent you from activating the 911 system,” said Brian Goldfeder, a Prince George’s firefighter/paramedic and county mobile health coordinator. [report is here]

The Best Way to Clear the Snow Pile at the End of Your Driveway

(Click on the image for the Consumer Reports article)

Homeowners who live in regions that get one snowstorm after another have developed a technique that minimizes the amount of snow a plow can shove into an open driveway. Facing the street, use a shovel or snow blower to clear a space to the left of your driveway that’s 10 feet long and at least a car width wide. That way when the plow comes down the street, it pushes most of the snow into that area and not into your driveway.

[More tips in the Consumer Reports article]

Metrobus route cuts proposed in Fort Washington

(Click on the image for Pete Muntean's video report) 

WUSA9: Metro is considering big cuts to fix its money problems, and bus riders are not happy.
A half-dozen bus routes through Prince George’s County could be changed or cut. The agency is facing a $300 million shortfall.
Riders think Fort Washington, Oxon Hill, and Indian Head are being targeted unfairly.
“With Metro cutting the buses, it's going to be inconvenient for everybody. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person or the only parent affected by this,” said Daniese Stewart, who lives in Fort Washington and relies on one of the affected bus routes to get to work.
Metro is still taking public comment on the issue. You can send it through WMATA's website. The deadline is Monday.

Top 10 Scams Targeting Senior Citizens

(Click on the image for Susan Hogan's video report)

News4: The Senate Aging Committee revealed the 10 scams that affect senior citizens the most.
More information at “Stopping Senior Scams: Developments in Financial Fraud Affecting Seniors”

Another Arrest in Prince George's County Corruption Investigation

(Click on the image for Tracee's report)

News4: An accountant with political ties has been arrested in connection with a corruption investigation in Prince George's County.
Also, Emily Blackner has a report on this in the Sentinel.