REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS OR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY TO 911

Thursday, July 21, 2011

BATH SALTS- Alarming New Stimulant Becoming National Problem

Here is another article about Bath Salts. This New York Times article gives good background about Bath Salts as an emerging national problem:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/us/17salts.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3&ref=drugabuseandtraffic

MICROSOFT- Fake Microsoft Calls in Scamming Scheme

Recently, Microsoft issued a warning about scammers representing themselves as being from one of several Microsoft organizations (Windows Help Desk, Windows Service Center, Microsoft Tech Support, Microsoft Support, Windows Technical Department Support Group, or Microsoft Research and Development Team) who attempt to trick the people who they call into installing malicious software that can capture sensitive data, or take control of your computer remotely. They may also request your credit card information so that they can bill you for phony services or direct you to fraudulent websites which ask you for your credit card or other personal or financial information.

Microsoft emphasizes that it (nor its partners) does not make unsolicited phones call in order to charge you for computer security or software fixes.


For more detail about this scam, go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx

KING COUNTY- Burglar who took $1 million worth of possessions sentenced to 15 years

You may have seen this about the burglar, Keith Blair, who was sentenced to prison for a burglary spree in north King County. He is also suspected of several burglaries in Snohomish County.

This article shows that burglars often work a wide area. Also, according to King County law enforcement authorities, Blair entered his victims’ homes by kicking in a door or by using a ladder to enter a second-story window.

The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015624815_burglar16m.html

SOUTH PRECINCT- Burglaries Down for First Half of 2011

Deputy Dan Johnson recently briefed the South Precinct Partnership Committee on the crime statistics for the first half of 2011.

The precincts concentrate their efforts on the "Big Two" crimes that affect the most people- burglaries and car thefts. You are more likely to be a victim of a burglary or a car theft than you are of an assault or a homicide.

The Sheriff’s Office utilizes two teams to apprehend burglars and car thieves:

            1. BAT- Burglary Abatement Teams concentrate their efforts on apprehending burglars.

            2. SNOCAT- The Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force, a multijurisdictional entity that includes the Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, and other local participating police agencies, attempts to catch car thieves.

The statistics for the first six months of 2011 shows a decrease in reported burglaries of 18% over the same period in 2010. The numbers for burglaries are:

2010- 546        2011- 451

Deputy Johnson attributed this decrease in part by the information that he and Deputy Will Ter-Veen have been receiving from Neighborhood Watches. Deputy Johnson emphasized that they look at every tip. They may not always acknowledge receipt, but they do appreciate the information. He encourages everyone to keep passing the information no matter how small or insignificant that you might think it is.

Calls for service are also down for the first half of the year. Calls for service includes all calls that the Sheriff’s Office receives concerning burglaries, car thefts/car prowls, assaults, thefts, etc. The numbers for calls for service are:

2010- 60,842   2011- 57,250

Car thefts did not show much of a change over the first six months:

2010- 219        2011- 216

While car thefts have been reduced over the past few years due to the efforts of SNOCAT and tougher state car theft laws, this may be an area that deserves additional attention at the Neighborhood Watch level.

You might remind your neighbors:

1.      Take their keys with them and lock their car.
2.      Park in well lighted areas.
3.      Don’t leave their cars running unattended.

For more information on preventing car theft, go to this link for the Sheriff’s Auto Theft Tip Sheet:

http://sheriff.snoco.org/Documents/Auto%20Theft.pdf



Monday, July 11, 2011

SHERIFF'S OFFICE- Crime Prevention Newsletter

The latest issues of the Sheriff's Office's crime prevention newsletter "Partners in Crime Prevention" will help you prevent crime.

The March-April edition provides valuable information on cyber security, including how to use social networking such as Facebook and Twitter in a safe manner.  Of particular interest is the top Internet abbreviations that parents need to know.  



The May-June newsletter is full of important details about current drug trends in Snohomish County.  Did you know that heroin use is on the rise and that prescription drug abuse is a growing concern?  The sale and use of illegal drugs affects us all, one way or another.  Read all about it in the May-June edition.

http://sheriff.snoco.org/Documents/MayJun11.pdf

ID THEFT- How to Spot a Skimmer

With the use of use of ATM's we are in danger of having our account numbers and PIN numbers stolen by "skimmers". Recently, KING 5 TV ran this item on how to spot a skimmer:

KING 5- How to spot a Skimmer
http://www.king5.com/news/consumer/How-to-spot-a-skimmer-on-an-ATM-machine--119446539.html

EVERETT- Everett PD Warning about "Bath Salts"

The Everett Police Department is warning everyone about bath salts. No not the stuff you put in your bath tub. Bath salts is the term used for a new designer drug that has made the scene in Puget Sound and around the country.

Bath salts can be very dangerous and have been declared illegal by the Washington State Pharmacy Board.

This link talks about what the Everett Police Department is doing to warn people about bath salts:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110708/NEWS01/707089890

This link gives a summary of the dangers of bath salts:

http://sheriff.snoco.org/Documents/MayJun11.pdf

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- SNOCAT Looking for Motorbike Thief


The Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force (SNOCAT) is looking for Marqus Jones who is accused of stealing motorbikes through Craigslist ads.

According to KCPQ 13 TV, Jones answers Craigslist ads selling motorbikes. He will arrange to meet the owner, then asks to take a test drive. When he drives off, he does not come back.

He has a preference for Suzuki GSX bikes.

Jones is 31 years old, 5’11” tall, 175lbs.

He also has a history of home-invasion burglaries.

If you know or see Marqus Jones call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477).




KCPQ- 13 TV:
http://www.q13fox.com/mostwanted/fugitive-files/kcpq-marqus-jones-police-say-he-test-drives-motorbikes-but-doesnt-come-back-20110708,0,4835207.story