MILL CREEK– Attempted Abduction

The Mill Creek Police Department is seeking the public’s help to find a person who attempted to lure a Jackson High School student on October 24, 2019, at about 6:55am in the vicinity of the 13800 block of 33^rd Dr SE.

The suspect is described as a male with a dark skin complexion, possibly Indian descent, and with a short dark beard. The car the man was driving was described as a newer or luxury black sedan.

The man asked the student if they wanted a ride. The student said no. The man then demanded in a louder voice that the student get into the vehicle. The student promptly reported the incident to school officials and law enforcement.

Mill Creek Police asks parents and guardians to remind their children to:

·         Not accept rides, candy or gifts from strangers

·         Always tell family where they are going and when they will be there

·         Be very alert to their surroundings as they go to and from school

·         Walk or ride bikes in pairs and groups

·         Never hesitate to ask a responsible adult for help

If you have any information related to this incident, please contact Detective Tara Marks at the Mill Creek Police Department at (425) 745-6175.



Mill Creek Police Department:

https://www.facebook.com/millcreekpd/?__tn__=%2CdkCH-R-R&eid=ARAq68HiHil-sr5h97y8Rx0PX7O8tlO1GzdesnR_602rRqMmf43XopTBhDYoEQMFzs7dy83GOCZuqUqs&hc_ref=ARSfZy6AFNE0sPLNjaHHhXcwCguT4YfaAtLnKuRChDgVAs5HPqA2-6ipPIlrxrqMwJc&fref=nf&hc_location=group

EVERETT– National Drug Take Back Day

One of the strategies that law enforcement agencies and health professionals recommend to reduce addiction to opioids and other prescription drugs is to take back unused prescription drugs that you no longer need. To publicize this effort the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The next take back day is on Saturday, October 26.

The Everett Police Department is hosting a drug take back event on Saturday between 10am to 2pm at its North Precinct, 3002 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA.

Can’t make it on Saturday? There are several locations that have return boxes where you can take your unneeded prescriptions. For more information go to:

https://med-project.org/locations/snohomish/



Everett Police Department:

https://www.facebook.com/EverettPoliceWA/photos/a.296828390366966/2455198747863242/?type=3&theater



DEA:

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/national-take-back-day



And on a related note, finding ways to prevent addiction to opioids is a challenge for patients, doctors, law enforcement, and other professionals and citizens. The podcast, “Finding Fixes,” covers this issue for Snohomish County. It has started a new season recently.

The first episode for this season talks about preventing youth addiction. The second episode talks about treating acute pain to prevent opioid dependence.

The podcasts are well worth listening to on your podcast provider or at their website:

Finding Fixes:

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/national-take-back-day

SCAM UPDATE– Imposter Scams, Millennials

Government Imposter Scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that government imposter scams are the number one scam reported to it through its complaint web site. Scammers impersonate government officials, such as IRS agents, Social Security Administration employees, or even Sheriff’s Office deputies as reported recently by the King County Sheriff’s Office, to scare you into giving them money to get out of trouble such as a supposed imminent arrest.

The FTC says that only 6% of those reporting government imposter scams say they lost money. But the median loss was $960. People 80 or over reported a median loss of $2,700.

The top three government imposter scams reported from January to May of this year were Social Security, Health and Human Services/Medicare and IRS.

The FTC recommends that you:

·         Be suspicious of any call from a government agency asking for money or information.

·         Don’t trust caller ID- it can be faked.

·         Never pay with a gift card or wire transfer.

·         Check with the real agency.

Also, report scams to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint.



Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/data-spotlight/2019/07/government-imposter-scams-top-list-reported-frauds#end1



KING TV:

 https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/scammers-pose-as-law-enforcement-threaten-arrest-to-collect-money/281-6a7fce62-8f9c-4b30-9e58-bb489b94512a

  





Millennials Susceptible to Fraud. In a study of reported fraud complaints, the Federal Trade Commission has found that millennials (20-39 years of age) are 25% more likely than people 40+ to report losing money to fraud.

The top three scams that they report losing money to are online shopping, business imposter scams and government imposter scams.

The median reported loss by millennials is $400, much lower that what people 40+ report. However, over the past two years, millennials reported losing a total of $450 million. They lost $71 million to online shopping fraud and $61 million to government imposter scams.

While scammers are most likely to contact millennials by phone, like other age groups, they are less likely to report losing money to a phone scam. Millennials are 77% more likely to lose money responding to a scam email than their older counterparts.

We all assume that elderly people are especially susceptible to fraud. However, the FTC findings show that anyone, of any age, can be victimized by fraudsters.



Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/10/millennials-more-likely-report-losing-money-fraud-older



https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/data-spotlight/2019/10/not-what-you-think-millennials-fraud

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE– Crime Prevention Newsletter, Methamphetamine

Opioids and heroin have been receiving a lot of publicity lately, including fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that killed three teenagers recently in King County. However, methamphetamine is making a comeback after it was suppressed due to laws restricting access of some of its ingredients in the early 2000’s. This issue of the Sheriff’s crime prevention newsletter covers the rise of this drug and its effect on our community.





Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6252

  

KING COUNTY– Fentanyl Update

The deaths of three high school students in King County due to fentanyl overdoses have caused local government officials to work to educate vulnerable populations about the dangers of fentanyl in counterfeit drugs.

In a post on its website, Seattle and King County Public Health gave a comprehensive report on fentanyl in King County and what people can do to avoid becoming victimized by it. While most of the publicity of fentanyl has come from King County, the dangers of this very powerful synthetic opioid is also present in Snohomish County. Parents should be sure to talk to their teenage children about its dangers and how to avoid becoming victimized.

Fentanyl has been found in both pill form and in powders, as depicted in the following graphic from Seattle and King County Public Health:

The report says, “… most overdose deaths are attributed to poly-substance use with methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths continuing to rise.” In 2018, there were 415 drug and alcohol deaths in King County, 77% of which involved multiple substances.   

The health district says that you can do something to curb this disturbing trend. It recommends the following:

Everyone should be aware of the risks associated with illicit drug use, and particularly the recent increase in fatal fentanyl overdoses:

·         Do not consume any pill that you do not directly receive from a pharmacy or your prescriber.

·         Pills purchased online are not safe.

·         Counterfeit pills purchased illicitly may contain fentanyl and appear to be legitimate pharmaceutical products, such as oxycodone pills.

Anyone can help prevent a fatal overdose:

·         Carry naloxone, the medication to reverse an opioid overdose.  Visit www.stopoverdose.org (http://stopoverdose.org/section/find-naloxone-near-you/) for locations that provide naloxone.

·         Do not use illicit substances alone.

·         Call 911 if you witness an opioid overdose. If you are trying to help in an overdose, the Washington State Good Samaritan law protects you and the overdose victim from drug possession charges.

·         Get rid of unused or expired medications. Find a dropbox near you: in King County- https://kingcountysecuremedicinereturn.org/.

·In Snohomish County-    https://snohomishoverdoseprevention.com/take-back-unwanted-meds/.

Treatment works:

·         Medication is available in the community that can cut
overdose risk in half and treat urges and cravings.

·         Call the 24-hour Recovery Help line: 1-866-789-1511 or visit www.warecoveryhelpline.org

Seattle & King County Public Health:

https://publichealthinsider.com/2019/09/26/overdose-update-recent-increase-in-overdose-deaths-linked-to-fentanyl-laced-pills-and-powders/?fbclid=IwAR3VjtazfN7_A02K2urY3KLaCbZ3acccQ4XrNBdOKqPFre3wSpPG1Ahb1Eg

SCAM ALERT– Chinese Consulate Scam

AARP has posted its latest episode of its podcast, “The Perfect Scam.” This episode talks about scammers who target Chinese nationals with a variety of scams. On average, victims lose $150,000 to these scams. If you have picked up the phone and heard Chinese at the other end, this probably was a robocall from a Chinese scammer.

One point of this podcast is that scammers will target anyone they can to extract money from the potential victims. That can be the elderly, millennials, or ethnic groups such as the Chinese.
The podcast even pointed out that scammers are known to target the Chinese population in the Seattle area.

This 20-minute podcast is well worth listening to, even if you are not Chinese.

If you know of anyone who is from China, please pass this information to them. It might help them to avoid becoming a victim of a scam.

AARP Fraud Watch Network, The Perfect Scam:
https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/the-perfect-scam/info-2019/consulate-scam.html

KING COUNTY– Fentanyl Takes Lives of Teens

Teens have long experimented with drugs, be it alcohol, marijuana, and sometimes cocaine, ecstasy, or heroin and other opioids. The deaths of two teen boys in Sammamish and another from Ballard High School in Seattle points out the extreme dangers of the modern opioid epidemic.

Authorities say that the deaths were due to fentanyl overdoses. Detectives are investigating where the fentanyl came from. So far in 2019, seven teenagers in King County have died from fentanyl-related overdoses.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that works similarly to morphine and is 50 to 100 times more potent as morphine. It is prescribed by physicians to treat severe pain and is applied as a shot, in a patch that is put on the skin, or as a lozenge.

Most deaths from a fentanyl overdose come from illegally manufactured and distributed fentanyl. Some drug dealers mix fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, to give the drug an extra and cheap “kick.” Drug dealers sell it in the form of a powder, drops on blotter paper, in eye droppers or made into pills that look like other prescription opioids. Local public health authorities say that fentanyl has been found in blue, white and pale green pills stamped with an “M” on one side and a “30” on the other side. Fentanyl pills have also been stamped with K9, 215 and √48.

Fentanyl’s effects can include extreme happiness, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, constipation, sedation, problems breathing, and unconsciousness. A Fentanyl overdose can slow or stop their breathing and can decrease the amount of oxygen in the brain leading to a coma, and permanent brain damage or death, like an opioid or heroin overdose. 

Given the potency of fentanyl, a tiny amount can be fatal.

The signs of an overdose include irregular sleep patterns, such as snoring when someone usually does not snore or difficulty in waking someone up. Other symptoms include cold, clammy skin, skin turning blue, coma, and respiratory failure.

Should someone have any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. If available, apply Narcan. Stay with the patient until help arrives.

Fentanyl is serious business. Death due to an overdose can happen quickly.

Obviously, no parent wants their child to go through an experience like a fentanyl overdose. Educating your teenage child about illegal fentanyl should go a long way to help them avoid the pitfalls of this narcotic.



The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/sammamish-officials-heartbroken-over-deaths-of-2-skyline-high-school-students-who-overdosed-on-fentanyl/



KOMO TV:

https://komonews.com/news/local/ballard-high-school-student-dies-from-accidental-fentanyl-overdose



Partnership for Drug-Free Kids:

https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/fentanyl-synthetic-opioids-5-things-need-know/



 National Institute on Drug Abuse:

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl



Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/opioids/fentanyl.html   

SCAM UPDATE- Identity Thief Commits Domestic Violence, Gold Scam, Lottery Scam

October is Domestic Violence Month and Cyber Security Awareness Month. The following item is relevant to both.

Identity Thief Commits Domestic Violence. In early September, a man claiming to be “Craig Dubal” broke down the front door to his girlfriend’s home and attacked her and a female friend. However, detectives have determined that the man claiming to be Craig Duval has committed identity theft to take over the name of the real Craig Duval who lives in Vancouver, Washington. The girlfriend even had copies of the imposter’s driver’s license and Social Security Card that showed him as the Vancouver resident.

Crooks have many motivations to steal someone’s identity. Mostly they want to get your money, buy expensive items on your bank account, or sell your information to other crooks. Taking on a stolen identity to commit other crimes is probably the biggest nightmare for an identity theft victim.

Detectives want this unknown suspect for 1^st Degree Burglary-Domestic Violence, Identity Theft, Malicious Mischief and Interfering with Reporting Domestic Violence.

If you know who this person is and/or where he lives, call Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or use the P3 Tips App. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for any information that leads to an arrest in this case.

For more detail about this case, check out this link,

Washington’s Most Wanted:
https://q13fox.com/2019/09/27/help-id-suspect-living-lie-to-woman-hes-accused-of-attacking-shocking-man-whose-name-hes-been-using/

Gold Scam. In the spring of this year and again in September, the Washington State Patrol has been warning citizens about scammers approaching drivers on freeway off ramps. The scammers often claim that they are having car trouble or are out of gas and do not have enough money to cover their costs. They ask for money and in exchange they offer what looks like gold jewelry. Only, what they have to offer is not gold, but is made of brass or another gold looking material.

In Everett, police are looking for scammers who have been approaching people in parking lots with a similar scam.

The scammers prey on your sympathy and on your greed. You want to help someone out and you might think that you are getting a “good deal” by getting gold jewelry for cheap.

If someone approaches you on the street offering gold jewelry, just say no and report them to 911.
KIRO TV:
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/wsp-suspects-selling-fake-gold-on-freeways/953439157

https://www.kiro7.com/video?videoId=992132195&videoVersion=1.0

Lottery Scam. AARP sponsors a podcast called “The Perfect Scam” that gives excellent insight into scammers and their scams. In the most recent episode, the podcast tells the story of how an FBI agent worked to catch a lottery kingpin. One of the takeaways from this episode is that scammers look for vulnerable people who they can isolate and victimize, often repeatedly.

The Perfect Scam is well worth listening to and this episode is especially informative.

AARP, The Perfect Scam:
https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/the-perfect-scam/info-2019/lavrick-willocks-lottery-scam.html

For more information about Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, check out this web site:
https://nationaltoday.com/%e2%80%8bnational-domestic-violence-awareness-month/

And for more information about Cyber Security Awareness Month check out this web site:
https://niccs.us-cert.gov/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2019