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Issue #94: December 12, 2008

Dear Friends:

If you live in Baltimore, it has probably happened to you or someone you know. You wake up one morning and your car window has been broken and everything of value has been stolen. Or someone has broken into your house and taken jewelry or stereo equipment. Although these property crimes are less threatening to residents than violent crime, experiencing such incidents makes us feel violated and insecure, and our quality of life compromised.

That’s why I was happy to report to you last month that Mayor Dixon signed into law a measure requiring Baltimore’s pawn and secondhand stores to report transaction data to police electronically. I introduced this legislation because electronic reporting is an efficient tool for investigating and solving property crimes, as we know that property stolen in the Baltimore region is often fenced for cash in pawnshops and secondhand stores.

This week I gave a presentation to the Baltimore City Criminal Justice Coordinating Council on the new system and advocated for the General Assembly to pass a comprehensive, statewide electronic reporting law.

The new Regional Pawn Data Sharing System (RPDSS) collects transaction data from pawn and secondhand stores into a searchable database of pawned property including names and addresses of pawners. In 2004 the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments created the nation's first RPDSS system with a Justice Department grant. In the last four years, the system has helped recover millions of dollars worth of stolen property and led to thousands of arrests.

In 2006, with grant money from Baltimore Metropolitan Council and local governments, Baltimore Police Department purchased new hardware and software to implement a Baltimore RPDSS. During the Maryland General Assembly’s 2008 Session, Baltimore leaders sought statewide legislation requiring electronic reporting for pawnshops. When it became clear that the state bill wouldn’t pass before the end of the session, I immediately introduced a City Council bill requiring electronic reporting for pawn and secondhand stores in Baltimore City.

This photo shows the old paper record system where a small staff of investigators at police headquarters sorted through tens of thousands of paper transaction sheets a month. By mandating daily electronic reporting of pawn and secondhand transactions, we are eliminating this antiquated paper record system that is ineffective and very difficult to search.

This new tool will greatly reduce the time that police detectives spend sifting through paper records searching for stolen property. That's more time that can be spent investigating and actually solving property crimes and closing cases. Let's take the City legislation statewide, and ensure that everyone is on the same page with electronic reporting. I truly believe this new tool will help to reduce property crime in Baltimore City and the region. It’s an idea whose time has come.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Baltimore School for the Arts Lights Up the Holidays for 2000 Elementary School Students

By this Sunday afternoon, The Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) will put smiles on the faces of approximately 2000 Baltimore City elementary students. The younger students are being treated to a free matinee of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, performed by BSA dancers. The BSA’s Nutcracker performance opened last Friday and ends Sunday, December 14. Thirty-eight BCPSS elementary and charter schools will attend matinees for the performance.

For 22 years, families throughout the region have celebrated the holidays with sugar plum fairies, dancing snowflakes, and mouse kings at the Baltimore School for the Arts’ performance of The Nutcracker Ballet. This year, the BSA will present their production of the classical ballet story choreographed specifically for the Baltimore School for the Arts by Barry Hughson, executive director of the Atlanta Ballet.

Founded in 1980, the Baltimore School for the Arts provides students with intensive pre-professional training in the arts in the context of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. BSA graduates go on to the most selective arts and university programs nationwide and achieve prominence in theater, film, music, dance and visual arts.

2008 Fall All-Metro Picks Are Announced

Congratulations to the following Baltimore City Public School athletes and coaches for making the Baltimore Sun’s 2008 Fall All-Metro Roster.

Varsity Football

Coach of the Year Eric Woodson, Northwestern
Offensive Player of the Year Tavon Austin, Dunbar
Defensive Player Horace Miller, Dunbar
Lineman Anthony Watters, Dunbar
Defensive End Horace Miller, Dunbar
Linebacker Gary Onuekwusi, Dunbar

Dunbar High ranked 3rd place in the final poll, with an 11-1 record.

Cross Country

Girls Runner of the Year Brinae Robinson, Western

Send us the good news about your Baltimore City public school!

Do you have an exciting news item on achievements in Baltimore City Public Schools?
Let us know so that we can feature them in the President's SchoolSpot. Call Council President Rawlings-Blake's office at 410-396-4804 or send an e-mail to Marva Williams at marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov

Baltimore City Fire Department Reminds Everyone to be Aware of "The Silent Killer": Carbon Monoxide

The Baltimore City Fire Department would like to remind everyone to have your home heating appliances serviced by a licensed professional to protect your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Click the link below to learn about carbon monoxide, the danger signs, how to protect your family and other helpful information.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

MTA Offering Special Rail and Bus Services for Presidential Inauguration

The MTA will offer special MARC Train and Commuter Bus services for events surrounding the Martin Luther King Holiday on January 19, 2009 and the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Although it is a federal holiday, on January 19, 2009, the MTA will offer regular MARC Train service on the Penn Line and limited "S" service on the Brunswick and Camden Lines. Commuter Bus shuttle service will be offered from designated park-and-ride locations to Metrorail stations.

On January 20, 2009, all MARC service will operate as reserved trains on special schedules, and tickets must be purchased in advance. Information on the purchase of special Inauguration tickets will follow soon. MARC Train service will operate starting at 5:00am until 9:00 am and will resume service from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm on all three lines (Penn, Camden and Brunswick). Penn Line service will not operate north of Baltimore’s Penn Station. MARC Trains will board passengers from selected stops along all the lines to and from Washington’s Union Station.

On January 20, 2009, Commuter Bus Service will operate shuttles from selected locations between 4:00am until 9:00am and will resume service from 4:00pm until 9:00pm to and from Metrorail stations. For reserved Inauguration Day MARC trains, tickets will go on sale in late December. The MTA advises customers to expect extremely crowded conditions on Inauguration Day, and they should expect to see even tighter conditions as the events conclude. Visit www.mtamaryland.com or call (410) 539-5000 or (866) RIDE-MTA. TTY 410-539-3497.

City Council This Week

Tuesday, December 16

Hearing: Public Safety and Health Committee, Bernard C. “Jack” Young – Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0061R Informational Hearing - Public Wellness and Disease Prevention Program - City Employees

Community Events

For a comprehensive listing of holiday events in Baltimore,
check the City Council's online events calendar.

Toy Drive 2008 Through December 18th

Presented by City of Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with Baltimore City Youth Commission. To benefit the children of Baltimore City. Please drop off new unwrapped toys at the following sites December 8 thru 18:

V.S. Baker/Patterson Park Recreation Center
2600 E. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-396-9156

Herring Run Recreation Center
5001 Sinclair Lane
Baltimore, MD 21206
410-488-6634

Woodhome Recreation Center
7310 Moyer Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21234
410-396-6703

Leith Walk Recreation Center
1235 Sherwood Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21239
410-396-6681

Locust Point Recreation Center
1627 E. Fort Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-837-4423

Walter P. Carter Recreation Center
820 E. 43rd Street
Baltimore, MD 21212
410-396-6217

Dr. Ralph W. E. Jones Jr. Administration Building
3001 East Drive
Baltimore, MD 21217
410-396-7900

December 12-14

3rd Annual Breezy Bishop Classic
Western High School, 4600 Falls Rd. 22 teams play in this basketball tournament. Tickets $8. westerndovesbasketball.com

December 12th and 16th

Chinquapin Middle School presents the theatrical play, "Tomorrow"
 900 Woodbourne Ave., 7pm. The Chinquapin Champion Band will perform. $7. For tickets, 410-396-6426.

Saturday, December 13

Jingle Bell Parade
Parade kicks off at Luzerne and Monument Streets, 10 am. Opening prayer with Senator McFadden, marching bands, steel drum band, VFW drill team, the Oriole Bird---and Santa arrives in a Hummer! Following the parade, enjoy a holiday gospel concert at Collington and Monument. Traffic advisory and parking restrictions

Homebuyer Education Classes
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, 819 Park Ave. Time varies. Call 410-327-1200. www.nhsbaltimore.org

Lexington Market's Annual Holiday Fashion Extravaganza
12pm-2pm, Fashion show, island music, Santa Claus, and more.

Baltimore City College Choir's Annual Christmas Concert
6pm, Concord Baptist Church, 5204 Liberty Heights Ave.

Waverly Wonderland
Greenmount Ave. from 35th to 28th Streets, 9am-1pm. Enjoy live music, breakfast and FREE photos with Santa and more while celebrating the holidays. www.waverlymainstreet.blogspot.com.

Historic Walking Tour in the Greater Rosemont Bridgeview neighborhood
Meet at Melvin H. Cade Armory, 2620 Winchester Ave., 10am-12pm. Explore the architecture, heritage and historic sites in this West Baltimore community. Free. 410-332-9992.

"Ask A Business Question" Workshop
Enoch Pratt Library Hampden Branch, 3641 Falls Rd. 11am-1pm.

Sunday, December 14

The Walters Art Museum Musical Celebration
The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 2pm. Featuring Joyous Voices, a caroling ensemble. Free.

Free Family Sundays
Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), 2pm, enjoy sketching tours, hands-on workshops, gallery tours, and more family activities. www.artbma.org

Monday, December 15

Celebrating Kwanzaa
Enoch Pratt Library Herring Run Branch, 3801 Erdman Ave., 4pm. Storyteller Diane Macklin presents the seven principles of Kwanzaa through folk stories for all ages. Free. 410-396-0996.


Upcoming/Ongoing

Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems Seeks Community Representatives

Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems (BSAS) is the authority responsible for funding, strengthening and expanding substance abuse services for Baltimore city’s uninsured and underinsured residents. The Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP) Committee of BSAS designs strategies to communicate, advocate and partner with stakeholders and officials to develop comprehensive and accessible drug addiction treatment and prevention services. The committee is seeking two volunteers to serve as community representatives. on a committee comprised of several members of the BSAS Board of Directors, BSAS staff, and other non-board members who represent addiction treatment providers, treatment advocates, community organizers and business leaders.

For more information and how to apply

Nursing Program Opportunity With Free Tuition!
If you know of anyone between 18-28 years old, interested in the nursing field, University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is offering FREE tuition, FREE books, a $250 monthly stipend, and guaranteed job placement as a nurse at Washington DC's Providence Hospital upon graduation from their 3-year program, with a starting salary of $40,000. The program is recruiting new students now!! Contact Ms. Beshon Smith (202) 266-5481 or email Bsmith@urbanalliance.org

Small Packages: Last Minute Maul presented by School 33 Art Center, Dec. 21, 10am-5pm, 1427 Light St. Browse sewn and vintage pieces, natural body care products and more made by lover 20 ocal crafters and artists. www.school33.org

Winter Solstice Celebration, Dec. 21, 7pm, First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Charles and Franklin Streets), a seeasonal ritual of songs, poetry, and drama. Food and fellowship will follow. Signed for the hearing impaired. 410-685-2330 or office@firstunitarian.net.

Annual Community-Wide Chanukah, presented by CHAI, Dec. 22, 7pm-9pm, Temple Oheb Shalom front lawn, 7310 Park Heights Ave. Kids fun corner, entertainment, food and more. 410-466-1990.

Baltimore City’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular presented by Ports America, Dec. 31, 9pm-12:30am, Inner Harbor, fireworks, performances and more.

New Conversations/Conversaciones Nuevas, Enoch Pratt’s Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., Tuesdays at 11am. Practice casual conversation for beginning English and Spanish speakers, 410-396-1580.

Food Assistance provided by Project 100, an initiative of the Baltimore City Housing Community Action Partnership and New Psalmist Baptist Church, to help families with food security for 30 days in order to pay down other bills. It’s for residents of 21217, 21216, 21201, 21223, or 21229 who have children and do not receive food stamps or a utility subsidy from Section 8. 410-396-0893

Baltimore City Community College Launches Accelerated Associates Degree Program for Spring 2009. Baltimore City Community College has a new accelerated program for African American males to earn an Associate of Arts degree in one year. The program is entitled the "Quest." Info: 410-462-7745

Open Minds is Creative Alliance's free book-based after school program. New visual and performing arts courses, including mural painting, photography, music production and breakdancing are beginning at Wolfe Street Academy, Hampstead Hill, Collington Square and with EBLO-Mi Segunda Casa at John Ruhrah. Call Karen Summerville at 410-276-1651.

Conserve energy, save money and protect the environment with BGE’s PeakRewards program. If you have central air conditioning or an electric heat pump, you could save up to 15% year round in energy costs. www.bgesmartenergy.com/peakrewards

Power of Parents and Partners in School (P.O.P.S. Program) is a new program to encourage and address the needs of students who are expecting or parenting teens who have dropped out and want to return to school. Developed by the Laurence G. Paquin School. 410-396-9398/9399.

Baltimore Speaks Out! Program, a great opportunity for children ages 11-15 to learn about video/film production. Offered at Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Herring Run branch, 3810 Erdman Ave. 410-338-0947. Free.