The following was submitted to YWN by Baltimore Shomrim (05/09/10):

If you, or anyone you know, has been the victim of recent crime, please let us know! We are working with police to insure that all crimes are reported and logged correctly. In order to solve the problems, we need your help to identify them correctly.

Our Northwest District has had the largest spike in crime in all of Baltimore City. And we are seeing an increase in what we refer to as “Shoppers” – people who come into the area, walk or drive around until they see what they’d like to have. Often we find people carrying (or riding) what is almost certainly stolen property, but unless residents call Shomrim as soon as they see something is missing, there is little we can do.

2 May, between 5 and 6 PM, there was a report of a house alarm going off near Pinkney and Gist, with three youths leaving on bicycles. Shomrim units responded, and found a youth riding one bike while pushing another. He admitted the theft and decided to go home on foot. Shomrim is now looking for the rightful owners. So if you are missing a bike (or two), give us a call!

Later that evening, Shomrim received a call from someone who had had his bike stolen in the last week, but who then saw it outside of 3712 Bartwood, around the block from where it had been taken. Shomrim units followed the bike until the person riding it decided that he would be better off leaving it behind. Shomrim restored the bike to its rightful owner.

Shomrim was very active in helping to locate missing persons this month; not only were we called multiple times by worried families, but Shomrim units also located a 7 year old who was wandering far from home, but whose mother had not even been aware he was out!

In another call last week, Baltimore City police called Shomrim about a missing elderly woman. The call was heard by Shomrim units, as well as  the passengers in their cars – the result being that a girl in a carpool recognized a woman on the street as matching the description! Shomrim waited with the woman until she was safe. From the time Shomrim was called, until the woman was recognized, was a total of 9 minutes.

Shomrim was also separately called by County Police and City Police, in separate incidents, to aid them in finding missing persons. We were able to help, and thankfully, in every case the person was restored to their family, none the worse for wear.

Pickwick apartments have suffered from considerable crime this month, including property crimes and assaults. If you see any suspicious activity, call us immediately!
 
27 April, 5:30 PM Shomrim was called for a male and female youth coming in and out of buildings in Pickwick apartments. Shomrim units followed, only to discover that the youths had, somewhat appropriately, selected the boiler room as the best place to be in flagrante. They were encouraged to be elsewhere.

20 April, multiple vehicles on Copperfield and Copperfield Ct. were tossed for valuables overnight (most if not all had open doors) and there is a rumor that one was stolen. County Police took reports.

8 April, 1 AM, a Shomrim unit near Slade and 7 Mile noticed two inquisitive youths coming in and out of a van, and looking into vehicles with a flashlight. Multiple units followed the van until it came to a dead-end and the driver jumped out and ran. It turned out that the van had been stolen. The vehicle and its contents were restored to its rightful owner, who lives on the 6800 block of Darwood Drive.

5 April, a 19 year-old woman in Pikesville was raped in the laundry room of her apartment building.

2 April, 5 PM, Shomrim was called about youths building a fire between two buildings off of Falstaff. Shomrim tracked down the pyrojuveniles and spoke to their parents, and the fire department took care of the fire.

Preakness: 15 May.
This year features “all-you-can-drink” for $20 at the Preakness. So we are going to see a LOT of people into our neighborhood. Most will be inebriated, a few will be potentially violent, and none of them will have any expectation whatsoever of encountering pedestrians walking down the middle of the street. It is a very good time to be particularly cautious and to keep children closer than usual.

Shavuos: 19 May.
Shomrim is often called out for children (and young adults) who stay up all night, and then don’t come home when expected. When the weather is hot, the situation can be quite dangerous, and so we react appropriately. Thankfully, in all cases so far, there has been no serious incident. But we can all avoid incidences in the future, by agreeing with any people who may be staying up late, the following things:
1: Where the person will be learning;
2: Where the person expects to eat the next day;
3: One or two places where the person might stop and rest either on the way home, or before coming home.

A little preparation before yomtov can avoid a lot of panic on the day!

Community Crime stats from City Police Reports for April 2010:
Stolen Autos: 3
Stolen Bicycles: 1
Larceny from autos: 6
Burglery: 10
Destruction of property: 6
Assault: 3

Terrorists always conduct pre-attack surveillance, often multiple times. If you EVER see suspicious filming, call 911 and Shomrim immediately!

Shomrim is composed entirely of volunteers, donating our own time, use of vehicles, gas, etc. Our expenses are limited to specific equipment and other select costs. Please consider making a donation! http://www.shomrim.net/donate.php

 What to do if you are the victim of a crime

1: Call 911 ASAP. Even if the crime may have happened some time ago, the police must be notified.

2: Call Shomrim (410-358-9999), especially if the crime is in progress, or has recently occurred. We may be able to help!
     
3: Work with the responding police officer, and insist on a crime report that reflects the facts as you see them. If the officer does not see things the same way you do, politely insist on speaking to their supervisor until you are satisfied that the crime has been reported appropriately. If you have any problems, you can also call Shomrim.

Time is of the essence. Crimes reported well after the fact are much less likely to lead to convictions, or return of stolen property.

(YWN Desk – NYC)