VIRTUAL BLOCK CLUBS:

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VIRTUAL BLOCK CLUBS A Community/Police
Partnership
Nicholas Luciano Hannon Security Services,
Inc. [phone] nluciano_at_hannonsecurity.com C
PS Luther Krueger Minneapolis Police Department
First Precinct [phone] luther.krueger_at_ci.mi
nneapolis.mn.us
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Explanation of idea/purpose/need How
Minneapolis Virtual Block Club got started How
do VBCs work? Examples of existing
VBCs Downtown Mpls. Safe Zone Cameras Where do
we go from here?
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Why did the MPD start a Virtual Block Club?
W.T.O.
The Greater Seattle Building Owners and Managers
Association were challenged by the 50,000
protesters of the WTO conference in 1999. They
met the challenge with a listserv to keep its
members apprised of potential problems.
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I.S.A.G.
With anticipated civil disorder during the
International Society for Animal Geneticists in
July, 2000, the MPD followed Seattle BOMAs lead
in setting up a listserve during the protests.
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Virtual Block Clubs work by getting
The Right Information
To the Right People
At the Right Time.
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FEATURES
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Instant no-cost communication Email allows
those with a stake in our crime reduction efforts
to receive suspect photos or significant
graphics files notices for MPD
presentations or block clubs and alerts of
emerging crime patterns.
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Flexibility Alerts can be restricted to
types of businesses, level of management, or
to a geographic area. We have also used the
VBC for traffic advisories to all in our
district, meeting notices for subsets of our
list, surveillance photos from private security.
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SAMPLE APPLICATIONS Alerts Advisories
Notices Targeted Crime Reduction Building
Partnerships
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ALERTS
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ALERT
Problem Bogus "cleaning crew" stealing of
laptop computers.
Solution Security and property management sent
suspect photos from victim business' security
video, with a summary of recommended security
measures. Follow-up with SAFE Team visiting
victim buildings with safety presentations to
employees.
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ALERT
ARREST was made thanks to tips following posting
on the VBC a warrant was served on the suspects
home laptop computers were recovered.
ARRESTED CHARGED
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To 394-Block-Club From Sgt. Arons GVPD Date
Thu Jun 27 2002 1334hrs Subj Theft of Purses
Allianz Tower
Report received on 06 26 2002 that a W/F enetered
the Allianz Tower and asked to use the Yellow
Pages W/F ripped out the credit union pages
either before or after the theft, stole purses
from two separate floors. Victims purse was
found in the Har Mar area of St. Paul where
attempts were made to cash stolen checks and use
of stolen credit cards. Video may be available
through Allianz and perhaps the Credit Union
where the checks were passed. Suspects may be
driving a later model Dodge van and a second
accomplice may be a W/M in his 50s or 60s. If
you have had similar incidents contact me at
763-593-8064.
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ADVISORIES
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ADVISORY
January 30, 2001, Noon Office tower security
relays suspect photos
1245 Hrs Mug shots and criminal history relayed
to 400 property managers, security and building
owners
1230 Hrs Investigators recognize suspect
frequently trespassed from several buildings.
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ADVISORY
Which robber do you want us to catch?
Or this one?
This one?
We would like to be able to investigate any and
all robberies that take place in the City of
Minneapolis. However, a key piece of evidence
for identification is often absent or of such
poor quality that it is unusable. The poor
quality of these photos can be due to any number
of problems, all of which can be fixed. Please
use this checklist to test your camera system as
soon as possible and report back to us ?
Cameras located too far away or lens is not
focussed Relocate camera and focus lens. ?
Videotape has been re-recorded too many times
Replace tape and set schedule with limited of
tapings. ? Area viewed is obstructed or
distorted Check for obstructions or
lights/reflections glaring in camera. ? System is
outdated, equipment mismatch/incompatible
Replace system with latest technology. ? Cameras
are not obvious Signs should indicate cameras
make a monitor visible.
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ADVISORY
Eric Arthur Inkala Tag names RESP, VA,
ETYRA-ONEVA, ETYRA
Officers dispatched to the area of Elm and Kasota
on a report of two parties wearing dark clothing
and carrying backpacks lurking behind the
warehouses just east of the intersection of Elm
and Kasota. Upon arrival, officers located two
individuals matching the description on a service
road behind the warehouse at that location. A
search of the area revealed two backpacks
containing spray paint. One of the individuals
also had paint on his pants and other outer
clothing. Both parties were ID'd and booked HCJ.
The suspect's vehicle was towed to the Mpls.
Impound Lot.
Case MP01025633 Inkala, Eric Arthur 01/28/2001 LU
RKING
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ADVISORY
No arrests since Dec. 2000
SAFE
Top Ten Offender Jeffrey Charles Morris

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NOTICES
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NOTICE
Officer of the Year Darren Blauert
Officer Blauert has been assigned to the
Community Response Team for all of 2002. In that
assignment, he has worked in plainclothes
assignments, in uniform for demonstrations, and
in a protection role for several Presidential and
Vice-Presidential visits. Throughout the year of
constant last minute changes in roles and
assignments, Officer Blauert has maintained a
positive attitude as well as being a leader in
the unit. He is hard working, motivated, and
always ready for any assignment or challenge.
Officer Blauert arrested 385 people for 430
different offenses in 2002. Those numbers are
outstanding by themselves. But to add to that,
he did all this work without receiving one
complaint. He is always called on first when a
difficult task comes up, and he accepts
thechallenge without hesitation. .... His
undercover work has led to successful large
inter-agency drug investigations, including one
where 30,000 tablets of ecstasy were recovered
and several arrests were made. In June Officer
Blauert we hope you'll understand that our
picture obscures Officer Blauert somewhat to
preserve his undercover identity.
Several arrests (made) since 2000!
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FIRST PRECINCT COMMUNITIES ARE DIVERSE 30,000
residents 120 bars 150,000 workers 50
parking ramps 1,000 shelter units and up to
100,000 visitors In keeping with
CODEFOR/COMPSTAT we swiftly distribute
accurate intelligence relentlessly follow
through on strategies assess our efforts in
partnership with the community
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The Right Information To the Right People
At the Right Time.
Data central to crime reduction is also critical
for your community to know. Neighborhoods,
citizens, businesses, owners and security
officers in the area where crime patterns emerge
-- are in the best position to use this
information appropriately As soon as it is
available--not a month later, cryptically coded
on a map.
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Targeted Crime Reduction
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Problem? Car break-ins
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5
2
Surface lots not staffing booths-- no
natural surveillance. One Solution Educate
lot owners/mgrs in how much crime occurs in their
lots. (This map only counts TFMVs.)
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2 yr historical Locations with 2 or more car
break-ins
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Metrodome
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Municipal ramp locations
Tailgating/event surface lots
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Primarily auto crimes but also
nuisance activity where vagrants, drug dealers,
disorderly bar patrons are tagged.
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516 2nd Av. N. RampThe Before
PictureSelected crime reports,1997 through 2000
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Incidents at 5th St. Ramp, 516 2 AV NThe
After Picture Quarterly, 2000 through 2003
Reports 911 calls
SAFE intervenes
1997 1998 1999 Quarterly Avg.
Q1 2000
Q2
Q4
Q3
2001 2002 2003 Quarterly Avg.
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Building Partnerships
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Problem?
Transient criminals affect 1st Precinct most
adversely Prosecutors reluctant to charge,
courts to sentence the homeless Shelter mgmt
sees escalating behavior if no consequences
-- their employees are most at risk --Vicious
cycle where those most in need are not
known by those who can help them.
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3
4
5
1
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Solution
Provide context for service providers to the
shelters--Arrest info helps shelters determine
what programs are the best shot for
clients Timely intelligence-- arrests of
NPAs and shelter dwellers reported weekly
Relentless follow-through on shelters where
there is criminal activity due to criminal
clients
MPD-Shelter Partnership
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Pre-CODEFOR
CODEFOR
Shelter Partners

2002 extrapolated from YTD through 12-20
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Problem?
Property Owners renting to Career Criminals
Significant crime patterns revolve around areas
of the city with concentrations of poorly managed
rental property Screening applicants is good
business practice but not required Criminals
often are most active away from the property
where they live
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Solution
Partner with rental owners and managers to
implement Crime Free Lease Addendum, adequate
tenant screening, and responses to criminal
activity in and around their properties. With a
weekly update with the public information about
police calls to their properties, arrestees who
claim to live in their building, and links to
resources for conscientious property owners, we
have a win-win partnership.
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Other agencies implementing Virtual Block Clubs
Launched in 2002, the I-394 Virtual Block Club
links police depts. in 6 municipalities, security
and property management personnel, and interested
residents and businesses along the I-394 corridor
of the Twin Cities. The charge was led by Nick
Luciano of Hannon Security.
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Other agencies implementing Virtual Block Clubs
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Other agencies implementing Virtual Block Clubs
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Other agencies implementing Virtual Block Clubs
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And just how do you do it?
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How can our department set up a Virtual Block
Club?

• Easy, and with no charge
• Use your city/departments email system.
• --e.g., MS-Outlook, Lotus Notes, etc.
• Join a commercial email listserv or discussion
  group.
• --e.g., YahooGroups
• Copy Paste Method

Complicated, sometimes costly Contract with an
internet service provider
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Using Copy Paste
Store email addresses in any file --E.g.,
Word, Excel Indicate categories --Bars,
Shelters, Parking ramps, c. Sort by category,
Copy and paste as Bcc line Send the note
by any email service !
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Contracting with an internet service provider
Advantages Trouble-shooting their
responsibility Built-in audience/reaching
out Professional/quality product
Disadvantages Expensive! Questions about
keeping confidentiality Profit motive--will your
list be spammed? You might as well use
YahooGroups, where ads pay for the service.
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How do I recruit community members willing to
participate?
The old-fashioned way--collect business cards,
enter in your database Outreach via
Community Service Officers Publicize at
community meetings Cyber-Doorknocking
--------gt
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TO SIGN UP FOR THE MPD VIRTUAL BLOCK CLUB SEND A
NOTE TO luther.krueger_at_ci.minneapolis.mn.us W
e will enroll you in the MPD-DTC list, so you can
experience the VBC and survey the past two
years alerts, advisories, and notices.
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SAFE Virtual Block Club Members Precinct 1 is
Wired
VBC Member location
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To subscribe to the 394 Block Club send a blank
note to 394-Block-Club-subscribe_at_yahoogroups.com
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Thanks to
MPD Chief Robert K. Olson Dep. Chief Greg
Hestness Insp. Sharon Lubinski, Insp. Rob
Allen Lt. Scott Gerlicher Off. Craig Williams,
Off. Tom Sawina Crime Analyst Doug Hicks Crime
Prevention Specialist Don Greeley IntraNet
WebAdmin Russ Sasaoka
Community David Woolley, Nolan
Venkatrathnam Jana Metge, CLPC Gena Gerard Mike
Rollins, CCNP Shannon Swedburg, The Quest
Club Mohamed Moselhy, MPI Jodi Pfarr, Catholic
Charities Envoy Bill Miller, Salvation
Army Nicholas Luciano, Hannon Security
Other Law Enforcement Captain Tom Busch,
Baltimore County PD Captain Denny Haven, Metro
Transit PD Captain Mike Battista, Denver PD Sgt.
Sylvia Ranaghan, Cincinnati PD Sgt. Dan Anderson,
St. Paul PD
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Questions?