FCC Warns Public about Sharp Rise in Theft of Wireless Devices, Offers Tips

 

 

MPSC: FCC Warns Public about Sharp Rise in Theft of Wireless Devices, Offers Tips

Noting that over 5,000 wireless devices were reported stolen in Michigan this year, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today highlighted the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) consumer guide (www.fcc.gov/guides/stolen-and-lost-wireless-devices) that provides tips on how to safeguard against wireless theft, how to protect data on cell phones, and what to do if a wireless device is stolen.

"The popularity of wireless devices continues to grow at a rapid pace," noted MPSC Chairman John D. Quackenbush. "The Commission encourages customers to take a moment to protect themselves against theft by following the helpful tips provided out by the FCC."

The FCC announced the PROTECT Initiative (www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-remarks-stolen-cell-phones-initiative) earlier this year to combat cell phone theft. It consists of establishing a national database – scheduled to launch in late 2013 – to track stolen phones; putting in place automatic prompts on smartphones and tablets for consumers to set up passwords and take steps to secure their devices; and launching a public education campaign to urge customers to use applications to increase security and reduce the value of stolen devices.

In addition, many wireless companies are aiming to implement their own databases by the end of 2012 to prevent stolen smartphones from being reactivated.

CTIA -The Wireless Association has developed a public service announcement on "The Five Stages of Losing a Smartphone (www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUYpSEyMZVE)" to remind wireless customers to use the features on their smartphones to remote lock, track and wipe, if the devices are lost or stolen.

Filing Consumer Complaints

Consumers are encouraged to first contact their utility company to discuss billing or service issues. If a resolution cannot be reached, the MPSC assists Michigan customers with their electric, natural gas, telecom or video/cable complaints.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) provides several methods for consumers to submit complaints. Consumers may file a complaint online, by phone, by fax, and by mail. Additional information on how to submit both formal and informal complaints is available on our website at:

 www.michigan.gov/mpsccomplaints

Skimming Suspect Arrested at Alpine Ave Speedway

The Kent County Sheriff's Department reported Friday that an Illinois man was arrested at the Alpine Township Speedway with gift cards in his posession whose magnetic stripes were encrypted with credit card information belonging to unsuspecting local residents.

 

Dontae Kaaba Collins was arraigned in Court on August 30.  Fifth Third Bank officials believe skimming devices had been placed in some of their ATM machines that allowed collection of credit or debit card information. 

 

The FBI offers the following tips to minimize victimization:

 

Inspect the ATM, gas pump, or credit card reader before using it. Be suspicious if you see anything loose, crooked, or damaged, or if you notice scratches or adhesive/tape residue.

• When entering your PIN, block the keypad with your other hand to prevent possible hidden cameras from recording your number.
• If possible, use an ATM at an inside location (less access for criminals to install skimmers).
• Be careful of ATMs in tourist areas. They are a popular target of skimmers.
• If your card isn’t returned after the transaction or after hitting “cancel,” immediately contact the financial institution that issued the card.

Learn more about ATM skimming from the FBI.

 

For news coverage of this storyof his story go to: http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/illinois-man-charged-with-gr-skimming

 

 

 

Home Invasions, Somerset Terrace Alpine Township

There have been a 4 home invasions reported over the past two days in the vicinity of Peachridge and 4 Mile Road, including residences on Candi Lane and Schindler Ave.  Entry was gained mostly through unlocked doors to garages and vehicles.

There are two vehicles that may be involved in these incidents.  One may be a white full size passenger van with South Carolina license plates.  This has been recovered.  The other vehicle can only be described at this time as a light colored sedan seen in the early morning hours. 

Residents are encouraged to lock their vehicles as well as their homes to minimize the risk of being victimized.  The Kent County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.  Please call 911 to report any suspicious activity.

Learning to be Safe in Alpine Township

Are you prepared in case disaster strikes? Have you always wanted to take a course in Medical First Aid? Here is your opportunity, and it's right at home!

The following News Release from the Salvation Army is its most recent:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Roger A. Snider, The Salvation Army Public Relations and Communications Director Major Bob Mueller, The Salvation Army Kent County Coordinator, 616.459.3433 ext:1104 Chris Striebel, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Assistant Coordinator 616.459.3433 ext:1512The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services announces two community emergency safety courses.

Disaster and first aid preparedness courses developed in partnership with the Alpine Firefighters Association and Comstock Park Community Outreach.

Grand Rapids, MI August 14, 2012 – In an effort to prepare and educate the local community about the benefits of being prepared before an emergency happens, The Salvation Army, in cooperation with the Alpine Firefighters Association and Comstock  Park Community Outreach, is offering two emergency safety courses on Saturday, September 8, 2012.

Preparing Your Home and Business for Disaster is designed for residents as well as businesses interested in implementing a disaster preparedness and response program. Medical First Aid is an adult CPR, AED and First Aid Core Training Program designed specifically for the occupational first aid provider.

“The time to prepare for a disaster isn’t after it occurs. That’s why these two courses are so vitally important – both from an educational perspective as well as from a preparedness one,” said Major Bob Mueller, Salvation Army Kent County Coordinator. “We are fortunate to be able to partner with the Alpine Firefighters Association and Comstock Park Community Outreach in offering these courses to the public. They are both outstanding organizations – the public’s time will be extremely well spent,” added Major Mueller.

WHAT: Preparing Your Home & Business for Disaster Course / Free to the community!

WHEN: Saturday, September 8, 2012 / 9:30 a.m. to Noon

WHERE: Fire Station # 1, 841 Alpine Church Road, Alpine Township

This course is designed for homes and businesses looking to start a disaster preparedness and response program. The course reviews key concepts in emergency management. It also examines the responsibility of preparing people and facilities for an emergency and how to effectively develop a disaster response plan to serve others.

WHAT: Medical First Aid Course / $10 registration fee for First Aid Certification

WHEN: Saturday, September 8, 2012 / 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Fire House # 1, 841 Alpine Church Road, Alpine Township

This course is an adult CPR, AED and first aid core training program designed specifically for the occupational first aid provider. This extremely flexible program will help employers meet OSHA and other federal and state regulatory requirements for training employees how to respond and care for medical emergencies at work.

HOW TO REGISTER

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is limited to 25 participants for the Preparing Your Home & Business for Disaster Course and the Medical First Aid Course is limited to 12 participants. To register for either or both of these courses, the public should contact:

Chris Striebel, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Assistant Coordinator
Phone: 616.459.3433 ext:1512
Email: Chris_Striebel@usc.salvationarmy.org

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org

Run, Hide, Fight

If an active shooter ever storms into a public place you’re at, the City of Houston has a message for you: Run. Hide. Fight.

Using a $200,000 federal homeland security grant, the City of Houston has produced an active shooter public service announcement describing what citizens should do if they hear gunshots or witness an armed assailant shooting people. The release of the short-film was moved up after the tragic events in Aurora, Colorado, two weeks ago, when suspect James Holmes murdered 12 filmgoers and wounded 58 more at the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises.

Initially, Houston was going to roll out the video as part of a well-coordinated public safety campaign. The plan changed after Aurora. “The fact that the shooting was on everyone’s mind, we felt that it was important to get it out there as quickly as possible,” Richard Retz, who works for the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security and helped produce the video, told the Associated Press.

Just shy of six minutes long, the video shows a burly man wearing sunglasses and dressed in black walk into the reception area of a commercial building, calmly take a shotgun out of his backpack, turn, and blow away a security guard and a woman standing beside him. The shooter then whirls around and shoots a fleeing man in the back.

“If you were ever to find yourself in the middle of an active shooter event, your survival may depend on whether or not you have a plan,” the narrator intones. “The plan doesn't have to be complicated.”

The course of action during an active shooter is simple, the video states.

Run: If you can get out of the building, do so and call 9-11.

Hide: If you cannot escape the building without putting yourself in danger, then hide, remembering to turn off lights and ringers on cellphones. If your hiding spot has a door, lock it. If you can, barricade yourself into your hiding spot.

Fight: If that fails, and you’re staring down the barrel of a gun, then there’s only one option left: fight for your life.

“As a last resort, if your life is at risk, whether you’re alone, or working together as a group, fight. Act with aggression. Improvise weapons.Disarm him. And commit to taking the shooter down,” the video commands.

The video also points out that the first responders to arrive on the scene are not there to evacuate tenants or help the injured. They are there to go direct to the threat and neutralize it. Survivors or victims who see the strike team should keep their hands visible, remain calm, and avoid yelling or pointing.

The City of Houston drew on another successful public safety messaging campaign when developing the Run, Hide, Fight video.

“As children we’re all taught by the fire department to stop, drop and roll if you’re on fire,” Retz told the AP. “Unfortunately, with our society the way it is today, we felt that there had to be a new one.”

The video has gone viral since its posting on YouTube on July 23. The original has been played more than 260,000 times Other agencies inside the United States and abroad have asked Houston for its permission to use it, reports the AP. (From the Huff Post)

Synthetic Drugs Are Now Illegal

From the Detroit Free Press  By Elisha Anderson Detroit Free Press Staff ,  June 19, 2012

It’s official: Gov. Rick Snyder signed a package of bills this afternoon banning K2, Spice and similar synthetic drugs sold in Michigan.
The bills crack down on chemicals used to make the products and give state health officials power to temporarily ban drugs deemed an imminent danger to people’s health.
“We’re all elated,” said Lisa Kelly, the mother of a 20-year-old son addicted to the substance.
Kelly, 54, of Waterford spoke at forums geared at educating the public about the dangers of the products and worked to get them off stores shelves before the laws passed. She plans to continue her crusade by alerting police to places where the products are sold when she finds out.
“I’m a whistle-blower,” she said Tuesday.
One of the four bills signed into law today updates the list of chemicals used to make synthetic drugs such as K2, Spice and substances sometimes referred to as bath salts. The law, which makes them illegal to possess or sell, takes effect July 1.
The other three bills Snyder signed go into effect immediately and give the state power to ban a substance temporarily if the director of the Michigan Department of Community Health, working with the Michigan Board of Pharmacy, deems it an imminent danger to people’s health.
“If the director of the Department of Community Health determines that something’s very dangerous, she can call the Board of Pharmacy in,” said state Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, a bill sponsor. “Within two weeks the product should be off the shelf.”
In 2010, Michigan passed legislation prohibiting substances commonly used to make the drugs, but manufacturers skirted the law by changing the formulas, officials said. Legislators say the new law gives officials the ability to respond quicker when formulas are changed.
Police officials, judges and parents praised the new laws, but some say there is still more work to do.
“We are far from done,” Waterford 51st District Judge Jodi Debbrecht said. “We need prevention and rehabilitation services right now that are specific to synthetics.”
She said the drugs created a new generation of addicts that need treatment and said those addicted to them will turn to the black market to get the products.
Synthetic marijuana, which experts warn can have different effects than marijuana, has been blamed for psychotic behavior and a growing number of hospitalizations in Michigan — a reported 185 through May.
It is plant material sprayed with chemicals that can mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Side effects include rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, seizures, paranoia, loss of physical control and hallucinations, health experts said.
The products are sold under various names, such as K2 and Spice. They were sold at gas stations, retail stores and on the Internet. They often are marked “not intended for human consumption” and are sold as incense or potpourri.

For more information, please view this press release from Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma here

HOME INVASIONS – NORTHERN KENT COUNTY

Kent County Sheriff’s Office Official News Release

  

HOME INVASIONS – NORTHERN KENT COUNTY

Updated information reference home invasions that occurred in northeastern Kent County during April and May 2012:

On 5/29/12, suspect Jackie Lee Sturgis was arraigned in 63^rd District Court on a felony charge of home invasion 2^nd degree with bond being set at $25,000.  On 5/30/12 suspect Christopher Lee Johnson was arraigned in 63^rd District Court on a felony charge of weapons-firearms-receiving and concealing with bond being set at $35,000. 

 Some stolen property was recovered and investigators are working to determine which incidents Sturgis and Johnson may be responsible for. 

 Media Contact:  Undersheriff Jon Hess at 616-632-6236