DuPage's Only Crime Stoppin Electronic Publication March 2004
Dear Tom,
This is Issue #2 of what we hope to be a monthly,
maybe even a weekly, electronic newsletter publication
with all your latest Crime Stopper news, DuPage County
doings, individual city or town happenings and anything
else of interest.
Readers please feel free to forward this to other
interested parties. Police and Fire Chiefs this means
your staff; Village or City Officials this means your
employees; Civic groups this means your members; and
Home Owner Associations this means your neighbors.
Anyone may e-mail the editor with suggestions,
articles, classifieds and opinions.
Cell phone guns are being built and distributed through
the criminal underground. These weapons
first showed up in Europe in late 2000. The weapon is
built around a hollow cell phone case. The mechanism is
installed inside the case so that by hitting the correct
buttons, the cell phone case comes apart. In the top
half you can see four .22 caliber (5.56mm) bullets in
short barrels that are concealed by the plastic covering
at the top of the cell phone. When the cell phone is
snapped back together, four of the buttons on the cell
phone will release a spring loaded firing pin into the rear
of one of the bullets, firing it out the front of the case.
It's not very accurate, but from a few feet away, a
shot in the head will kill, and a hit anywhere else will be
felt. These cell phone guns have not yet been reported
in the United States.
Though the novelty of cell-phone guns is interesting,
ATF spokesman John D'Angelo says the idea of
concealing firearms in common devices is not
new. "Disguised weapons have been around forever.
We've seen guns in the form of canes, pens, beepers.
As technology progresses and becomes more prevalent,
disguised weapons will change to mirror that."
Disaster preparedness is no longer the sole concern of
earthquake-prone Californians and those who live in the
part of the country known as "Tornado Alley." For
Americans, preparedness must now account for man-
made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what
to do during an emergency is an important part of being
prepared and may make all the difference when
seconds count. The following five areas have been or
will be covered, in past, this or upcoming issues:
Biological Threats, Chemical Threat, Explosion, Nuclear
Blast and Radiation Threat.
Part 2 of 5 - Chemical Threats: In the event of a
chemical threat, Public Health Officials may not
immediately be able to provide information on what you
should do. It will take time to determine exactly what
the poison is, how it should be treated, and who is in
danger. However, you should watch TV, listen to the
radio, or check the Internet for official news.
A chemical attack is the deliberate release of a toxic
gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and the
environment. Possible Signs of a Chemical Attack:
many people suffering from watery eyes, twitching,
choking, having trouble breathing or losing coordination.
Many sick or dead birds, fish or small animals are also
cause for suspicion. If You See Signs of Chemical
Attack: find clean air quickly, quickly try to define the
impacted area or where the chemical is coming from
and if possible move away from it. If the chemical is
inside a building where you are, get out of the building
without passing through the contaminated area. If you
can't get out of the building or find clean air without
passing through the area where you see signs of a
chemical attack, it may be better to move as far away
as possible and "shelter-in-place." If you are outside,
quickly decide what is the fastest way to find clean air.
Consider if you can get out of the area or if you should
go inside the closest building and "shelter-in-place."
If you think you may have been exposed to a chemical,
strip immediately and wash. Look for a hose, fountain,
or any source of water, and wash with soap if possible,
being sure not to scrub the chemical into your skin.
Seek emergency medical attention.
"Turn In A Torch" A Crime Stopper Anti-Arson Campaign
The DuPage County Crime Stoppers has joined the
DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force in the
fight against arson. A statistical analysis was
conducted and it identified a historical fire and arson
problem in DuPage County. As a result of this analysis,
in September of 1999 the DuPage County Fire
Investigation Task Force was implemented (Fact -
DuPage County experiences approximately 2800 fires a
year of which 1300 are structures, of which 450 are
arson).
Based upon a proactive and aggressive approach, there
have been a total of 107 individuals arrested for arson.
Since the task force has been operational, numerous
times a arrest has been made on the fire scene (Fact -
65% of the time the arsonists will return to the scene
of the crime). The arson investigator is a unique
individual in the law enforcement community. He or she
utilizes many different skills such as fire science skills in
addition to the standard skills of interviewing,
interrogation and forensic science in order to solve the
crime. In developing the task force, a partnership with
the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute and the
International Association of Arson Investigators was
also established. These law enforcement/fire service
organizations, along with the ATF, conduct mandatory
monthly training for all task force members in all areas
relevant to fire investigation.
The goal of the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task
Force is to see the number of arsons and dollar loss
suffered by our community decline and the number of
arson arrests increase. In order, to help them succeed
in this endeavor, Crime Stoppers has offered up to a
$1000 reward for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of any arsonist.
Put Crime Stoppers In Your Schools
This DuPage County approved program will allow
students to provide tips to administration about crime
while remaining anonymous. In return students will
receive a monetary reward if the tip provides
instrumental in solving the crime. DuPage
County Crime Stoppers Scholastic Program promotes
school spirit, pride and responsibility and allows
students to take action against victimization and crime.
Crime Stoppers, in conjunction with Boom Stick
Productions, the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task
Force and the Westmont Fire Department have
produced a 30 second television commercial promoting
Crime Stoppers Anti-Arson Campaign "TURN IN A
TORCH".
The commercial is scheduled to air this summer
throughout DuPage County over the Comcast Cable
Networks.
M-TV, Commedy Central and CNN will air the commercial
3 times on each channel daily between the hours of
6am and midnight, for a three month duration.