Stealing Checks From Mailboxes

As has been reported in local news and social media, there is an ongoing problem of thieves stealing mail from USPS mailboxes, usually with a stolen and/or duplicated master key. The thieves are looking for hand-written checks. They erase both the payee name and amount, replacing them with a preferred payee and increased amount. They keep the payer signatures and then cash or deposit the checks or sell them on an illicit market for bitcoin. Read how they do it. 
 
While the banks typically bear the financial burden of stolen checks and reimburse targeted accounts, note that criminals can use the checks to steal victims’ identities.
 
FYI, this is not just a local problem. See this article about mail theft in Cleveland.
 
One of the best ways to prevent check theft is to deposit your envelopes containing checks at a letter drop inside a post office. If you have an exterior mailbox where you live, be wary about leaving envelopes with checks in it for pickup by your mail carrier, and remove delivered mail promptly. USPS has other tips for consumers on how to reduce the chance of mail theft.
 
If you witness someone other than a uniformed USPS employee removing mail from a USPS mailbox, report it to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.

-Article courtesy of B-CC Regional Services Center
Pete Fosselman, Director

Community Conversation: MCPL Strategic Plan 2022-25

Between January and April 2022, Montgomery County Public Libraries is seeking input from county residents to develop their next strategic plan. Residents are invited to share their thoughts and ideas for the future of MCPL during the next Community Conversation. Anyone interested in participating in this series of interactive, virtual workshops can register through the link below: 

https://mcpl.libnet.info/events?=undefined&r=thismonth&term=strategic

SAVE THE DATE:  Village’s Annual Paper Shredding Event

Saturday, April 23
10:00 a.m. - Noon

Village Hall Driveway Loop off of Laurel Parkway.

Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Now Banned in the Village

 The ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers went into effect January 1, 2022. The Village Board approved the ban (which also went into effect in the District of Columbia on January 1) in December 2019 citing the adverse environmental, human health (principally for the equipment operator) and quality of life impacts resulting from the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.  These impacts were highlighted in a report from the Village Environment & Energy Committee, dated August 15, 2019, which can be viewed on the committee’s page on the Village website.
 
Residents and landscapers are reminded that all blowers operated within the Village remain subject to Montgomery County’s Noise Ordinance.  The county’s Noise Ordinance states that “a person must not...use a leaf blower at any time that has an average sound level exceeding 70 dBA at a distance of 50 feet.” Additionally, the simultaneous use of multiple leaf blowers that are compliant with the 70 bDA limit can create noise of a sufficient level to qualify as a violation and/or noise disturbance.

If a blower seems loud, it may be in violation. Residents are encouraged to report blowers that are suspected to be in violation to the Village Communications Center. A Village officer will be dispatched to confirm whether the blower(s) are being operated in compliance with Village and county regulations.  First time confirmed violators will receive a warning and guidance for operating legally.

Residents are responsible for discussing these restrictions with your yard maintenance crews. 

To view the county’s leaf blower notice, visit: https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=912.  Click here to review the Montgomery County Noise Ordinance and the provisions pertaining to leaf blowers (Section 31B-9).

Updated: 12/10/2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Booster Eligibility Expanded to 16 Years and Up (Pfizer only for 16- and 17-year-olds)

COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals age 5 and up remain available across the state and county.  Clinics are also providing third/booster doses for eligible individuals. 
 
UPDATE AS OF 12/9/2021:  The Maryland Department of Health has issued a new bulletin (eff. 12/9/2021) directing all providers to administer upon request a booster dose of any FDA approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years and older who completed a primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago AND to administer upon request a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 16 and 17 years old who completed a primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech.
 
Individuals who received a primary series of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago continue to be eligible for a booster dose. 
 
State health officials continue to strongly recommend that the following individuals get a booster shot as soon as possible:

Individuals age 65 years and older
Individuals who live in long-term care settings, those who have underlying medical conditions, and those who work or live in high-risk settings or in communities with high transmission rates 

The bulletin further emphasizes to providers that they may not turn away any individual requesting a booster dose.
 
Click on the below links for additional vaccine information:
 
Montgomery County: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/
 
The county provides Free Taxi Service to COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Sites for Seniors 65-and-Over and Residents with Disabilities. 
 
State of Maryland:  Visit covidvax.maryland.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).
 
Retail pharmacies are also providing vaccinations at locations across the state.  To access scheduling information through the state’s website (search by zip code), visit:

https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=0dbfb100676346ed9758be319ab3f40c

Marylanders Can Receive a Digital Version of their COVID-19 and Other Vaccination Records

Marylanders who were vaccinated in the state can now receive a digital copy of their vaccination record on the website ImmuNet. This website makes it easier for those who have misplaced their COVID-19 vaccine records.

The website is free and secure to use and is used by healthcare providers in the state to maintain the vaccination records of Marylanders of all ages. Records for people who received their vaccination outside of the state are not included on the website.

To receive your vaccination records on the website, you’ll have to register and follow the directions to confirm your identity and then link your official vaccine records with your account. If your vaccination records appear incorrect, you should contact your healthcare provider.

The CDC does not currently have a database with COVID-19 vaccination records.

-Article courtesy of Montgomery Community Media

Chevy Chase At Home

An Aging-in-Place Village

Do you know that there’s an organization in your neighborhood that helps seniors remain in their own homes safely when they need help doing so? Chevy Chase At Home is a group of neighbors helping neighbors. Volunteers bring needed support to members with a smile. 
 
CC@H offers a rich program of affinity groups, continuing education, socialization, and exercise – many via Zoom, which actually makes it easier for many to participate.
 
Please consider whether you, a family member, a friend or neighbor might benefit from the help and sense of community that Chevy Chase At Home can provide. We welcome members and volunteers. Visit https://www.chevychaseathome.org/ for more information and applications.