A message from Captain David Falcinelli, Commander of the Bethesda District of the County Police

Last night, several communities across the 2nd District sponsored National Night Out events. All of these events were successful simply due to the fact that they engaged each of you to get to know each other a little better, learn a little about the importance of partnering with the police, and of course to share in food, drink and fun activities. Many thanks to the organizers of these events, and to each of you for your attendance.

As always, one of the topics always discussed is the crime of theft from autos. Early this morning, an alert resident observed some suspicious persons going through their car in the area of E. Bexhill Rd. and called the police. Officers responded and made two arrests. Many thanks to this alert resident for being our eyes and ears, calling us, and letting us do our job.

Attached is a picture of some of the items that officers recovered from these suspects. As you can see, there are several cell phones and other expensive items that were simply left in unlocked cars, in addition to over $100 in loose change.

Every night this summer, officers have been detailed to strategic locations in the 2nd District to combat this ever pervasive crime of theft from autos. Every night, however, there are still those that continue to make it easy for these criminals to steal and actually draw them to your neighborhoods.

Since last year, we have focused on reducing the crimes of burglary and theft from auto. We have had success so far and are currently several percentage points down from 2015. We need you to continue to help us keep it that way by doing your part.

Thank you for your support last night. Please continue to help us by simply locking your car and removing valuables, so suspects like the ones arrested early this morning stop coming back to the 2nd District to commit crimes.

Sincerely,
Captain David Falcinelli
Commander – 2nd District

Red Line Passengers Urged to Seek Alternatives During SafeTrack Surges this Month

• MCDOT is extending peak-hour service on its free shuttles to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon to encourage commuters to travel before 7 a.m. or after 9 a.m. and before 4 p.m. or after 6 p.m.
• For Surge #6: Provide free Ride On “Red Line Shuttles” between the Silver Spring, Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations and the Grosvenor--Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations weekdays every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. MCDOT is extending peak-hour service to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon.
• For Surge #7: Provide free Ride On “Red Line Shuttles” between the Grosvenor-Strathmore station and Montgomery College via I-270 weekdays every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. MCDOT is extending peak-hour service to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon.
• For Surge #7: Provide enhanced Ride On Route 46 bus service (which operates between Montgomery College-Rockville and Medical Center), increasing frequency between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Rockville via White Flint and Twinbrook stations to every 10 minutes during peak travel times.
• Work with the Maryland Transit Administration to provide more MARC train cars on the Brunswick Line, sell tickets on some station platforms and provide tickets to MCDOT to sell at its TRiPS store in Silver Spring, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Provide commuter services assistance, including telework, alternate work schedules, carpooling, vanpooling and use of car-sharing.
• Post bike route “SafeTrack Detour” signs at station entrances to connect West Hyattsville on the Green Line, with the Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont stations.
• Co-sponsor “Learn the Route” free, guided bike rides in advance of each SafeTrack surge.
• Create an interactive map of Park and Ride Lot options.
• Coordinate with Montgomery County Police to provide traffic control to improve bus operations at the Silver Spring Transit Center and other key locations.
• Offer free Bikeshare memberships, training and helmets to qualified, low income residents through the MC Liberty program.

• Monitor traffic flow and adjust traffic signals in areas most affected by SafeTrack to improve bus operations and traffic flow.
• Suspend MCDOT road repair projects along key commuter routes affected by surges.
• Request that the Maryland State Highway Administration restrict lane closures and construction projects along key routes affected by surges.
• Prohibit metered parking along MD 355, MD 97 and US 29 corridors to improve bus operations and traffic flow.

• Provide Ride On staff at affected Metro stations to assist passengers, direct them to shuttles and distribute information.
• Hold “pop-up” events at Metrorail stations to educate passengers about upcoming surges.
• Post interior and exterior Ride On bus and bus shelter ads.
• Display informational posters at all Transit Centers.
• Use social and traditional media to communicate with customers and the public.
• Promote the Fare Share commuter benefits matching program in Transportation Management Districts and to major employers.

• This Surge affects the second highest number of passengers of all WMATA surges.
• Continuous single tracking between Takoma and Silver Spring will result in major disruptions throughout the entire Red Line.
• The number of trains running between Glenmont and Silver Spring will be cut in half; one quarter of the trains between Silver Spring and NoMa will be available; and service between NoMa and Grosvenor-Strathmore will be cut by a quarter.
• Anticipate significant Metrorail delays that could add an hour each way to commutes.
• Red Line passengers are urged to seek alternate transportation, telework or ride at off-peak hours.

• Between Shady Grove and NoMa, Red Line trains will run every six minutes during peak periods and every 12 minutes during midday and evenings.
• Between Glenmont and Grosvenor-Strathmore, Red Line trains will run every 12 minutes.
• After 10 p.m., trains will run every 15 minutes.

• Train frequencies may vary.

• Red Line passengers are encouraged to avoid Shady Grove and Rockville stations.
• Continuous single tracking between Shady Grove and Rockville means only one-third of the regular service will be available during peak hours.
• Red Line passengers on the west side of the Red Line are urged to seek alternate transportation, telework or ride at off-peak hours.

• Red Line trains will serve Shady Grove and Rockville every 18 minutes, rather than every six minutes during peak periods.
• Other Red Line trains will have nearly normal service.

• Surge #6, August 1-7: Red Line trains will continuously single track in both directions between the Tacoma and Silver Spring stations causing major disruptions throughout the entire Red Line.
• Surge #7, August 9-18: Red Line trains will continuously single track between the Twinbrook and Shady Grove Stations. With only one third of regular service available during peak hours, commuters are urged to find alternatives.
• Learn more about both Surge #6 and #7 at: http://bit.ly/2aGqfGQ.

MC311 representatives will be able to answer commuters’ questions about the additional resources and alternatives that MCDOT is providing during the surges, to include the availability of free Ride On “Red Line Shuttles.”

On Friday, August 19, MC311 will resume its normal 7 AM to 7 PM weekday call-taking schedule.

For County information requests, residents can reach MC311 in the County by calling 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 from anywhere. The MC311 website, www.mc311.com, is always available to the public 24/7 for online service requests. You can also tweet MC311 @311MC311.


For more information, please click here.