Latest News Releases:
- FBI Releases Bank Crime Statistics for First Quarter of 2010
- July Issue of FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin
- Technology Update: The FBI and Social Media
- Police Chief Richard D. Thomas: "The Significance of Personal Character"
- Weapon Alert: Cigar Cutter Mods
ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center
SOURCE: FBI
5August2010 7:33amPDT
GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE:
FBI Releases Bank Crime Statistics for First Quarter of 2010
During the first quarter of 2010, there were 1,183 reported violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statue, a decrease from the 1,521 reported violations in the same quarter of 2009.1 According to statistics released today by the FBI, there were 1,160 robberies, 21 burglaries, two larcenies, and three extortions of financial institutions2 reported between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2010.
Highlights of the report include:
- Loot was taken in 92 percent of the incidents, totaling more than $9.3 million.
- Of the loot taken, 21 percent, or more than $1.9 million, was recovered and returned to financial institutions.
- Bank crimes most frequently occurred on Friday. Regardless of the day, the time frame when bank crimes occurred most frequently was between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
- Acts of violence were committed in 3 percent of the incidents, resulting in 18 injuries, two deaths, and 35 persons being taken hostage.3
- Oral demands were the most common modus operandi used, closely followed by demand notes.4
- Most violations occurred in the Southern region of the U.S., with 420 reported incidents.
These statistics were recorded as of April 19, 2010. Note that not all bank crimes are reported to the FBI, and therefore the report is not a complete statistical compilation of all bank crimes that occurred in the U.S.
View the detailed report and learn more about the FBI at www.fbi.gov.
1 In the first quarter of 2009, there were 1,498 robberies, 18 burglaries, five larcenies, and three extortions reported.
2 Financial institutions include commercial banks, mutual savings banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions.
3 One or more acts of violence may occur during an incident.
4 More than one modus operandi may have been used during an incident.
[Image: Lemonodor]
July Issue of
Stories Include:
"Public information officers (PIOs) now must do much more than simply respond to news. Today, they have expanded abilities and responsibilities, which include providing on-the-scene reports and pitching stories to Internet-savvy news representatives..." (read more)
"An inmate escaped from a Kansas prison allegedly with the aid of a phone smuggled in by an accomplice. In Texas, a death row inmate charged with killing four persons, including two teenage girls, allegedly used a wireless phone from within the prison to threaten a prominent state senator and his family. These incidents serve as just two examples where individuals used cell phones to facilitate criminal acts from within a correctional institution..." (read more)
"...two 15-year-olds, a male and a female, were sentenced in juvenile court for possessing and sending nude photos on their cell phones; the girl sent a picture of herself to the boy, and another image allegedly was taken on his camera. A 15-year-old boy received 12 months of probation for forwarding a picture of his private parts to a 13-year-old girl�s cell phone..." (read more)
Over the past few years, the FBI has rolled out a number of new initiatives on its website, http://ping.fm/hmRkJ, that make it easier for the public and Bureau partners to help track down wanted fugitives and missing children, to submit tips on terrorism and crime, and to get the latest FBI news and information. These include an e-mail alert service, syndicated news feeds, and a series of podcasts and widgets.
In 2009, the FBI followed up on these efforts by establishing an offi cial presence on several social media websites, including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. These sites provide another way for the public to access FBI news, stories, videos, and other content posted on the Bureau�s website.
In February 2009, a Kansas company (founded by a former law enforcement officer) that provides eGovernment services created a free iPhone and iTouch app featuring Bureau fugitives and breaking news. It was inspired by the FBI�s Most Wanted Fugitives widget, installed on over 4,500 websites around the world and viewed more than a million times. After downloading the app, users can view pictures of and details on missing children and wanted criminals and terrorists and send e-mail tips by phone. A more recent update provides directions to and contact information for the nearest FBI office. People in over 75 countries have downloaded the app more than 700,000 times.
In January 2010, a new widget (viewable at http://ping.fm/2WgAl/multimedia/media_main.htm) was unveiled integrating dozens of the FBI�s feature videos into an easy-to-navigate player that law enforcement officers or members of the public can embed on any website or share with others by clicking on the �Get & Share� button. Further efforts have included pilot tests in Second Life, a free 3-D world inhabited by millions of people worldwide, for virtual billboards and kiosks that show the photos of Ten Most Wanted fugitives and connect people to FBI jobs, the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and wanted posters of cyber criminals.
"It is an honor to join with you in celebrating such a notable career event as this graduation from a long and demanding police academy. It is appropriate that we take a moment to reflect on the hard work and sacrifice that it takes to complete such a course of instruction. It bears mentioning here that the hard work was borne not only by the students but by their families. Through the years, it has become very apparent to me that a key element for most of us in law enforcement, if we wish to have a productive and satisfying career, is a supportive and understanding family. I commend you for the support you have and will continue to provide to these graduates in those difficult times that inevitably will lie ahead. The graduates themselves are justifiably proud of what they have accomplished, as they should be, and all should take this time to bask in the warmth of their success.
Upon reflecting on what success really is, a noted 19th century writer, Elbert Hubbard, once remarked, �All success consists in this: You are doing something for somebody�benefiting humanity�and the feeling of success comes from the consciousness of this.� For those who seek a life in public service, such success is a truly rewarding experience.
Invariably, when I ask young police applicants why they want to become an officer, they almost uniformly relate to me their desire to help others, to give something back to the community, and to stand up for those who cannot do so for themselves. These are, without a doubt, laudable motivations and exactly what a chief wants to hear. However, I suspect the thought of pursuit driving, playing with neat police gadgets, and breaking up bar fights also factors into their quest to become a police officer.
Notwithstanding the less mentioned and more exciting aspects of this particular vocation, I would like to take a moment to speak briefly to the graduates about that one special trait that will serve you well throughout your career and without which you never will be able to lay claim to a career worth mentioning in respectable company. By and large, those who seek to enter the ranks of law enforcement officers are people of good virtue with pure motives and an abiding sense of duty and honor. They tend to be caring and compassionate people, generally of above-average intelligence, and willing to face life�s challenges head-on..." (Read Full Speech)
Chief Thomas heads the North Ridgeville, Ohio Police Department. He presented this speech to the graduating class of the Lorain County Community College Police Academy.
Offenders may attempt to use this type of cigar cutter as an unusual weapon. They may be able to remove the metal blade from the cutter housing, posing a serious threat to the safety of law enforcement officers.
