Sexual Assault Composite Drawing-Suspect to ID by Toronto Police

Source: Toronto Police Youtube Page

Sexual Assault Composite Drawing-Suspect to ID by Toronto Police From: Torontopolice October 29, 2010 362 views Loading...Info contact Detective Anthony.Charles@TorontoPolice.on.ca Tel# 416-808-4040



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Toronto Lane Restriction List #1

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) BRONTE RD All Ramps Nov 14, 2010 11:59 PM Nov 21, 2010 5:00 AM


QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) BURLOAK RD Nov 14, 2010 11:59 PM Nov 21, 2010 5:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) TRAFALGAR RD THIRD LINE RD Nov 14, 2010 11:59 PM Nov 19, 2010 5:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) BURLOAK RD Nov 14, 2010 11:59 PM Nov 21, 2010 5:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) TRAFALGAR RD THIRD LINE RD Nov 14, 2010 11:59 PM Nov 19, 2010 5:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) THIRD LINE RD BURLOAK RD Nov 14, 2010 10:00 PM Nov 21, 2010 6:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) THIRD LINE RD Nov 14, 2010 11:59 PM Nov 21, 2010 5:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) BURLOAK RD THIRD LINE RD Nov 14, 2010 10:00 PM Nov 21, 2010 5:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) BURLOAK RD BRANT ST Nov 14, 2010 9:00 PM Nov 20, 2010 6:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) BRANT ST BURLOAK RD Nov 14, 2010 8:00 PM Nov 20, 2010 5:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) MISSISSAUGA RD ERIN MILLS PKWY/SOUTHDOWN Nov 14, 2010 11:00 PM Nov 18, 2010 6:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) MISSISSAUGA RD ERIN MILLS PKWY/SOUTHDOWN Nov 14, 2010 11:00 PM Nov 18, 2010 6:00 AM

QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.) EVANS AVE/WEST MALL CAWTHRA RD Nov 14, 2010 11:00 PM Nov 22, 2010 5:00 AM

Queen St E Power St Trefann St Oct 18, 2010 Nov 30, 2010 11:59 PM

Queen St W Dufferin St Gladstone Ave Nov 14, 2010 Nov 14, 2010 8:00 AM

Queen St W Gladstone Ave Dufferin St Nov 01, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 30, 2010 6:00 PM

Stephenson Ave Westlake Ave Nov 11, 2010 9:00 AM Nov 18, 2010 1:00 PM


Talbot Rd Blake Ave Oct 18, 2010 2:14 PM Mar 31, 2011 9:07 PM

Talbot Rd Blake Ave Oct 18, 2010 2:15 PM Mar 31, 2011 9:30 PM

Tara Ave Medina Cres Oct 12, 2010 7:00 AM Mar 31, 2011 7:00 PM

Tarsus Cres Calverley Trl Canmore Blvd Oct 21, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 26, 2010 7:00 PM

The West Mall Burnhamthorpe Rd Bloor St W Dec 31, 2010 4:43 PM

The West Mall Burnhamthorpe Rd Bloor St W Nov 09, 2010 7:00 PM Nov 19, 2010 7:00 AM

Town Centre Crt Borough Dr Borough Dr Oct 19, 2010 9:00 AM Nov 30, 2010 4:00 PM

Underwriters Rd Lawrence Ave E Crouse Rd Nov 12, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 19, 2010 7:00 PM

Victoria Park Ave Denton Ave St Clair Ave E Feb 06, 2010 Dec 31, 2010 11:59 PM

Victoria Park Ave Denton Ave St Clair Ave E Jan 21, 2010 9:30 AM Dec 31, 2010 3:30 PM

Victoria Park Ave Lawrence Ave E Cassandra Blvd Dec 28, 2010 5:40 PM

Victoria Park Ave Jan 21, 2010 9:30 AM Dec 31, 2010 3:30 PM

Victoria St Queen St E Shuter St Nov 08, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 14, 2010 11:00 PM

Warden Ave Marble Arch Cres Bertrand Ave Oct 01, 2010 7:00 AM Dec 31, 2010 7:00 PM

West Lynn Ave Danforth Ave Copeland Ave Oct 29, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 16, 2010 6:00 PM

Whiterock Dr Golders Green Ave Winter Gardens Trl Oct 30, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 26, 2010 7:00 PM

Wilson Ave Keele St Dufferin St Jul 26, 2010 7:00 AM Dec 03, 2010 7:00 PM

Wilson Ave Wendell Ave Jane St Nov 15, 2010 9:30 AM Nov 19, 2010 3:30 PM

Winter Gardens Trl Port Union Rd Golders Green Ave Oct 30, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 26, 2010 7:00 PM

Wychwood Ave Ellsworth Ave Tyrrel Ave Nov 06, 2010 6:00 AM Dec 04, 2010 2:00 PM
Yonge St Steeles Ave E Bishop Ave Oct 19, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 19, 2010 7:00 PM

Yonge St Bloor St W Wellesley St W Nov 08, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 30, 2010 4:30 PM

Yonge St Scollard St Nov 09, 2010 9:00 AM Nov 19, 2010 4:00 PM

Yonge St Harbour St Queens Quay E Nov 09, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 19, 2010 5:00 PM

York Mills Rd Old Yonge St Nov 12, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 17, 2010 5:00 PM

York Mills Rd Banbury Rd Nov 12, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 18, 2010 5:00 PM

York Mills Rd Don Valley Parkway N Nov 12, 2010 7:00 AM Nov 16, 2010 5:00 PM


Source: City of Toronto

QEW Toronto Nightly Construction - CURRENT AT NORMAL SPEED

Type: Nightly construction


Main Road: QEW (TORONTO TO BURL.)

From Road: BURLOAK RD All Ramps

To Road: THIRD LINE RD

Start Time: Nov 08, 2010 9:30 PM

Source: City of Torono

TTC vs. NFTA Meto A pres release from Aug 23: TTC Customer Service Report

Motioncenter.com and it's affiliated websites, RSS feeds have been keeping thegeneral publicup to date with the changes in the NFTA-Metro Sytem. Here is an email from earlier this year from the City of Toronto in reference to their TTC system. At a time where their system was hampered to a point about funding, their system was not cut. It actualy increased with the needs of the city.

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:


==========================================



August 23, 2010



Mayor David Miller’s statement on the TTC Customer Service Panel report



“I want to thank Chair Steve O’Brien and his panel for dedicating the past six months to this incredibly important task. The job of speaking to and reading e-mails from thousands of Torontonians, TTC riders and employees was surely a challenging, but ultimately worthwhile, one.



“Public transit is the lifeblood of Toronto and with hundreds of thousands of daily rides being taken, customer service needs to be a priority.



“Over the past 15 years, the TTC has seen its funding from senior orders of government slashed while reliance on the property tax base and the fare box has increased. All during a period of growth for the City that has placed extra demands on the TTC.



“Over the past decade, the Commission has done an excellent job of expanding service for riders and growing the system to meet demand with limited resources. But frontline customer service has not improved at the same rate. We need to get the balance back so that we are providing both top-notch transit and customer services.



“This report finds that while the TTC is an excellent transit system, staffed by a dedicated and professional workforce, there is room for improvement. I remain confident that the TTC is run at a very high level, but I am pleased that the commission and management will be acting swiftly on the report's recommendations to ensure it gets even better.”

North Texas man pleads guilty to receiving child pornography

North Texas man pleads guilty to receiving child pornography




FORT WORTH, Texas - A north Texas man pleaded guilty on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey L. Cureton to one count of receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Saginaw Police Department, and the Sansom Park Police Department.



Robert John Devalk, 38, of Saginaw, Texas, has been in custody since his arrest in August 2010. He faces a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five or more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. Sentencing is set for Feb. 22 before U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means.



According to documents filed with his plea, on June 25, Saginaw Police Department detectives executed a search warrant at Devalk's residence. A forensic examination of his computer and related storage was conducted and officers discovered more than 100 images of child pornography. Devalk admitted that he knowingly received, via the Internet, images and videos of child pornography of children ranging as young as 10 years old engaged in posing and in sexual acts.



According to the affidavit filed with a criminal complaint, on June 24, a Saginaw Police Department detective advised that during an interview, a 16-year-old victim described details of sexual encounters with Devalk that occurred at the defendant's home. The victim stated that they had sexual intercourse and that during one of the sexual encounters, Devalk video recorded it and stored it on his computer. The victim was able to see the sexual encounter on the computer screen as it occurred.



This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers.



ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.



Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.



Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex C. Lewis, Northern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case.

Guardian of the Week – Ed Kruska

Guardian of the Week – Ed Kruska


Friday, November 12, 2010

Written by: LTJG Stephanie Young

Adm. Bob Papp (left), Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard shakes the hand of Retired Chief Warrant Officer Ed Kruska (right) after presenting him with a commemorative coin for his efforts in honoring veterans. Coast Guard photo by PA2 Patrick Kelley.

With a career that spanned two decades of telling the Coast Guard’s story Chief Warrant Officer Ed Kruska shared his passion of the Coast Guard mission and its people with the nation. His commitment to the service goes beyond the call of duty as he inspires generations of service members and their families to honor their profession and their heritage.



Kruska served as editor of Coast Guard Reservist magazine and published 163 issues and nearly 5,000 pages through his tenure. In 1996 Kruska published a story about Coast Guard monuments across the United States urging Coast Guardsmen nationwide to pay their dues to those who served before them. Wanting to do more, and turning the magazine’s words into actions, he gathered with a group of friends at Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans who were buried there.



The following year, Kruska joined with Master Chief Mark Allen, the current Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Forces, and their families as they met at Coast Guard Hill on Memorial Day. Together, as they stood in admiration of the service and sacrifice others had made, Kruska thought — why not place Coast Guard flags on the graves of fallen Coast Guardsmen at Arlington each Veterans Day?





This year's participants in Flags Across America. For the past 12 years Coast Guardsmen and their families have gathered at Arlington Cemetery to pay tribute to veterans. Coast Guard photo by PA2 Patrick Kelley.

Kruska worked with the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Chief Petty Officers Association and after a year of planning Flags Across America came to life on the Saturday before Veterans Day 1999. This time, the group was much larger than the original eight, and the Chiefs and their families placed 75 Coast Guard flags on the graves of Coast Guardsmen buried at Arlington. The families also visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall where flags were placed besides each panel where the names of seven Coast Guardsmen who fought in Vietnam were etched into the wall.



The tribute to Coast Guard veterans grew, and today the event continues to build with Kruska as chairperson. The day now includes a rally outside the cemetery prior to posting the Coast Guard flags as well as a flag ceremony and Coast Guard history tour. With more people, the Flags Across America group is also able to find more graves of fallen service members from the Coast Guard and its predecessor services, including the U.S. Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service.



From its humble beginnings of eight people, the annual event now includes crowds of Coast Guardsmen and their families. This year the Flags Across America group was able to post 600 Coast Guard standards. Amongst the attendees this year was Admiral Bob Papp, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.





Adm. Papp presented a commemorative coin to Kruska for his efforts through his career and with Flags Across America. Coast Guard photo by PA2 Patrick Kelley.

“It is an honor and privilege to commemorate the service of Coast Guard veterans that guarded our coasts in peace and defended our Nation in war,” said Papp, adding, “With Flags Across America, Ed Kruska has established in our service a powerful way for us to observe these manners of our profession with dignity and admiration.”



Kruska’s fervor for honoring those who went before him has been contagious. Since January 2001, more than 86 Flags Across America chapters have blossomed at Coast Guard units in a total of 36 states.



Recently retired, Kruska will continue his efforts in paying tribute to Coast Guardsmen and veterans of our country. Veterans like Kruska are a reminder to us all that when thinking about the brave men and women who have served, it is not enough to utter words of praise, but to live by those words.



Do you know a Coastie that has done something great for the service, the missions or the public? Please submit your nominations for Guardian of the Week using the “Submit Ideas” link on the right.

0600 - Operation Rising Star Pentagon Channel

Sunday
14 NOV 10

0600 - Operation Rising Star: Semi-finals coverage of Operation Rising Star, a worldwide singing competition building on the success of Military Idol, taking place at Fort Belvoir, VA. (90 min)

Encores at 1400 & 2000hrs.

SUBJ: 2011 WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS PROGRAM APPLICATION

R 121542Z NOV 10




ALCOAST 552/10

COMDTNOTE 1738


A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 012345Z NOV 10/ ALCOAST 534/10

1. CANCEL REF A.

2. PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON ESTABLISHED THE WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS

PROGRAM IN 1964 TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO GIFTED AND HIGHLY

MOTIVATED YOUNG AMERICANS TO EXPERIENCE, FIRST HAND, GOVERNANCE AT

THE HIGHEST LEVELS. THE WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS PROGRAM SEEKS TO DRAW

TALENTED INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL SECTORS OF OUR NATIONAL LIFE -

PRIVATE INDUSTRY, ACADEMIA, MEDICINE, MILITARY, LAW, THE ARTS, AND

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. CIVILIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. THE WHITE HOUSE SELECTS 11-19 FELLOWS EACH YEAR

THROUGH A NATIONAL COMPETITION PROCESS.

3. FELLOWS SERVE AS SPECIAL ASSISTANTS TO HIGH RANKING OFFICIALS OF

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, INCLUDING CABINET SECRETARIES AND SENIOR

MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT. FELLOWS ALSO

PARTICIPATE IN AN EXTENSIVE MANDATORY EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT AUGMENTS

AND ENHANCES THE WORK PLACEMENT EXPERIENCE BY PROVIDING WEEKLY

SPEAKER SEMINARS, DOMESTIC POLICY TRIPS, AN INTERNATIONAL POLICY

TRIP, AND DAY TRIPS TO STUDY VARIOUS POLICY ISSUES.

4. FELLOWS ARE CHOSEN BASED ON SUBSTANTIAL RECORDS OF PROFESSIONAL,

EDUCATIONAL, AND PUBLIC SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT AS WELL AS

DEMONSTRATED PROMISE TO SERVE IN MORE SENIOR CAPACITIES IN THE

FUTURE. MILITARY FELLOWS HAVE TYPICALLY BEEN IN THE RANKS O-4 TO O-5

HOLD A BACHELORS AND AT LEAST ONE GRADUATE DEGREE, AND SERVE IN

LEADERSHIP ROLES IN PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

BIOS OF CURRENT WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS ARE AVAILABLE AT

HTTP://WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV/ABOUT/FELLOWS/2010-2011.

5. DISTRICT COMMANDERS AND COMMANDING OFFICERS ARE ASKED TO

IDENTIFY ELIGIBLE AND HIGH PERFORMING COAST GUARD MILITARY MEMBERS

AND PERSONALLY ENCOURAGE THEM TO APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM.

6. FOUR COAST GUARD OFFICERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO SERVE AS WHITE

HOUSE FELLOWS SINCE PROGRAM INCEPTION. LCDR HOLLY HARRISON IS

CURRENTLY A WHITE HOUSE FELLOW SERVING IN THE NASA ADMINISTRATORS

OFFICE. CDR JONATHAN SPANER SERVED AS A FELLOW IN 2002. THE OTHER

FORMER COAST GUARD WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS ARE NO LONGER ON ACTIVE DUTY.

6. AN INFORMATIONAL SESSION FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN APPLYING

WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 16 FROM 1500-1700 IN ROOM 2303 AT COAST

GUARD HEADQUARTERS. TELEPHONIC CALL IN AND VIDEOTELECONFERENCING

CAPABILITIES WILL FACILITATE REMOTE PARTICIPATION. CDR SPANER AND

LCDR HARRISON WILL DISCUSS THE FELLOWSHIP AND BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER

QUESTIONS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, CONTACT THE

COMMANDANT (CG-0921) POC LISTED IN PARA 10 NLT 1600 NOVEMBER 12.

FOLLOWING THE SESSION, CDR SPANER AND LCDR HARRISON CAN BE REACHED

VIA EMAIL TO COUNSEL CANDIDATES REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

EMAIL: HOLLY.R.HARRISON(AT SIGN)NASA.GOV OR JONATHAN.S.SPANER(AT

SIGN)USCG.MIL.

8. THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS MANAGED ENTIRELY BY THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE COAST GUARD PLAYS NO ROLE IN SELECTING CANDIDATES, THEREFORE

COAST GUARD APPLICANTS SHOULD NOT SEND APPLICATIONS VIA THE CHAIN

OF COMMAND. HOWEVER, INDIVIDUALS ARE ASKED TO INFORM

COMMANDANT (CG-0921) IF THEY APPLY TO THE PROGRAM. SEE CONTACT

INFORMATION IN PARA 9 BELOW.

9. APPLICATION FORMS AND ALL RELATED INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE VIA

THE WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS WEBSITE:

HTTP://WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV/ABOUT/FELLOWS/. THE ONLINE APPLICATION WILL

BE AVAILABLE ON DECEMBER 1 AND MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH SUPPORTING

DOCUMENTS BY JANUARY 14, 2011 AT 1759 (EST). THE FELLOWSHIP BEGINS 29

AUG 2011 AND RUNS THROUGH 30 AUG 2012.

10. COMMANDANT (CG-0921) WILL SPONSOR APPLICANTS SELECTED BY THE

WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS OFFICE FOR INTERVIEWS. CG PERSONNEL COMMAND WILL

ISSUE PCS ORDERS FOR INDIVIDUALS SELECTED AS FELLOWS.

11. DIRECT ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO MICHELE RAPPAPORT ZAUCHE AT

COMMANDANT (CG-0921), EMAIL: MICHELE.R.ZAUCHE(AT SIGN)USCG.MIL

12. CAPTAIN RON LABREC, ACTING DIRECTOR FOR GOVERNMENTAL AND PUBLIC

AFFAIRS, SENDS.

13. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

U.S. Border Patrol Arrests Two After Vehicle Stop

Pair Attempted to Discard Fire Extinguisher Containing Cocaine





Boulevard, Calif. — At about 1 a.m. this morning, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two 35-year old males after initiating a vehicle stop on their Mercedes-Benz on Interstate 8 and discovering more than one and a half pounds of cocaine.









Modified fire extinguisher.









Agents observed the men acting in a suspicious manner near a white 1995 Mercedes-Benz with an open trunk. The car was parked next to a callbox on the shoulder of the westbound lanes of Interstate 8. The men had walked from the rear of the car into an area of dense brush before returning to their car and continuing to drive west.





Agents later stopped the Mercedes-Benz and questioned the men whose nervous demeanor and inconsistent answers led agents to request the assistance of a Border Patrol K-9 team. The K-9 team conducted a cursory inspection of the Mercedes-Benz which yielded a positive alert to the rear of the car. Agents searched the car but were not initially able to determine what caused the positive alert.









One and a half pounds of cocaine located inside the fire extinguisher.









Agents then returned to the location where the car had been parked earlier and followed the men’s shoeprints into the brush. The shoeprints led to an inoperable fire extinguisher. Agents determined the extinguisher had been modified and opened it, discovering more than one and a half pounds of cocaine hidden inside with an estimated street value of $15,400.





Agents arrested the driver of the car, a U.S. citizen and resident of Chula Vista, Calif., along with the passenger, a Mexican national. They were both turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the cocaine.





The U.S. Border Patrol maintains a strong defense-in-depth enforcement posture along the major routes of egress from the border to our nation’s interior. San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than 1,342 pounds of cocaine in fiscal year 2010, which concluded on Sept. 30.





U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Skyline Inn Niagara Falls In House Promo 2010

New Promotional Video

Natural Disasters Happen...Take Steps To Minimize Home Damage 

Release Date: November 10, 2010
Release Number: 1942-029
» More Information on North Carolina Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole

» En Español
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Weather happens. Sometimes it's severe enough to be a disaster, like the flooding and wind damage Tropical Storm Nicole caused in eastern North Carolina.
You can take steps before the next disaster to protect your family and minimize property damage. It's called "hazard mitigation."
North Carolina Division of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation experts suggest that families have a disaster preparedness plan and make their homes less vulnerable to high winds and torrential rains that accompany tropical storms or hurricanes.
Some things you can do yourself, such as stowing outside furniture when there's a forecast for severe weather. Other measures may need the expertise of an electrician, plumber, contractor or other professional. Also, remember to check with your community building department for any permit requirements.

• Anchor a fuel tank.  Whether it's in a basement or outside of your dwelling, attach the tank to structural supports.  Keep it topped-off to reduce possibility of the tank floating away.
• Raise electrical boxes, major appliances, and HVAC components.  Survey the "infrastructure" of your home and elevate vulnerable items.  Furnaces can be placed on cinder blocks and hot-water heaters, washers and dryers can be moved upstairs.
• Stop water backup.  If flood waters enter the sewer system, sewage can back up and enter your home. To prevent this, install a backflow valve.
• Protect your home against high winds.  If you are considering replacing doors and windows, look for impact-tested doors and think about adding storm shutters.
• Brace garage doors.  During a hurricane, garage doors are vulnerable.  Adding braces across the back of the door and strengthening glider wheel tracks can help. If you are constructing a new home, consider installing a garage door built to withstand high winds.

FEMA publications can point you in the right direction for information about how to reinforce your home against high winds and flooding and how to secure important personal property. Go online to FEMA's "How To" series at http://go.usa.gov/CR9 or order copies by calling FEMA Publications at 800-480-2520.
North Carolina residents can find helpful tips at www.nccrimecontrol.org/. Enter "home protection" in the search box.
Other sources of helpful information are www.disastersafety.org and www.flash.org, the website of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes - FLASH Inc.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster Recovery Centers Close Saturday 

Deadline is Dec. 13 to register for disaster assistance by phone or online

Release Date: November 11, 2010
Release Number: 1942-030
» More Information on North Carolina Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole

» En Español
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Disaster Recovery Centers that have been helping North Carolinians recover from Tropical Storm Nicole will close after this week.
"Nearly 2,900 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers in 14 counties since the first center opened the day after President Obama's disaster declaration," state Emergency Management Director Doug Hoell said.
Federal Emergency Management Agency and state disaster recovery specialists and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives have staffed the centers to provide in-person answers to questions and to review applications for disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans.
The last five centers are open only two more days – Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. – at the following locations:

BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Government Complex Building G
20 Referendum Drive
Bolivia, NC 28422
CAMDEN COUNTY
South Camden Fire Department
114 Sawyers Creek Road
Camden, NC 27921
MARTIN COUNTY
Martin County EOC Building
205 E. Main St.
Williamston, NC  27892
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
New Hanover Government Complex
230 Government Center Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28403
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Washington County Airport
1069 Airport Road
Plymouth, NC 27962

"Our Community Relations teams have been in neighborhoods, making every effort to reach people," Federal Coordinating Officer W. Montague Winfield said. "Now we are reminding disaster survivors that help is only a phone call away and the deadline to register is just a month from now."
Homeowners and renters can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants can use the same telephone numbers to check on their FEMA registration by pressing the Helpline option.
Disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes. The SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number is 800-659-2955 or (TTY) 800-877-8339. Help is also available by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by going online to www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Loan applications can be made online at SBA's secure website: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
For more information about this disaster, go to www.ncem.org and www.fema.gov.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Friday, 12-Nov-2010 07:57:03

Local Resources Key To Meeting Iowa Disaster Survivors' Remaining Needs

Release Date: November 12, 2010
Release Number: 1930-083
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes

» 2010 Region VII News Releases


WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Volunteers, faith-based organizations, local, state, and federal officials continue to meet the ongoing needs of the survivors of this summer's severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding.
Sixteen long-term recovery committees are active across the state, and more are being organized, according to the Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council (IDHRC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

These local groups may help meet survivors' unmet needs beyond the legal capacity of federal resources after all other available assistance has been exhausted.

"The amount and type of government assistance from FEMA and others is limited by law," said FEMA's John Long, federal coordinating officer. "The job of helping households to fully recover cannot be accomplished without long-term community support."

The IDHRC is comprised of approximately 75 faith-based, voluntary and other community groups. Their coordinated efforts raise funds to provide comfort, guidance, volunteer efforts, and financial assistance.
"Fully recovering from a disaster is a long-term process," said Marvin Shultz, grant coordinating officer with the Iowa Department of Human Services. "It's very gratifying that so many Iowans have stepped forward to help their neighbors long after the floodwaters have receded."
Individuals who have exhausted all resources and have remaining needs related to the 2010 summer disaster recovery are urged to call their county emergency manager; the Iowa Concerns Hotline at 800-447-1085; the United Way's 2-1-1 referral service; or the IDHRC at 515-323-4210.

The deadline to register for federal disaster assistance was Nov. 12. To date, more than 13,000 individuals have registered for federal assistance in the declared counties and more than $25 million has been approved through FEMA's individual and households program. There have been 5,597 visitors to the 19 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) that were open throughout Iowa. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved nearly $14 million in low-interest disaster loans to help Iowa residents and business owners in their recovery.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

North Carolina Disaster Assistance Tops $5.1 Million 

Release Date: November 12, 2010
Release Number: 1942-031
» More Information on North Carolina Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole

» 2010 Region IV News Releases

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. --  Eastern North Carolina residents have received more than $5.1 million in federal and state grants and loans during the past four weeks to help them recover from severe storms and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Nicole.
“All remaining Disaster Recovery Centers are closing tomorrow, but disaster assistance is still available to eligible homeowners and renters who register by Dec. 13 with the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” State Emergency Management Director Doug Hoell said.
Individuals may receive grants for housing and other needs from FEMA and state programs and
low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes may apply for disaster loans, but are not eligible for grants.
To date:

• More than $2.8 million has been approved from FEMA's Individuals and Households Program for temporary housing and home repairs.
• More than $754,700 has been approved in Other Needs Assistance, a joint state-federal program that helps to replace personal property and pay medical, dental, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.
• More than $1.5 million has been approved in SBA low-interest disaster loans.

Homeowners and renters who applied to FEMA for disaster assistance and received SBA loan applications are urged to complete and return them to the SBA by the Dec. 13 deadline. A completed SBA loan application is a critical component to be considered for some financial disaster assistance from FEMA.
“If you haven't registered, don't wait any longer – there are only 30 days left,” said Federal Coordinating Officer W. Montague Winfield.
More than 2,900 residents have visited Disaster Recovery Centers operated jointly by FEMA and the State of North Carolina, with support from the SBA.
In other figures as of Nov. 12:

• More than 4,000 people have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance.
• More than 3,300 damaged homes have been inspected by FEMA.
• More than 5,400 in-person contacts have been made by state and FEMA Community Relations specialists. They’ve visited more than 4,400 homes, more than 1,000 businesses, more than 300 community-based organizations and more than 500 faith-based organizations, providing information in English and Spanish.
• Nearly 18,500 pieces of literature have been distributed by FEMA mitigation specialists in Disaster Recovery Centers and at outreach locations in 11 home improvement stores. Publications range from technical rebuilding manuals to handouts with information about how to make a family disaster plan or get a pet ready in an emergency.

Individuals can register for disaster assistance with FEMA by going online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
For more information about this disaster, go to www.ncem.org and www.fema.gov.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

With Hurricane Warnings In Effect For Parts Of The East Coast, FEMA Urges All Residents To Be Prepared

Residents Should Follow the Instructions of Local Officials and Visit Ready.gov to Prepare for Hurricanes and Severe Weather

Release Date: September 1, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-166
» En Español
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Hurricane Earl moves toward the East Coast of the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is taking aggressive actions to prepare for the storm and is coordinating closely with state and local officials along the East Coast to help support their response as needed.  FEMA is also encouraging all East Coast residents to take steps now to prepare for possible severe weather in the coming days.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Earl is currently a Category 3 hurricane, and a hurricane warning has been issued for the North Carolina coast from Bogue Inlet, N.C. north to the North Carolina-Virginia border.  In addition, a hurricane watch is in effect from the North Carolina-Virginia border north to Cape Henlopen, Del. and a tropical storm warning is in effect from Cape Fear, N.C. to west of Bogue Inlet N.C.  As the storm moves closer, FEMA is closely coordinating.
Local officials in North Carolina have issued mandatory evacuations for visitors to Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Islands.  As is always the case, state and local officials make decisions on issuing evacuation orders.  FEMA encourages all residents and those visiting the East Coast to pay close attention to local updates and heed evacuation orders should they be issued.
"We continue to monitor Hurricane Earl and remain in close contact with state and local officials from North Carolina to Maine to ensure they have the resources to respond if needed," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  "I encourage everyone along the eastern seaboard to visit Ready.gov and take steps now to keep their family safe and secure.  The most important thing for people to do right now is to listen to and follow the instruction of their local officials.  If you are told to evacuate, evacuate."
Information on what individuals and families can to prepare for an emergency, including flash flooding and other severe weather that frequently accompanies hurricanes, is available at www.Ready.gov.  A Spanish version of the website is available at www.Listo.gov.
Since this weekend, FEMA has been in constant contact with the White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide regular updates on the storm's developments.  Earlier today, Administrator Fugate briefed President Obama on FEMA's preparations for potential impacts of Hurricane Earl on the East Coast and New England, and close coordination with state and local officials in potentially affected states from North Carolina to Maine.  FEMA is continuing to monitor the storm's movement in conjunction with the National Hurricane Center, and has deployed teams to North Carolina and other East Coast states to support storm preparations as well as response and recovery efforts as needed.  FEMA has also prepositioned commodities for rapid delivery, including water, meals, tarps, blankets, generators and other essential items.

Administrator Fugate also briefed the President on the impacts from Hurricane Earl on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, both of which have had FEMA teams on the ground since the weekend supporting the Governors' efforts related to the storm.
The National Weather Service forecasts the center of Hurricane Earl will move well east and northeast of the Bahamas today, and approach the coast of North Carolina by Friday morning.  Officials are closely monitoring the areas from the Carolinas to New England, and FEMA is coordinating with the Governors and local officials along the East Coast to aggressively prepare for possible severe weather.  Even if a hurricane does not make landfall, severe weather and flash floods can occur miles inland.  In addition, dangerous surf conditions and rip tides are expected along the cost, and swimmers are encouraged to follow closely the instructions of local officials and lifeguards.
FEMA has activated the National Response Coordination Center and its Regional Response Coordination Centers in all four of its regional offices in the eastern United States, located in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.  FEMA has designated a Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) and has staff on the ground North Carolina at the state's Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh supporting the state.
FEMA maintains life-saving and life-sustaining commodities and supplies strategically across the country to support states in emergency response, and is proactively sending additional supplies to East Coast states, in case they become needed. For example:

• Meals for 300,000 are expected to arrive at the Incident Support Base in Fort Bragg, N.C. tomorrow, along with bottled water and generators. 
• Commodities are also on their way to Westover, Mass., and are expected to arrive tomorrow as well.  FEMA is coordinating across the federal government to ensure commonwealth and territorial officials have the support they need.  Federal and other support includes:
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has two Disaster Medical Assistance Teams on standby in North Carolina. HHS also deployed a Regional Emergency Coordinator to the U.S. Virgin Islands and has other resources pre-positioned and ready for deployment.
• Department of Defense (DoD) has pre-positioned Defense Coordinating Elements in the North Carolina State Emergency Operations Center and in the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in New York.  DoD also has a Defense Coordinating Officer in St. Thomas and State Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers in Puerto Rico and in the Virgin Islands.
• U.S. NORTHCOM's Hurricane Hunters continue to conduct weather reconnaissance flyovers from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss.  The U.S. Navy is securing their ships and equipment near Norfolk, Va. for possible high winds.
• US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has Prime Power Support Team staff in both the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Coast Guard assets are alert and prepared to help in search and rescue efforts.
• American Red Cross has personnel on the ground in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

FEMA also continues to monitor Tropical Storm Fiona, which according to the National Weather Service, is expected to pass north of the Northern Leeward Islands today.
The National Weather Service remains the source of official severe weather watches and warnings, including flash flooding which can take only a few minutes to develop in the case of heavy rains.
FEMA encourages all individuals in the region to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and their local news to monitor for severe weather updates, and to follow the directions provided by their local officials.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Miami accountant pleads guilty in $31 million bank fraud scheme

MIAMI - Certified Public Accountant Berta Sanders, 61, of Miami Lakes, Fla., pleaded guilty on Oct. 29 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, following an investigation led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

From approximately November 2005 through March 2008, Sanders conspired to submit false loan applications to Wachovia Bank in order to obtain approximately $12 million in commercial lines of credit. Sanders promoted herself as someone who could help borrowers get approval for the lines of credit by preparing their loan applications.

Sanders prepared fraudulent loan applications on behalf of the borrowers, which contained false information about the borrowers' business income, assets and accounts receivable. Sanders also prepared false tax returns, bank statements and personal financial statements in connection with the line-of-credit applications.
As compensation for preparing the false loan applications that were submitted to Wachovia Bank, the borrowers paid Sanders a fee of approximately 10 percent of the loan amount. Sanders then paid a portion of these fees to a Wachovia bank officer as compensation for his assistance in preparing and processing the fraudulent applications.

During this scheme, Sanders conspired to obtain approximately $12 million in lines of credit from Wachovia Bank, which has resulted in approximately $10 million in losses to the bank. Sanders also admitted in court that between 2005 and 2008 she prepared additional fraudulent loan applications that have resulted in $19 million in losses to Wachovia. In total, Sanders is responsible for approximately $31 million in losses to the bank.

The investigation was conducted by ICE HSI in Miami, U.S. Secret Service and the City of Miami Police Department.
The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew K. Levi and Richard Gregorie.

Getting to Know: Cornerstone

Cornerstone

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Cornerstone detects and closes down weaknesses within U.S. financial, trade and transportation sectors that can be exploited by criminal networks. Law enforcement entities share criminal typologies and methods with businesses and industries that manage the very systems that terrorists and criminal organizations seek to exploit. This sharing of information allows the financial and trade community to take precautions to protect itself from exploitation. In return, ICE receives information to more thoroughly investigate these complex and sophisticated criminal schemes.

Financial Investigations Topics of Interest

ICE uses financial investigations to beat criminals at their trade. By following the money trail, law enforcement can identify and dismantle international criminal networks, seizing the networks’ proceeds and related assets. ICE, along with other Department of Homeland Security component agencies, is charged with protecting the nation's borders. One way ICE does this is by investigating the illicit flow of money in and out of the United States. (read more)

Mass-Marketing Fraud

ICE is a participant in the International Mass-Marketing Fraud Working Group to combat international consumer fraud, such as email and telephone scams. Read more about mass-marketing fraud, including the 2010 Mass-Marketing Fraud threat assessment.

2010 Bi-national Criminal Proceeds Study

ICE joined with the DHS Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement and the government of Mexico to conduct a comprehensive study of how criminal enterprises collect, transport and deliver illegally-derived proceeds across international borders. (read more)

How You Can Help

Protecting America is more than just a responsibility for government agencies; it's a shared mission for all Americans. The importance of private sector partnership in this shared mission cannot be overstated. There are several ways individuals and businesses can help:

• Become a private sector partner with ICE by contacting your local ICE Homeland Security Investigations office and arranging a Cornerstone presentation for your business or organization.
• Report suspicious financial, commercial or trade activity by contacting your local ICE Homeland Security Investigations office, or by calling 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
• Read the Cornerstone Report, ICE's quarterly newsletter devoted to the financial and trade sectors.

Red Flag Indicators

Certain types of financial transactions serve as indicators, or "red flags," that call for further scrutiny by the financial, commercial, trade and transportation sectors. (read more)

Getting to Know: Bulk Cash Smuggling Center

ICE's Bulk Cash Smuggling Center (BCSC) is a single central source for information and support for identifying, investigating and disrupting bulk cash smuggling activities around the world. The BCSC is co-located with ICE’s Law Enforcement Support Center in Williston, Vt.


More stringent federal laws against money laundering, along with anti-money laundering measures adopted by traditional financial institutions, have forced criminal organizations to shift the movement of their illicit proceeds outside of the established financial industry. To avoid scrutiny of law enforcement, these criminal organizations are increasingly employing non-traditional methods to move funds, including the smuggling of bulk cash into, out of and through the United States.

BCSC provides one-stop shopping, 24 hours a day, to assist federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement authorities in their efforts to restrict the flow of funding that supports criminal enterprise. BCSC provides real-time tactical intelligence, investigative support and expertise in the transportation and smuggling of bulk cash. By contacting BCSC, law enforcement officers access financial investigative expertise that will help them to better follow the money trail.

The Patriot Act, enacted in 2001, criminalized the international smuggling of bulk cash. From fiscal years 2003 through 2009, ICE bulk cash smuggling investigations led to the arrest of more than 1,100 individuals and seizures of more than $410 million.

BCSC provides more than expertise and support. Qualified law enforcement agencies may be able to participate in equitable sharing arrangements from assets seized as a result of investigations of bulk cash smuggling and other financial crime.

If you have information that a suspect or business is engaged in the illicit transportation or smuggling of cash, please contact us using the BCSC form or call the ICE tipline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE.

Michigan man indicted on child exploitation charges

Michigan man indicted on child exploitation charges

DETROIT - A federal grand jury unsealed a 13-count indictment against a Michigan man Wednesday related to the sexual exploitation of children following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Steven Demink, 41, of Redford, Mich., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on 13 counts related to the sexual exploitation of children, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Brian Moskowitz, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Detroit. The indictment alleges three counts each of conspiracy to sexually exploit children, aiding and abetting the sexual exploitation of children, online enticement and coercion, and receipt of child pornography. Each set of counts relates to Demink's online relationship with mothers of young children who sexually assaulted their children at Demink's behest.
Demink used a fictitious persona of Dalton St. Clair, a young, single father, to meet single mothers online and encourage, coerce, and entice the mothers to sexually assault their children. These mothers would then send images or provide live web camera access of the conduct to Demink.
Demink was also charged with possessing images of child pornography on his computer while at his home in Redford.
This case is a result of an HSI investigation that has spanned from Idaho, to Florida, to Virginia and involved the arrest of four mothers, and the rescue of 7 children.
"This indictment underscores the fact that there will be no refuge for child sexual predators who believe they can pursue their perverse behavior with impunity online," said ICE Director John Morton. "The vile crimes alleged here are particularly troubling and gives ICE new resolve to tirelessly pursue these predators wherever they exist."
U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said, "In child exploitation cases, our focus is on predators who are abusing children," McQuade said. "This case resulted in the rescue of seven children who were being sexually abused."
If convicted, Demink faces 15 to 30 years on the conspiracy and aiding and abetting charges, 5 to 20 years on the receipt charges, and up to 10 years on the possession charge.
The case was investigated by agents from ICE HSI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin M. Mulcahy and Hala Jarbou.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.