Letter from First Police District Captain Joseph L. Spiess

Ladies and Gentlemen of the First Police District

I wanted to start this message by thanking all of you who have taken an active part in helping reduce the crime in the First District. Whether it was contacting 9-1-1 or passing on information to the many outlets which have been provided to you by the Neighborhood Groups, NSO, Aldermen, or Officers of the First District. The overall crime in the district has been reduced by over 20%. Much of this credit goes to the working relationship between our citizens and the St Louis Police Department. We look forward to continuing this working relationship and hope for a further reduction of crime in our endeavors.

There are some recent events that you should be aware are occurring. There are persons who are agressively begging or asking for money from the elderly citizens of our community. These persons will ask for different amounts of money in odd denominations. They will attach some lame excuse for the use of the money. Sometimes the beggar will try to get the elderly people to let them into their home while they get them the requested money. The subjects then use the opportunity to attempt other crimes like stealing purses, credit cards, or check books. If you have someone approach your door asking for money, water, or to use the telephone, DO NOT answer the door. Immediately call 911 and tell the operator there is a suspicious person, with any description you can provide. These people are preying on their ability to intimidate and scare older people into giving them money. To this point they have not physically injured anyone.

An email has been circulating for you as the receiver to provide information of your bank account to receive a portion of someone's fortunes that have been left to the writer who is from out of this country. The writer requires a US bank account to receive these fortunes and ask for your help in depositing this money into your account. The writer offers a percentage for your help. THIS IS A SCAM. These types of fraudulent schemes are not new. You need to remember just one old saying, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is."

Thank you, and have a prosperous New Year.

Captain Joseph L. Spiess
First Police District

OCTOBER 24, 2007 - Members of CBBA and residents from Marine Villa Neighborhood spent a brisk afternoon planting and mulching to create 'curb appeal' at the Children's Froggy Park, located at Chippewa and Oregon Streets. Many thanks to the "Green Team Crew": (L - R) 20th Ward Alderman Craig Schmid and his two daughters; Lorraine Ura, Sarah Bliss and her daughter, Mike Ferguson, Betty Moore and Ryan Tribout. (Not pictured: Bob Moore, John Oberkramer, Harry Crawford and Bill Daniel)

Front Row (L - R): Pam Lanning, Deanna Cecil, Betty Moore, Craig Schmid (Back row (L - R): Amanda Penick, Mandy Rajchart, John Oberkramer, Eddie Brauer and Mike Ferguson. (Not pictured: Bill Daniel)

Marine Villa Beautification Committee Works Magic at the Historic Engine House
Storm clouds hovered over the area on Saturday, October 13, as volunteers planted beautiful red knockout roses, an assortment of grasses, coneflowers, butterfly bushes, day lilies and bulbs in the new planting beds around the historic Fire Engine House #3, located at 3678 S Broadway.

A grant from Opertion Brightside provided the plants and mulch. Residents of Marine Villa provided the labor.

Soft rock music playing on a car radio kept beat with the sound of shovels moving mulch into containers and a borrowed wheelbarrow. Light conversation and a few good-natured jokes provided a bit of relief from the labor-intensive work.

In a little over 2 hours, the project was nearly complete, when it began to sprinkle. Exhausted, but beaming with pride, volunteers stopped momentarily for a photo op near the huge pile of mulch and then quickly returned to work.

The pace picked up considerably with everyone rushing to add as much mulch as possible before the light rain finally moved in around 1 p.m. Quickly, everyone packed up their tools and headed home.

The Fire House now has a beautiful landscape that everyone is noticing. If you get the chance, drive by and take a look at the finished project.

Marine Villa Beautification Committee Is Seeking Volunteers to Help Beautify Our Neighborhood
Did you know that if every member of Marine Villa Improvement Association (MVIA) donated 4 man hours a year towards area beautification that progess could actually be accelerated by about 75%. Just imagine the beautification efforts you have already witnessed in the last 2 years and multiply that by 2, 3 or 4 times.

For more information, please call Sarah Rye Bliss, Beautification Committee Chairperson, at 314-772-3963.

Special Events:
Neighborhood Walks: - Come tour your neigborhood each Monday. We will meet at the Old Engine House #3, located at S. Broadway and Salena Streets, and take a different path each time. For more information call 771-5576.

© 2008 Marine Villa Improvement Association, St. Louis, Missouri. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.