AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: AUGUST 2017 3 Order your own MONTHLY subscription today. Call 1-800-234-0056 or go to www.APBweb.com American Police Beat (ISSN 1082-653X; USPS #24948), also hereafter referred to as “APB,” is published twelve times a year for $12 per year, $20 for two years or $26 for three years. APB is published by APB International, 505 8th Avenue, Ste 1004, New York, NY 10018. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and Additional Mailing Offices. Telephone: 800-234-0056. Subscriptions: info@apbweb. com. Website: www.apbweb.com. POSTMASTER: send address changes to American Police Beat, 505 8th Avenue, Ste 1004, New York, NY 10018. CRASH TAKES LIFE OF OFF-DUTY OFFICER. Chicago Police officers collect evidence near the scene of a double fatal car crash that involved an off-duty police officer, Taylor Clark. A woman and Officer Clark were both killed. (Alyssa Pointer/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) P ressure to “do something” about crime is on the up- tick, despite the fact that crime rates remain at 50 year lows (in spite of some homicide hot spots). So in Tennessee, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has sent out letters to local criminals with very stern wording. “For the last several months, our office has been working with the Memphis Police Depart- ment to identify the people in our city who commit the most crime. You are one of those people and we are asking you to stop,” the letter reads. District Attorney Amy Weirich said she didn’t have any idea how many she would send out or if they’d have any impact. “The message in the letter from me to this de- fendant was, ‘Stop! Stop committing crime,’” Wei- rich told WREG News. “You are a drain on our community.” The letter goes on to urge local crooks to “Stop breaking the law and get help,” promising that, if arrested again, the recipi- ent will “get the maximum time allowed under the law.” Critics of these kinds of PR efforts have a hard time believing burglars, shoplifters and hustlers of all stripes will be getting the message. On the other hand the DA can always tell people who are asking what she’s doing about crime that she sent some letters. Dear Crooks: “A lot of vets like ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ - I get great letters from guys.” – Robin Williams