Logan Circle Holiday House & Gallery Tour!

It's time once again for the Logan Circle Holiday House & Gallery Tour!

The 27th Annual Logan Circle Holiday House & Gallery Tour will be held this Sunday, December 4th, 2005, from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

This year’s tour will feature a variety of Victorian homes and modern lofts in the neighborhood. The homes on the Logan Circle tour were chosen because they represent a revival of history and a sophisticated urban way of life.

The tour is expected to draw over 1,000 visitors from within Washington, DC and the surrounding metro areas. Tickets will be sold for $15 in advance on the Logan Circle Community Association Website or at the following locations:

• Logan Hardware, 1416 P Street
• Vastu, 1828 14th Street
• Home Rule, 1807 14th Street
• Barrel House Liquor, 1341 14th Street
• Lambda Rising, 1625 Connecticut Avenue.

Tickets can also be purchased for $20 the day of the event at 1324 Vermont Avenue, NW.

New to the tour this year are several 14th Street art galleries which will open their doors for the event participants.

As in years past, participants are welcome to join Logan Circle neighbors and new friends at a Wassail reception hosted at The Studio Theater, at 14th and P Streets from 3:00pm until 5:30 pm the day of the tour.

Crime Statistics

Would you like to see the numbers for yourself? Care to compare the Third District to other Districts?

Please visit the official MPD Crime Statistics page.

Our thanks to a Logan Circle resident for suggesting that we inform our readers of this site.

Lt. Smith's Fundraiser

In this season of thanks and giving, we are posting the following announcement from Lt. Mike Smith. If you would like more information, please contact him at: psa307@hotmail.com.

I will be raising donations for The National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial which is a tribute to all federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. To do this, I will be riding my bicycle from Virginia Beach, VA to Washington, DC in the Police Unity Tour.

The Officer's Memorial has engraved on it's blue-gray marble walls the names of almost 18,000 officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. 116 officers from our department (MPD) have died serving the city since 1861. The Memorial Fund receives no government or taxpayer revenue, instead it relies on the contributions of organizations such as ours and individuals such as yourself.

We strongly encourage you to stop by the Memorial the next time you are touring Washington D.C. Check out their web site too! www.nleomf.org.

Lt. Mike Smith
PSA 307

Logan Housing for Police Officers

Two officers in our PSA seek housing in our neighborhood. If you know of any rental properties that would be willing to offer reduced rent (in exchange for security and patrol duties), please let us know!!!

The officers are comfortable with street parking, and they ask that pets be allowed.

Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Churches, Logan, and Parking

An anonymous resident is distributing fliers about church-goer parking; parts of which we are posting here for community input and discussion:

• The author of the letter believes that church-goer parking practices (which include double parking and blocking access to streets) is not only illegal, but way "out of hand."
  
• The author is asking for residents to join in a letter writing campaign asking city leaders for help. If you are interested, send an email to: LoganPkgEnforce@aol.com
  
• The flier requests that neighbors always report violators - and to specifically call George Carr, DC Parking Enforcement Manager at: 202-541-6063
  
• You can follow up through the Mayor's call center: 202-727-1000.

Robbery Suspect Apprehended!

Our thanks again to Sgt. Stuart Emerman for providing the following, and our thanks to our good friends and neighbors who look out for one another!

On Sunday night, at approximately 8:10 pm, a female was walking in the area of 1314 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, when she was approached by a male who attempted to pull her purse from her.

The woman resisted, and was dragged to the ground, at which time the suspect gained control of the purse and ran from the scene. The offense was observed by a witness who was nearby.

Officers quickly responded and canvassed the area for a suspect. Lt. Smith located an individual in the 1000 block of 11th Street NW who matched the description. The subject provided his name and date of birth, and he was checked for warrants.

While this was going on, an officer on the scene located an ID card on the suspect, which provided a different name and date of birth. The suspect stated that the ID belonged to his twin brother, but it was determined to actually be the suspect.

A warrant was located on file for the correct name and date of birth. In addition, the witness responded to the location where the defendant was stopped and positively identified by the witness as the assailant.

He was charged with Robbery (Force and Violence) and transported to the Third District for debriefing by the Detectives and processing. The case was presented to the United States Attorney's Office this morning and do not know yet what the status was, and what he was ultimately charged with.

As soon as I get in touch with the officer today, I will let you know. Another excellent example of citizens helping one another out to catch this guy!

Thanks,
Sgt. Emerman

Dinner Photos and Awardees

To view photos from the LCCA Annual Awards Dinner, click here. Our thanks to LCCA Member and 2005 Awardee Don Smith for sharing these pictures!

2005 Award Winners

Don Smith
Thank you for your outstanding commitment to the supporters of Logan Circle Park.

Vikki Keys & Alice McLarty, National Park Services
In appreciation of your dedicated service to our Community during the renovation of Logan Circle Park, we thank you for your excellent accomplishments.

Ardeshir Nafili, DDOT
In recognition of your exceptional performance communicating between DDOT and the Logan Circle Community during the renovation of Logan Circle Park.

Margaret Coleman, National Park Services
In appreciation to your implementation of a ceremony honoring both General Logan and the newly restored Logan Circle Park.

Officer Jeffrey Carroll / Officer Michelle Caron, MPD
Presented to these outstanding officers in PSA 307 - Thank you for your continued commitment, service, and dedication to public safety in Logan Circle.

Whole Foods Market / Zachary Stein
In recognition of your generous contributions to all Logan Circle community events.

David Winer
Honoring you for your talent and vision in successfully establishing both Logan Tavern and Merkado.

Chris Kohatsu
Thank you for your work in organizing the Rededication of Logan Circle Park.

LCCA 2005 President’s Awards:
Jennifer Trock
For outstanding vision, dedication, and commitment to public safety and excellence in leadership.

Gina Schaefer
For your generous commitment of time, support, and inspiration to our endeavors, especially the 2004 and 2005 Logan Circle House Tour.

Washington Plaza Hotel – 2005 Community Service Award
In appreciation of years of hospitality, dedicated service, and outstanding contributions to the Logan Circle community.

N Street Village – Community Improvement Award
Honoring the staff and volunteers who give their time, support, guidance, and hope to those in need.

Do You Know a CHAMP?

From MPD, we are posting the following:

Earlier this year, Officers Mikal Ba’th and Ronald Burgeson were working the Sixth District Crime Initiative during the first watch, when they responded to a radio run for a loud noise in the 4800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Upon arrival on the scene, the officers observed a male subject standing in a walkway.

He appeared to be taking something from his front left pocket, so the officers began to approach him for questioning. As they drew near, the subject pushed his hand back into his pocket and began to flee, with the officers in pursuit. As the suspect stopped running, he turned toward Officer Burgeson with his arms extended and caused Officer Burgeson to lose control of his motor scooter and fall to the ground.

Officer Burgeson got up quickly, and he and Officer Ba’th placed the suspect under arrest for Assault on a Police Officer. They proceeded to handcuff the suspect, pat him down for weapons, and walk him to the street to wait for a transport vehicle. As they were escorting the suspect to the street, he was able to free one of his hands, push Officer Burgeson aside, and run from the scene.

Officers Burgeson and Ba’th again chased the suspect for approximately two more blocks. After apprehending him the second time, the officers observed the loose handcuff and discovered that it had been unlocked with a key that the suspect had hidden in the rear inseam of his pants. A search incident to the arrest revealed 46 grams of cocaine and $788.

It was later discovered that the suspect was wanted on an outstanding homicide warrant from Prince George’s County. Officers Ba’th and Burgeson were among 12 MPDC members who were recognized as “officers of the month” during this month’s CHAMPS awards lunch. Read about all of their outstanding efforts by clicking here.

FOOTNOTE I: CHAMPS (Capital Hotels Award Metropolitan Police Service) is a monthly awards program hosted by the Hotel Association of Washington, DC. The September awards luncheon was hosted by the Savoy Suites Hotel in Northwest.

FOOTNOTE II: Members of the public are invited to submit commendations for outstanding MPDC officers anytime, using this online form.

Iowa Follow-Up

As promised, we investigated the matter. Here is the official word from Lieutenant Smith:

Detective Jeff Folts went up there. He is the best investigator we have. He reported that the complainant gave several conflicting reports that did not add up. He didn't believe the complainant was telling the truth.

Michael A. Smith
Lieutenant
Police Service Area 307

Dedication from Rachel

Rachel Panay, is the Guest Speaker and Performer for the LCCA's Annual Awards Dinner & Reception. She recently issued the following letter to her fan base:

Dear Friends,

I am honored to support the Logan Circle Community Association in my hometown of Washington, D.C. As many of you know, Logan Circle is a vibrant and energetic neighborhood, just below the U Street corridor, filled with art galleries, exciting nightlife, eclectic homes, and wonderful residents.

In early October, I was asked to perform and act as guest of honor at the LCCA's Annual Awards Reception and Dinner. Every year they honor extraordinary volunteers, businesses, and residents who work to make Logan Circle a better neighborhood. I happily accepted.

Recently, Logan Circle was rocked by a string of robberies. In a time of crisis, the community came together, and rose up against the senseless crimes. The resilience of the citizens is truly inspiring, and because of that, I am dedicating my song "I Still Believe" to the people of Logan Circle, who still believe in their community, and to all of us, who as Washingtonians, love, cherish and believe in our city.

I hope you will join me on November 17 at The Washington Plaza Hotel for this momentous event. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Please forward this email to friends that you think would like to attend.

For more information, please see their website at:http://www.logancircle.org.

Sincerely yours,
Rachel

Update on PSA 307

Our thanks to Sgt. Stuart Emerman for providing the following:

From November 10 through November 13, 2005, the officers in 307, along with officers of the Major Narcotics Branch, Prostitution Enforcement Unit, made several arrests that address the concerns of the residents in the Logan Circle area.

In particular, on 11/10, four (4) females were arrested for prostitution related charges in the area of Vermont and N Street, NW. On 11/12, two (2) females were arrested in Logan Circle, and three (3) were arrested in the area of 13th and L Streets NW. On 11/13, two (2) more were arrested in the area of Vermont and L Streets NW.

Based upon the stats that I am looking at, there was also another female arrested on a failure to appear warrant on 11/11 in the 1100 block of 13th Street NW, but it is unknown if that was a result of a prostitution related stop.

In addition to these arrests, there were several others made during the weekend, but since the majority of "quality of life" calls that we get are related to prostitution, I wanted the neighborhood to know about these. I will post more information as I get it, and will attempt to answer any comments that are directed towards the MPD.

Thanks for your continued support and assistance.

Sgt. Stuart Emerman
PSA 307

Causing the Crime Wave?

As a matter of perspective, we are posting the following:

• On April 5, 2005, Councilmember Fenty praised the Mayor's and City Council's appointment of Vincent Schiraldi as Director of the District's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. (You can read his comments and praises here).

• Upon taking office, Mr. Schiraldi committed himself to reducing the population at the problem-riddled Oak Hill Youth Center from 257 to 86 youth by September 30, 2005. Schiraldi said that he would use "a little more honey and a little less vinegar." See the Washington Post coverage of Schiraldi here.

• Slowly, but surely, less convicted juveniles were placed into custody of Oak Hill's detention center and more were left to the care of their families. Such was the case of Marcel Merritt.

• On October 15, 2005, Police Chief Ramsey announced at a press conference that robberies were up 43 percent city-wide, and that juveniles might be responsible for the sizable increase. See this article.

Your thoughts? What actions (if any) should we as a community take?

Sunday Night Mugging

From a resident at 10th & O Streets. . . .

My street's abuzz with the news that someone was mugged at 10th and O today around 5PM. I don't have any other details, I'm afraid, but I imagine you may be hearing from someone who does. I hope to read moreabout it on your site. Thanks for the service you are providing.

- Name Witheld

We will investigate and post details as they become available.

UPDATE

We learned from MPD that on Sunday evening, a woman was in her car parked at 9th & O Streets. Two African-American juveniles approached her and attempted to remove her purse from the vehicle.

The woman resisted and was physically assaulted. The bag was taken and later left in a nearby alley.

Reminder: LCCA Awards Dinner & Reception

The Annual Logan Circle Community Association Awards Dinner & Reception is just a week away! Please be sure to join your friends and neighbors as we celebrate the successes of 2005 and elect our leaders for 2006.

If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer to help coordinate the event, please contact Chris Kohatsu. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Logan Circle Community Association's
Annual Awards Dinner, Reception, and
Election of 2006 Officers and Board of Directors
"Out of the Ordinary - Life in Logan Circle"
Thursday, November 17, 2005
The Washington Plaza Hotel
5 Thomas Circle NW
7 PM

further details posted at: http://www.logancircle.org/

Committee Appointments Needed

Step up to the plate and serve your community! We are posting this as a courtesy to ANC2F Crime and Public Safety Committee Co-Chairs Mike Sheaffer and Jennifer Trock.

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

Volunteers are needed to serve on the ANC2F Crime and Public Safety Committee. We are looking for people that are willing to work on longstanding issues and are committed to improving safety in the community.

Members of the Committee will need:

• Access to e-mail
• Be willing to take a long view on the issues at hand and
• Have some project management skills.

If you are interested in serving please contact your ANC Commissioner (please visit: http://www.anc2f.org/) for more information.

Thanks,
Mike Sheaffer & Jennifer Trock

Drinking in the Circle

From a neighbor on the 1300 Block of P Street. . .

We live on the 1300 Block of P Street, and the drunks in Logan Circle continue to be a large
problem. This block in particular, seems to be on of the main traffic ways for the drunks, resulting in noise, making residents feel unsafe/uncomfortable and an enormous amount of trash, particularly empty liquor bottles and beer cans. Everyday, we leave our place, we have to pick up a whole new set of trash dumped outside of our door step.

Someone also smashed the vent window of my car, parked on Kingman street about a month ago (reported to police). To sum up the whole incident (obviously a non-pro job), there's an excellent possibility it was done by one of the circle's inhabitants.

Certainly not as horrifying as some of the more recent posts, and a common complaints, but needs to be voiced...

Glad I found this excellent blog!

MPD Terminations Up This Year

As reported in today's Washington Post:

The D.C. police department fired 55 officers in the past fiscal year, nearly triple the number recorded two years ago, according to newly released statistics.

More officers were dismissed in fiscal 2005, which ended Sept. 30, than in the previous two years combined. Thirty-two officers were fired in fiscal 2004 and 19 in fiscal 2003. . .

Read the full article here.

Ed Reiskin Supports Logan Circle

We received a report from Ed Reiskin's office, the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, on the action items they are currently implementing to build a stronger and safer Logan Circle community. Excerpts from the report are posted below.

Thanks to Deputy Mayor Reiskin and his staff for kicking into high gear for Logan!

Public Safety:

As I'm sure you know, MPD will be hosting an Operation Fight Back on November 16th starting at 10 a.m. I (Bradley Hicks) am planning to participate along with the Deputy Mayor's Chief of Staff. To address the increase in juvenile arrests in the area, the Deputy Mayor has discussed with the Director of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Kimberly Flowers, the need to replace the Roving Leader that was based at the Kennedy Recreation Center and who recently left his position.

I have heard that this individual played a key role in keeping the peace between youth from the neighborhoods of 5th and O and 7th and O. DPR expects the new Roving Leader to be on board this month. In the meantime, Bernard West, Roving Leader for Wards 1 and 2, will be deployed to the area.

Commander McCoy is keenly aware of the prostitution and drug issues in the neighborhood and has the 3D Focused Mission Unit on the drug problem, the PSA and MNB Prostitution Unit concentrating on the prostitution problem (early morning hours in surrounding alleys), and has placed the light tower in the vicinity of 10th and O sporadically to help disrupt the unwanted activities. MPD has also made a number of prostitution arrests in the past two weeks and Lt. Smith is planning a joint effort to shut down a club allegedly engaged in prostitution in the next week or so.

Further, as you probably are also aware, Chief Ramsey has created a Robbery Squad to address the robbery problem along with allowing additional overtime to be used by 3D to deploy additional resources during the hours when these robberies are occurring.

Regarding PSA 307 staffing, MPD provided our office with the following information on PSA staffing availability (Officers, Sergeants, and Lieutenants) as of September 9, 2005. Updated numbers will be provided to the Judiciary Committee at MPD's oversight hearing on November 10, 2005. You may contact Councilmember Phil Mendelson's office should you wish to testify as a public witness at the hearing.

Overall, MPD has 2,122 PSA personnel assigned to the PSAs, surpassing the staffing target of 2,067 personnel. Through the assignment of new recruits to the PSAs and a reduction in the percentage of members unavailable for full duty, MPD has increased the number of members available for full duty in the PSAs by 107 members (6%) over the past six months.

Robbery at The Iowa

From a resident at The Iowa Condominiums. . .

Saturday evening (Nov 5th - apx 7:30pm) a resident of the Iowa (13th and O) was walking her dogs on 13th. Two black men (apx 25-35 years old) forced her to go into the building and then into her town home. At some point in the process they held a gun to her head and at another they threatened to shoot her dogs. They went through her wallet and her jewelry and took whatever they wanted.

On another note - Lt. Smith is on vacation for a week. PSA 307 concerns should be directed to Captain Hill in his absence.

Candida Calls 311

The owner of Candida's World of Books has this to share. . .

I called 311 just 15 minutes ago, because a (clearly not all-right-in -the-head) gentleman was in the bus stop outside my store taking his clothes off (he was down to his jeans, that were sliding off him, and his underwear) and was handling his crotch. I called 311, described the situation and within 3-5 minutes two police cars arrived, the officers had the gentleman get dressed again and basically took care of the situation. I'm grateful to the police for such a quick and efficient response!

- Candida -

Civilian Positions with MPD

Because we all support the work of MPD, consider joining them!

The Metropolitan Police Department employs several hundred civilian employees in a variety of administrative, technical and operational positions. The Department is currently accepting applications for the following:

Crime Analyst
Contract Compliance Monitor
Contract Representative
Crossing Guard
Property Viewing Clerk

To review details for these positions visit:
http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1230,q,538142.asp

Teen Robbery Suspects Arrested!

Seven juveniles were taken into custody last night. No word on if they are linked to Logan Circle.

We will post details as they become available.