Sunday, January 28, 2007

New Camera at U Street Metro

From Councilmember Graham:

Dear Friends:

I am pleased to announce a camera is now operational OUTSIDE the U St.Cardozo Shaw African American Civil War Memorial metro station. TheWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority installed the camera aspart of a pilot program for which I pressed. Station managers willmonitor the camera. We want to see how this works out. If successful,more cameras will be installed outside metro stations. Crime camerasare but one element of a good publci safety program.This is a great way to assure riders, and people generally, we aredoing all we can to protect their safety.

Bets,Councilmember Graham

Homicides

All - Another reminder to be vigilant:

At approximately 10:34 p.m. [January 27th] 3rd District officers responded to 1512 7th St. NW, where they found a 29 y.o. male - who had been shot multiple times (he was located in the stairway); This is currently an open case.

At roughly 2:46 a.m., the 3rd District also responded to 1225 11th Street, NW, where a Hispanic Male had been beaten severely with a bat. He later died as a result of those injuries. Arrested in this incident was Herman Melindez (21 years old).

I don't have much more information from homicide about the incidents at this point, but will make this available as soon as it is cleared for release. Anyone with information is encouraged to call our Synchronized Operations Command Center at 202 727-9099.

Inspector Patrick A. Burke
Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department
Third District - Substation
750 Park Rd. NW Washington DC, 20010
Commitment to Excellence!

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Burglaries in Logan Circle - Be Careful!

December 31, 2006

BURGLARY ONE WHILE ARMED
*UPDATE: JANUARY 10, 2007 - RECENT BURGLARIES*

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Burglary Task Force is investigating a series of burglaries and robberies that have occurred in occupied premises. The Metropolitan Police Department also seeks the public’s assistance in attempting to locate and identify suspects possibly responsible for these crimes.

At approximately 7:57 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2006, a lone male, armed with a handgun, entered a home, through an unlocked back door, in the 1800 block of 4th Street, N.W. Once inside he robbed the occupants of a camera, jewelry, cell phone, blackberry and a handbag. There were no reported injuries. The suspect in this case is described as a black male, 25 to 35-year-old , 6’2” tall, 180 to 185 pounds with a medium complexion. He was wearing dark clothing and armed with a handbag.

At approximately 9:15 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2006, two subjects, one armed with a handgun, entered a home, through an unlocked front door, in the 1500 block of Vermont Avenue, N.W. Once inside they tied up the occupant before taking a wallet with cash and credit cards, two cameras, cell phone and keys to a yellow Hummer. The suspects took the Hummer but abandoned it at 12th a and Streets N.W. There were no reported injuries. The first suspect in this case is only described as a male approximately 6’2” tall, wearing a mask, dark clothing and armed with a handgun. The second suspect is only described as possibly being a female, approximately 5’3” tall and wearing a mask and dark clothing.

The cases are under investigation by detectives from the department’s Third District and department’s Burglary Task Force Unit. A nyone with information about this case is asked to cal police at 202-727-9099. The department currently offers a reward of up to TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any robbery committed in the District of Columbia.

###

*UPDATE: SIMILAR RECENT BURGLARIES

There are two additional cases that appear to be similar to those listed in the original release, for which a reward of up to TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS is also being offered.

On Saturday, January 6, 2007, at approximately 7:00 p.m., two suspects, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered a home in the 1300 block of Q Street,
N.W. They robbed the occupant of a wallet with cash and credit cards and a cell phone. There were no injuries reported. The first suspect
in this case is described only as a tall male, wearing a mask and dark clothing,

(more)

armed with a handgun. The second is described only as a black male,
approximately 5’8” tall, wearing a mask and dark clothing.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at approximately 9:04 p.m., a lone male armed with a handgun entered a home in the 1300 block of Riggs Street, N.W. through an unlocked front door. Once inside, he robbed the occupants of assorted items, including a laptop computer, cell phones, credit cards and U.S. currency. There were no reported injuries. The suspect in this case is described as a black male, in his 20’s, approximately 6’3” tall, weighing about 190 pounds. He was wearing blue pants, a camouflage jacket, a black hat and armed with a handgun.

###

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

All Boarded Up and No Place to Go

We all know that the new Mayor Fenty is a diligent reader of the local blogs, right? Well, if not, there are some editorials from various neighborhood associations and organizations in the Post, including one from our own Jennifer Trock.

Logan Circle has undergone a major rebirth over the past few decades. We have new residential buildings, retail spaces, even a burgeoning art community. But crime and public safety are still a top concern. A large part of the problem is the abandoned and neglected properties that continue to make our neighborhood attractive to criminals.


It's good to get some light shed on this subject.