ANC2F Meeting - Chief Lanier

From Commissioner Reed:

At this month's ANC2F meeting on Feb. 7, Acting Police Chief Lanier is attending to discuss crime and safety issues and to respond to community concerns. Our agenda also includes a number of liquor licensing issues, and a proposed new luxury hotel adjacent to Viridian Restaurant on 14 th Street, and other items.

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!

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.

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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.

Watch Out at Shaw Metro

We received this from one of our neighbors and wanted to pass it along. Please be careful, especially during the busy holiday season.

I was jumped and punched by a group of kids last night about 6:30 pm on 9th Street near the 8th and R exit of the Shaw Metro, so be careful out if you're around there. The Metro police caught 3 of the 6 to 8 kids, and they didn't steal anything (though they tried to get my jacket) so that's good, but still it's worrisome.

A lady nearby saw them run into the Metro station (thank you very much too, whoever you were) and then the Metro police trailed them andcaught them at
the Fort Totten Metro.

The Metro Police were fantastic, they got to the Shaw Metro in about 5 minutes and caught the kids, while the DC police took about an hourand a half to
show up.

Logan Circle House Tour This Weekend

28th ANNUAL LOGAN CIRCLE HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR
SHOWCASES A VICTORIAN PAST AND CONTEMPORARY FUTURE
HOUSES LOFTS ART

The 28th Annual Logan Circle Holiday House Tour will be held on Sunday, December 3rd, 2006 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 mix of historical tradition and a modern style of living.

The tour is expected to draw over 1,200 visitors from the Washington, DC metro area. Tickets will be sold for $15 in advance at the Logan Circle Community Association Web site (www.logancircle.org) or at the following locations: Logan Hardware, 1416 P Street; Vastu, 1829 14th Street; Home Rule, 1807 14th Street; Barrel House Liquor, 1341 14th Street; Lambda Rising, 1625 Connecticut Avenue; Dragonfly Design Décor, 1457 Church Street. Tickets can also be purchased for $20 the day of the event at 1324 Vermont Avenue, NW.

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

“As you visit Logan's stately Victorians, first built in the 1870s, you will also be captivated by the contemporary lofts on the tour this year,” says Linda Sheaffer, who is chairing the tour.

The grand-dame on the tour this year is 11 Logan Circle (the United House of Prayer Museum), a three-and-a-half story Romanesque Revival building represents a rich eclecticism. The restoration of this landmark "parsonage" has recently been completed. The exterior has been restored to 1889 condition, and the interior furnished to represent its condition during the period of occupancy by Bishop Grace.

Three distinctive apartments at Lofts 14, 1401 Church Street, are included on the tour this year. John Taylor’s custom-designed loft features wall-to-wall glass, 14-foot ceilings, and six sets of double doors leading out to a 1300-square-foot terrace (complete with a water feature) which makes the already generous space feel even larger. Both the living and dining rooms feature antique art, some of which has been collected by the owner on his international travels. There is a magnificent 17th century Flemish tapestry and also 18th and 19th century oil paintings throughout the house. The chandelier over the table is another of the owner’s antique treasures.

Logan Circle’s 50 square blocks are rich in history, architecture and a vibrant mixture of residents, galleries and businesses. This community takes pride in its diversity and activism, which combine to reflect the best of city living.

The Logan Circle Community Association, established in 1972, has achieved a remarkable record of steadily improving the environment and the quality of life in the Logan Circle area. Proceeds from this year’s Logan Circle House Tour will be used for beautification projects throughout the neighborhood.

For more information, contact: logancirclenews@gmail.com.