Crime

“Because, unlike others, I do not want to live in a neighborhood where I “feel safe”, I want us all to live in neighborhoods where we are safe.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Bill for passing on “I thought Kent’s message here was pretty thoughtful and addresses some of the key challenges and tensions in Columbia Heights right now.”

From Kent C. Boese | Chair, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A | Single Member District (SMD) 1A08 (posting with Kent’s permission):

“The ANC members continue to work with officers, get to know them, and advocate for officers to walk our neighborhoods. We attend the Police Service Area Meetings when they are scheduled and many of us have developed strong relationships with our officers. What has changed in the 8+ years since you were on ANC1A isn’t the commitment of Commissioners or our dedication. We work very hard on public safety issues, often without the support we need from above.

While some of the challenges we face in effective policing are logistical (i.e., changing officers due to promotions and retirements, changes in MPD police district and PSA boundaries), the real challenge we face is changes (good and bad) in what our officers are allowed to do, largely based on political decisions from the Council.

Frankly, when it comes to public safety in Ward 1, I do not believe we have an effective advocate in the Wilson building who can articulate a sound policy that balances the rights of residents with the responses from our police and social service agencies. Yes, we now have the NEAR Act which I voted for on the ANC and which I wholeheartedly support. But we are not going to see the benefits of the ACT immediately, and even when we see the full benefits of the NEAR Act in the coming years, there will still be an appropriate role and need for police. (more…)

“Possible Road Rage Incident results in Arrest and Gun recovery” on Barracks Row

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

From MPD Sunday:

“Approximately 8 pm tonight, First District officers were flagged down at 8th and E Street, SE for a man pointing a firearm out of the window of a car at a person during an apparent road rage incident. A lookout was voiced and officers were able to locate and stop the vehicle in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. There were two occupants removed from the vehicle and a gun was recovered. A subject was identified as being the same person that pointed the gun earlier and thus was placed under arrest without further incident. …Anyone with information relating to this is asked to call 202-727-9099 or email me directly at [email protected]..

You can also send us your anonymous TEXT TIPS 50411″

Woman Shot While Sitting on a Stoop 11:15pm in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

Rachel first reported to us last night:

“Just heard like 8-10 gunshots, sounds like from around 11th and Irving?”

From MPD:

“This event occurred at about 11:15 P.M.

3D units are on the scene of a shooting in the 3000 block of 11th Street, NW. Several persons were sitting on the steps at a residence when a vehicle pulled up and fired several shots at them. A adult female was struck by the gunfire. (more…)

Gun Found in A Bathroom, Theft From Auto, Some Sorta Connection but an Arrest was Made and a Gun Recovered

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District is pleased to announce an arrest for Carrying a Pistol Without A Permit and Unregistered Ammunition that occurred on today’s date in the 4000 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest.

On today’s date [Wednesday April 10], the Second District responded to a call for a weapon found in the bathroom. Subsequently, a call was received for a Theft f/Auto in the 4000 block Wisconsin Ave NW. Upon arrival on the scene it was learned that the two calls were related. The arrestee who claimed ownership of the weapon was detained and arrested for the above listed charges.”

Shots Fired 3pm in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

Ed. Note: I was away from the computer when this went down yesterday, so I passed on reports via Twitter and Facebook. If you’re interested in following breaking news reports, follow us @PoPville on Twitter and/or on Facebook here.

From MPD:

“At approximately 3pm today (Wednesday April 10, 2019), officers from the Third District responded to the 1400 block of Columbia Road NW in reference to several calls for the sounds of gunshots. Officers on scene located several shell casings, but initially there were no victims or individuals reporting that they had been shot at. Several hours later an individual reported to police that they had been shot at while in that area. (more…)

Arrest Made “the suspects were attempting to remove the wheels from a vehicle in the parking lot”

By Prince Of Petworth


previous case of stolen wheels

A stolen wheels arrest!

From MPD:

“On 4/5/2019, at approximately 2:08 AM, members of the Fifth District were dispatched to the 1800 block of Bryant Street, NE, for the report of several suspects tampering with a vehicle in the parking lot. Once on the scene, the suspects fled from the officers on foot. The officers engaged in a foot pursuit of the suspects, and were able to apprehend one adult male. (more…)

Shooting Likely in Truxton Circle Friday Night

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

From MPD around 10pm Friday night:

“The Third District is currently on the scene of an area Hospital with a walk-in shooting victim. An adult male with a gunshot wound to the upper torso arrive via private vehicle. At this time, a crime scene has not been confirmed however 3D units did receive a call for the sounds of gunshots in the area of North Capitol and O street NW a short time prior to this.

Motorists and pedestrians can expect road closures in the area of North Capitol and O NW as we investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099.”

Notes from Last Night’s ANC 1A (Columbia Heights) Public Safety Committee Meeting by Bill DeBaun

By Prince Of Petworth

Bill DeBaun lives with his wife and child in Columbia Heights. Thanks to Bill for taking the time to write this up.

“Last night there were about 20 attendees at the ANC 1A Public Safety Committee meeting at District Bridges in Columbia Heights. The panel last night consisted of representatives from the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. A representative from the Department of Behavioral Health was supposed to attend but couldn’t make it. Notably there was no MPD representative (it appears that was last month, next month will be representatives from community-based organizations engaged in the ANC). During introductions, half or more of the attendees noted they were there out of concern for Columbia Heights’ recent shootings. Attendees identified homelessness, public substance abuse, stop and frisk, underfunding of the NEAR Act, and concerns about MPD training exchanges with Israel, among other issues, as concerns.

Judy Williams ([email protected]) was the DHS representative and discussed her and her team’s work with homeless engagement and meeting those living on the street where they are and connecting them with available resources. She noted there are currently two members of her team on homeless outreach (for the whole city!) and two focusing specifically on opioid outreach and K2 monitoring/prevention (also for the whole city). There was some discussion about whether or not an additional three positions on these teams were funded and just not filled yet or whether funding was pending (I wasn’t clear on where that shook out from my notes, apologies.) K2 (“spice”) is a big problem in Columbia Heights’ plaza, and she noted that they try to keep tabs of what the K2 “hot spots” are to try to put cold water on them by being present as a deterrent and monitoring those who have bad reactions to the drug. (more…)

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