Columbia Heights

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to write to you today about what I feel is an epidemic in that has hit Columbia Heights.

I live in the area slightly north of Meridian Hill Park and at least once or twice a week I see a smashed in window from yet another theft of items in someone’s car.

It has gotten to the point where when I walk my dog down 15th St or the 14th-15th St Blocks of Harvard, Euclid, or Girard on a Saturday or Sunday morning I am SURPRISED if there isn’t a smashed in window. It is just a constant stream of glass on the sidewalk and no doubt stolen property from yet another car.

What I ask is what are the police doing about this? I see numerous police officers writing up reports, but over the past 6-8 months there has been no letdown in the occurrences of this crime.

I am almost feel fortunate that I only use public transit/Uber and don’t have to park my car on the street each night. the rare occurrences I have a rental car I need to park overnight I have zero faith that anything is being done to prevent waking up to a smashed window and I almost feel it is a coin flip that I will walk up to one.

I can’t be the only one in this area that notices this on a very frequent basis. I am also taking about a very small coverage area strictly within Columbia Heights, I am sure this is a problem elsewhere as well.

Hopefully this can lead to something being done about this so the Columbia Heights community doesn’t need to cross their fingers every time they park their car on the street that they will have to file an insurance claim in the morning.”

“Dear PoPville,

I just had a rather unbelievable experience while I was out running errands in Columbia Heights. I live in a building immediately above the CH metro and am quite used to the large groups of people that gather on this corner. Today, however, as I was walking home from Giant and waiting in front of the CVS to cross 14th, a drunk man walked up next to me carrying a 40 and began screaming “F this, F that”. This is a pretty typical experience so I just stood there silently waiting for the light to change. He then got even closer to me (about 2-3 feet away) and started screaming that he was going to stab me with his knife.

I did a quick survey and saw 4 police officers on bicycles standing in front of Panera. Thank goodness! I thought. I booked it across the street to give them a heads up that this man was threatening to stab me. I was waving my arms and yelling “Excuse me officers!” All four officers looked at me and then got onto their bicycles and rode off.

I have absolutely no idea whether to report this incident or not. And I also have no idea who I would even report it to. I don’t think it is too much to ask for a group of officers to acknowledge you when you are running towards them and screaming to get their attention.

If nothing else, let this be a warning that there is a man hanging out by the metro in a baggy red t-shirt threatening to stab people.”

A reader reports (as well as numerous others who tweeted to @PoPville)”

“7 shots fired on 15th between Euclid and fuller. Shots fired directly at suv. Shooter believed to be on foot. Shots heard at 8:42”

A few readers report via twitter and email:

“There was a stabbing in Columbia heights near the Wells Fargo on 14th at about 530 tonight. My husband saw 3 young males, roughly ages 16-20, dashing across the street right in front of a fire engine on his way home. 10 minutes later on his way to giant for me he saw the same kids jump into a vehicle and speed off. He gave a statement to police, who told him the victim was in the hospital, condition unknown. Just a reminder to everyone to be careful and pay attention to your surroundings!”

Update from MPD:

“There was a robbery around this time at 14th and Park Road NW where the suspect chased the victim and stabbed the victim with a knife in the hip area and took his shoes. The suspect lookout is for a Black male, 6’00” tall with a crooked front tooth and should length dread lock hair style. This offense occurred in the Third District.

If anyone has any information regarding this event, please call the MPD CIC at (202)727-9099 or text at 50411.”