Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J

We’ve spoken about metro robberies and other safety issues many many times. It’s nice to see the Transit Police address the issue (albeit unintentionally comically). The following stats were just released by WMATA in a press release:

“The transit system has seen an increase in robberies recently. In 2009, there were 894 robberies reported, up from 581 reported robberies in 2008. In January, there were 122 reported robberies. Metro Transit Police officers made 142 arrests in January, including 19 robbery-related arrests.”

So my Friday Question of the Day is a rather simple – do you feel safe on metro?

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A number of readers have written in about this incident. Here’s the official word from MPD:

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are currently investigating a homicide that occurred in the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW.

At approximately 2:36 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, officers from the Third District responded to the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW, to investigate the possible report of trouble at that location. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unidentified male believed to be an adult, suffering from apparent multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported by personnel from the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department to an area hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM [E] (1-888-919-2746).

Council Member Jim Graham adds:

“Dear Friends, around 3 AM this morning, an as yet to be identified Latino male was fatally stabbed in the 3500 block of 14th St NW…at a location just north of the gas station.

MPD does not have an identification on the victim at this point, nor have any arrests been made.

All I have been told is that the victim was walking on 14th St and some kind of argument occurred on the sidewalk, with the stabbing resulting.”

And in other crime news there was also a shooting at 8th and N Streets, NW last night:

“Residents of PSA 308 need to be aware that around 8:30pm tonight, there was a shooting at the intersection of 8th and N Street, NW. As a result 1 adult male was transported to a local hospital. The suspect vehicle is described as a silver, four door, late-model vehicle.”

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“Dear PoP,

I was driving home on Saturday around 2pm, up the stretch of Park Road between Rock Creek Park and the Klingle intersection, and came across an ambulance and two cop cars parked at the side of the road with lights flashing. The police were all in the woods (the park) to the side, so at first I thought a car had veered off the road. But there was no car — it looked like they’d found something (I couldn’t see what) in the woods and were marking it off with police tape. Obviously it felt really spooky. Any news about this?”

Another reader writes:

“Drove past a bunch of emergency vehicles on Park Road just north of Beach drive this afternoon. Two hours later, the paramedic-type vehicles were gone, but there were uniformed cops, plainclothes detectives, and an area visibly cordoned off with crime scene tape. I’m guessin’ they found a body. Will you let us know when news comes out?”

and sends a brief update from the Post:

“A body was found in Rock Creek Park on Saturday afternoon, police said.

Just before 2 p.m., a U.S. Park Police officer found the body near the 2000 block of Park Road NW, according to spokespeople for D.C. police and the U.S. Park Police.”

The body has still not been identified.

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From MPD:

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit are investigating a hit-and-run pedestrian fatality which occurred at the intersection of 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW on the morning of Saturday, March 6, 2010. They are also seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the victim and providing additionally information regarding the crash.

On Saturday, March 6, 2010, at about 6:00 am, an unidentified adult female pedestrian was struck by an unknown motor vehicle. The victim was transported by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department personnel to the George Washington University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 6:57 am.

The victim is described as an Asian or white female, possibly in her mid thirties to early forties with dark hair, wearing a multi-colored top, black Spandex pants, Asics running shoes, several yellow metal bracelets, and a Sony CD Walkman.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM [E] (1-888- 919-2746).

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A couple of readers are wondering what was going on this morning:

“When I left for work a bit before 9am today, there were several squad cars and police tape at the corner of Florida and Sherman.”

and

“On Sherman and Berry this AM (8:50ish), the police had Berry closed through Florida and there was a large group of very well-dressed folks milling around. Is there an event today?”

Anyone know what was going on?

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MPD confirms the shooting and writes:

“…These acts of violence are being actively investigated and at this time do not appear to be random acts.

No one knows your neighborhood better than you do. If you see a vehicle, a person or anything that seems to stand out and is suspicious please make us aware. Even though many times what may seem like suspicious activity may turn out to be nothing we would much rather error on the side of caution and send a unit out to check it out. So please do not hesitate to call us. We would be more than happy to assist. And if you have and information about the recent events in the neighborhood regardless of how insignificant it may seem, please contact a member of the Fourth District or you can remain anonymous by calling 1-888-919-CRIME or 202-727-9099 or text tips to 50-411.”

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Ed. Note: Happier Chinatown news about Sunday’s fantastic parade (pictured above) coming at 11am.

“Dear PoP,

I was around chinatown on Sat night and saw a large (30-40 people) group of teenagers on both sides of 9th st yelling and screaming at each other. A few minutes later after I parked my car and was walking back down on 9th I saw one group of the teens walking to another teen and starting beating him up. The teen was able to escape, though. There were police all over the place. Do you know what happened?”

This is the first I’m hearing, any readers happen to see what happened?

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Photo from PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

“Dear PoP,

Around 11pm on valentines day I was driving down 14th street south of Columbia Heights metro and saw what I am guessing to be the 7 eleven clerk run out of 7 eleven angrily waving a baseball bat at a guy. The guy was on his cellphone (i think he was calling 911) he walked back to the 7 eleven and the guy came out again and threatened to beat him with the baseball bat. At this point traffic had moved and I stared back trying to figure out what happened. We turned around and when we came back the police were there and the guy who had been chased was standing behind them and they were staring at a video on someone’s phone (my guess they videotaped the incident and were showing the police that the man was a victim??) So my question is what happened???”

Yikes. Anyone else happen to witness this?

MPD reports that it was an “Employee dispute between to 7 11 employees.”

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Photo from PoPville flickr user Jess J

A few readers have sent in reports about this incident. Anyone else hear about this/see this? Following is the first report I received:

“A young woman was arrested at about 2am outside of the Wonderland Ballroom in connection with a spontaneous snowball fight involving about 50 people that took place outside the bar. The woman was not seen throwing snowballs at passing vehicles or police by either myself or multiple people I spoke to. As best as I can tell, she was grabbed randomly out of the crowd as she was attempting to walk home.

The woman, identified as Maria Louis after observers called to her, was originally detained alongside a man who was initially accused of throwing snowballs at police but let go without explanation.

The snowball fight began shortly after the Wonderland closed and people began filing outside. For about 20 minutes, people stood on either side of 11th Street at Irving, throwing snowballs at each other but pausing whenever a vehicle passed. A police car drove up, stopped, an officer stepped out, and shortly thereafter Louis was detained and put up against the side of the police car.

A few minutes later, nine police cars were blocking almost an entire block of 11th street. After I tried to inquire about Louis, I was threatened with arrest on charges of disorderly conduct. This threat was repeated by several officers towards several people standing on the sidewalk, some of them asking questions, some not. At one point, someone screamed “Hey Detective Baylor!” and one police car immediately drove up, turned on its spotlight, and officers from inside the car were heard saying “Yeah, turn the light on that motherfucker.”

The 3rd District Police Station was called 2:30am about the status of Louis and I was told she was being charged with “throwing a snowball or something” and I was told to call back. After a second call at 3:15am, I was told she was being charged with a “crime”.”

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Thanks for all the tips on this. I just came back from the scene at 6:45pm Monday evening. I’ve never seen this many emergency response vehicles. Dozens of firetrucks, police cars, ambulances and the big black special operations vehicle can be seen around Illinois Ave and Webster with 7th Street, NW closed off.

Word on the street is that a man has barricaded himself inside a home near 7th and Webster Streets, NW. It is not clear if there is a weapon and it is not clear if there are people being held against their will. But given this size response something serious is clearly going on. I’ll update with more info as soon as it becomes available.

UPDATE FROM MAYOR’S OFFICE: 12:50 am – Tues., Feb. 9

“MPD has informed us that the barricade incident on the 4300 block of 7th Street NW has ended without injury. MPD has custody of the person who caused the incident. Grant Circle area streets are being re-opened.”

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Props go out to MPD for a gun recovery:

“This evening (Wed.) around 9:30 pm the Third District Robbery Tac Unit observed an armed gunman in the 1400 block of Fairmont St., NW.

After a brief foot pursuit the officers apprehended the gunman and recovered was a high powered weapon with several rounds of ammunition.”

Sadly there was also a homicide a few blocks away. From CM Jim Graham:

“Last night a domestic confrontation tragically led to a death within an apartment at Columbia Heights Village on the 2800 block of 14th St. It was a fight between two adult males reportedly within the apt. No gunshots were fired, and I am told no firearms were involved. MPD is not prepared at this moment to release the cause of death. The incident is now under active investigation.”

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Bogotron

“Dear PoP,

I saw someone’s bag/ipod/something get snatched by some kids at the Columbia Heights metro and thought to email you if you want to post it. This took place on the train, and a little before the doors closed, the kid/s (pretty sure it was more than one) grabbed the bag/whatever from her and ran. She actually reacted pretty quickly and ran after them, and I’m happy to report that some other people on the train tried to help by shouting out the door to stop the kids. I don’t know what happened but the train did sit there for a little longer than I would normally expect, so maybe they succeeded in getting the attention of the driver or station people and they stopped the kids.

I thought it was nice to see people try and help, and really not everyone would think of that, or be willing to yell out the door even if they did.

The woman left behind a plastic bag with a few dishes in it – I hope she got her bag back and I can’t imagine she’s too concerned about getting back what’s in this bag, especially if she didn’t get the other bag back, but in case she’s reading some of us from the train left it at the Georgia Ave/Petworth metro office. I’d also be curious to hear what happened if any of your readers was there – this happened between 6-7pm Thursday.

Take care (and watch your bags on the metro!)”

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Photo by M.V. Jantzen.

“Dear PoP,

Last week, on the evening of Wednesday, January 20th, a thief broke into three locked lockers in the men’s locker room at the Columbia Heights Washington Sports Club (WSC) location sometime around 7:30. As you know, it was a PoP reader who alerted us to the same type of theft in July. I had my wallet and suit pants stolen and I no longer assume that anything I leave in a locked locker at that location is safe. It looked like a bolt cutter or crowbar was used to pry my lock off.

To add insult to injury, the entire situation was mishandled by staff from the very beginning. The acting manager on duty that night said he would file a police report on behalf of the victims. That turned out not to be true. Initially my calls were not returned and it was only when I began to complain about how poorly I was being treated as a customer that I had my concerns addressed. I was initially offered three free personal training sessions for my trouble, which I found insulting given that the value of my stolen goods was at least $520, and that I had a lock on my locker. They then offered me one free month of membership and reminded me that they are not liable for damaged or stolen property under any circumstances. Whoops, I guess I should have read the fine print when I signed the membership contract.

Besides informing the gym that I am canceling my membership, there is nothing more I can do in this situation. I did, however, want to mention this incident so all your readers are aware that security is still poor at the WSC Columbia Heights location. I’ve heard from two separate sources that there are 8,000 members at this particular gym. I guess with that much revenue pouring in the loss of one member is just minor collateral damage in the effort to get more and more members without adequately protecting existing members. I’ve gone back a number of times since the theft and see no change in security procedures. For example, many times there is no attendant in the locker room.

It’s disappointing that the management of the club is so poor because the location is convenient, but I cannot in good conscience continue placing my trust in WSC to improve security or cap their membership to better manage their club. I just wish I could have had the chance to stop this criminal like the reader who confronted the thief back in July. From now on, I will go to the gym closer to my workplace and exercise there.”

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Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

“Dear PoP,

We recently moved in to a place with a working but unmonitored alarm system. I’ve called the big national monitoring services — ADT, Brinks/Broadview, et al — for quotes but I’m also curious about the signs I see around the neighborhood in front yards and alleys from lesser known companies. Are they local? Perhaps local agents of the big national firms? Can your readers recommend any of them? I could cold call but I trust your readership more.”

I use ADT and have been very happy with them. A buddy of mine has used them in Brookland and twice the alarm thwarted attempted break ins. Who do you guys recommend?

While we’re on the topic, allow me to share a disturbing email sent by a reader:

“Just wanted to let you know about a friends house that was robbed at gunpoint on Monday with them in it! Needless to say they are pretty shaken up about it, but I also thought you might be interested in posting something so other people can be on the lookout in that area for any suspicious activity.”

They included a link from Borderstan that says on Mon. Jan. 25th, in the 1200 block of W Street NW:

“According to police, three residents of the block were robbed inside their home at gun point by three intruders. One of the residents was taking garbage outside when he or she was approached by one of the assailants who asked, “Is this where the party is?”

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From an email:

“Police Chief Cathy Lanier and City Councilman Jim Graham will be among a 10-member panel discussing criminal justice issues Monday during a forum hosted by the Northwest Columbia Heights Community Association. The forum, being held at St. Stephens Church at 1525 Newton St. NW, begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Sam Ford of ABC 7 News. The public and media are encouraged to attend. A full list of speakers follows. For more information or to RSVP, email nwchca@gmail.com.”

Full press release after the jump. Read Full Post

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