Brian Flahaven

Lt. Michael Thornton, MPD and Doug Klein with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for DC shared the latest neighborhood crime trends at last night’s monthly PSA 107 meeting . Here is a brief recap:

• Overall crime is down 27 percent year-to-date in 2011 from the same time period in 2010. Violent crime, property crime and robberies are all down in the PSA.
• Burglaries are up from the same time period in 2010 (7 in 2010, 10 in 2011). There have been 3 burglaries so far this month, including two recent incidents on G Street SE and 15th St. SE. Most of the burglaries are happening during the day while residents are at work – the burglars are bashing in back doors and/or entering through open windows.  Residents should make sure that all doors and windows are locked, bikes are stored, and all electronics are photographed and marked.
• If you see any suspicious activity happening in alleys, please call 911. MPD must catch an individual in the act of the burglary in order to charge that person with theft of property (as opposed to the lesser charge of possession of stolen property). Lt. Thornton and Klein both said when in doubt – call 911. You will not be inconveniencing the police.
• Auto thefts continue to occur in the PSA. Do not leave items visible in your vehicles, particularly GPS systems. Sometimes pocket change is enough for a thief to break-in to a vehicle.
• MPD vice units are being proactive on drug and PCP cases. PSA 107 officers worked closely with the vice units on a couple PCP and drug arrests that happened a few weeks ago. Overall, MPD has not seen a noticeable uptick in PCP or drug usage in the PSA.
• There were no assaults or major crimes reported in the PSA after last weekend’s Shamrock Fest at RFK. Lt. Thornton and PSA 107 officers were present and visible at the festival closing on Saturday night.
• On traffic, MPD has stepped up enforcement at the corner of 18th St. SE, E St. SE, and Potomac Avenue SE. In the last week, MPD has issued a number of traffic citations for running stop signs, talking on cell phones, etc.
• I thanked Lt. Thornton for the electronic speed display sign at the corner of 17th St. SE and C St. SE and encouraged him to continue to work with residents on a permanent solution to the speeding problem on 17th. He mentioned that the sign would be moving to various sections of the PSA where speeding has been an issue.
• The April PSA 107 meeting will take place Thursday, April 21, 7:00 pm at Liberty Baptist Church (527 Kentucky Ave. SE).

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