Capitol Hill Residents Meet Tonight to Talk Safety

Police and local community leaders want  you to be on the lookout and keep safety in mind while walking around Capitol Hill.

A number of recent robberies and car thefts have many in the neighborhood on edge and wondering when a recent spike in crime will end.

Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) is planning to meet with 1st District Metropolitan Police Department Commander Daniel Hickson tonight to discuss the crime trend. They also will answer questions from neighbors concerned about safety.

According to Wells’s office, crime remains low for Capitol Hill,  but in December police saw an increase in reported incidents, especially sidewalk robberies and theft. In recent weeks, there have also been robberies at local businesses, including an armed robbery early Monday morning at the 7-Eleven on Barracks Row.

The community meeting was called for, says Charles Allen, Wells’s chief of staff, because the crimes are being committed by a small number of individuals and, he says, there is a need to get more information to the public.

In a prepared email statement sent to THIH, Allen said:

Tommy is working very closely with MPD to track these trends and ensure they have the resources they need to respond quickly. Tommy met with Commander Hickson yesterday afternoon [Tuesday] to get a full briefing, and the Thursday meeting will provide an opportunity for MPD to describe the steps they’re taking. Please keep in mind that MPD won’t be able to describe in a public community meeting some of the details of the tactical and resource shifts they are making, but they will be able to address generally the changes they are making and demonstrate the responsiveness to this spike, as well as answer questions from neighbors.

Wells encourages all residents to attend the meeting, taking place tonight, 6:30 p.m. at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave, SE.