14 Mar 2012

Tonight: Community Meeting to Address Car Break-Ins and Robbery

Photo courtesy Flickr user jGregor

If your block has been the target of car break-ins or thefts, it’s possible that an absent minded neighbor is partly to blame.

“All it takes is one car with a GPS or some other device showing in sight to set-off a series of break-ins,” said 1st District Commander Daniel Hickson. It’s the easy “get” that keeps criminals coming back for more, he said.

“Suddenly, they break into cars on the blind, and they do them quickly.”

In the last year, auto theft has spiked by more than a third in the 1st district, according to crime statistics kept by the Metropolitan Police Department.

Anything from a stolen iPod to a few dollars in parking change may go missing, and usually the damage is more costly, Hickson said.

Another more recent crime trend, robbery, also has community leaders and police vigilant.

Tonight, Councilmember Tommy Wells and Commander Hickson will meet with residents to take questions and provide an update on tactical and police response to crime.

Street robberies have occurred in areas north and east of Maryland Avenue, while auto break-ins have repeatedly occurred on streets further south and east — by 12th and C Street.

Hickson is urging residents to be mindful of what they keep in their cars and aware of surroundings as they walk. He also want citizens to become more involved in reporting crime and organizing to prevent it.

In a case involving fed-up neighbors, approximately 30 community impact statements were issued against David Vines, a notorious car break-in artist, and the feature of this Washington Post Sunday story.

The impact statements have helped lead to a sentencing, expected next month, said Neighborhood Commissioner, David Holmes (ANC6A3).

“The impact statements have a big effect because it tells judges that the community feels threatened,” Holmes said.

In one statement made against Vines, a residents said, “I am to the point where it seems the $250 in window repair is a quarterly parking fee to keep my car in town. My neighbor has had her window smashed twice this year.”

Holmes said on his block there have been similar instances of theft. He checks notifications on popular neighborhood sites, like the newhilleast  and MPD listservs to stay on-top of new crime reports.

He also stressed residents to file a police report whenever damage or theft occurs even if it’s minor.

“Special forces are out there doing their best,” Holmes said. “But, manpower is detailed and based on crime reports.”

Community and police leaders will meet with residents tonight, Wednesday, March 14, 6:00 – 7:00 pm at Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School, 659 G Street, NE, to talk about recent trends in crime.

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3 responses to “Tonight: Community Meeting to Address Car Break-Ins and Robbery”

  1. Andrew Gray says:

    any recap of this?

    • Tim Ebner says:

      Andrew — we were not able to attend the meeting. But I followed up with Commander Hickson, and he said police will begin some new tactical methods, including sting operations and strategic placement of undercover patrols. These strategies have been in place for a few weeks now, and Hickson said he’s hoping it will make repeat offenders think twice before committing an act of burglary or theft.

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