As someone who has lived here since 1991 when we were the murder capital of the country, I can attest that this goes in waves and things do get better but we are definitely in a bad spot and one of the detectives who responded to a friend¡¯s recent armed carjacking on South Carolina Avenue a few weeks back told us that our area is ¡°being targeted¡±.
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In the 90¡¯s we were told to remain alert always when walking around and especially when getting in and out of vehicles.? That is true again today.? But it¡¯s not enough to be wary in the evening.? We need to be alert during daylight hours as well.??
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There¡¯s a group of teens that operates around the 1200 block of South Carolina Ave and surrounding streets ¨C until now they¡¯ve been unarmed so not necessarily the same guys who assaulted the woman next to our house last night and they¡¯re not the same ones involved in the recent carjacking.? This local ¡°gang¡± check car handles and break into cars (break windows) but they also stalk people walking around and we saw them following a guy coming back from Trader Joes a few weeks back in broad daylight at 530PM with dozens of people around.? This particular group will sometimes try to chat up people if they notice you watching them (like ¡°can I pet your dog¡± or ¡°do you know where I can find a bathroom¡±).?
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One of the things the police used to tell us and STILL do today ¨C keep an eye out.? When it comes to reporting people, ALWAYS report anything that seems OFF.? Don¡¯t hesitate to call 911.? Notice the suspects¡¯ shoes, jackets (in warmer weather), and backpacks if any.? These items are usually higher cost items that they do not replace.? They can easily change their pants or shirts or often wear jeans and black hoodies or white shirts like the 16 year olds last night but shoes cost a lot and they are usually proud of them so they will rewear them and they can be distinctive.? Same with winter jackets and backpacks.
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As far as what is being targeted lately ¨C the biggest thing are cell phones AND Apple earbuds (the expensive wireless ones).? People are being assaulted for those, even on the Metro.? So DO NOT wear those while walking around without paying attention and always keep one out and don¡¯t have your volume on too loud so you can hear people coming up to you.? Most of the people I see walking around these days always have both in and they are listening to music or other things so loudly that they don¡¯t even hear you if you say hello to them.? They are targets.
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If you¡¯re unpacking or packing your car, if there are 2 of you, have one person on the lookout while the other does the back and forth.? Or just be very aware.? The latest carjacking technique is not to walk or run up to victims but to drive up in another car.? It happens so fast, if you¡¯re too focused on what you are doing getting things in/out of your car, you won¡¯t even see it happen like the latest carjacking on South Carolina Avenue.?
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If you notice someone following you, zig zag until you can get home or go to someone¡¯s house if you¡¯re alone.? Whatever you do, do NOT confront these kids or fight them if they rob you.? Hand over whatever they want but you should know that the woman from last night¡¯s attack was assaulted even after she handed over the items they wanted.? They pistol-whipped her so badly, she was bleeding from her scalp and lost a couple of teeth.? Most of the crime is teenagers or very young 20 year olds.? There are NO consequences to their crimes because the city is not prosecuting them even if they catch them (The police have told us this over and over again, much to their frustration and ours - even last night the detective complained about it) so these kids will only continue to target people.
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We can meet with Charles Allen and the police but I¡¯m afraid that until the city starts prosecuting people for these crimes and get tough on crime in general, we¡¯re in for a long haul.? The good news is that the city is bringing back ¡°community policing¡± after getting rid of it in the 90¡¯s.? It was very effective when it was in effect back then.? It¡¯s one of the things that helped fight crime.? Community policing includes neighbor patrols (like the Orange Hats which Colette happily brought back) and local engagement between residents and the police.? We used to know all our local police officers in the 90¡¯s and even in the early 2000¡¯s.? Of course, we had foot and bike patrols then too.? We likely won¡¯t see foot patrols again as we don¡¯t have enough police but I have noticed a marked increase in police presence around South Carolina Avenue in recent weeks.? The most recent carjacking that occurred was dramatic as the perps wound up shooting up a neighborhood across the river so the police response was huge.? In addition to the 2 other carjackings and the 1 attempted carjacking that have all occurred within a 1 block radius of C Street in the last 12 months, plus the shootings on 11th?(including one where at least one bullet went through a resident¡¯s first floor window), the police are on alert in our area.?
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As an oldie in the area, I can only recommend you remain vigilant when walking around and when entering/exiting your vehicles, and get to know your local police.? Colette, remember how we used to invite them to neighborhood events ¨C we should do that again.? Actually ¨C in that context ¨C I would recommend organizing a meeting with Allen and asking 1D1 superiors to attend and possibly bring some local officers if they can manage it (may be hard to pull them from the street for a meeting though as they are obviously very busy).? Don¡¯t hesitate to introduce yourselves to police when you see them though (if they¡¯re not busy with a crime), it¡¯s how community policing works!? And it does work!
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One last thing, if you haven¡¯t already taken part in the city¡¯s security camera program I highly recommend it.? Myself, I am actually going to upgrade to a wired system though because the Arlo cameras are crap and we need more eyes and more reliable camera eyes out there.? I always feel bad when something happens on our corner or the bad guys run past us and my stupid batteries are dead!? Which was the case last night, sadly.
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Well that¡¯s enough from me.? Hope some of this helps.
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Cheers,
Lara (1250 C)
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We are interested.?
I wonder about meeting with precinct police, too. I¡¯d be interested to hear from their perspective how we can partner with them and each other to keep the community safe. I know policing is complicated and sometimes controversial, but they should be a resource to us.?
Those of you who¡¯ve lived here a long time are a resource, too, I¡¯m sure. We¡¯ve been here before as a neighborhood, right? What wisdom do you have for us?
(And thanks, Wes, for the heads up¡ I am sure the woman is traumatized but hope she¡¯s ok. And you, too. That had to be scary to witness.)
Jessica & John
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Is there any interest in organizing a Walter Street meeting with Charles Allen, etc. to discuss the ongoing rise in crime in our neighborhood and?perhaps press him/others for?action? ?(I know there have been other discussions with leaders, but the challenges are not getting any better.) ?Alternatively/simultaneously, perhaps it would be useful for us to have a meeting on our own and discuss ways we can look out for each other.? If past is any prologue, the summer months will bring even more crime.? Discussions about crime can be uncomfortable, but Walter Street may be better equipped than any other street to do it right.
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| Noah Bopp? Founder and Head of School
202.680.3264 |
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On Mon, May 29, 2023 at 1:42?PM 'Islam Shabazz' via Walter Street DC <
walterstreetdc@...> wrote:
I am sorry for this bad news.!
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On Sun, May 28, 2023 at 11:19 PM, Wes Corning
Hi all. I just wanted to let everyone know I witness a very violent armed robbery this evening at C and 13th north of South Carolina. A young woman was beaten and robbed of her phone and headphones at about 945. It was two younger guys, but I didn't get a good look at them. Be careful out there!
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