Carjackings – Where We Stand

Photo Originally Uploaded to flickr by davidsonscott15

After a spike in the number of carjackings in late 2009, Councilmember Wells and Chief Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department promised a number of results at a community meeting on December 21st. So, how are they doing?

Well, first, they promised to get back to us in 30 to 45 days with another meeting, so we’re off to a good start there. This Thursday, February 4th, Councilmember Wells, ANC 6A05 Commissioner Mary Beatty, Chief Lanier, and other MPD representatives will update the community as to what progress has been made. The meeting will be at Options Public Charter School, (1375 E ST., NE) at 6:30 pm.

Unfortunately, we have not seen the end of the carjackings; two more occurred within the First District since the December meeting, both in PSA 103. The first was an unarmed carjacking on January 2nd on the 1400 block of E ST NE, the second involved a firearm on January 15th a few blocks away on the 300 block of 12th ST NE. Both cars were found abandoned across the river in the 6th District. Neither has been closed. On a more positive note, one more of the 2009 cases was closed, bringing the total up to 9 out of 16 for that year.

Now, besides responding to the actual crimes, what else has MPD been up to? At the December 21 meeting, Commander Kamperin indicated that your Police Service Area would be divided up into individual beats (referred to as Full Stride by MPD). This information was posted on the MPD-1D Listserv on December 22nd (search for message #11469). Have you met your beat officer yet? I have, but many of my neighbors and friends have not. If not, it might be worth introducing yourself. Additionally, most of us have witnessed the increased presence in northeast Capitol Hill, along with periodic “compliance checks” where MPD stops every car passing a certain intersection to verify registration.

Now, once the culprits are arrested, what happens to them? As many of them are under 18, there has been much talk recently of what happens when they go into the juvenile justice system. Councilmember Wells, as Chair of the Committee on Human Services, has some interest in this as well, and is working on a bill to increase information sharing among various DC agencies, as well as to publicly release the aggregate data on the origins of the criminals of our neighborhood. We look forward to hearing how that’s progressing Thursday, and will cover it in more depth next week.

Now, let’s see, we’ve checked up on our Councilmember. We’ve heard from the police. Who am I forgetting? That’s right, you! Have you memorized your license plate number to give the police in case of a carjacking? Are you staying on top of things by joining the MPD-1D Listserve? Are you staying aware of your surroundings and making eye contact with passers-by? Reporting all suspicious activity to 911? By all means, sign the petition to get the Mayor to do more, call Councilmember Wells’s office to demand action, and ask Chief Lanier what the police response has been and will be. But make sure you are doing your part as well. It’s a team effort.

On that note, before we head into this meeting, are there things you’d like to see from Councilmember Wells and MPD that you are not seeing? Questions asked? Points addressed?