PSA 102 Public Safety Meeting

12 February 2008

7:00pm

Sherwood Recreation Center

Presiding: PSA Commander Lieutenant Barbara Hawkins

Citizen Co-Coordinators: Brandon Bies
Bobby Pittman

Agenda

I. Introductions 2 min

II. Old Business 10min

a. Review of Last month’s minutes

b. January Accomplishments

c. Crime Report/ Statistics

d. Status of 311/911 implementation

III. New Business 15min

a. Proposal to appoint Anne Phelps as Committee Secretary

b. Proposal to accept Calendar of events of PSA 102

c. Policing issues at Sherwood/Introduction of Sherwood Center staff and management

d. Theft from Auto/GPS thefts

e. Gang and Graffiti response

IV. US Attorney Report 5min

V. 1d Citizens Advisory Council Report 2min

VI. Community Recommendations 5min

VII. Problem Solving and Police Interaction time (?)

VIII. Adjournment 8:30pm

PSA 102 Meeting Minutes

PSA 102 Meeting
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
7-8:30 p.m.
Sherwood Recreation Center

640 Tenth Street, N.E.


MINUTES – Not available from last meeting

WELCOME –PSA 102 citizen co-coordinator Bobby Pittman as the new co-coordinator. Brandon Bies was on travel.

January Accomplishments

8 burglary arrest

Capitol Hill Arrest of Burglar - Detectives are looking at this person’s fingerprints and examining his profile which is consistent with burglaries in PSA 102 for a match. This burglar stole jewelry, entered apartment buildings and also had a Master Key.

2 Theft from Auto - Arrest

1 Robbery Arrest

Take note – Robbery is increasing on H Street

New Business

Lieutenant Hawkins announced that she is delighted to have met the new Sherwood Recreation Center manager Robert Washington. She indicated that Mr. Washington had shown excitement about working with the police in coordinated activities aimed at young people. She said that police officers will be volunteering to assist with tutoring as well as patrols in and around Sherwood.

Bobby Pittman stressed that Sherwood’s management, Recreation Advisory Council and the Police are well aware of the complaints and concerns of residents and visitors to the intersection of 10^th and G Streets, N.E. regarding some of the behavior of those who stand at or near the “tree”, by the House of Ruth and on G Street. He stated that all of the entities take these complaints very seriously and are addressing them through increase police patrols, the placement of “No Loitering” signs on private and government property and by collaborating on intervention and diversion programs. Pittman is confident of the management team in place at the Department of Parks and Recreation, Sherwood and the House of Ruth working in unison with the residents to have an impact of this situation by Spring and definitely working through the Fall of 2008 the minimize the disruption of the quality of life of our neighbors.

Linda Taylor, ward manager of Ward 6 for the Department of Parks and Recreation was introduced. Linda Taylor has worked in 7 of eight wards. She comes to Ward 6 from Ward 3 and has the experience of issues from across the city. Linda is most interested in working with everyone to ensure that recreation facilities in Ward 6 are meeting the expectations of the businesses and residents that use them. Linda stated that she and Mr. Washington are designing programs for the facility to be more in line with need while looking for community input on how to attract more people to use the facility.

A resident asked about a mugging which occurred last year at K and 7^th Streets, N.E. The victim was beaten badly and while a police report was taken by officers the resident did not understand why his calls to police were not answered. Lieutenant Hawkins explained that cases are handled by detectives. They are the personnel who follow-up and track leads. There was a consensus that the Committee needed to have Detectives come and explain why there is a lack of contact with our neighbors once a crime has occurred. The incident occurred on 17 November around 7:30pm. The resident was told to contact detectives at 698.0549.

Robberies have increased especially in the area from 7^th through 13^th on H Street, N.E. The increase of bars and intoxicated people leaving the bars has made them vulnerable to crime. Most of the robberies in PSA 102 are without a pistol or other weapon. They are categorized at F&V (fear and violence). The Lieutenant said that sometimes when people have been the victim of a crime and are being interviewed by the police, victims may not always provide the necessary details for Detectives to reach them in follow-up. She also said that cases remain open until the Detectives are able to close the case.

Pittman asked if Section and PSA Commanders can access case status from the computers that Detectives are working. The current answer is “No”.

In total, 45 officers are assigned to PSA 102: 10 on the midnight shift; 13 on day shift; and 22 on evenings.

CRIME STATS: Roger Mattioli said there is an increase in robberies over the last 5 or 6 months. The assaults are down. Roger looked at August of ’06 through now to reach the conclusions stated above. Looking at February 07 to February ’08 Roger saw in the last February, 1 robbery compared to this February (first 11 days) 4 robberies. That gives him an indication that we have a problem. There is a drop in stolen auto, and other crimes. Additional crime stats are available on MPD's website.

Lt. Hawkins reported a continuing trend of muggings in which perpetrators approach a distracted pedestrian (listening to headphones, on cell phone) from behind or the side and demanding money. It's happening most frequently during the evenings, Monday through Thursday.

Other main concern is thefts from automobiles, which continue to plague Capitol Hill and the city. The Lieutenant said make sure that you place ALL valuables, stereos, GPS units out of sight.

BURGLARY ARRESTS AND RELEASES:

Eight big (Big Eight) arrests in PSA 102 through the PSA 102 Burglary Tactical Team. Five undercover officers look for burglars in the PSA hot spots.
Out of the eight arrests, MPD was able to close 60 burglaries, of which all but 11 occurred in PSA 102. Some cases go back to 2006. Two new arrests may reveal others.

A separate arrest occurred outside the TAC team when a fingerprint was matched to a November burglary. Approximately 20-25 fingerprint requests out for the "Big Eight" arrests, since the print processing is behind.

A Burglary 1 (B1) is a burglary that occurs in an occupied house (someone is home at the time of the burglary).
A Burglary 2 (B2) is a burglary that occurs in an unoccupied house (nobody home at the time of burglary).

Many burglars are released back into the community pending court dates, etc. Many factors go into a judge's decision to release a suspect, but burglaries, while felonies, are low on the "public threat" barometer because they are property crimes. Community members can band together to make community impact statements about suspects who are released pending court dates.

U.S. Attorney's Office Community representative Carolyn Crank was unable to attend but reminded us that impact statements can help inform judges about the community's concerns with some individuals being re-released to the community either in halfway houses in the community or to other areas where they could potentially commit more of the same crimes.

Most of the robberies are occurring on H Street between the 800-1300 Blocks of H Street during the nightlife. We as a community may need to take additional steps to stop this now before the summer months and the possibility of a larger spike in crime than what Roger Mattoli has stated.

There was a concern by some of our residents that there appears to be little follow-up from detectives when a crime has occurred which may be considered low priority. It was stated that we would reach out to the officials charged with this to get input at our next meeting.

Lieutenant Hawkins has shared her concerns with CSOSA regarding those who are released into the community including the halfway houses here in PSA 102 and the greater community. As a result CSOSA will now place Valtrex systems on those what are returned to the community who have committed robberies. The Lieutenant reminded everyone of how much H Street has changed over the last 15-20 years. There was a time when no one would be out on H Street at night because of fear and the drug epidemic caused murders that often went unsolved. She also indicated that there are many conditions that have contributed to the betterment of H Street. She reminded residents that you have to lock your doors and gates. Not to display what you own in clear view for others to see from your windows, including your laptops, computers and other items that may entice people to steal or break into your home.

CURRENT PSA 102 HOT SPOTS, according to Lt. Barbara Hawkins. Every officer has a list of these and patrols not on assignment routinely check them out.

1100 H St NE, evenings and midnight (loud Gallaudet students)
1000 6th St NE
J.O. Wilson playground
Double-parking on H St (800-1300 blocks)
1300 block of Wylie (drug activity)
600 block of 10th St NE (aggressive teens)
900 block of Kent Place
200 block of K St (drugs)
1100 block of Abbey (gambling)
400-500 block of I St (drugs)?
600 block of Orleans Pl (drugs)
600 block of Pickford Pl
700 block of K St.

NEW REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER now living in the 1300 Block of Florida Avenue, NE. Twenty-five registered sex offenders currently live in PSA 102. Learn more online here.

There was a discussion about alarm systems and response times by the police. Pittman suggested that when we have Communications attend a future meeting that we discussion alarm response and the difference between police response in the big building downtown and in the neighborhoods and current laws about security alarms.

The Lieutenant informed everyone that the annual police MATRIX is in process that will decide police officers work shifts. Pittman asked if the business and commercial districts like China Town and H Street factor into increased patrols. It was stated that there is a strong commitment to retain foot beat officers on H Street through day and evening shifts. Midnights will also have an officer on or near H Street to respond to any problems. A focus on increasing manpower to H Street is a priority including Wylie Street, Wylie Court, Linden Court and alleys behind H Street. Most of PSA 102 burglaries occur during daytime hours.

Some community members also had concern with activity at 5^th and Eye Streets, N.E. with what appeared to be drug dealing and/or using at a location that is on or near federal property. In response the Committee will coordinate a response through MPD, the Neighborhood Services Coordinator and federal partners including US. Park Police to address issues in that area and to consider actions during the Spring and Summer in other parts of PSA 102.

The meeting ended with Lieutenant Hawkins presenting Dave Klavitter with a plaque for serving as PSA102 coordinator for 2 years and a certificate for Dave and Bobby for their involvement in National Night Out 2007 at Sherwood Recreation Center.

NEW TIPS TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Gun Tip Line: 1-800-486-8477 (GUNTIPS)
Crime Solvers: 1-800-673-2777 (DC-MD-VA)
Tourist Line: 1-877-968-9282
In process of getting gang tip line.

BREAK OUT SESSION – residents meet with MPD officers

ADJOURNED at 8:55 p.m.

Next meeting is Tuesday, 11 March 2008.