Compromise on Anti Crime Bill

May 18, 2009
Public Hearing on Bill 18-138, the “Omnibus Anti-Crime Amendment Act of 2009” and Bill 18-151, the “Public Safety and Justice Amendments Act of 2009”

The following joint testimony of Peter J. Nickles, Attorney General for the District of Columbia, and MPD Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier was presented to the District of Columbia Council Committee on the Judiciary, Honorable Phil Mendelson, Chair, on May 18, 2009, at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.

Testimony and related documents submitted to Council on March 18, 2009

Good morning Chairman Mendelson and members of the Committee. We are pleased to have an opportunity to testify at this public hearing on Bill 18-138, the “Omnibus Anti-Crime Amendment Act of 2009” (the “Omnibus”), and Bill-18-151, the “Public Safety and Justice Amendments Act of 2009.”

Mayor Fenty’s proposed Omnibus Anti-Crime Amendment Act is the culmination of a comprehensive and collaborative effort begun over a year ago. Last spring, the Office of the Attorney General, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office put pen to paper to draft legislation that would have a significant impact on public safety in the District. As we discussed during the two earlier hearings on this bill in December 2008 and March 2009, the Omnibus creates or strengthens tools to get serious gun offenders off of our streets, keep gang members from intimidating neighborhoods, and protect the safety and privacy of victims of and witnesses to violent crime. In addition, it seeks to modernize a number of laws to help the criminal justice system work more effectively and efficiently.

In drafting the Act, we drew upon the considerable experience of the District’s public servants, the strong and consistent voice of the community, experts in the field, and the ideas and experiences of various other jurisdictions. Since its first introduction last October, we have continued to refine and improve the Omnibus based on comments and questions from the Committee and other Councilmembers, public and key stakeholders, community members, and advocates. Many of the recommendations for revisions and clarifications to the legislation have been adopted in an emergency version that we propose the Council adopt at its June legislative session and that the Mayor will be submitting to Council shortly. The end result is a bill that is stronger and enjoys broad support.

The section on Gang Injunctions is an excellent example of this inclusive and collaborative process. With the assistance of Chairman Mendelson and his staff, the OAG, USAO, MPD, the Public Defender Service, Peaceaholics, The Latin American Youth Center, the East of the River Clergy-Police Community Partnership, and one of the Council’s attorneys met several times to review every word of the Gang Injunction proposal. Many reasonable concerns were raised and language was revised to address those concerns.

Several other sections of the Omnibus such as “stalking,” “victim and witness protection,” “blood drawing,” and “marital privilege” were carefully reviewed and discussed with our community partners. We are appreciative of the extensive input we received from the National Press Association, Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Press Association, and the Washington Post regarding protecting the safety and privacy of victims and witnesses to serious crimes. We listened to their concerns and ultimately compromised by allowing the victims of certain crimes (crimes of violence, domestic violence, stalking, and threats) to request that their names and addresses not be placed on the public police reports. This compromise has not completely reconciled the differences between the positions of the media and the Administration, however, we are placing a higher priority on the safety and privacy of victims and witnesses of serious crime, and must therefore agree to disagree on this point.

We also worked with representatives of the District’s hospitals to craft a compromise regarding the drawing of blood in impaired driving cases. We have agreed in principle to not require the hospitals to do so when the individual suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol has refused consent. Again this process contributed to the final bill that we put before the Committee today and upon which we seek emergency passage.

At the recommendation of the US Attorney’s Office, we have also revised the provision on the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (DC Official Code §22-4503) to clarify that certain individuals who are prohibited by federal or local statute from possessing a firearm can be charged with this offense. This mirrors federal law, but will allow for prosecution in the Superior Court. The change will support higher penalties for gun possession for an individual who is prohibited from having a gun (a maximum penalty of $10,000, 10 years, or both) than for an individual who is eligible to possess a gun but has an unregistered one (a penalty not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment for 1 year, or both, DC Official Code §7-2507.06).

In addition, we have reviewed and considered Chairman Mendelson’s proposed Bill-18-151, the “Public Safety and Justice Amendments Act of 2009.” We have substantive agreement on many of these issues, and would like to incorporate these provisions into the Omnibus emergency. We thank the Chairman for proposing penalty enhancements for chronic offenders and prostitution, providing for the disclosure of mental health information for criminal defendants to ensure continuity of care, and updating laws prohibiting contraband in correctional facilities and licensing of massage parlors. All of these proposals will help to improve public safety in the District while remaining within the scope of the Omnibus.

We would also ask the Council to consider legislation drafted by our Office of Property Management that would expand the authority of the Protective Services Division to be similar to the authority of the DC Housing Authority Police Department. It would add additional police presence on the streets by clarifying PSD authority and police powers, allow PSD officers to make traffic stops on government property and elsewhere, enable PSD officers to make an arrest and assist the public when witnessing a crime in progress and other provisions.

For the convenience of the Committee and the public, we are attaching the testimony submitted on March 18th as well as a chart that shows the changes that will be incorporated into the emergency bill. This information is also available on the MPD website, at www.mpdc.dc.gov.

To be clear, we recognize that this bill may not enjoy unanimous support. There are of course areas where the Administration’s priorities differ from others. Rest assured that we have listened, but on some issues we must respectfully agree to disagree. The Administration is strongly committed to this final version of the Omnibus, which reflects the goals and objectives of the earlier versions. We are confident that this bill truly reflects and balances the significant input of our broad community.

Lastly, because the final version of the Omnibus will achieve its goal of making the District safer, we urge the Council to immediately act on this bill by passing it as emergency legislation at its next legislative meeting on June 2nd. Historically, more crimes of violence – homicides, robberies, and assaults with a dangerous weapon – happen during the summer months than in any other season of the year. While some may believe that it is to be expected and there is nothing we can do about it, we strongly disagree. It is unacceptable that just when the District’s families, children, and visitors most want to be out enjoying the many things our neighborhoods and this city have to offer, violent crimes on our streets increases. Three summers ago, the Council passed emergency crime legislation in the aftermath of a surge of violent crime that reminded us briefly of the violence in the early 1990s. This year, we should all be more proactive in ensuring that our communities, our families, and our children have a safe summer.

The community has demonstrated that they are ready and willing to work with the police, prosecutors, and courts to keep our streets safe. The Administration’s Omnibus Anti-Crime Emergency Amendment Act of 2009 fulfills our commitment to ensure that the entire criminal justice system is aligned to support the community in this fight against violent crime. Therefore, we urge the Council to join with us and enact this important legislation now, so our neighborhoods will have the benefit of its protections before summer begins.

Thank you for this opportunity to testify and we are happy to answer any questions that you may have.













Public Hearing on Two Bills: the "Omnibus Anti-Crime Amendment Act of 2009" and the "Public Safety and Justice Amendments Act of 2009"

The following joint testimony was presented by Peter J. Nickles, Attorney General for the District of Columbia, and MPD Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier to the District of Columbia Council Committee on the Judiciary, Honorable Phil Mendelson, Chair, on March 18, 2009, at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.

Good morning Chairman Mendelson and members of the Committee. We are pleased to have this opportunity to testify at this roundtable regarding Bills 18-138, the “Omnibus Anti-Crime Amendment Act of 2009” (the “Omnibus”), Bill-18-151, the “Public Safety and Justice Amendments Act of 2009,” and Bill 18-152, the “Hot Spot No Loitering Zone Act of 2009.”

We are submitting this testimony jointly to emphasize the importance of Bill 18-138, the Mayor’s “Omnibus Anti-Crime Amendment Act of 2009,” to the District of Columbia. This legislation is a creative and thoughtful collaborative effort of the Mayor, the Attorney General, the Chief of Police, the United States Attorney, and the community. In fact, some provisions of the bill have been revised in response to testimony before this Committee in November, as well as other community comments, and we look forward to hearing more feedback today on this critical legislation.


Bill 18-138, the “Omnibus Anti-Crime Amendment Act of 2009”
The Mayor’s Omnibus Anti-Crime bill is ambitious in scope. It seeks to modernize a number of laws and expand the tools available to law enforcement to protect the safety of the residents of the District. The Omnibus, itself, is 56 pages and proposes numerous changes to District law that range from re-writing and modernizing the District’s “Stalking Law” to more procedural provisions such as allowing the court to close on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, thereby saving the District significant overtime expenses. Rather then discuss in detail every section of the Omnibus in our testimony today, we are attaching a section-by-section analysis and the rationale for each proposed change. Our testimony highlights those portions that we believe will have the most significant impact on public safety; that is the portions relating to firearms, witness protection, and gangs.

Firearms
Bill 18-138 proposes a number of changes to our criminal firearms law. With the Supreme Court decision in the District of Columbia v. Heller, the District is entering a new era in which we expect legal gun ownership to increase. In fact, since the Heller ruling, MPD’s Gun Registration Unit has registered more than 400 handguns and 150 rifles and shotguns. While the District government is strongly committed to complying with the ruling, and ensuring that law-abiding residents can possess a handgun in their home for self-defense, we also want to send an unambiguous message to those who commit violent acts that we will not tolerate criminal gun possession or use.

We are having some success in addressing criminal use of a firearm. In 2008, gun crimes showed double digit reductions across the board, including a 12 percent reduction in robberies with guns and a 14 percent reduction in assaults with guns. In fact, there were fewer gun crimes in the summer of 2008 than any summer since at least 2003. There was a 10 percent increase in the number of illegal guns recovered, for the highest number recovered in at least the past 6 years (excluding gun buy-back or amnesty programs).

Despite these successful efforts, guns are still used in about four out of five homicides in the District, nearly half of the robberies, and one-fifth of the assaults with a dangerous weapon. We can—and must--do more to ensure that repeat violent gun offenders who have been arrested are not allowed to quickly return to the communities they have victimized. The Omnibus strengthens how the entire criminal justice system deals with criminal use and possession of a firearm by:
Lengthening sentences for violent felons who possess guns (Section 208);
Establishing for the purposes of pre-trial detention that criminal possession of firearms presents a danger to the community (Section 212);
Closing a loophole that makes it difficult to charge illegal possession of a firearm when it is found in a vehicle (Section 220); and
Enhancing supervision of gun offenders who are released to the community (Section 219).

Lengthening sentences for violent felons who possess guns (Section 208)
One of the most serious threats to public safety is from previously convicted felons who are later found to be in possession of a firearm. Under both federal and District law, felons cannot possess firearms.

In 2006, the Council passed legislation imposing a mandatory-minimum sentence of one year for a previously convicted felon who is then convicted of being in possession of a firearm. This means that when police officers arrest, and the courts convict, a felon in possession of a firearm, that offender is off the streets for at least a year on the gun possession charge alone -- the police and prosecutors no longer have to wait until the felon commits another crime with the gun to exact significant consequences. Over the past two years, this mandatory-minimum sentence has helped MPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office get almost 250 felons with guns off the streets.

This is critical because a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm clearly demonstrates that he or she has not been rehabilitated and is a serious danger to the community. We know already that offenders with a previous conviction for a serious crime are more likely to commit future violent offenses. According to a 12-year study by the Department of Justice, 38 percent of violent felons had a previous felony conviction and 15 percent had a previous conviction for a violent felony [Footnote 1]. If a person previously convicted of a violent felony is found again with a firearm, getting him or her off the street is essential to preventing future violent crimes.

We believe that the existing mandatory-minimum sentence has been effective in getting criminals off the streets and in reducing violent gun crime in the District since 2006. But we also know that this sentencing can be made stronger and be even more effective in deterring felons from carrying guns and in preventing the next gun crime. We can look to our neighbors in Virginia to gauge the impact a longer mandatory-minimum sentence could have. Virginia has a two-year mandatory-minimum sentence for felons in possession of a firearm, which increases to five years if the previous felony conviction was for a violent crime. Local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutors credit tough and certain sentences for gun offenses with significant reductions in violent crime in Richmond. Homicides in Richmond have dropped in each of the past five years, from 93 in 2003 to 32 in 2008—a two-thirds reduction overall. In 2008, violent crime decreased 14 percent [Footnote 2].

Section 208 also clarifies that existing penalty enhancements for gun crimes includes previous convictions in other jurisdictions, not just the District of Columbia. The thinking behind this is that if the purpose of the enhanced penalty is to punish recidivists more severely, the place where they committed their first crime of violence should make no difference.

Establishing that criminal possession of firearms presents a danger to the community (Section 212)
Bill 18-183 would also give the court more authority to detain gun offenders. When an individual uses a gun in a crime of violence, illegally possesses a gun, or is a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, the Act creates a presumption in favor of pre-trial detention. While everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent, this legislation is consistent with the District’s current statutory approach to pre-trial detention in that the courts must consider the nature of the charged crime when considering whether it is safe to release that person back into the community.

Currently under DC Code 23-1322, which governs pre-trial detention, the government can establish a presumption that the accused should be held pending trial by proving a "substantial probability" that the accused possessed the weapon. The Omnibus proposes changing 23-1322 to lessen the burden on the government at the detention stage to having to establish that there is "probable cause" to believe that the accused possessed the weapon in order for the court to detain the individual. In addition to CPWL, the Omnibus also proposes adding several other gun related charges, including carrying a rifle or shotgun, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm to the provision that would permit pretrial detention.

Closing a loophole that makes it difficult to charge illegal possession of a firearm when it is found in a vehicle (Section 220)
Law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the community can all agree that people illegally carrying or transporting guns in the community are a danger. As we will discuss later, all too often criminals will use cars to facilitate criminal acts to ensure a quick get-away. Criminals carrying guns in DC also know that it is much harder to convict someone of criminal possession of a firearm if there is more than one person in the car and the gun is located such that no one has clear control of the gun. Because of District case law , we see in the histories of some of our most violent offenders multiple arrests for criminal possession of a firearm that do not end in conviction. In order to close this gap, the Administration is proposing a new offense of illegal possession of a firearm in a vehicle. To be clear, this offense would not apply to anyone with a legally registered firearm or to anyone transporting a firearm to a lawful activity. Nor would it be used to prosecute someone who unknowingly rides in a car with a firearm. It would mean that criminals will no longer be able to knowingly ride around with a gun in clear sight in a car and then claim that it was not in their possession or under their control as a defense.

Enhancing supervision of gun offenders who are released to the community (Section 219)
The Omnibus also strengthens supervision of convicted gun offenders once they are released back into the community. Modeled on successful programs in New York City and Baltimore, the Anti-Crime Act will create a “gun offender registry,” which will require gun offenders to register and maintain an accurate address with MPD for two years after incarceration or supervision ends.

We asked officials in Baltimore for information on the evaluation of their gun offender registration program. As of February 3, 2009, Baltimore had 472 gun offenders under supervision. 270 were incarcerated, 50 lived outside of the city, and 152 were out of jail and living in Baltimore. In just over a year, overall recidivism for these offenders is quite low: only three people in the registry were re-arrested for handgun violations.

As noted above, studies conclusively demonstrate that gun offenders pose a high risk of recidivism, and their subsequent arrests are more likely to involve crimes of violence. Baltimore found that 42% of defendants charged with felony gun crimes have prior gun arrests. In New York City, when compared to other felons, those convicted of felony gun possession were more likely to be re-arrested for crimes of violence and perhaps most significant is the finding that previous gun offenders are four times more likely to be arrested for homicide than other offenders.

Witness Security
Section 201 of the Omnibus allows police and prosecutors to remove the names and addresses of victims of certain crimes on public police reports, including victims of domestic crimes, violent crimes, stalking, and threats. Oftentimes, victims have a real and persistent fear of re-victimization or retaliation, which is heightened when their assailants can find them. This is true of many crimes, but particularly of those crimes covered by this provision. In some cases, victims move and sometimes change their name in fear that assailants will be able to find them. In addition, for sexual assault victims in particular, there is the added fear of public exposure of the nature of their victimization. Notwithstanding these valid victim concerns, under current law, a victim’s name and address are public. This amendment seeks to protect this information in a way that is sensitive to competing interests, including the defendant’s right to know the identity of his or her accuser.

To be clear, this provision would not change the right of a defendant in a criminal case to know who the victim is. This information will still be disclosed, and if need be, under a protective order. However, under District law, a victim also has a right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and privacy, and to be reasonably protected from the accused [Footnote 3]. While these issues have long been a concern, this protection against unnecessary disclosure of witness information is needed now more than ever. Retaliation is a significant threat in modern crime. Witnesses have been murdered and otherwise assaulted to deter them from testifying against perpetrators of crime. The government needs to do everything it reasonably can to protect those who come forward -- protecting their names and addresses is a small, but significant step in that direction. Sensitive to the concerns expressed by the media since introduction of the bill, MPD is already working out an efficient process by which members of the press can quickly access necessary information that achieves the aims of the legislation as well as those of the media.

Gangs
Section 102 of Bill 18-138 would give the DC Attorney General the ability to seek civil injunctions against criminal gangs operating in the District. As you are aware, gangs are a growing problem in the District of Columbia and nationwide. In fact, we were very pleased to see Chairman Mendelson adopt word for word in Bill 18-151 the “Findings and Declaration of Necessity” proposed in the Omnibus, which recognizes the growth of gangs, the injurious effect that gang activity has on neighborhoods, and the need for creative action to address these issues. We look forward to continuing to work with you, Mr. Chairman, to come up with a final version of the legislation that achieves our common policy goals in light of the resources of the OAG. Gangs may range in sophistication from a formal organization with a leader or ruling council, gang colors, gang identifiers, gang name and national affiliation, to a looser knit group of individuals who come from the same neighborhood or housing development and regularly commit violent crimes together. Both groups involve individuals who ban together, stake out turf, harass innocent residents, commit violent or other crimes, and war with competing groups with the result that bystanders are often hurt or killed in the crossfire. If we are to reduce crime in the District, we must figure out ways to prevent both of these types of gangs from flourishing in our city.

At the present time, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) estimates that there are approximately 1,730 active gang members in 87 gangs in the District. Each gang has established turf in a city neighborhood. There are 8 gangs who have made a neighborhood in the First Police District (1D) their turf; 18 gangs who are at home in 3D; 13 gangs who have established themselves in 4D; 12 gangs who operate in communities served by 5D; 16 gangs who base themselves out of 6D neighborhoods; and 20 gangs that make a neighborhood in 7D their home. Every day, citizens and neighborhoods in the District are victimized by the activities of these gangs. For example, in September of this year, eight members of a local Bloods gang sect were indicted on federal racketeering charges. A federal grand jury returned a 19-count indictment against them which included the charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity, kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity, assault with a dangerous weapon, six counts of sexual abuse and obstructing justice.

Faced with growing gang activity, jurisdictions around the country have tried to develop innovative ways to reduce such crime, impede gang growth, and generally interfere with gangs’ ability to function. Sometime in the late 1980s and early 90s, a school of thought developed with the following principles:
gangs are nothing more than an unincorporated association of individuals who regularly come together;
under common law, an association of individuals is responsible for the consequences of its activities.
associations can be sued in civil court to enjoin them from performing illegal activities; and
what gangs do in public space constitutes a public nuisance.

Thinking about gangs in this new way led to an innovative approach for reducing the incidence of gang violence. City attorneys began suing gangs in civil court seeking orders that would enjoin them from being a public nuisance. Civil courts issued injunctions against gangs, as unincorporated associations, and their respective members for violations of local nuisance laws [Footnote 4]. The injunctions were limited in scope and, in order to not interfere with constitutionally protected activity, only enjoined persons from engaging in listed activities in a relatively small geographic area. These gang injunctions prohibit gang members from engaging in a limited amount of activities that are considered a nuisance to the community or that have been proven to be precursors to the gang’s criminal and nuisance behavior [Footnote 5]. Please note that the key to this enforcement tool is that it prevents and enjoins identified gang members from associating with each other within the defined boundaries of public space or within view of that public space.

Gang members who knowingly violate the terms of these injunctions are charged with criminal contempt in the same way that any party in a civil matter can be charged with contempt for violating a court order. In other words, the purpose of the gang injunction is to initially use the civil system to change the behavior of the gang members in ways that reduce and interrupt their ability to engage in criminal and nuisance activities, intimidate neighborhood residents, recruit others into the gang, and lessen the gangs’ ability to control turf. So long as enjoined gang members do not violate the terms of the injunction, they can go about their legal business even within the limited geographic area established in the injunction.

It is important to note at the outset that these injunctions have survived constitutional challenges. For example, in Gallo v. Acuna, 929 P.2d 596 (1997), the Supreme Court of California upheld the validity of an injunction issued against a gang in San Jose. The Court held that the defendants' association was not entitled to protection under the U.S. Constitution because the gang was not formed for the purpose of engaging in protected speech or religious activities. The Court further held that the trial court's preliminary decree was not overbroad because it was addressed to identifiable parties and to specific circumstances and the enjoined acts were particularly described. In the conclusion of the majority opinion, the California Court stated:

To hold that the liberty of the peaceful, industrious residents of Rocksprings must be forfeited to preserve the illusion of freedom for those whose ill conduct is deleterious to the community as a whole is to ignore half the political promise of the Constitution and the whole of its sense. The freedom to leave one's house and move about at will, and to have a measure of personal security is "implicit in 'the concept of ordered liberty' enshrined in the history and basic constitutional documents of English-speaking peoples. Preserving the peace is the first duty of government, and it is for the protection of the community from the predations of the idle, the contentious, and the brutal that government was invented.” (Internal citations omitted.) [Footnote 6]

The Court of Appeals of Texas, like the Supreme Court of California, has also upheld the validity of civil gang injunctions. In August 2008, the Texas court ruled in the case of Goyzueta v. Texas, 2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 6565, that the Texas Penal Code which establishes civil gang injunctions

was not overbroad under the First Amendment. [The injunction] did not restrict a substantial amount of constitutionally protected conduct; the only conduct it restricted was a knowing violation of a court order. Moreover, it was not void for vagueness. The clear language of the statute would have given an individual in defendant's position clear notice that violating the curfew amounted to a criminal offense. Further, it was not arbitrarily applied; instead, it prevented arbitrary enforcement through the establishment of certain guidelines.

Civil gang injunctions have had success in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities. For example, in 2002, Professor Jeffrey Grogger released a study of the effectiveness of civil gang injunctions on reported violent crime in Los Angeles County [Footnote 7]. Professor Grogger did a comprehensive study comparing the target areas, where there were injunctions, with adjoining areas and neighboring areas. He concluded that the civil gang injunctions led the level of violent crime to decrease in the target areas by about 7%.

Professor Grogger then analyzed whether the decrease in violent crime due to the civil gang injunctions caused crime to increase or spillover into adjoining areas. He compared the changes in violent crime within adjoining areas to changes within neighboring areas over the same time period. The result was a statistically insignificant spillover amount. So, while the civil gang injunction was shown to decrease violent crime in the injunction target areas, it did not displace that crime to surrounding neighborhoods. In other words, as Professor Grogger states, “under the assumption that the neighboring areas provide an adequate comparison sample, the estimates indicate that the injunctions significantly reduced the level of violent crime in the target areas without causing spillovers.” [Footnote 8]

In addition to decreasing violent crime, there is evidence that civil gang injunctions actually decrease neighborhood residents’ fear of intimidation and confrontation with gang members. Gang injunctions, therefore, serve both as a crime reduction tool as well as a mechanism that makes everyday citizens more comfortable going about their business.

In April 2004, a report entitled Can Civil Gang Injunctions Change Communities? A Community Assessment of the Impact of Civil Gang Injunctions was submitted to the National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice [Footnote 9]. As reported in the abstract:

“[t]he study surveyed 797 San Bernardino residents in five neighborhoods eighteen months prior and 1229 residents six months subsequent to the issuance of a [gang] injunction.” The report concludes that “[a]nalyses indicated positive evidence of short-term effects in the primary injunction area, including less gang presence, fewer reports of gang intimidation and less fear of confrontation with gang members. The primary injunction area showed no significant changes in intermediate or long-term outcomes save lower fear of crime. See report at page iv. In fact, “fewer residents report acts of gang intimidation and residents report less fear of confrontation with gang members. We estimate a net shift of thirteen percent fewer respondents experiencing intimidation and twelve percent fewer respondents experiencing more than a little fear in the primary injunction area relative to its control. See report at page ix.

Of course, the use of civil gang injunctions has generated valid concerns regarding their impact on civil liberties, and we would like to address those concerns beyond the legal analysis summarized above. First, please note that the legislation does not allow judges to issue stay away orders that would prevent people from going into their neighborhoods or standing in public space. It does not single out any group based on race, religion, gender or any other constitutionally protected status. It does not prevent family members -- even known gang members -- from gathering with each other in their homes outside of public view. What Section 103 of the bill does do is authorize the issuance of civil injunctions against criminal gangs that would declare their public gang-related behavior a nuisance and permit a judge to issue orders aimed at gang members that would prohibit certain gang related activities from occurring in the public space within a narrowly defined geographic area.

Now let us turn our attention to the specifics of the gang injunction proposal. As we mentioned earlier in our testimony, section 102(a) states the purpose of the legislation as creating “a mechanism so that civil actions may be brought to enjoin gangs and gang members from engaging in activities which create a public nuisance.” It then recaps gang-related crime in the District and concludes that “[s]uch gang activity injures the health, safety and security of the District’s citizens, frightens or intimidates them, obstructs the free use of both private and public property, and interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of the lives and property of the District’s residents, and is therefore a nuisance.” Finally, Section 102 (a) declares that “[t]he enactment of this subchapter is hereby declared to be a public necessity.” Again we are very pleased that Chairman Mendelson shares our concerns by adopting the same statement in Bill 18-151.

Since introducing the concept of civil gang injunctions in Bill 17-951 and providing testimony in the last legislative session we have re-written several portions of our original proposal to meet some of the concerns raised at the roundtable. These changes were the result of careful consideration of comments from residents and civil liberty advocates. For example we have expanded the definition of “gang” [Footnote 10] in section 102(b)(2), “gang activity” in section 102(b)(4) and “Public Nuisance; Use of Space” in 102(d). By adding to and clarifying these definitions we believe that we have given specific notice as to the activities that this legislation targets, while maintaining the basic premise under Section 102(c) that it is a public nuisance for a gang “to engage in gang activity in any private place or public space in the District of Columbia or to use any private place or public space in the District of Columbia as a base for engaging in gang activity in another jurisdiction.” Similarly, Section 102(d) recognizes that certain gang activity in public space is a public nuisance. This portion of the bill states that “[i]t is a public nuisance for a criminal street gang to engage in a pattern of behavior on public space which has an adverse impact upon the community or neighborhood or any considerable number of persons.” Moreover, we have provided a procedure whereby juveniles may also be brought under a civil gang injunction.

Section 102(e) establishes the ability of OAG to file a complaint in the Civil Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to enjoin public nuisances created by gangs. It acknowledges that in litigation of public nuisances, the government is not required to furnish bond or security and that actions to enjoin a nuisance are tried in equity without a jury [Footnote 11]. In another significant change from Bill 17-951, section 102(e)(6) provides that OAG must establish the existence of the public nuisance by the more stringent civil standard of clear and convincing evidence, another change made since first introduction of the legislation.

Section 102(e)(2) requires that the complaint “must identify the criminal street gang and allege that there is an adverse impact of the gang’s activities within a defined geographic area such that there exists a public nuisance” and requires OAG to “list at least three criminal street gang members whom the Attorney General alleges should be designated to receive service on behalf of the entity.” Significantly, section 102(e)(3) allows “any person who associates with others to engage in gang activity as a member of a criminal street gang may be made a defendant in the suit,” and “any person who owns or is responsible for maintaining a place that is used for engaging in gang activity also may be made a defendant in the suit.”

OAG expects that it will use law enforcement witnesses to prove the existence of the gang related public nuisances. That said, Section 102(f) of the bill provides that when proof of the existence of the public nuisance depends, in whole or in part, upon information from civilian witnesses, the court, in its discretion, may issue an order to protect those witnesses. While OAG does not expect that gang injunction litigation will be premised in any great part on affidavits of civilian witnesses, we wanted to be sure that should it be necessary that we use civilian affidavits, there are some provisions built into the statute that would protect these vulnerable witnesses from retaliation from gang members whose gang is the target of the case.

The bill provides that, when necessary, judges may place under seal the supporting affidavits or the portions thereof that would identify civilian witnesses. This portion of the bill was based upon the Drug or Prostitution-Related Nuisance Abatement Act, as codified in D.C. Official Code § 42-3101, et seq. Specifically, D.C. Official Code § 42-3105, which states that “[i]f proof of the existence of the drug or prostitution-related nuisance depends, in whole or in part, upon affidavits of witnesses who are not law enforcement officers, the court in its discretion may issue orders to protect those witnesses, including, but not limited to, placing the complaint and supporting affidavits under seal.” Certainly, the concern for witness safety that led the Council to protect civilian witnesses when they assist in litigation to end drug or prostitution related nuisances applies to civilian witnesses who may assist in litigation aimed at ending gang related nuisances.

Sections 102(g) and (h) authorize the court to issue preliminary and permanent injunctions. They provide that if the court finds that the gang activity constitutes a public nuisance, the court may enter an order permanently enjoining, abating, and preventing the continuance or recurrence of the nuisance. They further state that the court order shall be directed against the crew or criminal street gang and its respective members prohibiting specified activities in a defined geographic area. In subparagraph (A), it provides that “[t]he order shall enjoin (i) the crew or criminal street gang and its respective members from engaging in gang activities; and (ii) the crew or criminal street gang members from associating or congregating with one or more other enjoined crew or criminal street gang members in public space within a defined geographic area.”

Section 102(h) then goes on to state that the injunction may also impose other reasonable prohibitions to disrupt gang activities. Among the possible enjoinable activities listed in the legislation, they include prohibiting gang members from:
Using private property for gang activities;
Confronting, intimidating, annoying, harassing, threatening, challenging, provoking, or assaulting any person;
Possessing or knowingly remaining in the presence of anyone who is in possession of any firearm, ammunition, or other weapon;
Possessing or knowingly remaining in the presence of anyone who is in possession of any controlled substance or drug paraphernalia;
Being present on any private property within a defined geographic area without the written consent of the owner;
Defacing any public or private property;
Possessing graffiti material [Footnote 12] ; and
Violating a court-defined curfew.

When drafting Section 102 of this bill, we were very careful not to impinge on the gang members’ constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association. Freedom of association does not extend to joining with others to commit illegal activities. As the Court stated in Gallo, supra, “[f]reedom of association, in the sense protected by the First Amendment, does not extend to joining with others for the purpose of depriving third parties of their lawful rights." (Madsen v. Women's Health Center, Inc. (1994) 512 U.S. 753, 776 [114 S. Ct. 2516, 2530, 129 L. Ed. 2d 593]). We do not, in short, believe that the activities of the gang and its members ... are either "private" or "intimate" as constitutionally defined; the fact that defendants may "exercise some discrimination in choosing associates [by a] selective process of inclusion and exclusion" ( New York State Club Assn. v. New York City (1988) 487 U.S. 1, 13 [108 S. Ct. 2225, 2234, 101 L. Ed. 2d 1], italics added) does not mean that the association or its activities ... is one that commands protection under the First Amendment.”

Section 102(h) also establishes a procedure for bringing new gang members under the terms of the injunction. These provisions were added in recognition that gangs continuously and actively recruit new members. It makes no sense not to have a mechanism to subject new members of the unincorporated association to the same injunction that was designed to eliminate the public nuisance caused by the members who recruited them.

Section 102(i) establishes the penalty that the court could impose on persons who it has found to have violated its injunction. Under this provision, a person who violates a temporary or permanent injunction is subject to a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000, imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor more than 180 days, or both. This charge, as a variant of criminal contempt, would be prosecuted by the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.

The final portion of the bill regarding gangs that we would like to highlight is found in Section 102(l) and is entitled “Injunction Review and Termination of Gang Affiliation.” While the Texas statute does not specifically provide for a way for persons who have disassociated themselves from gangs to remove themselves from the terms of the gang injunction, and we have found no California case law on point, in drafting this legislation we wanted to make sure that persons who honestly and demonstrably have cut off all ties with gang activities could cease to come under the terms of the injunction. As a result of concerns raised at the previous roundtable on gang injunctions, this version of the bill now includes specific factors that the court may use in determining whether a person is still gang affiliated. These factors include: the length of time that the person has disassociated him or her self from gang and criminal activity, establishment of residency outside the enjoined area, the obtaining of a GED or other educational certificate, gainful employment and completion of a court approved program which promotes a gang free lifestyle.

Not withstanding that this Omnibus added a provision that would give more guidance to the court when it determines if a gang member has dissociated themselves from the gang and therefore should come out from under the terms of the gang injunction, the bill retains the requirement that the Executive Branch promulgate regulations that would indicate under what circumstances a person may obtain the government’s assistance in lifting the injunction. We want to be clear that what we are talking about here is an alternative method that may be used by the former gang member. With that goal in mind, Section 102(l) continues to require OAG in consultation with MPD to “promulgate regulations within 120 day detailing the process to provide relief to enjoined gang members who disaffiliate with the enjoined gang.”

When considering whether to seek a civil gang injunction, MPD must provide the evidence establishing the statutory requirements to OAG. MPD and OAG must then develop a case that can define the gang as an organized entity and demonstrate the criminal and nuisance activity committed by the gang. This information must be in a form that is admissible as evidence in a court hearing and must be sufficiently compelling to prompt a judge to issue an injunction. As you can see from a review of these activities, obtaining a civil gang injunction would require a significant investment of MPD and OAG time. Such an expenditure of resources would only be used as part of a broader effort to thwart a gang’s ability to commit crime and terrorize law abiding citizens.

Overall, section 102 of the Omnibus would add another tool to the criminal justice tool box to fight the growth of gangs and gang-related crime. Carefully crafted civil injunctions have been shown to decrease gang related crime in target neighborhoods without creating more crime in adjoining neighborhoods. It inhibits gang members from intimidating neighborhood residents and has been shown to make those residents feel more secure when going about their business.

That concludes the joint testimony submitted by the Attorney General and the Chief of Police for the District of Columbia, Chairman Mendelson. Thank you for this opportunity to testify and we are happy to answer any questions that you may have.


Footnotes
Reaves, Brian. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report: Violent Felons in Large Urban Counties. US Department of Justice. July 2006.
2008 data from the Richmond Police Department, “Chief Releases 2008 Crime Reductions, 2009 Goals.” Press Release, January 21, 2009. 2003 homicide figure from Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States: 2003.
See D.C. Official Code §§ 23-1901 through 23-1906.
In California, the City Attorney based their cases on common law nuisance principals. In Texas, they passed a gang nuisance injunction statute that is similar to Section 103 of the Omnibus Anti-Crime Amendment Act of 2008. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem § 125.061 through 125.069 and § 71.01 and § 71.02.
This information is taken from the April 2007 Office of the City Attorney report entitled Gang Injunctions: How and Why They Work.
See also, The People v. Englebrecht, 88 Cal. App. 4th (2001). The California Court of Appeals affirmed the validity of the gang injunction, holding (1) that the case was an equitable civil action to abate a public nuisance, and as such, did not require a trial by jury; (2) the government should prove its case by clear and convincing evidence, (3) the trial court used the correct definition in determining who was a gang member; (4) the scope of the injunction did not impermissibly limit appellant's associational rights; and (5) the prohibitions on gang hand signs and clothing were sufficiently narrowly tailored to abate the significant governmental purpose of abating an enjoinable public nuisance.
See The Effects of Civil Gang Injunctions on Reported Violent Crime: Evidence from Los Angeles County, Journal of law and Economics, vol. XLV (April 2002).
Id, at page 81. In addition, in 2004, the Los Angeles County grand jury commissioned a study that applied Professor Grogger’s method to a different, more recent set of injunctions which reportedly generated the same results.
The report was co-authored by Cheryl Maxson, Karen Hennigan, David Sload and Kathy Kolnick and was funded by a U.S. Department of Justice Grant.
Section 102(b)(2) defines a gang as a group of four or more individuals who engage in certain illegal activities. We recognize that a smaller number of people would qualify as a criminal street gang under this legislation than would qualify as a criminal street gang under the current version of D.C. Official Code § 22-951(e), the criminal gang statute. Sec. 102(o) of the bill, however, would, among other things, amend D.C. Official Code § 22-951(e) to lower the number of persons needed to prove a gang under D.C. Official Code § 22-951(e) from 6 to 4 persons. This is another change from last year’s Omnibus wherein we recommended reducing the number from 6 to 3. NOTE: The US Attorney’s Office recently won its first conviction under §22-951(e) and, based on that experience, is opposed to changing that statute. As the civil gang injunction and the criminal statute have two distinct purposes and therefore do not need to have mirroring language, we would propose adopting the definition in the Mayor’s Omnibus and leaving the language in §22-951(e) as it is currently written.
Governmental authorities do not have to post bond or security because, unlike individual civil litigants, there is no fear that the City will be unable to pay judgments as ordered by the court. The legislation recognizes that when suing for injunctive relief courts are sitting in equity. Courts which are guided primarily by equitable doctrine are said to be courts of equity. When a court sits in equity it sits without a jury. Examples of equitable remedies include injunctions and orders for specific performance.
Graffiti material is defined in the Anti-Intimidation and Defacing of Public or Private Property Criminal Penalty Act of 1982, effective June 12, 2001 (D.C. Law 4-203; D.C. Official Code § 22-3312.05(5)).

Compromise on The Omnibus Anti-Crime Bill

Parking and H Street Traffic Congestion Meeting

Street Closings Planned for Special Events

May 11, 2009

This is to advise the public that during the week of May 11, 2009, there will be several events taking place in conjunction with National Police Week along with other special events in the District of Columbia that will necessitate street closings. Information on some of those events, including the 30th Annual Memorial Service for fallen Washington Area Law Enforcement Officers and the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM) have been posted on the department’s website located at www.mpdc.dc.gov. It should be noted that vehicular traffic restrictions in the vicinity of the NLEOM on E Street, F Street and G Street, NW, may begin as early as midnight on the day of the event. The other events taking place are listed below.

POLICE UNITY BIKE TOUR


This event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Cyclists will enter the District of Columbia on Bladensburg Road, NE, and ride to the RFK Stadium Parking Lot. From that point the riders will proceed to the NLEOM located in the 400 block of E Street, NW. There will be no permanent closures with respect to this event; however, motorists in the area of RFK Stadium and the NLEOM may anticipate delays as bike traffic proceeds.

EMERALD SOCIETY PIPE BAND MARCH

This event is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2009.



· Road closures in the 100 block of F Street, NW, will begin at 4:00 p.m. to allow for the staging of the bands. F Street is scheduled to reopen at approximately 7:00 pm.

· Bands are scheduled to step off at 6:00 pm. and will proceed south on New Jersey Avenue, NW, and eastbound on E Street, NW, to the NLEOM.

POLICE WEEK 5K RACE

This event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2009. The race is scheduled to begin at approximately 6:00 am. on 3rd Street between E and F Streets, NW.



· The race will proceed south on 3rd Street, NW, east on Independence Avenue, north on 1st Street, NE, east on Constitution Avenue, south on 2nd Street, NE, west on Independence Avenue, north on 3rd Street, NW, west on Indiana Avenue, north on 4th Street, NW, to the NLEOM.

· Roads are scheduled to be closed from approximately 5:00 am until 10:00 am.

NATIONAL ASIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL


This event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2009, with a street festival taking place on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd and 6th Streets, NW.

· Road closures are scheduled to begin at 2:00 am and last until approximately 10 pm.

· Road closures will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 6th Streets, NW, Constitution Avenue, between 3rd and 6th Streets, NW, and 4th Street between Madison Drive and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. In addition to these road closures, there will be no parking allowed on these streets during the times specified.

CAPITOL CLASSIC 10K RACE

This event is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2009.


· The race is scheduled to begin at 6:00 a.m. and will end at approximately 1:00 pm.

· The race is scheduled to begin at Stanton is scheduled to begin at Stanton Park at Massachusetts Avenue and 3rd Street, NE., proceeding east on Massachusetts Avenue to East Capitol Street, NE, around RFK Stadium, proceeding back west on East Capitol street, south on 3rd Street and west on Independence Avenue. At that point, the runners will make a u-turn at 6th Street, SW, then proceed east on Independence, north on 2nd Street, SE and then east on Maryland Avenue until crossing the finish line on C Street, NE.

The Metropolitan Police Department and the DC Department of Transportation would like to thank motorists for their patience during these events and to be observant of increased pedestrian activity in association with these activities.

Teens to Teens on Nonviolence

Lights! Camera! Action!
Media Competition: Teens to Teens on Nonviolence

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and WPGC are pleased to announce the Teen Public Service Announcement (PSA) Competition: Teens to Teens on Nonviolence.

Young people between the ages of 14-20 are invited to show off their audio/video skills! If you are a poet, can rap, act, sing, or wrote spoken word, we want you! Send your best video, audio or printed advertisement designed to encourage other teens to have a safe, non-violent summer, using the “No Time for Crime” theme. Verse must include at least one of the following messages: anti-violence; anti-auto theft; crime prevention; teen safety; and/or anti-gang violence. School groups are encouraged to participate.

Winners will not be given money, but they will get studio time and a chance for their entry to be on TV, Radio or in the Newspaper. The ads will run throughout the 2009 Safe Summer Campaign.

The top 10 finalists will be invited to present their ideas at the Metropolitan Police Department’s Citywide Safe Summer Kickoff. Everyone is invited to attend the free kickoff event on May 30, 2009, 1-4 pm, at the Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street, NW.

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 17, 2009. Contest entries should be submitted through the WPGC website (click on “CONTESTS”).

Contest Rules
Entrants must be a District of Columbia Resident (ID required)
Entrants must have parents’ or guardians’ permission
Entrants must be between the ages of 14 and 20
Video or audio entry must be 30 seconds or less
Typed ads must be 20 words or less (photo optional)
Use stock clip art and photos, rather than personal photos
No explicit language permitted
All submissions should be original in concept (no plagiarism)

Get More Information
For more information, email teen.contest@dc.gov or call (202) 462-6733.

MPD All Hands On Deck Results

MPD ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF THE FIRST PHASE OF
ALL HANDS ON DECK 2009
On April 27, 2009, Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced the results of the First Phase of All Hands on Deck (AHOD) which began at 6 am Friday, April 24 and continued through 6 am on Sunday, April 26, 2009.

MPD officers made 377 arrests, recovered six firearms, and seized more than $7,000
worth of drugs. “This was a successful AHOD,” said Chief Lanier. “Despite the fact that we had significant violent crime reductions last year and that we currently have the lowest number of homicides year to date since the early 1980s, I will continue my commitment to put more officers on the street.”
During AHOD, all available sworn MPD personnel were on patrol throughout the District
emphasizing community policing, focused law enforcement and community outreach. This
included increased foot beats, homicide detectives following up with victims, and recruits passing out specific crime related information.
Anyone who has information about a crime may call police at (202) 727-9099 or
1-888-919-CRIM[E] (1-888-919-2746). Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. The MPD is also working with Crime Solvers. Through the DC Crime Solver’s program, individuals who provide information that leads to an arrest and indictment in a robbery or other serious crime may receive a reward of up to $1,000 by calling 1-866-411-TIPS.

NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

NATIONAL POLICE WEEK TO BRING THOUSANDS TO DC
HONORING OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace
Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as “National Police Week.” Every year since, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on DC each May to participate in a variety of events to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed in the line of duty. The 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil will be held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on Wednesday, May 13, 2008. Sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), the event will begin at 8 pm at the Memorial grounds, located at Judiciary Square, on the 400 block of E Street, NW,
Washington, DC. Other Police Week events include bicycle and motorcycle rides, wreath-laying ceremonies, the 14th annual Blue Mass (May 5 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 10th and G Streets, NW), seminars by Concerns of Police Survivors, a Pipeband March and Service, and an Honor Guard competition.

Locally, the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary sponsors the 30th Annual Memorial
Service for law enforcement officers from the region killed in the line of duty. The ceremony will take place at 11 am on Tuesday, May 11, 2009, at the memorial fountain outside MPD Headquarters at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW.

Police Alert

Police Alert-Robbery Force & Violence

Robbery Force & Violence @ 1757 hours 800 block of I Street NE No Lookout Information Given. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090219794

Important Alert from DCRSAN

ROBBERY FORCE @5:25PM @1600 B/O BENNING RD NE.LOF/S-1 B/'M 16-20 YEARSD OLD BLACK COAT BLACK SHIRT 5'8 L/S RUNNING TOWARDS 5D IN THE COURT. DO NOT TAKE ACTION.CALL 911 W/EVENT #120090219731

Sent on: 04/29 17:36

ROBBERY SNATCH @409 15TH ST NE CHANGED FROM A TRAFFIC STOP @3:12PM AND A NEW LOC /800 16TH ST NW. NO LOOKOUT. DO NOT TAKE ACTION .CALL 911 WITH CCN/057-369

Sent on: 04/29 15:29

Important Alert from DCRSAN

STABBING @ 1900 B/O BENNING RD NE LOF: B/M LSW BLUE JEANS WHITE T-SHIRT & WHITE SKULL CAP L/S HEADING TOWARDS LANGSTON TERR. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT I20090218045

Sent on: 04/28 20:42

Important Alert from DCRSAN

ROBBERY FORCE/VIOLENCE RECLASSIFIED @ 1959HRS 1300 NORTH CAPITOL ST NW LOF: B/M 5'11" LIGHT COMPLEXION 190LBS BLK SHIRT BLUE JEANS BROWN SHOES DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090217889

Sent on: 04/28 20:08

Important Alert from DCRSAN

ROBBERY FEAR @ 1603HRS 17TH/BENNING RD NE LOF (4) B/M'S TEENS NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION PROVIDED DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090217506

Sent on: 04/28 16:11

Police Alert-Robbery

Robbery Force in the 1400 G St. NE. 1626hrs. Lookout for 3 B/M’s, wearing white shirts, blue jeans. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090215490

Police Alert- ROBBERY FORCE AND VIOLENCE

ROBBERY FORCE AND VIOLENCE_2035_1711 C Street SE_4 BLACK FEMALES & 1 BLACK MALE. S(1) B/F WEARING A YELLOW STRIPE SHIRT, S(2) B/F WITH A SCARF OVER HER HEAD, S(3) B/M WITH SHORT DREDS WEARING A WHITE T-SHIRT & BLUE JEANS DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #i20090213954

Police Alert-ROBBERY

ROBBERY GUN_0140 HOURS_900 B/O OF MARYLAND AVE. NE_LOF B/M, DARK COMPLEXION, WEARING A DARK COLORED NORTHFACE JACKET, S-2 & S-3 B/M, LIGHT COMPLEXION, WITH NO CLOTHING LOOKOUT. L/S IN A BLUE OLDER MODEL HONDA WTIH UNKNOWN TEMP TAGS. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090209838

Sent on: 04/25 01:54

Police Alert-ROBBERY

ROBBERY FORCE & VIOLENCE_2223 HOURS_700 B/O 1st ST. NE_ LOF 5-6 B/M'S, L/S HEADED TOWARDS UNION STATION. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090209345

Sent on: 04/24 22:38

Police Alert-ROBBERY HOLD UP GUN

ROBBERY HU GUN_756AM_1000 BLK OF G ST SE_3-JUV B/MS/#1-WEARING GREY SHIRT & KHAKI PANTS ARMED W/GUN, #2-WEARING RED SHIRT & BLK PANTS, #3-5'7, 150-160 LBS, DARK SKINNED, LAST SEEN ON G ST TOWARDS 11TH ST DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I 20090207663

Sent on: 04/24 08:22

CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK

APRIL 26 KICKS OFF CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
Each April since 1981, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has helped lead
communities throughout the country in their observances of National Crime Victims’
Rights Week (NCVRW). OVC assists and encourages communities throughout the
country to observe this special week through rallies, candlelight vigils, and numerous other commemorative activities that promote victims’ rights and honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme is “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives:
Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act.” Rallies, candlelight vigils, and a host of
commemorative activities will be held to promote victims’ rights and to honor crime
victims and those who advocate on their behalf.

MPD members assist crime victims by providing them with information about their
rights and available programs and services that can help them cope with physical injury, emotional trauma, and economic loss. The Department’s Victim Specialists Unit (VSU)provides support, information, and referrals to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The specialists in the unit act as a support system and conduit for victims/survivors, with hope of empowering victims. Moreover, the Victim Specialists Unit aims to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the District of Columbia by establishing relationships with the community and being a resource for victims and their families.

SAFETY GEAR AND REGISTERING YOUR BIKE IN DC

APPROPRIATE SAFETY GEAR AND REGISTERING YOUR BIKE
According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, motor vehicle collisions account for
nearly 90 percent of all bicycle-related deaths. A collision with a motor vehicle increases the risk of death, severity of injury, and probability of head injury. Help protect your child against such accidents by making sure that he/she wears a helmet at all times while cycling.

The District of Columbia has bicycle helmet laws to protect cyclists under the age of 16, who enjoy the many streets and trails in and around the Nation’s Capital. Helmet laws are enforced for minors and encouraged for all adult cyclists, so please make sure you and your child wear a helmet at all times when riding a bike. In addition to mandating that riders under age 16 wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, the law also requires that children under the age of 16 wear a helmet when riding a scooter, skateboard, sled, coaster, toy vehicle, or any similar device.
While bicycle registration is no longer required in the District of Columbia, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the MPD strongly encourage residents to register their bicycles with the National Bicycle Registry (NBR). NBR is a service that allows you to register your bicycle by serial number in a national database. If your bike is ever stolen, it can be identified and you can prove ownership. Law enforcement anywhere can access this database. NBR also guarantees your registration. If your bike is stolen and not recovered by police within 6 months, NBR will register your next bike for free and the stolen bike
information will remain in the database until the bike is recovered no matter how long it takes.

LOOKOUT FOR CON ARTISTS

MPD WARNS RESIDENTS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CON ARTISTS
While spring means the blooming of the cherry blossoms and other plants, it can
also bring out con artists and other criminals seeking to profit from unsuspecting
victims. Some of the most common cons and swindles this time of year are bogus
home repair offers, fraudulent door-to-door charities, and individuals posing as
police officers or bank investigators who claim to be investigating fraudulent tellers
or counterfeit schemes. DC residents are urged to be wary of any “something-fornothing”
offers. Always ask for offers in writing, read over all contracts before you
sign, and never agree to “cash-only” deals. Do not hesitate to check the credentials
of anyone who comes to your door. Ask to see official identification and inspect it
carefully. Legitimate organizations – especially real police officers – will not hesitate
to comply. And if you have been victimized by a con artist, please call the police and
report it. This is the only way that law enforcement can detect patterns and identify
and apprehend offenders.

police alert

ROBBERY HOLD UP GUN @4:57PM LOC/1244 H ST NE LOF/4 B/M. DO NOT TAKE POLICE ACTION .CALL 911 W EVENT #120090206454

Robbery Pickpocket, 50 Mass. Ave NE. 2058hrs. Lookout for a B/M, white shirt, blue jeans DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090199555

Police Alert- Robbery /Force & Violence

Robbery /Force & Vielence_0056 hours_North Capitol & New York Ave._11-15 B/M's Juvi. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #120090197952

Police Alert-

Rob H/U Knife 0951 hours L/O B/M 5'7"-5'9" wearing all black clothing DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #

Sent on: 04/18 10:01

Police Alert-

Rob H/U Knife 0951 hours L/O B/M 5'7"-5'9" wearing all black clothing DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #

Sent on: 04/18 10:01

Police Alert

ROBBERY FORCE @ 9:12PM LOCATION /900 F ST NW.LOOKOUT FOR/1 SUBJ - B/M RED HAT WHITE SHIRT. DO NOT TAKE ACTION .CALL 911 W/EVENT #120090194841

Sent on: 04/17 21:36

ROBBERY FEAR @7:50HRS/LOC/3RD AND M ST NW/NO LOOKOUT DO NOT TAKE ACTION .CALL 911 W/EVENT #120090102488

Sent on: 04/16 19:58

ROBBERY PURSE SNATCH @ 1538HRS 700 B/O H ST NE LOF:B/M 17-20 YOA DARK COMPLEXION SHORT HAIRCUT LSW GREY T-SHIRT DARK JEANS GREY/BLACK WHITE COOGI HAT
DARK COMPLEXION L/S HEADING NORTH ON 7TH ST NE DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT I20090192002

ROBBERY PICKPOCKET @ 2:39 HOURS @1100 H ST NW SUITE 500//NO LOOKOUT INFO. DO NOT TAKE ACTION. CALL 911 WITH EVENT #1200901911889

Sent on: 04/16 14:50

ROBBERY HOLDUP GUN @1:59PM @1300 H ST NE LOF 2 B/M ALL DARK CLOTHING-S/1 WEARING A GRAY SHIRT.ONE SUSPECT HAS A GUN. DO NOT TAKE ACTION .CALL 911 WITH EVENT #120090191831

Sent on: 04/16 14:06

Handgun Recovered from DC Streets and Robbery Suspect Apprehended

April 16, 2009
Handgun Recovered from DC Streets and Robbery Suspect Apprehended

The Metropolitan Police Department has announced the recovery of a handgun and the arrest of a robbery suspect.

At approximately 7:50 pm, on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, members assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Fifth District were conducting an investigation in the 1500 block of Oates Street, NE. As a result of the investigation, a handgun with several live rounds of ammunition was recovered. The suspect in this case was arrested and charged with Carrying a Pistol Without a License.

At approximately 12:20 am, on Thursday, April 16, 2009, a complainant reported to members assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District that while walking at the intersection of Randle Place and Alabama Avenue, SE three unknown suspects approached him and began to assault him. The suspects then took the complainant’s property and fled the scene. As a result of the quick initiative by the officers, they were able to make an apprehension. The suspect apprehended in this case was charged with Robbery Force and Violence.

Metropolitan Police to Begin Anti-Littering Enforcement Efforts

Metropolitan Police to Begin Anti-Littering Enforcement Efforts

The Anti-Littering Amendment Act of 2008, which was passed by the Council of the District of Columbia in December 2008, went into effect at the end of March. The new law prohibits individuals from disposing, causing, or allowing the disposal of litter from a vehicle upon any public or private property. Litter includes all rubbish, waste matter, refuse, garbage, trash, debris, dead animals, or other discarded materials of every kind and description.

Starting April 10, 2009 (today), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will begin a 30-day warning period to alert motorists of the littering violation and associated fines. Following the warning period, police will begin issuing actual Notices of Infraction (NOIs) to motorists caught littering from their vehicles. The fine for a traffic littering violation is $100 per violation.

Litter poses health risks, harms water quality and wildlife habitat, and is an offense against communities. Neighborhoods with a lot of litter are at risk of more serious crime and disorder.


“Keeping streets and sidewalks clean also helps to keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. “Police officers, with our round–the–clock presence on the streets of the District, can support the important mission of the Department of Public Works and the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City to keep our city clean.”

Police Alert

ROBBERY FORCE @2:35HRS/ MARYLAND AVE NE AND H ST NE..LOF/B/M WEARING JEANS AND A BLACK HOODIE.L/S TOWARDS HECHINGER MALL. DO NOT TAKE ACTION.CALL 911 W/EVENT #120090190217

Sent on: 04/15 14:43

Police Alert-ROBBERY HOLD UP GUN

ROBBERY HU GUN_1:05 PM_18TH & A ST SE_LOOK FOR SUSPECT#1-B/M, BLK NORTHFACE JACKET W/ HOOD, ARMED W/ REVOLVER SUSPECT#2-BLUE SWEATSHIRT W/ WHITE LETTERING & HOOD, BLUE JEANS, CARRYING A BLLK UMBRELLA DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I 20090190108

POLICE AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HONORED

POLICE AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HONORED DURING
MPD’S 9TH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
For the ninth year in a row, the Metropolitan Police Department is honoring outstanding police officers, civilian employees, agency partners and community members who have helped to make DC neighborhoods safer over the past year. More than 65 individuals and organizations were recognized during the MPD’s 9th Annual Awards Ceremony, held Tuesday evening, April 7, at the Town Hall Education, Arts, and Recreation Campus (THEARC), at 1901 Mississippi Avenue in Southeast DC.
Seventh District Officer Kevin Naus received the Officer of the Year Medal. Detective Anthony Greene, of the Criminal Investigations Division, received the Detective of the Year Medal.

Sergeant Terry Thorne, in PSA 504, was named Sergeant of the Year. The Lieutenant of the Year Award was presented to Lieutenant Ozetta Posey, who is responsible for Squad Two and Squad Five in the Homicide Branch. Captain David Taylor is recognized as Captain of the Year for his strong work ethic and commitment to excellence and creativity in assisting the Sixth District in reducing violent crimes and homicides. Lendia Johnson, the Community Outreach Coordinator in the Seventh District, was awarded the civilian Employee of the Year Medal for consistently providing outstanding services to the Seventh District and the citizens of Ward 8.

The Joseph Pozell Reserve Officer of the Year Medal was given to Reserve Sergeant Lavern Green, who volunteered over 1,500 hours in 2008, ranking her Number One in the
Fourth District Police Reserve Unit.

These seven individuals are just a few of the police officers, civilian employees and
residents who were honored. In 2007, Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier implemented a
new approach to recognizing the Department’s sworn and civilian members. Many
members now receive their awards shortly after the commendable action. In 2008,
approximately 430 members received awards at one of her regularly-scheduled
crime briefings.

Other awards include the Bureau Employees of the Year, for members who
work within one of the MPD’s seven Bureaus and exhibit standout qualities of
leadership, work ethic and commitment to service; the District Manager of the
Year; Forensic Science Officer of the Year; District Officer of the Year; COP Special
Award – Police Medal. The Best Performing District was awarded to the First
Police District and PSA 501 was recognized as PSA of the Year.

The Chief of Police Special Award is presented to community members who
have excelled in supporting crime prevention and community policing, and the
Chief’s Medal of Merit is given to members of other agencies who have assisted
the MPD in significant operations.

In addition to the numerous awards presented on Tuesday night, the MPD
also acknowledged 15 sworn and civilian members who have dedicated over 40 years of service to the Metropolitan Police Department. Even after four decades with the department, they continue to make the Department proud.

Police Alert

Police Alert-ROBBERY HOLD UP GUN

ROBBERY HOLD UP GUN_0205 HRS_500 B/O 5TH ST NE_LOF B/M 5'9" LONG HAIR DARK CAP DARK JACKET LIGHT BLUE JEANS ARMED W/GUN L/S NB #I20090184188

Sent on: 04/12 02:32

Police Alert-ROBBERY HOLD UP GUN

ROBBERY HOLD UP GUN_0205 HRS_500 B/O 5TH ST NE_LOF B/M 5'9" LONG HAIR DARK CAP DARK JACKET LIGHT BLUE JEANS ARMED W/GUN L/S NB DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090184188

Sent on: 04/12 02:32

Due to a traffic accident, Northbound 395 at the 3rd St. Tunnel is shut down with the exception of the far left lane. DDOT has been notified and are on the scene.


Police Alert-ROBBERY SNATCH

ROBBERY SNATCH_2209 HRS-4/H ST NW_LOF B/M 6'2" THIN SHORT HAIR DARK SHIRT AND PANTS, B/F 5'9" GREEN HOODIE BLUE JEANS L/S IN A SMALL RED 2 DOOR VEHICLE DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090183793

Sent on: 04/11 22:30

Police Alert-Robbery Hold Up Gun

Robbery Hold up Gun @ 2105 hours in the unit block of Massachusetts Ave NE LOF 2 B/M’s, LSW black mask, black jeans.

ROBBERY HOLDUP @ 909 H ST NE/CHANGED FROM B-ALRM AT 7:23 HRS TO CURRENT CLASSIFICATION///LOF/M 502 HEIGHT ALL DARK CLOTHINGW/DARK GLASSES L/S EASTBOUND OUT OF MALL.ALL 911 W/CCN #048-291

Sent on: 04/11 19:39

D.C. Anti-Littering Enforcement Efforts

April 10, 2009
Metropolitan Police to Begin Anti-Littering Enforcement Efforts

The Anti-Littering Amendment Act of 2008, which was passed by the Council of the District of Columbia in December 2008, went into effect at the end of March. The new law prohibits individuals from disposing, causing, or allowing the disposal of litter from a vehicle upon any public or private property. Litter includes all rubbish, waste matter, refuse, garbage, trash, debris, dead animals, or other discarded materials of every kind and description.

Starting April 10, 2009 (today), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will begin a 30-day warning period to alert motorists of the littering violation and associated fines. Following the warning period, police will begin issuing actual Notices of Infraction (NOIs) to motorists caught littering from their vehicles. The fine for a traffic littering violation is $100 per violation.

Litter poses health risks, harms water quality and wildlife habitat, and is an offense against communities. Neighborhoods with a lot of litter are at risk of more serious crime and disorder.

“Keeping streets and sidewalks clean also helps to keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. “Police officers, with our round–the–clock presence on the streets of the District, can support the important mission of the Department of Public Works and the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City to keep our city clean.”

Fatal Shooting on Maryland Avenue NE

April 10, 2009
Fatal Shooting on Maryland Avenue NE

Detectives assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

At approximately 8:40 am, on Friday, April 10, 2009, members assigned to the Department’s First District and DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival on the scene, they located an adult female suffering from apparent multiple gunshot wounds. She was subsequently transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead.

The victim in this case is identified as 44-year-old Crystal Washington of Northeast Washington, DC.

This case remains under investigation by detectives from the department’s Homicide Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM[E] (1-888-919-2746).

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

DEA Make Numerous Arrests Seize Thousands in Drugs

April 9, 2009
Metropolitan Police and DEA Make Numerous Arrests Seize Thousands in Drugs

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division Office and the US Attorney’s Office announced today the arrests of 20 suspects for the possession and distribution of narcotics.

The DEA Mobile Enforcement Team (MET), a joint operation of MPD and DEA, has been targeting violent drug related crime in Woodland Terrace since October 2008. MET has been targeting violent offenders who are trafficking in crack cocaine, heroin, PCP, and marijuana in this neighborhood. In addition, MET is dismantling the sources of supply who provide the drugs and guns to the violent drug crews. MPD and MET have executed 16 search warrants and made 20 arrests of suspects for numerous offenses, including distribution and possession of crack cocaine, heroin, PCP, and marijuana, and seized drugs with a street value in excess of $10,000.

Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said residents in that community are and have been concerned about the daily operation of drugs. “Today is a good day for Woodland Terrace,” Chief Lanier said. “We want to bring peace back to our communities.”

“We are committed to keeping drugs off of our streets in the District and ensuring that our communities are safe,” Mayor Fenty said. “With today’s arrests at Woodland Terrace we are sending a strong message that we won’t tolerate drugs in our communities.”

The primary mission of MET is to disrupt and dismantle violent drug trafficking crews/organizations and their drug and gun sources of supply.

“DEA and the Metropolitan Police Department have once again combined forces to dismantle violent drug trafficking crews operating in Washington, DC. These arrests, drug and gun seizures, will ensure that the citizens of this community will not be plagued by this group of predators who had no regard for the safety of their neighbors or their quality of life,” said Ava Cooper-Davis, DEA Special Agent in Charge Washington Field Division.

“Today’s law enforcement actions will make Woodland Terrace a safer place for its residents and visitors,” said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor. “We must remain vigilant in our efforts to reduce and eliminate drug trafficking in our city.”

Police Alert

April 7, 2009
Burglary and Sexual Assault Suspect Sought

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect who committed First Degree Burglary and First Degree Sexual Abuse on Marion Street, NW on the morning of April 6, 2009.

During the early morning hours of Monday, April 6, 2009, a male suspect entered a residence located in the 1300 block of Marion Street, NW and sexually assaulted the adult female occupant. He then stole property and fled the scene.

The suspect is described a medium complexioned black male in his late 20's, 5'10" tall, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM[E] (1-888-919-2746).

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by a caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Police Alert-ROBBERY

Police Alert-ROBBERY

ROBBERY GUN_0240 HOURS_UNIT B/O COLUMBUS CR. NE_LOF B/M 5'6", WEARING BLACK SHIRT. L/S E/B ON F ST. NE. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090182210

Sent on: 04/11 02:46

Police Alert

SHOOTING Good Friday 10 April 2009

SHOOTING//847 HOURS//1400 MARYLAND AV NE//LOF B/M/WEARING GRY & BLK JACKET//DARK PANTS//L/S GOING U H ST NE//ALSO WEARING SKULL CAP ARMED WITH A HAND GUN//SUSP ALSO HAD BLK SKI MASK DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #

D.C. Public Safety Cross-Border Partnership

Mayor Fenty and Governor O’Malley Announce Continued Public Safety Cross-Border Partnership

Contact: Erica Stanley, 202-727-9226 (office)

Commitment to regular sessions enhances coordinated crime reduction efforts throughout region

WASHINGTON, DC - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley met today to discuss ongoing efforts to enhance cross-border coordination in improving public safety throughout the region. In addressing the media, the leaders announced the establishment of regular joint sessions that will focus on implementing regional commitments to public safety and other initiatives, and measuring the attainment of the regional goals through the District’s CapStat program and Maryland’s StateStat office. These regional public safety commitments include information sharing on high risk offenders, expediting the execution of warrants for individuals wanted by another jurisdiction, tracking progress on monitoring repeat violent offenders and other issues.

As a critical part of this effort, the District and Maryland have committed to revising laws that present obstacles to extraditing violent offenders who commit crimes in DC, but live in Maryland. The Mayor is committed to ensuring that the District be able to issue and serve arrest warrants to anyone with a violent history who commits a crime in DC, regardless of where they live. Current legal constraints deem some low-level offenses to be non-extraditable, meaning a cross-border warrant cannot be served, without taking into consideration the prior history of an individual.

“We welcome this great opportunity to partner with Maryland as we continue our work to ensure public safety for District residents,” said Mayor Fenty. “Working together to improve our information-sharing capabilities is a win-win for better law enforcement practices and for protecting citizens throughout our region.”

“Our most solemn obligation to our citizens is protecting the public safety, improving the quality of life for working families throughout our region,” said Governor O’Malley. “Crime does not stop at the border, and criminals know the shortcomings of law enforcement agencies that don’t talk to each other. These cross-border partnerships are built on effective principles that enhance public safety and stop violent offenders in their tracks.”

In September 2008, Mayor Fenty, Governor O’Malley and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine held a regional summit to discuss cross-border crime and techniques to reduce it. Regional leaders agreed to several, coordinated crime prevention efforts, including improved regional supervision of offenders through identification of the most violent area offenders, information-sharing between probation officers and local police departments, and containing violent offenders by assigning them to handpicked agents with lighter caseloads. This agreement effectively opened the borders between jurisdictions while providing essential tracking information of the activities of violent offenders in the area.

This regional collaboration, information-sharing and needs assessment is a first-in-the-nation for cross-border, regional cooperative efforts. The agreement also empowers public safety officials to not only share data, but also to hold violent offenders accountable for their actions. In 2008, the District and Maryland exchanged information on more than 1,500 adult offenders as part of an initiative to exchange live data.

Since the September summit, local and state law enforcement officials have facilitated bimonthly planning sessions with parole, probation and juvenile justice officials from the District, Maryland and Virginia to develop a regional crime prevention strategy and identify goals and deliverables. The Metropolitan Police Department has developed the Most Violent Person (MVP) List of offenders who have multiple violent offenses, at least one gun charge, and a history of parole or probation violations in order to focus law enforcement activities on the region’s most violent offenders. The region has also implemented a joint warrant task force, a collaboration between the local and state governments in the District and Maryland, as well as with the US Marshals Service. The task force works to apprehend dangerous fugitives across jurisdictions.

MPD Moves CCTV Camera to 6th and I Streets, NW

April 1, 2009
MPD Moves CCTV Camera to 6th and I Streets, NW

Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier announced today the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has relocated a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera from the unit block of K Street, NW to the 600 block of I St, NW. The camera is among 75 neighborhood crime cameras in the District.

The primary goal of the CCTV system is to enhance the safety and security of residents, workers and visitors in the District of Columbia, while vigorously respecting the privacy rights of individuals.

Weapons Recovered from DC Streets

April 2, 2009
Weapons Recovered from DC Streets and Robbery Suspects Apprehended

The Metropolitan Police Department has announced the recovery of several weapons and the arrest of three robbery suspects.
At approximately 5:00 pm, on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, members assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Division Gun Recovery Unit were conducting an investigation in the 4600 block of Benning Road, NE. As a result of the investigation, a semi-automatic handgun with several live rounds of ammunition was recovered. The suspect in this case was arrested and charged with Carrying a Pistol Without a License.
At approximately 5:35 pm, on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, members assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Fourth District Vice Unit were conducting an investigation in the 1200 block of Delafield Place, NW. As a result of the investigation, a semi-automatic handgun with several live rounds of ammunition was recovered. The suspect in this case was arrested and charged with Carrying a Pistol Without a License.
At approximately 6:30 pm, on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, members assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Division Gun Recovery Unit were conducting an investigation in the 5200 block of Dix Street, NE. As a result of the investigation, a semi-automatic handgun with several live rounds of ammunition was recovered. The suspect in this case was arrested and charged with Carrying a Pistol Without a License.
At approximately 7:50 pm, on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, members assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sixth District Gun Recovery Unit were conducting an investigation in the 3900 block of Street, SE. As a result of the investigation, a BB gun air pistol was recovered. The suspect in this case was arrested and faces gun charges.
At approximately 6:10 pm, on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, a complainant reported to members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Fourth District that while in the 3800 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, three unknown suspects approached him and robbed him of his personal belongings. As a result of the quick initiative by the officers, they were able to make three apprehensions. The suspects arrested in this case were charged with Robbery Force and Violence.

Attempted Robbery Suspects Apprehended

April 6, 2009
The Metropolitan Police Department has announced the arrests of two attempted robbery suspects.

At approximately 2:45 pm, on Sunday, April 5, 2009, a complainant reported to members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Fifth District that while he was at the intersection of 4th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NE, two unknown suspects approached him and attempted to take his personal belongings. As a result of the quick initiative by the officers, they were able to make three apprehensions. The suspects in this case were charged with Attempted Robbery Force and Violence.

MPD Deploys CCTV Camera in Northwest DC

Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier announced today the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has installed a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera in the 1300 block of Columbia Road NW. The camera is among 75 neighborhood crime cameras in the District.

The primary goal of the CCTV system is to enhance the safety and security of residents, workers and visitors in the District of Columbia, while vigorously respecting the privacy rights of individuals.

Police Alert

Police Alert-Robbery Force & Violence

ROBBERY FORCE & VIOLENCE_2350HRS_1215 3RD ST NE_LOF//B/M WEARING DARK CLOTHES DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I2009175702

04/08 00:04

NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH in DC

MPD HIGHLIGHTS CHALLENGE 100 EVENT TO MARK
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

National statistics indicate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the time they reach 18 years of age. The MPD and the District of Columbia have made a commitment to address and prevent child abuse in our community. Five indications of child abuse are: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence. The MPD’s Youth Investigations Division, in conjunction with the DC Children’s Advocacy Center(Safe Shores), is challenging 100 concerned and responsible adults to learn how better to protect children by becoming Stewards of Children in April.

The Stewards of Children prevention curriculum, developed by Darkness to Light and first brought to the District of Columbia by Safe Shores, evidence-based adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention training program. It offers seven simple steps to protecting children from sexual abuse. Safe Shores will conduct four free prevention trainings. Individuals interested in increasing knowledge, improving attitudes and changing child-protective behaviors over the long term are encouraged to participate.

Child abuse does not have to be a problem within our community. Knowledge, recognition, and action can play a pivotal role in a child abuse victim’s life. If you or someone you know recognizes any form of child abuse, you can help. Here are some ways to respond to the situation – remain calm; place trust in the child; listen; commend the child for confiding in you; assure the child that the neglect is not their fault; take the child to a safe environment; and finally, contact the police or the Child and Family Services Agency at (202) 671-SAFE.

Police Alert

Police Alert-Robbery

Robbery Gun in the 700blk of 7Th St. NE. 2037 hours. Lookout for 3 B/Males, 5™-09 to 5-10 , 16 to 17 years old, slim build, wearing baggy jeans. L/S north on 5Th St. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090171762

police alert

Police Alert-Robbery of a Citizen

Robbery_0852_2400 BLOCK OF EAST CAPITOL STREET SE_LOOKOUT IS FOR A B/M BLACK JACKET BLUE JEANS,BLACK HOODIE.5'4 130LBS...DARK COMPLX,L/S STRAIGHT TOWARD APTS AND TOWNHOMES DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090170670

Police Alert-

ROBBERY FORCE: 400 MASSACHUSETTES AVE. NW: 0607 HRS. LOF: B/M, MUSTACHE, BLACK NORTHFACE JACKET, BLUE JEANS, 5’11, CARRYING A BACKPACK NOW WALKING TOWARDS H ST NW, SUBJECT PUT HIS HANDS IN HIS POCKET AS IF HE WAS HOLDING A WEAPON DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090170558

Police Alert-ROBBERY

ROBBERY FEAR_2345HRS_3RD & M ST. NE_LOF B/M 14Y/O, L/S HEADED DOWN 4TH ST. NE. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090169986

ROBBERY FORCE @6:23 PM LOF/GRAY DODGE MAGNUM W/TINT WINDOWS- LOF/S-1,B/M 6'2"220LBS S-2,B/F 5'8" 140LBS BOTH WITH SALT/PEPPER HAIR L/S RIGHT ON 1ST ST TOWARDS D NW.DO NOT TAKE ACTION .CALL 911 W/EVENT #120090166784

Police Alert

-ROBBERY SNATCH

ROBERY SNATCH_2223 HOURS_8TH & K ST. NE_LOF B/M WITH A FEMALE. L/S 8TH & H ST NE. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090165199

ROBBERY FORCE/VIOLENCE @ 1958HRS 5TH/FLORIDA AVE NE LOF 4 B/M'S
SUSPECT'S ARE WEARING ALL BLACK S1 BLUE JEANS GREEN/BLACK JACKET L/S UNK DIRECTION OF TRAVEL DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # I20090164946

ROBBERY FORCE @4:13PM 400 B/O K ST NW,LOF W/M RED HAIR,WHITE TEE,BLUE PANTS. ALSO LOF BLUE MAZDA 3 W/MD REGISTRATION.DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #120090164484

Police Alert- Robbery

Robbery of a citizen, located at 10th and M St. NW. 1351hrs. Lookout for S-1 B/M, heavy set, red shirt; S-2 B/M, slim build wearing all black. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090162344

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

A sexual assault is about power, anger, and control. It is an act of violence and an attempt to degrade someone using sex as a weapon. Above all, sexual assault is a crime. These crimes are often committed again and again, until the assailants are caught. Sexual violence includes rape, sexual harassment, and incest. Making offensive jokes and comments, posting offensive images, grabbing or fondling someone, and stalking are examples of sexual violence.

The focus of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2009 is respect. The “Respect Works” campaign is ultimately about moving beyond the victim- or perpetrator-focused view of sexual violence and focusing on the larger environment in which sexually violent acts happen. This includes relationships, organizations, and communities. Whether at home, work, or school, healthy relationships are based on consideration and respect. When we care about others and the world around us, we have a responsibility to be involved and help out when others are in harm’s way. This is the essence of
promoting social change that can result in less sexually violent behavior.

How does respect prevent sexual violence? Respect means treating people with consideration. This includes respecting their boundaries. Being aware of how we treat one another makes us less likely to hurt or offend someone. Stop sexual violence before it escalates–when you hear an offensive joke or comment. If you see someone in need, offer your help.In addition to encouraging people to treat each other with respect, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault wherever you are. The MPD encourages individuals to always be alert by walking with confidence knowing who’s out there and what’s going on. Don’t let alcohol or other drugs cloud your judgment, and trust your instincts—if a situation or place makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, leave.

If you ever become a victim of a sex assault, remember, it is not your fault. Do not
accept blame. You are an innocent victim. Go to a hospital emergency room or your own
doctor for medical care immediately. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member to go with you, or call a rape crisis center or school counselor. Preserve all physical evidence.

Don’t shower, bathe, change clothes, douche, or throw any clothing away until the police or counselor say it’s okay. Finally, call the police. The sooner you tell, the greater the chances the rapist will be caught. If you are uncomfortable calling the police, contact a rape crisis center