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The MPD held the January PSA305 meeting on January 4th, 2011.  While for 2010 crime has been reduced (compared to 2009) we have seen an increase in some alarming incidents.

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PSA 305 Meeting Notes - January 4th, 2011

At the January PSA 305 meeting at the DC Housing Finance Agency at 815 Florida Ave. NW, Sgt Keirn and Marco Santiago, Community Outreach Coordinator of the MPD addressed the community.  Additionally two officers from the Metro Transit Police (Lt Kirkpatrick 202-567-1225 and Lt Dowdy 202-345-0839) were in attendance to discuss safety issues on the metro system.  We are including the stats that compare the number of crimes committed in 2010 with those committed in 2009.  While overall there is a reduction there is an increase in Burglaries, Sex Abuse, and Homicides.

MPD Highlights included

• Discussion of a four man tactical unit set up by Jova for PSA 305/308.
• There is a full stride unit focusing on Ledroit Park.
• When asked about increased number of burglaries Marco Santiago highlighted that a lot of these are occurring from 7 am to 11 am.  There have been incidents in which crow bars have been used to remove iron security bars/doors to gain access (one incident like this occurred recently at 9th/S St.).
• When asked about two recent sex abuse incidents Marco Santiago indicated that one involved a 14 year old being abused by a 19 year old.  The other incident occurred in the 2200 block of 12th St at 3 am where a young woman returning home was sexually abused in her front yard.
• Marcos also discussed the use of MPD text # 50411 to notify police of non-emergency issue.  The MPD website describes the Text 50411 as part of their anonymous crime tip lines. 

Highlights of the Metro Transit Police included:

• There are many incidents in which individuals are grabbing iphone/cell phones and running off.  The officers encouraged caution in use of expensive personal items and being aware of one’s surroundings.
• Statistics on the total number of crimes from October 2009 to October 2010 included 1,914 total for the whole system (including metro, bus & parking lots) – of those 112 were for aggravated assault, 4 for burglary, 805 for larceny, 106 for motor vehicle theft, 5 rapes, and 823 for robberies.  They didn’t provide stats specific to the metro stations near PSA305.
• They discussed that they have bi-weekly meetings to determine where to focus their efforts. 
• They discussed some specific incidents on the green line especially at Columbia Heights & Mt. Vernon.
• All crimes on metro should be reported to metro transit police (202-962-2121)
• Based on comments from attendees it seemed that at times the station operators are not helpful in contacting metro transit police, so it seems that the number of crimes might be underreported.
• They discussed the number of cameras/surveillance in the system, and the current upgrading of the cameras. 
• Further tips for crime prevention are available on their website athttp://www.wmata.com/about_metro/transit_police/crime_prev.cfm
• Officers were asked about the increase in the young offenders who are assaulting folks, and sadly the following weekend, Sunday night (Jan 9th), there was an incident in which a man was assaulted by a group of youth who were videotaping the incident at L’Enfant Plaza -http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-on-foot/2011/01/man-attacked-by-kids-at-l-enfant-metro----bystanders-watch-film-6880.html