Dear neighbors,
We continue to experience an unusual number or robberies at gun point and from moving vehicles. As posted earlier, the area around N. Capitol ST, First ST NW, O and P ST NW has been declared a police Hot Zone.
The week of November 9th, we have experienced 2 robberies from vehicle (where someone jumps out of a moving vehicle and robs a pedestrian) at the 1600 and 1700 block of First ST NW. There have also been robberies at the 200 block of Q ST NW, NY Avenue NW and Florida Ave NW.
We encourage all neighbors to ensure back yard lights are on at night, especially if your yard faces an alley. Please keep your front light on at night to increase street lighting. Be careful walking at night and during the day. Avoid walking and being distracted talking on your cell phone or listening to your Ipod. Be aware of your surroundings.
See response from Commander Greene below.
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We actually apprehended the robbery suspect from the unit block of U street NW last week and made another apprehension on rhode island avenue Tuesday for a subject attempting to commit a robbery.
The light tower is rotated through several problem areas. Citizens at 1st and hanover actually stated they did not want it there anymore, I will ensure it is rotated between the areas we have planned.
The robberies have been a constant battle along north capitol street and the 1st street corridor. We will be doing road blocks all through that area this week to attempt to break up this pattern during our all hands on deck initiative. You will see and even more enhanced effort during that time.
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From: MPD-5D@yahoogroups.com
To: MPD-5D@yahoogroups.com ; Grogan, Brian (MPD)
Cc: dcbonsa@yahoo.com ; jarpaul@verizon.net ; jwh.east@yahoo.com
Sent: Wed Nov 11 18:14:24 2009
Subject: [MPD-5D] N. Capitol ST Hot Zone is Getting Hotter
Commander Greene,
The N. Capitol Hot Zone is getting even hotter. We now gone from people being held at gun point by one person to people being held at gun point by a group of 6 or 7. We have had 2 robberies from vehicles on the 1600 and 1700 block of Fist ST NW this week as well. It does not seem that MPD’s efforts are having an impact.
I know the beats were changed, 10 new officers were added, but that does not yet seem to have an impact on reducing the recent wave of crime in this area. I have not seen the light tower any where near the vicinity of P ST NW, First ST NW, O ST NW, Q ST NW.
Could you please advise (if you can) any new strategies or efforts MDP is implementing to try to make the area safer?
Thank you for all your efforts.
Bates Area Civic Association 
Thanks Geovani, and please thank CDR Greene on our behalf. These updates are very useful.
We appreciate all the efforts of the MPD. I welcome the staged areas which show a well lit police presence. Thanks again.
It is my understanding that within the last week, especially during the weekend several of my neighbors, at least four (4) had their tires slashed.
Quite a lot of suspicious activities, out of state cars and loitering within the block regardless as to time.
MDP needs to pay closer attention and not just fly through in police cruisers.
Something has to give as law abiding citiziens should not become prisioners in their homes. The time for change is now.
The police are out in a large presence at the intersection of Bates and First (Between P and Q). It looks pretty wild with the road flares, and is definitely appreciated. I’ve heard a few tales of robberies, and any show of police presence is awesome.
We need the business owners of the 1300 block of North Capitol to keep the large group of guys from hanging inside their store. The market is a problem because the young guys are rude, disrespectful and intimidate customers.