Reminder - Dupont Circle/Kal Public Safety (PSA 208) Meeting

 

Dupont Public Safety Meeting/PSA 208 is Tonight Tuesday February 19th at 7pm at the 3^rd District Metropolitan Police Dept Headquarters at 1620 V Street. (Held on the 3^rd Tuesdays for Dupont and Kalorama-Sheridan issues and still in the 3D building even though our police work out of 2D.) Our community depends on good communications to and from our police. This is a roundtable meeting where we problem-solve. Bring an issue – no matter how minor. Or email me or our lieutenants to submit items for discussion –  Lieutenant Scott Dignan (Scott.Dignan@dc.gov) and newly assigned Lieutenant Patricia Janifer.

 

Captain Frank Hill and Lieutenant Patricia Janifer are planning on attending.

 

We have over 40 block captains, now. Please inquire with Sol Levine regarding becoming a block Captain and sign up at the Neighborhood Network 208 Google Group.

 

 

Rob Halligan

202 319 1313

 

If you want to be removed for this email list just ask. I post Public Safety announcements on the DupontForum and the Dupont Public Safety blog as well.

 

Reminder - Dupont Circle/Kal Public Safety (PSA 208) Meeting

 

Dupont Public Safety Meeting/PSA 208 is Tuesday January 15th at 7pm at the 3^rd District Metropolitan Police Dept Headquarters at 1620 V Street. (Held on the 3^rd Tuesdays for Dupont and Kalorama-Sheridan issues and still in the 3D building even though our police work out of 2D.) Our community depends on good communications to and from our police. This is a roundtable meeting where we problem-solve. Bring an issue – no matter how minor. Or email me or our lieutenants to submit items for discussion –  Lieutenant Scott Dignan (Scott.Dignan@dc.gov) and Lieutenant Josiah Eaves (josiah.eaves@dc.gov).

 

Block Captains in Neighborhood Network 208 and residents will discuss with Lt. Dignan when to call in a situation BEFORE a crime is committed, and who to call directly at 2D to get police on the scene fast when dialing 311 is not appropriate.  Lt. Dignan will also want to hear from you, block by block, about the safety situation and police presence.  We will also announce a training date in mid-February with Samantha Nolan. We’re up to 33 Block Captains.

 

We’ll talk about some issues brought up at DCCA’s meeting where Chief Lanier, Asst. Chief Groomes, Commander Solberg, Captain Hill, Lt. Dignan, Sergeant Parson and Park Police Captain Neider spoke and took questions.

 

 

Rob Halligan

202 319 1313

 

If you want to be removed for this email list just ask. I post Public Safety announcements on the DupontForum as well.

 

Robberies and Chief Lanier

 

Please see the two below emails on violent robberies and on the MPD Chief coming to Dupont Monday night.

 

Robberies - Robberies are up in Dupont. See the below regarding 4 suspects and a pattern of incidents. Call 311 if you see the described saying you see suspects as described my the lieutenant.

 

From: Dignan, Scott (MPD) [mailto:scott.dignan@dc.gov]
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 3:45 PM
To: sollevine@hotmail.com; Rob Halligan; Jacobson, Jack N.
Cc: Lawrence, Michaelj (MPD); Mcdonald, John C.(MPD); Jeter, Bryant (MPD); Phillips, Donald (MPD)
Subject: Robberies

 

Gentlemen –

 

• There were twenty four reported robberies in PSA 208 from December 1, 2007 thru December 30, 2007. 
• Ten of the robberies occurred on Fridays and four on Saturdays.   
• Twelve of the robberies occurred within the boundaries of 15^th Street to 19^th Street and P Street to S Street.
• Eleven of the robberies involved between two and four suspects.
• Fourteen of the robberies occurred between 9:00 PM and 2:00 AM.
• At least for of these robberies have been committed by 4 black males in there teens.  These individuals have not been apprehended.
1. Lookout for the suspects:
1. S-1 black male, 17-19 yrs, thin build, medium to dark complexion, loose fitting jacket, royal blue in color, white tennis shoes, blue jeans, and a ROUND Face
2. S-2 black male, 15-19 yrs, 5’9” – 6’0”, black jacket
3. S-3 black male, dark jeans, late teens
4. S-4 black male, all dark clothing

·        They are violent!!!

• We have made arrests in the 4 robberies that had occurred in the 17^th Streets area.  They were apprehended in PG County after MPDC pursued them.  We did receive information that linked them to these robberies.

 

What is PSA 208’s response?

• Shift patrols to the south - west (Saturation).  Objective high visibility and increased citizen contact. Develop suspects. Assigned to Dignan
• Release usable lookouts to the community (Force Multiplier) thru the Neighborhood Network. Assigned to Levine
• Redirect Street Crimes Unit to the area (Proactive) during the times of these robberies. Assigned to Dignan
• Ensure that all Full Stride and Patrol officers are aware of the patterns and lookouts via roll call and team meetings. Assigned to Lawrence/McDonald/Philips/Jeter

 

Let me know if you have any ideas or thoughts…

 

 

Scott P. Dignan

Lieutenant PSA 208

3320 Idaho Avenue, Northwest

Washington, DC 20016

Office: 202-715-7326

Fax:    202-715-7382

scott.dignan@dc.gov

 

 

Chief Coming to Dupont – I’ll be moderating the DCCA meeting described below and will first call on those who have been active.

 

When:             Monday, January 7, 2008, 7:30 pm           

 

Speakers:       Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department

Captain Thomas Neider, Commander of the Central District, the United States Park Police, National Park Service

 

Where:           International Headquarters of the Order of the Eastern Star 1618 New Hampshire Ave, NW (corner of 18^th Street)

 

On January 7, 2008, you have the opportunity to hear from, and ask questions of, two officials responsible for law enforcement in our community.  Issues of concern include the increase in crime in DC, the recent MPD reorganization, NPS strategy for maintaining and managing National Park properties in our neighborhood, and MPD-NPS coordination.  We are meeting at the International Headquarters of the Order of the Eastern Star where our hosts will be Betty and Bill Briggs, who have returned to Washington for a brief stay.

 

Chief Lanier officially assumed leadership of the MPD just over a year ago and was confirmed by the DC Council on April 3^rd.  She has spent her entire law enforcement career with the MPD, beginning in 1990. Most of Chief Lanier’s career has been in uniformed patrol.  She also served as the Commanding Officer of the Department's Major Narcotics Branch and Vehicular Homicide Units and as Commander of the Special Operations Division, where she managed the Emergency Response Team, Aviation and Harbor Units, Horse Mounted and Canine Units, Special Events/Dignitary Protection Branch, and Civil Disturbance Units.  In 2006, Chief Lanier was tapped to be the first Commanding Officer of the Office of Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism.  Chief Lanier is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Unit Commanders Academy. She holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Management from Johns Hopkins University and a Masters Degree in National Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

 

Captain Neider has been with the USPP for 16 years.  The Central District includes the National Mall and Memorials, Rock Creek Parkway, Dupont and Logan Circles, and all the National Park Reservations around the White House and Capitol.  Captain Neider’s previous assignments have included West District Commander, Watch Commander, GWMP Commander, and Shift Commander  He also has an extensive background in training and firearms.

 

The Order of the Eastern Star, with about 1 million members worldwide, is the largest fraternal organization to which both men and women may belong.  Eastern Star is a social order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions that is open to all faiths, except no faith.  Dr. Rob Morris, the Poet Laureate of Masonry, founded the Order in 1850, using biblical examples of heroic conduct and moral values. The General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized in 1876 and, in 1935, purchased the former Perry Belmont Mansion as its International Headquarters. Built by Perry and Jessie Belmont between 1906 and 1909 for entertaining during the Washington party season and special events at the then-extravagant cost $1.5 million, the mansion was designed by Eugene Sanson, a French architect renowned for his use of light and space and beautiful staircases.  The Belmont’s used the house until 1925, when it was put on the market with the stipulation that it not be altered for 20 years.  It stood empty until 1935, when Mr. Belmont, a Mason, sold it to the General Grand Chapter for $100,000.  As part of the agreement, the Right Worthy Grand Secretary must live in the mansion.  Many furnishings—including Tiffany vases, oil paintings, Louis XIV and XV furniture, china, and oriental rugs—were included with the purchase and are still on display.  The chandeliers are gold gilt and hung with hand-carved rock crystal drops.  There are 11 fireplaces, most with hand-carved marble mantles. All the marble was brought from Italy, all the wood from Germany, and all the metal fixtures from France.

 

 

 

Rob Halligan

202 319 1313

Public Safety Meeting, Block Captains, Robberies, and Chief coming to Dupont

 

 

1)     Reminder: Dupont Public Safety Meeting

Dupont Public Safety Meeting/PSA 208 is Tuesday December 18th at 7pm at the 3^rd District Metropolitan Police Dept Headquarters at 1620 V Street. (Held on the 3^rd Tuesdays for Dupont and Kalorama-Sheridan issues and still in the 3D building even though our police work out of 2D.) Our community depends on good communications to and from our police. This is a roundtable meeting where we problem-solve. Bring an issue – no matter how minor. Or email me or our lieutenants to submit items for discussion.

 

2)     Wanted:  Block Captains

To boost crime prevention in our patrol area, a Neighborhood Network is being organized to establish a two-way communication tree between Dupont residents and 2^nd District Headquarters. These neighborhood watch groups are more popular in the 2^nd District than in the 3^rd District that we just left.  And as residents, we must do more to be aware of information about crimes and crime sprees in a timely manner. We also would do well by making our police more aware of our issues.

 

The aim is to have a Block Captain on every block and in every apartment building in PSA 208. The task of a Block Captain is to be in communication with as many people as possible on your block or in your apartment building and to know who might need help in an evacuation in a fire or other emergency. Block Captains will be kept informed by Lt. Scott Dignan and through the Neighborhood Network Coordinator, Sol Levine.  For information flow in the other direction, residents should contact their Block Captain when they see something suspicious or have a concern.

 

The more information that is shared, the less likely you will become a victim of a crime. Of course, call 911/311 if you see something going on. Our MPD leadership can push staffing into areas where it is most needed by getting this intelligence. There are plenty of police in our PSA - good men and women dedicated to preventing and responding to crime. They are reaching out to get to know us. The Neighborhood Network is our end of the bargain and for our own well-being.

 

Block Captains will be trained by Samantha Nolan, who has established hundreds of neighborhood watch operations in her career.  There are some things we can do right off the bat. The training schedule with Samantha will be established as we have enough volunteers to get started.

 

If you are interested in being a block captain, please attend meeting above or respond to Sol Levine by e-mail: Neighborhood.Network.208@Gmail.com

 

3)     Robberies There have been more gun robberies of people walking Dupont at night than usual. Statistics for robbery are up. There’s only so much you can do to combat this besides being aware, travelling in groups when possible, and calling 311 when you see someone suspicious.  All police calls for service will shortly be requested to go to 911, but for now call 311 if a crime is not in progress.

 

4)     The Dupont Circle Citizens Association is having MPD Chief Lanier and NPS Captain Neider to our January 7^th meeting at 7:30. In truth we  may get more people at that meeting to see the building where we’re holding it. The interior of the Belmont Mansion at 18^th, New Hampshire, and R Streets is worth getting yourself out on a cold January evening to see. http://www.dupont-circle.com/calendar.html

 

 

 

 

 

Rob Halligan

202 319 1313

 

Sorry, if you get similar info from Sol and from Matt.

Wanted, Block Captains; Public Safety Meeting; Survey; and, Muggings

1)     Wanted:  Block Captains

To boost crime prevention in our patrol area, a Neighborhood Network is being organized to establish a two-way communication tree between Dupont residents and 2^nd District Headquarters. These neighborhood watch groups are more popular in the 2^nd District than in the 3^rd District that we just left.  And as residents, we must do more to be aware of information about crimes and crime sprees in a timely manner. We also would do well by making our police more aware of our issues.

 

Violent and so-called lifestyle crime is a problem in our patrol area. Comparing the crime stats for Dupont, Capitol Hill, and Georgetown, we have the highest crime rate by far. Some recent examples close to home:  about 10 burglaries occurred in large building in one week before apartment building residents and managers were made aware of the spree; a prostitute and a crack dealer were doing their business recently in an alley off 16^th St. (This scene was well-documented in photos by a neighbor - and picked up by blogs around the world); a robbery of all the workers at a construction site at 14^th and T with a AK-47. Our best defense is awareness and a free flow of information.

 

The aim is to have a Block Captain on every block and in every apartment building in PSA 208. The task of a Block Captain is to be in communication with as many people as possible on your block or in your apartment building and to know who might need help in an evacuation in a fire or other emergency. Block Captains will be kept informed by Lt. Scott Dignan and through the Neighborhood Network Coordinator, Sol Levine.  For information flow in the other direction, residents should contact their Block Captain when they see something suspicious or have a concern.

 

The more information that is shared, the less likely you will become a victim of a crime. Of course, call 911/311 if you see something going on. Our MPD leadership can push staffing into areas where it is most needed by getting this intelligence. There are plenty of police in our PSA - good men and women dedicated to preventing and responding to crime. They are reaching out to get to know us. The Neighborhood Network is our end of the bargain and for our own well-being.

 

Block Captains will be trained by Samantha Nolan, who has established hundreds of neighborhood watch operations in her career.  There are some things we can do right off the bat. The training schedule with Samantha will be established as we have enough volunteers to get started.

 

If you are interested in being a block captain, please attend meeting below or respond to Sol Levine by e-mail: Neighborhood.Network.208@Gmail.com

 

 

2)     Reminder - Dupont Public Safety Meeting

Dupont Public Safety Meeting/PSA 306 is Tuesday November 20th at 7pm at the 3^rd District Metropolitan Police Dept Headquarters at 1620 V Street. (Held on the 3^rd Tuesdays for Dupont and Kalorama-Sheridan issues and still in the 3D building even though our police work out of 2D.) Our community depends on good communications to and from our police. This is a roundtable meeting where we problem-solve. Bring an issue – no matter how minor. Or email me or our lieutenants to submit items for discussion.

 

Think about bringing an at-risk kid who might benefit from positive communications with police.

 

3)     Survey Regarding PSA Change

The "PSA 208 Speaks: Neighborhood Survey" is now available under the Files section of the 2D Listserv (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MPD-2d/), the DupontForum, or is attached. Residents of Police Service Area 208 are invited to download and complete the survey and return it to the Second or Third District stations by November 25, 2007.

You can also obtain copies of the survey at 2D and 3D station or by visiting www.mpdc.dc.gov/psa208. Click on the link to the survey to download the survey (in Adobe PDF format). Questions about the survey can be directed to Lt. Scott Dignan (PSA208) at (202) 730-1904. (The survey document is also on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DupontForum/files/ if your listserv stripped the attachment)

 

4)     Look out

Late last Saturday night/early Sunday morning, two armed robberies occurred on 17^th Street, in the 1900 block.  2D Lt. Scott Dignan says that he has reason to believe that the crimes were committed by the same two individuals, and that because of their success in the area, will probably strike again. 

 

Both were armed with handguns, in one instance robbing a group of three people, the other a single victim.  Both robberies occurred at about 2:30am Sunday morning.  None of the victims were injured.

 

Look Out: Two light skinned African American males, one approx 5’9, the other about 6’2.  

 

Lt. Dignan also said he sees these armed robberies in the context of a surge in serious crime in our general area.

 

If we had the Neighborhood Network up, residents and businesses would have gotten this info earlier.

 

 

 

Rob Halligan

202 319 1313

 

Please don’t hesitate to ask to be removed from this list and to pass these on to people who may be interested or may want to join.

 

Public Safety Meeting Reminder - Neighborhood Network Launch

 

Dupont Public Safety /PSA 208 Meeting is, tonight, Tuesday October 16^st at 7pm for Dupont and Kalorama-Sheridan issues at the 1620 V Street 3D Station (yes, even though we are now in 2D,we’re still holding the meetings in the same place). (It’s always held on the 3^rd Tuesdays.)

 

1)      Samantha Nolan will be advising us to on how to start up a neighborhood watch. I rarely send emails “High Importance” but getting people to show up to learn about being a Block Captains is something that could mean huge differences to our neighborhood in crime defense and in the event of an emergency. Please give an hour of your time to find out what we can do with a Neighborhood Network. We have about 55 blocks that we’d like to cover. Please get someone from your block to show up tonight! If you  can’t come or don’t think you’d be a good block captain, please forward this or pick up the phone to get your neighbor there tonight.

 

2)      There was a stabbing in Dupont Circle itself last week. 2 people who may have been drinking in the park got into an altercation. The injured is in stable condition in the hospital and the suspect was arrested by MPD moments afterward. The Current will have a story Wednesday.

 

3)      Off-topic: the Dupont House Tour still needs a few more volunteers for Sunday’s event. Please contact me if you can volunteer from 2:30 to 5. (You get a tour ticket and we have great volunteer party afterwards).

 

4)      Next month the PSA/Public Safety meeting may do a Walk Around. We’ll walk part of the neighborhood with the police. We can get the detailed knowledge about a few areas that that are problems. By seeing a problem then and there, they may be able to understand better how to attack it.

 

Our community depends on good communications to and from our police. Email me or our lieutenants to submit items for discussion if you can’t make tonight. And if you want to be a block captain but can’t make it.

 

 

 

Rob Halligan

202 319 1313

 

 

If you don’t want to be on this list, just ask to be removed. Feel free to pass this on to people who may want to be on the list.

 

 

Public Safety Meeting Reminder

 

Dupont Public Safety /PSA 208 Meeting is Tuesday September 18^st at 7pm for Dupont and Kalorama-Sheridan issues at the 1620 V Street 3D Station (yes, even though we are now in 2D,we’re still holding the meetings in the same place). (It’s always held on the 3^rd Tuesdays.) Our new Commander, Andrew Solberg will be there as will as our Lt Dignan.

 

Two topics I plan to cover are the policing of west P Street from 11pm to 4am and issues in the Circle itself.  Many people have pointed out how the Circle has had more issues recently. I’ve been communicating with the US Park Police captain.

 

There will be some change-over issues to discuss such as which officers now have which beats. We’ll get their contacts out when those are solidified.

 

Our community depends on good communications to and from our police. This is a roundtable meeting where we problem-solve. Bring an issue – no matter how minor. Or email me or our lieutenants to submit items for discussion.

 

Rob Halligan

202 319 1313

 

 

If you don’t want to be on this list, just ask to be removed. Feel free to pass this on to people who may want to be on the list.