As First District Metropolitan Police work to combat violent crimes, they are also working to address the ongoing crimes of opportunity. Package Thefts and Thefts from Automobiles are ultimately crimes of opportunity sought and preyed upon by criminals targeting our communities. In many cases, officers say that thieves aren’t going out with the intent to rob cars, but instead are stealing items because it is so easy.
Lieutenant Damion Taylor of the First District Patrol Services wrote in an email to the community that on January 8, 2019, First District officers and MPD cadets patrolled an area in Police Service Area (PSA) 104 experiencing high rates of theft from vehicles.
They spent hours proactively policing to enhance their presence, make s with motorists and vehicle owners and educate the community.
Officers also identified potential targets of crime to avert future theft reports and thwart potential opportunities. 61 vehicles were found with unlocked doors, some also with valuables in plain sight.
Police met many of the vehicle owners, and provided many with information pamphlets listing ways to better protect their vehicles from theft and tampering.
Finally, officers looked at over one hundred vehicles. When unlocked doors were discovered, they were locked and notifications were left for the vehicle owners.
“Please the easiest, simplest and most cost effective way to secure your vehicle is to lock your doors and remove all contents or valuables from plain sight,” said Lieutenant Taylor.
In Other News
At 12:26 a.m. Tuesday, two men were arrested on the 1000 block of K Street NE on charges of Sexual Solicitation.
At 12:34 p.m. Tuesday, a man was arrested at the First District Station on charges of Leaving After Colliding –Personal Injury.
At 6:01 p.m. Tuesday, a man was arrested on the 1200 block of Half Street SE on charges of Aggravated Assault.
Reporting Illegal Activity
Prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activities helps prevent crime. If a citizen sees suspicious activity, or any activity that seems out of the ordinary, immediately call 911.
- When reporting suspicious activity, give an accurate description. Here are some things to include:
- Brief description of the activity;
- Date, time and location of the activity;
- Physical identifiers of anyone you observed;
- Descriptions of vehicles;
- Information about where people involved in suspicious activities may have gone;
- Your name and information.
“As we continue to work with our community in the prevention of crime, we ask that if you see something suspicious you us immediately,” says First District Commander Morgan C. Kane, MPA.
The Blotter is based on the reports posted on January 9th, 2019 by the MPD to the 1D Listserv and 5D Listserv.
