Last week, one of the Growler's neighbors in the 1300 block of Princess Street discovered his automobile had been stolen. It was parked on the street directly in front of his home and disappeared late Thursday night, September 20 or early Friday, September 21.While the stolen car was ultimately recovered in Maryland, the homeowner anticipated he would see the story pop up in the Daily Crime Report on Alexandria's E-news service.
One after another, the days passed with nary a mention of the theft. The Daily Crime Report issued at mid-afternoon on Friday, September 21 reported only one auto theft from Canterbury Lane. There was nothing about Princess Street in Monday's E-news report, which reported a stolen car on Kenmore Avenue on the same night the Princess Street car was stolen. Monday's release also included information on a stolen car chase and arrest in Del Ray on Sunday, which occurred just 24 hours before the crime report was issued.
There was nothing about the Princess Street theft in Tuesday's E-news report. And nothing in Wednesday's E-news report.
Interestingly, the Growler noticed at the bottom of Tuesday's E-news report a new disclaimer in big bold print:
This report describes some of the most serious or otherwise noteworthy incidents since the last report. It does not encompass all of the reported crimes that may have occurred in the city.
Now most readers familiar with the Daily Crime Report are aware that the police don't report misdemeanor offenses like drug dealing and public drunkenness on E-news. Typically the reports feature\s more serious crimes like homicides, assaults, rapes, robberies, burglaries and peeping Tom incidents.
But auto theft is routinely reported as well. Sometimes these thefts constitute the only crime news on a slow day in the City.
So why was this incident omitted from E-news? What is the City's definition of "serious or otherwise noteworthy incidents" if not most or all felonies? Why include some auto thefts in the report and not others?
And here's an alarming postcript: The same resident who reported the stolen car returned home on Monday evening at 8 p.m. and found three police cruisers surrounding his neighbor's house. Apparently there had been an attempted break-in. The security alarm was going off and one of the back windows was askew.
27 comments:
This is an important issue, Growler, but it's not the real issue. Even though that car theft wasn't included in the daily email, it IS recorded in the police crime data. The real question is why many crimes are going unrecorded at all. Makes me extremely suspicious about the stats the City constantly spouts showing crime has gone down. Hmmm...
And on an unrelated topic, did anyone read the article about our Mayor in the Post today? Bling? Embarassing.
Is last weekend's press-reported murder reflected in the Police Department's reports? I couldn't find it but I might not have been searching properly.
re last week's press reported murder, its in the crime stats as case number 107146821 "all other offenses." I guess there is no category for young male non-residents shot dead in Parker Gray. At least not yet.
The car incident the Growler points out is worrisome... Either the City is playing with the numbers for political gain, or a stolen car in PG isn't as serious as a stolen car in Del-Ray. Both scenarios are unsavory.
Speaking of crime:
Sixth Murder of the Year
Gunshot murder victim found in the 400 block of North Columbus Street.
By Michael Lee Pope
September 26, 2007
Michael Lee Pope/Gazette Packet
Police officials found a gunshot-wound victim in the 400 block of North Columbus Street last weekend.
When police officers were called to the 400 block of North Columbus Street in the early morning hours of Sept. 22, they expected to find a man sleeping in the street — at least that’s what the call for service said. But they arrived at a murder scene, and the officers would soon discover that the man was dead. An autopsy later identified the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head. By Monday, police officials identified the man as Darrnell Brown, a 22-year-old Fort Washington, Md., man.
"We canvassed the area, and detectives started working on their investigation," said Ashley Hildebrandt, a spokeswoman for the Police Department. "No arrests have been made in the case yet."
The discovery of Brown’s body brings the city’s yearly murder total to six — one more than the total number of murders that happened in the city last year. Four of those murders happened in the neighborhood east of the Braddock Road Metro station known as Parker Gray. Neighborhood residents say that they are concerned about crime in the area. Police officials say that that their new Strategic Response System has increased patrolling in the neighborhood, decreasing the need for the community-support position vacated by Officer Walter Greene in February. But many neighbors say that they would prefer a more noticeable police presence in the Parker Gray neighborhood.
"I think we have a third-world city government," said Mike Heaney, a resident of the 600 block of North Alfred Street. "They spend a huge amount of money and yet we never seem to get an adequate amount of services — especially in terms of police."
During Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Councilman Rob Krupicka said that a significant amount of violent crimes seem to be happening in an "eight or nine block radius." He also asked Deputy Chief Blaine Corle to provide a status report with how the Police Department is addressing crime in the neighborhood east of the Braddock Road Metro station. When Corle responded that this weekend’s murder was "not a random act," the councilman didn’t seem satisfied by the deputy chief’s explanation.
"It’s not enough to say that it wasn’t a random act," Krupicka responded. "Why is it that this particular community is getting all this unwanted attention? This demands our attention, and rightfully so."
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=87784&paper=59&cat=104
No, the murder hasn't shown up in the crime database yet. Sometimes there's a lag.
The daily reports do not report all of the major crimes, just those that are deemed 'of interest'. Certainly not all rapes are reported, because many are domestic and the APD prefers to protect the privacy.
Other times, I've heard that crime reports that sound dubious won't make it, either until they are verified (a robbery reported because someone is trying to get out of paying their rent).
And then there are times when even a serious crime isn't deemed worthy. Two guys get drunk and start a fight. Bottles are thrown and someone ends up in the hospital. Serious, yes, but the APD doesn't like to issue a press release if the general public would be unlikely to also get beaned.
Yay, Mr. Krupicka - He is great!!
"Serious, yes, but the APD doesn't like to issue a press release if the general public would be unlikely to also get beaned."
How did you become so expert? The police department has not earned our kudos. Certain officers may be superior cops but in the collective policing is not working.
"Serious, yes, but the APD doesn't like to issue a press release if the general public would be unlikely to also get beaned."
- and if the murder of Darnell Brown was not a random act, then does that suggest that the general public would be unlikely to get beaned by stray bullets?
- Go ahead: tell that to the Queen Street father who lost his young children years ago due to the stray bullets of a drug deal gone bad. The kids were on their own front porch.
Councilman Krupicka is smart - these crimes need to stop now before a white person is killed - then you'll see some real bad publicity.
And why is the rest of City Council so passive?
"The purpose of the visual survey is to share visual images about things we like and dislike
among all participants."
I just got some good pictures of trash pileups on the ARHA properties. I am hoping to get some "nightlife" pictures as well.
"And on an unrelated topic, did anyone read the article about our Mayor in the Post today? Bling? Embarassing."
Maybe we could give him some of the bling all over the sidewalks when he finally stops staring at his medal in the mirror and gets his booty over here with Corle for his promised "Mayors Walk"
My own Attaboys (& girls)
Congratulations to Farroll Hamer for getting the BRSAP back on track. The new zoning director really understands that she needs to listen to the people and can't just steamroll through. She should be commended for telling the politicians that they needed to back up and restart the process. No doubt there were a lot of people who would have wanted to see it through to the planning commission and city council last spring and she probably faced a lot of pressure to push it through. Kudos to her for having the nerve to slow down the process and listen to the citizens.
Congratulations to Bill Cromley for his beautiful renovation of the building on Queen Street. This green building sets the standard for sensitive adaptive re-use. Mr. Cromley is a developer of small infill sites whose projects continually go many steps beyond the standard developer fare. I only wish the city had more like him.
Congratulations to the Monarch. It is a little bit bulkier than I would have liked on the Pendleton Street side but overall it is a nice development that will bring life to the street and add new neighbors who will take care of and get involved in the neighborhood.
Congratulations to the city for finally starting the Charles Houston Recreation Center project. This outdated building was a relic of the past that was an embarrassment in a city of Alexandria's affluence. The city has finally done right by the surrounding residents by committing the funds to complete this project.
Congratulations to the developer who renovated the building on the corner of Oronoco and Payne. This was such an eyesore for so many years and now it is reborn and ready for new owners. Here's hoping that the current real estate situation brightens up and units in this development are able to be sold.
You see, there are great things going on in our neighboorhood all the time. All you have to do is look past the doom and gloom and stop listening to all the conspiracy theories. All the evil intentions attributed to city politicians seem terribly farfetched. There are a lot of people out there trying and succeeding everyday at improving our neighborhood and it is working out wonderfully. Once the new SAP is passed, whatever it's final form, we will all have a blueprint with which to move forward to a much brighter future, or as the Growler says "A better day for Parker Gray".
For some reason, Alexandria's Crime Report per the police department isn't on the web version of the Post this week, though it always has been before for as long as I can remember.
BRSAP? Well, actually, you have it mostly right - but I'd like to throw in my view on Hamer.
Hamer did start over, there were no small groups, just a big one where her marketeers tried to sell us on big buildings that will provide mixed-income housing that we get to help design.
Picking the shade of red on the brick building isn't citizen input. And Hamer said more than once that she'd developed an aggressive schedule to get the plan done ASAP.
"All you have to do is look past the doom and gloom and stop listening to all the conspiracy theories. All the evil intentions attributed to city politicians seem terribly farfetched."
Me thinks you are the conspirator. The Monarch sucks but my real displeasure is not the project itself but the fact that it passed in advance of a well-considered small area plan. At this point we're talking token gestures and nothing more.
With all the high tech security systems in cars these days, there are an amazing number of car thefts in Alexandria, like one every couple of days, sometimes several in one day and in broad daylight! I can only imagine that some of these cars are being stolen easily, with the thief having found the key on the tire, under the bumper or perhaps in the ignition, with the motor running and ready to go. Sadly, the laws prevent a citizen from doing very much to thwart a thief, as the effort to stop them is more severe a crime than the car theft. The laws no longer protect the innocent, the upstanding, hardworking citizens or property owners, rather they protect the rights of low life scum who have no legitimate business in Alexandria in the first place. A sad but true state of affairs. Right now, the best way to protect your vehicles that don't have smart keys, (ones with an encoded chip) is to use something like a club, that immobilizes the steering wheel while protecting your valuable airbag. The thief will see that and move on to your neighbor's unprotected vehicle.
Be careful out there!
"Me thinks you are the conspirator"
I conspire with no one. And you can rest assured that I am no one of consequence. Just a neighbor who sees more good than bad.
"Me thinks you are the conspirator. The Monarch sucks but my real displeasure is not the project itself but the fact that it passed in advance of a well-considered small area plan. At this point we're talking token gestures and nothing more."
What exactly is the threat the to the neighborhood that the Monarch brings?
"What exactly is the threat the to the neighborhood that the Monarch brings?"
It's street name is the fortress. Need we say any more?
"What exactly is the threat the to the neighborhood that the Monarch brings?"
Well, besides the fact that it's a hideous, hulking monstrosity, those of us who live near it have already noticed more traffic and less available parking. And that's just from the construction people. Can't imagine how bad it's going to be once the residents and retail consumers arrive.
And what did we get in return besides more traffic, less parking, and a million dollar check the City can use to stuff more public housing in our neighborhood? A Starbucks. Whoop de do.
Right now, the best way to protect your vehicles that don't have smart keys, (ones with an encoded chip) is to use something like a club, that immobilizes the steering wheel while protecting your valuable airbag.
How about not keeping items in your car that thieves would want, over night. My neighbor complained that she was victimized twice in one year. I felt for her until I learned.....
She left her doors unlocked on one occasion and on the second she left her purse in the back seat.
By using a small amount of common sense she could have helped herself by making it harder for criminals to victimize her.
Would a theif risk breaking a window when it doesn't look like there is anything in it to take? Unless they are trying to steal the car itself, I would probably say "no".
Check this out, a report in the alexandria times. Whats up with the Editor's note???
Public Housing: City at a critical crossroad
By CARLA BRANCH
October 4, 2007
Editor’s Note: This is the last in a series on public housing in Alexandria.
Times Staff Photo/Regan Kireilis
Children gather on their way home from school ready for an afternoon of fun in the sun.
Federal funding cuts and a declining real estate market have converged to bring public housing in Alexandria to a crossroads, if not a crisis.
“I am very concerned about those who live in public housing,” said Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, who grew up in The Berg, one of the city’s largest public housing developments. “While it is certainly my hope for residents of public housing to move up to private rentals and then to home ownership, I recognize the fact that there will always be a need for public housing for some. As the mayor, I feel that we have a social and moral obligation to these people because they, too, are our citizens. I am particularly concerned about the elderly residents of public housing and those with disabilities.”
Public housing for senior citizens and persons with disabilities
The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) owns one property built to house elderly residents and persons with disabilities. The Ladrey Senior High-rise was built in 1968 and contains 170 units. These apartments are set aside for persons over the age of 52 and individuals with disabilities. All must also meet certain income requirements to live there.
Willie Amos Holloway is the president of the Ladrey Tenants’ Association. He is 67 years old and has lived at Ladrey for six years.
“Things have changed over the years,” Holloway said. “The newer tenants aren’t as respectful and not as willing to live by the rules as those who used to live here, and ARHA seems to have a hard time enforcing the rules.”
One of those rules prohibits residents from having people live with them and limits visitors to a specified number of nights per year at Ladrey. “People disobey that rule all of the time and nothing happens,” Holloway said. “That makes it more difficult for the rest of us.”
Recently, many apartments at Ladrey were infested with bed bugs. “We have taken care of that problem and are even exterminating in the apartments that were not directly affected,” said A. Melvin Miller, chairman of ARHA’s board.
Holloway would like to see ARHA hire a resident manager for Ladrey. “Right now, we only have someone who helps people find jobs, not someone who lives here and who can deal with maintenance and other building issues,” he said. “That would solve a lot of our problems.”
Solutions
Most solutions to ARHA’s problems require money. Hiring a resident manager at Ladrey costs money. Dealing with routine and long-term maintenance problems costs money. That is money that ARHA does not have.
“The mortgage at Glebe Park is costing the Authority $65,000 a month,” Miller said. “We have been continuing to pay that while many of the units have been taken off-line because of mold and infrastructure problems. Also, the longer we wait to pay off the tax credit investors at Quaker Hill, the more that is going to cost.”
“We really can’t afford to pay the mortgage on Glebe Park any longer, and the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could foreclose on that property at any time. We need the city to make decisions about funding for those projects and land use decisions on our proposal to redevelop James Bland and James Bland Addition.
“That redevelopment would have paid for Glebe Park’s redevelopment if our original plan had been approved. We have some other financing options but there are timing issues with most of those. We just need some decisions,” Miller said.
Those decisions have been stalled since ARHA’s application for low income tax credit financing from the Virginia Housing Development Authority was denied last spring. Before deciding on funding for the Glebe Park project, the Alexandria City Council appointed a Glebe Park stakeholder group to look at plans. The stakeholder group met throughout the summer and came away with, essentially, a split decision – some liked ARHA’s original redevelopment proposal; some wanted a completely different mix of market-rate and public housing units and others wanted even something different.
Glebe Park is also tied to the redevelopment of James Bland and James Bland Addition, properties near the Braddock Road Metro station and thus, attractive to Eakin Youngentob Associates, ARHA’s development partner for the proposed project. Council has been reluctant to make any decision about these two projects until the Braddock Road Small Area plan is approved.
Also, any city funding is likely to be tied to an agreement to develop a strategic plan for all of its properties with ARHA, and to look at its general and financial management practices. Roy Priest is ARHA’s interim director, brought on after William Dearman retired. The search for a permanent executive director is on hold for now while ARHA gets its current financial crisis under control.
Priest, a housing executive for more than 30 years, assessed ARHA’s current status. “Generally, ARHA is certainly doing as well as most of the Housing Authorities around the country,” he said. “I would say that maintenance here is actually a bit better than in some places and I would say that the over-all management is pretty good. There is always room for improvement and this Board is committed to making the necessary changes to make things better,” he said.
The problem, however, is money. “As HUD has made funding cuts, restrictions on how Authorities can spend money have increased. Also, the Authorities are still required to do maintenance on the same cycle. All of this costs money and there is less and less of that to go around,” Priest said.
To find the best possible executive director, “we need to resolve some of these outstanding issues,” Priest said. “If we do not, it is going to be difficult to attract a top quality individual. If we get things under control, I think it will be easy to find someone because of this area. Alexandria is a great location, close to Washington, D.C., and to all of the things that brings with it. But we must resolve some of these matters first,” he said.
The Carrot, the stick and the stalemate
The person who said “He who has the gold makes the rules” was not a member of either the ARHA board or the Alexandria City Council. “We control the money locally but we have little or no authority over ARHA,” Mayor Euille said. “Our only legal authority is to appoint ARHA’s nine-member Board of Commissioners. We can encourage and we can negotiate but in the end analysis, all decisions regarding how the Authority is run is up to the ARHA board.”
So, if Council wants to require a Memorandum of Understanding with ARHA that deals with strategic planning and management practices, “we’re willing to look at that, but we are also looking at all of our other financial options,” Miller said. “Unfortunately, some of those options mean that we will have to raise the rents on some of our units and that will exclude some of the tenants who currently live in them because they will no longer be able to afford the rents.”
Euille said he is committed to preserving public housing but is realistic. “We don’t have unlimited financial resources and this is going to be an even tougher year financially than last year. Council and the ARHA Board are going to meet next week to discuss a wide range of issues and I hope to arrive at a win/win solution. If we cannot agree, it could mean significant changes to public housing in Alexandria.
“We are going to have to make a decision on Glebe Park in the next 30 to 45 days if ARHA is going to apply for tax credit financing this year. As to the rest, the Council is willing to work with ARHA. We have no wish to take over public housing. That was tried before and was not successful. We just want to make certain that there is a real partnership here,” Euille said.
"How about not keeping items in your car that thieves would want, over night. My neighbor complained that she was victimized twice in one year. I felt for her until I learned.....She left her doors unlocked on one occasion and on the second she left her purse in the back seat."
I see your point, but please, do not blame the victim. The SOLE reason her stuff was stolen was because some piece of sh_t thug took something that didn't belong to him, not because she left her purse on the seat of her car.
those of us who live near it have already noticed more traffic and less available parking. And that's just from the construction people. Can't imagine how bad it's going to be once the residents and retail consumers arrive.
That's why density and the Braddock Road Area Plan is so important. Beware - Hamer already told us to look at what we want, not the size/volume of the buildings. Hamer is looking at "mixed-income" housing near the metro and you can bet any problems you may have the number of residents going into the Monarch pales in comparison to the people and traffic that's coming.
Especially if the number of "affordable housing" units (there are various definitions for what affordable housing is precisely) does not count against a developer's FAR (ie, the builder can put as many "affordable housing" units as they want in their building, and those units don't count as part of what the developer is allowed - they are "free" units - they are not even density bonuses.
"Check this out, a report in the alexandria times. Whats up with the Editor's note???"
This is a 5 part series in the times on public housing. Its called "Public Housing - Cost vs. Conscience"
You should read it. Its rather interesting (although it leave out a lot of details and tends to be a puff piece)
"As the mayor, I feel that we have a social and moral obligation to these people because they, too, are our citizens. I am particularly concerned about the elderly residents of public housing and those with disabilities.”
I agree that we have a moral obligation to care for the elderly and disabled. But the rest of them need to pay for their own homes. There should be a limit on the able bodied as to how long they get to stay in subsidized housing. Otherwise, at huge expense, we'll continue to create generations who won't take care of themselves. There is no excuse whatsoever, absent disability, for people to be out of work for an extended period of time. We've had a labor shortage in this area for years.
Let's get back to the key here: Density
and
Fair Share
I'd hate to raise my kid on streets with even more cars than you guys already have on your roads.
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