Recent Crime Statistics and Crime Prevention Tips from Captain David Sledge of MPD
Please find below the reported crime totals for the past thirty days for the Kalorama neighborhood in the Second District PSA 208. The “ADW” – Assault with a Dangerous Weapon occurred on January 12, 2017, which resulted in a domestic violence-related arrest. Our Kalorama neighborhood has experienced mostly theft from autos along Phelps Place (see above attachment). It is important to alert the community with respect to leaving things of value in their vehicles and remembering to close windows and lock doors.
Below are two charts showing 30-day and year-to-date crime totals for ANC 2D.
Preventing Thefts from Auto
One of the most common types of theft is theft of valuables from your automobile. Theft from auto is strictly a crime of opportunity that can be prevented if you take away the opportunity. Thieves generally won’t waste their time breaking into autos that don’t have valuables in plain sight.
The best way to prevent theft from your auto is to always keep valuables “outta sight.” Never leave cell phones, briefcases, suitcases, or small electronic devices (smart phones, tablets, GPS, etc.) in your car in plain view. Take these items with you, or secure them — all the time, every time!
If your car has a trunk, use it. Put valuables in there or in a locked glove compartment. Hiding items under seats is better than leaving them in plain view, but securing them inside the glove compartment or trunk is a far better deterrent. During the holiday season especially, or any time you’re shopping, place packages in the trunk, not on the passenger seats or floors.
Also, keep your car doors and windows locked — all the time!
Sex Assault
I spoke with the police manager of Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) this past Saturday. At this time, there is no additional information to release to the public. The detectives are investigating this matter at an intense pace. If you know of any homeowner who has not shared their CCTV footage with MPD, please encourage the homeowner to do so without further delay.
Sexual Assault – Reducing the Risk
What is Sexual Assault?
A sexual assault is about power, anger, and control. It is an act of violence and an attempt to degrade someone using sex as a weapon. Above all, sexual assault is a crime.
Sexual assaults can happen to anyone: children, students, wives, mothers, working women, grandmothers, the rich and poor, and boys and men. The assailants can be anyone: classmates, co-workers, a neighbor or delivery person, total strangers, outgoing or shy, often a friend or a family member. These crimes are often committed again and again, until the assailants are caught.
Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. It is always the fault of the assailant no matter what your relationship is to the assailant, what you were wearing or doing, or what drugs or alcohol you ingested prior to or at the time of the assault. Members of the MPD's Sex Assault Unit take every report of sexual assault very seriously and investigate each case as fully as possible.
Start by Believing
Start by Believing is a public awareness campaign uniquely focused on the public response to sexual assault. Because a friend or family member is typically the first person a victim confides in after an assault, each individual’s personal reaction is the first step in a long path toward justice and healing. Knowing how to respond is critical—a negative response can worsen the trauma and foster an environment where perpetrators face zero consequences for their crimes. Because rapists attack an average of six times, one failed response can equal five more victims. Start by Believing will lead the way toward stopping this cycle, by creating a positive community response, informing the public, uniting allies and supporters, and improving our personal reactions. The goal is to change the world, and outcomes for victims, one response at a time. http://www.startbybelieving.org/
How You Can Protect Yourself
The following personal safety suggestions may reduce one's likelihood of becoming a victim of any violent street crime, such as robbery, assault or sex assault. While taking certain precautions may help reduce the risk of being targeted, if something does happen to you or someone you know, that crime is in no way your fault. Ultimately, the assailant is the only person responsible for sexual assault.
Be Alert
Walk with confidence and purpose
Be aware of your surroundings—know who’s out there and what’s going on.
Remember that alcohol or other drugs may cloud your judgment. However, no matter what you've ingested, any assault is still the fault of the assailant.
Trust your instincts—if a situation or place makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, leave.
When You’re Indoors
Make sure all doors (don’t forget sliding glass doors) and windows have sturdy, well-installed locks, and use them. Install a wide-angle peephole in the door. Keep entrances well-lit.
Never open your door to strangers. Offer to make an emergency call while someone waits outside. Check the identification of sales or service people before letting them in. Don’t be embarrassed to phone for verification.
Be wary of isolated spots—apartment laundry rooms, underground garages, parking lots, offices after business hours.
Know your neighbors, so you have someone to call or go to if you’re uncomfortable or frightened.
If you come home and see a door or window open, or broken, don’t go in. Call the police from a cell phone, public phone or a neighbor’s phone.
When You’re Outdoors
Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
Be careful if anyone in a car asks you for directions; if you answer, keep your distance from the car.
Have your key ready before you reach the door—home, car, or office.
If you think you’re being followed, change direction and head for open stores, restaurants, theaters, or a house with its lights on.
When You’re in Your Car
Park in areas that will be well-lit and well-traveled when you return.
Always lock your car—when you get in and when you get out.
Look around and under your car and in the back seat before you get in.
If your car breaks down, lift the hood, lock the doors, and turn on your flashers. Call police on a cell phone, or use a Call Police banner or flares. If someone stops, roll the window down slightly and ask the person to call the police or a tow service.
Don’t hitchhike, ever. And don’t ever pick up a hitchhiker.
If the Unthinkable Happens
How does one handle a sexual assault? It really depends on a number of factors, such as your physical and emotional state, the situation, and the rapist’s personality. Just remember, there are no hard and fast rules, no right or wrong answers. Your goal is to survive.
Try to escape. Scream. Be rude. Make noise to discourage your attacker from following.
If you're wearing heels and want to run, ditch the shoes.
Use a whistle to alert others if you are threatened.
Talk, stall for time, and assess your options.
If the assailant has a weapon, you may have no choice but to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive.
If you decide to fight back, you must be quick, determined and effective. Target the eyes or groin.
Surviving a Sexual Assault
Members of the MPD's Sex Assault Unit take every report of sexual assault very seriously and investigate each case as fully as possible.
Remember, a sexual assault is NEVER your fault.
Go to a hospital emergency room or your own doctor for medical care immediately. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program at Washington Hospital Center ensures that a victim of a sexual assault (over the age of 17) will be in a private examination room while waiting to be seen, the wait will not be more than one hour, and the victim will be examined by someone specially trained in this area.
Don’t go alone. Ask a friend or family member to go with you, or call a rape crisis center or school counselor. The DC Rape Crisis Center — (202) 333-7273 — has a hotline staffed with caring, concerned individuals who can help.
Preserve all physical evidence. Don’t shower, bathe, change clothes, douche, or throw any clothing away until the police or counselor say it’s okay.
Get counseling to help deal with feelings of anger, helplessness, fear, and shame caused by rape. It helps to talk to someone about the assault, whether it happened last night, last week, or years ago.
You have been the victim of a crime and you should call the police. The sooner you tell, the greater the chances the rapist will be caught. But if you are uncomfortable about calling the police, contact a rape crisis center.
Police Deployment in Kalorama
The Second District has deployed uniformed police officers specifically throughout the Kalorama neighborhood in PSA 208. This deployment of officers covers the midnight, day and evening shifts. The assigned officers are also directed to patrol alleys in Kalorama and submit a daily “Alley Patrol Survey Form” listing the location/time for each alley patrolled in Kalorama. These documents are reviewed by police supervisors as well as myself. We also deployed several plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles in Kalorama. The community should notice an increased uniformed police presence in Kalorama, if not, please contact me on (202) 423-0185 or email at david.sledge@dc.gov. We encourage residents to dial 9-1-1 immediately to report suspicious person/activity. Thank you for bringing matters of mutual concern to our attention.
