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| | | Carjacking trend continues into new year despite police efforts | | January 25, 2010 | | | | Voice Correspondent | | There have been at least three carjackings on Capitol Hill so far this year, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
One of the most recent victims of an armed carjacking was a deaf father of two who lives near Eastern Market.
The man, who declined to give his name, said he was exiting his parked car outside a friend’s house at 12th and D streets NE Jan. 15 when he noticed a tall black boy who he guessed was about 16 years old wielding a submachine gun. The perpetrator took the keys and drove off, followed by what he believed were four accomplices in a separate car.
The victim called 911 from his friend’s house, and the police recovered the abandoned car in 20 minutes because it had a global-positioning system. His friend also had a security system outside his house, and he was able to provide the police with video footage of the entire incident.
Though the carjackers have not been caught, the victim said the police did a good job.
“It was great working with them,” said the victim.
There were more than 20 instances of carjackings in police service areas 103 and 107 in 2009, 16 of which were at gunpoint. A sharp rise near the end of the year prompted more than 100 residents to show up to a meeting last December with local politicians and police Chief Cathy Lanier.
Despite the continued carjackings following Lanier’s promise to add more beat patrols in the neighborhood, residents and local officials said they are generally satisfied with the police response.
“The police reaction has been great,” said Northeast Capitol Hill advisory neighborhood commissioner Mary Beatty (ANC6A), who represents the single-member district where many of the carjackings have taken place. Even residents who didn’t know about the crime spate have noticed additional police presence and are impressed, Beatty added. She also said she wants to solve the problem, not simply push the criminals to another part of the city.
“We hope the perpetrators get the picture,” she said. “We’re serious.”
Another community meeting on the carjackings is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Options School, 1375 E St. NE. | | | | | Log in to comment on this article |
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