2004 Crime Stats

Most of the following information is from a MPD email (the format is mine).

As of noon Friday, December 31, 2004:

homicides for 2004: 196 (down 21% from 2003's 248)
-The last time DC recorded fewer than 200 homicides was 1986 (194).
-The 1994 figure was 399.
-The 1991 figure was 482 (the current record).
- All districts recorded fewer homicides for 2004, except for the 2nd district, which reported a total of 3 murders (an increase of 1 from 2003).
-Guns were used in 77%, knives in just under 10%.
-The most common motives were arguments, retaliation, drugs and robberies.
-96% of victims were Black (84% male, 12% female).
-24 victims were under 18 (double the number for 2003).
-4 juveniles were arrested for murder.
-The closure rate was just under 60% (similar to 2003's rate).

Overall crime is down in every major category and in all districts.
Traffic fatalities fell 35% (the lowest in at least 18 years).
Arrests and firearm recoveries increased.

To put that in perspective:
The Census Bureau estimate for DC's 2003 population was 563,384.
The Census Bureau estimate for the DC metro area's 2002 population was 5,162,029.

Negro League Legends Hall of Fame?

Every once in a while I see a reference to the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame. This is the Museum that is to be built at 915 12th St. NE (currently an empty lot). The Hall is supposedly set to open sometime in 2006. The held a "ground breaking" ceremony in mid-August, but as far as I can tell, they have yet to actually break ground. I'm not sure if the plans are still on for this project, or if this yet another instance of someone's funding falling through on a construction project. A Google search elicits little more than assorted short blurbs (written months ago) about the museum. Well, the website is still up, so I guess that's something.

So what exactly wouldn't be a deadly weapon?

According to recent crime reports all of the following unusual (I assume) weapons have been employed as the "deadly weapon" in Capitol Hillish assaults:

2 keys (in two separate incidents!)
bleach
1 wooden elephant statue

Coming soon to 12th & H Street...

The Voice of the Hill reports that "The Olympic, 1206 H Street, will be an old-school sports bar with a full bar food menu. The Show Bar, 1210 H Street, about which rumors that it was to be a “strip joint” were swirling, will be a vaudeville club, complete with late 1800 circus decor, musical acts and performers who do odd things, such as lie on a bed of nails. Both establishments are owned by Joe Englert" (the full/part owner of Lucky Bar, The Big Hunt, 51st State, Insect Club, Andalusian Dog, The Crowbar, Capitol Lounge, The Rock).

Former Children's Museum

I made a few visits to Art-O-Matic this year, and the experience was good, but the best part for me was getting to see so much of the old building. The old building was most recently the Children's Museum (relocated to L'Enfant Plaza), but it has a bit of history before that. The site is now owned by ABDO, and they plan to turn it into luxury condos. So, this was essentially the last chance to see the interior in its full institutional glory. Seeing the old tiles and former shower rooms I was reminded of photos I'd seen online of some of the old Kirkbride Hospitals. One of these hospitals, Danvers State, was the location used for the filming of Session 9. Pretty neat stuff.

A Little Good Reading

I've been reading The Devil in the White City (by Erik Larson). I'm enjoying this book a great deal, and I wanted to mention it because the book brilliantly conveys the electric excitement (and sometimes danger) inherent in any great city. The book tells the story about the master architect striving to make Chicago's reputation by astounding everyone by creating the most impressive World's Fair ever, and how his destiny became intertwined with that of a prolific serial killer who relied upon the excitement of the city and the fair to lure his victims.

Front Porch

Front Porch, originally uploaded by inked78.

My anonymous rowhouse (with anonymous visitor out front).

Baseball

So we will have baseball. I'm slightly ambivalent about baseball coming to DC. I don't have any particular nostalgia about baseball. I do feel conflicted about the City government mobilizing to bring baseball to Washington when it can't do the same to meet many of the area's other needs. But this is gross receipts tax (essentially creating a funding source that did not previously exist), and the District and it's citizens aren't really spending money on the project (except that they really will have to make changes to that sorry station they call Navy Yard). I've been to the proposed sight of the stadium and I know what's located nearby. The area is already changing a great deal (there is tons of construction going on). Currently the immediate area looks like crap, and the development is mostly across the street from the Navy Yard. Hopefully the stadium can speed up development in the area. At the same time, I regret that the plans call for displacing residents and businesses (like the Washington Sculpture Studio), that stuck it out when nobody else would. Hopefully residents and businesses (there aren't really that many in this area anyway) will get a good price (one that will provide the opportunity for comparable housing or business space in the District). The major sore spot with this project (aside from fears about taxpayer money being ill-spent and handouts being made to rich white men) is the idea that the Williams administration caters to the haves over the have-nots. In general, I like Williams (I hope he's right about this baseball thing because sports stadiums are a risky deal). He's smart, and he's honest, and he conducts himself respectfully (three things that aren't exactly givens for politicians in DC). Williams is not exciting. He's an egg-head, but he's done a lot of good for The District of Columbia. Obviously this is not just about baseball.

BEWARE!! This Could Happen to You

PSA 50112/16/20041800 HoursBURGLARY - 1400 Block FLORIDA AVE NWCCN #04171550C1 REPORTS THAT ABOUT 1807 HOURS HE OPENED THE DOOR LEADING TO HIS HALLWAY ANDFOUND HIS PANTS BEING PULLED UP THROUGH A HOLE IN THE CEILING. C1 FURTHERREPORTS THAT UNKNOWN PERSON(S) UNCOVERED A 2' BY 2' HOLE IN THE ROOF TO GAIN ENTRY.

Home, sweet home

Now, I like my neighborhood. Granted, the place is a bit rough around the edges and can look slightly intimidating to outsiders. I have lived here more than three years. I am a single white female who stands just under 5 foot 4 inches. I am not terribly threatening. I have never had any sort of intimidation/robbery/mugging issue in my neighborhood. I mention this because a friend who lives a block and a half away (and has lived there about a year) has spent less time here than I have, but has had far more issues (one blatant threat of physical harm, two break-ins, and he came home the day before Thanksgiving to find police tape blocking his front entrance and police who wouldn't tell him what happened). How can this be? Have I just been very lucky? As I walk down the street I am aware of my surroundings, but I don't feel nervous. I feel comfortable here. I read the crime report, I get the emails and the gossip about area muggings and break-ins, I know what goes on. I know that violent crime exists my neighborhood, and I do take steps to protect myself, but I am not afraid of where I live.

Welcome to Trinidad

Trinidad is a tiny neighborhood located north of Capitol Hill (or in Capitol Hill according some realtors). Actually, it's next to Galludet. If you look at a map Trinidad looks like someone took it and just twisted the entire neighborhood a bit. The streets don't exactly match up with the streets outside the neighborhood. Trinidad is a tiny almost square patch that was at one point a rich man's country estate. Later it was the source of clay for brick works. Finally, it was home to working class housing. More recently, Trinidad, like the rest of the immediate area, was hit hard by the flight of both whites and middle class blacks (accelerated by the rioting on H Street in 1968). In the 1980s and 90s Trinidad (according to what I've read and heard) showed just how bad things could get. Crack was big, heroin was big, and Trinidad (located very close to the original stomping grounds for the Murder Inc. crew) was generally regarded as a place to avoid. However, this view is changing. As people get priced out of capitol Hill, they begin to venture a bit further north. Florida Avenue is the border between Old City 1# and Trinidad. More recently it has served as the border for how far north many newcomers are willing to venture a bit out of the trendy neighborhoods for housing (this distinction appears to be disappearing as new businesses, metro access and high housing prices elsewhere prompt more people to shop Trinidad homes).