Thursday, April 17, 2008

All Hell Has Apparently Broken Loose

I have no idea what is going on this week, but there has apparently been ANOTHER HOMICIDE in Trinidad. This one at Owen and Montello. In fact, much of the 5th District seems to have experienced a major spike in the past week. Looking at a recent PSA 504 crime report there were something like 5 stolen cars and thefts from auto, two robberies, and an assault in less than a week. For those not familiar, that is HUGE spike. Typically the crime report looks more like Theft from Auto, Theft from Auto, Burglary. And then there were these murders and shootings...

[MPD-5D] Working fatal shooting‏
From: mpd-5d@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Groomes, Diane (MPD) (diane.groomes@dc.gov)
Sent: Wed 4/16/08 11:28 PM
Reply-to: MPD-5D@yahoogroups.com
To: mpd-5d@yahoogroups.com

5d units on scene of owen and montello with adult male shot ...anyone with information please call 1 888 919 crime

Sent from my GoodLink synchronized handheld (www.good.com)

==============================
UPDATE
Identifying the above mentioned shoot victim. From the Washington Post-

Darvell Stewart, 18, of the 1400 block of Montello Avenue NE, was found about 10:45 p.m. in the 1100 block of Owen Place NE. He had been shot.

==============================

The recent spike elicited this response from Chief of Police Cathy Lanier-

[MPD-5D] Addressing Recent Violence in This Area‏
From: mpd-5d@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Lanier, Cathy (MPD) (cathy.lanier@dc.gov)
Sent: Thu 4/17/08 7:12 AM
Reply-to: MPD-5D@yahoogroups.com
To: MPD-5d@yahoogroups.com

As all of you, I am concerned about the rise of violent crime in the past week. I wanted to inform you of some steps we have taken to address this problem. First, over the past several weeks, Commander Greene has used overtime to place additional officers in the neighborhoods that have seen the rise in violence. Also, I have directed many of our specialized units, such as drug units and gun units to work in the Fifth District. Just this past week, I have deployed hundreds of extra officers that were mobilized for the many events in the City to the Fifth District for High Visibility patrol.

We are aware of the issue and are working hard to seek out those involved and put a stop to the violence.

You have my commitment that we will use every resource available to address this issue. Meanwhile, please continue to assist as the eyes and ears of this community. Should you need an officer dispatched to an area to respond to suspicious activity, do not hesitate to dial 9-1-1.

Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of Police

So, if you live in 504 you might want to consider checking out Saturday's PSA [Police Service Area] meeting, which promises to have a large attendance. The meeting will be from 10am-11:30am. The location is the Youth Services Center at 1000 Mount Olivet Road.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah I heard the shots last night. Sounded as if they were in my backyard as I live on the next block. The shooting occurred in the alley way. Not sure but the scene seemed pretty quiet for a homocide? I was there as the ambulance pulled away through the alley. In any case, it's a very said and tragic situation regardless of what neighborhood this takes place in.

this will make 2 murders on Montello 4 short blocks away from each other in 2 day period.

Trinidad Home owner

Anonymous said...

Are these murders related? Is there gang war going on that I missed?

Anonymous said...

Seems to be two isolated incidents. One was a femal victim found partially nude. Again I'm not sure if the person shot last night died or not. The listserv said a fatal shooting- but not 100%.

Trinidad Home Owner

Megan said...

Today's MPD crime report listed the Montello homicide as caused by a blunt weapon. Is that the same thing? I was walking home from the Argonaut when it happened and didn't hear whether there were shots.

Anonymous said...

The incident with the femal Tuesday nite/Weds morning was ruled homice by blunt force-(which she was also partially nude. Neighbors said they heard screams around 1am but no one called police- she was discovered in the alley the next morning. Apparently she had 11 kids..

The shooting last night was just after 11pm. In the alley between Montello 1300 block.

inked said...

I think the blunt force trauma refers to the female. Trinidad Homeowner, where did get your information that the female victim was partially nude? I haven't seen that anywhere.

Anonymous said...

Thats what the news reports said. It actually mad TV news. Her mom was interview etc....

Trinidad Home Owner

Anonymous said...

Thugs get fired up when it gets warm! Instead of cleaning cars they clean their guns and go out to ron, steal and kill!

inked said...

Trinidad Homeowner, what channel?

Anonymous said...

Want to say I was watching the news channel that leon Harris was on-- They were covering the pope as well. Thats why I remember.

FYI- By mentioning that she was partially nude- does not mean this was a SEX crime. Could have happened in a scuffle etc...

Trinidad Home Owner

Anonymous said...

Just found this- on NBC4

WASHINGTON -- D.C. police said they are investigating the death of a woman who may have been involved in illegal sexual activity.


The woman's partially clothed body was found in an alley in the 1600 block of Montello Avenue in the Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast. Police said they are investigating her death as a homicide.

Police said the woman may have been killed hours before she was found at 7 a.m. Some neighbors said they heard screams early Wednesday morning, but no one called police.

Police said the alleys in the neighborhood are frequented at night by prostitutes and broken families, News4's James Adams reported.

"We have a lot of people coming up to us asking if it's their mother, their girlfriend, their wife," said Assistant Chief Diane Groomes. "I did not realize that a lot of people had such missing persons in their life, because we do have a missing persons report file, and today it's unfortunate that we have a lot of women in this area who are walking the street."

Adams reported that the woman was beaten beyond recognition, but she was identified as a 38-year-old woman.

Related: Watch The Report






"She was a good girl in her own way," said her mother, Catherine Green. "She had her ups and downs like everybody else. She's got 11 children. She's got 11 beautiful children."

Neighborhood leaders said Trinidad has improved but still has a long way to go.

"Until we instill some different values and educational programs in the area, we're going to continue to have this uprise of these kinds of crimes," said ANC Commissioner Rosetta Davis.

Stay with News4 and nbc4.com for more information.
Copyright 2008 by nbc4.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, bro

Trinidad Home Owner

Anonymous said...

here is a link to the video on nbc4 about the woman found in the alley yesterday morning:

http://video.nbc4.com/player/?id=240990

inked said...

There is some prostitution as you approach Mt. Olivet Road. From what I've heard some of the acts are also performed by homeless men for money or drugs.

inked said...

Yes, you can find the video in the post above this one.

Anonymous said...

There are prostitution that runs along West Virginia- and they use the alleys Neal Street go up towards Mt. Olivet. Can't say how many times I came home to find cars in my alley.

I've posted in the 5dlistserv several times and got repsonse saying they would conduct operations in the area.

But it just amazes me the lack of police presence in our area. The ones that are in the area- are they really looking for illegal activity? because I see it all the time- just don't know how come the police can't.

Trinidad Home Owner

Anonymous said...

broken families...

Anonymous said...

well, you can count on some cop whining that they can't be on every corner. However, I just returned from upper Northwest DC(Reno Road & Nebraska av area), and there were 3 or more cops standing in each block, for block after block. If we can this kind of attention to the Pope, we can give it to DC citizens. Get the cops out walking the street.

Anonymous said...

"Get the cops out walking the street."

You wouldnt catch me walking the streets of Trinidad!

Anonymous said...

What a stupid comment.

Trinidad is just like any part of the city, one has to be careful and aware of their surroundings when walking at certain times of the day. Maybe if more neighbors got out and enjoyed the neighborhood, it can potentially serve as a crime prevention method. More "eyes" on the street that are willing to report illegal and suspicious acitivies can be nothing but positive. Not sure if you live in Trinidad, but I ask why would one move here if they feel such lack of safety.

I for one don't feel unsafe in Trinidad. I just don't like sensless asks of violence. So much opportunities are out there, but just don't make it to neighborhoods of such.

Trinidad Homw Owner