Crime: Pinto Launches ‘Secure DC Plan’; Georgetown Incidents Reported to ANC
By • September 18, 2023 0 1408
D.C. Council Member Brooke Pinto (Ward 2) Launches ‘Secure DC’ Plan
Fear of crime has been a major factor in Georgetown politics this summer. “I am getting a lot of comments from people who tell me it’s a gut feeling for them – they just don’t feel safe,” ANC Commissioner Paul Maysak (2E03) told MPD Sgt. Philip Robinson in ANC 2E’s Sept. 5 virtual meeting. “Too many of our residents are afraid,” Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto said as she launched her new anti-crime initiative “Secure DC.”
Fortunately, it looks like Pinto’s “Secure DC” initiative has teeth. As Chair of the D.C. Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, she’s introduced a raft of 16 new bills and amendments targeted to rein in Washington, D.C.’s crime crisis – much derided in national news debates – by harnessing the city’s full prosecutorial powers and meeting crime at its sources. “To improve public safety,” the Secure DC plan is designed to “ensure accountability,” “prevent crime and violence,” “support police and first responders,” “end cycles of violence,” and “strengthen government coordination.”
According to Pinto, the plan “builds on the substantial budget investments passed by the Committee and the successful passage of [her] emergency legislation to address crime earlier this year,” she said. And it covers “every aspect of our legal justice system by increasing accountability for violent crime and gun offenses, giving our public safety agencies the tools needed to address hiring and retention challenges, and [enhance] infrastructure to make our schools, recreational spaces, and commercial and transit corridors safer.”
Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto argues for passage of new crime bill on July 11. Courtesy D.C. Council.
“We are experiencing a crisis of violence in the District, and we must address the gaps in our legal system to prevent the proliferation of violence in our communities…. My comprehensive package of legislative initiatives is a compilation of common-sense, targeted interventions that will urgently and practically improve safety for D.C. residents,” Pinto said.
The plan, “creatively and expansively addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities,” Pinto continued. “I hear from residents every day about the need for accountability when harm occurs and how desperately residents want to feel and be secure in their communities…. My Secure DC Plan fills these gaps and addresses the need for interventions targeting all angles of public safety – from prevention, to accountability, to ending cycles of violence.”
For a full listing and explanations of Pinto’s Secure DC plan, go here.
MPD Award for Capture of Escapee Rises to $30,000
Speaking of fearful scenarios, that escapee we told you about has still not been apprehended. In our last crime update, we reported that a murder suspect, 30-year-old Christopher Patrick Haynes, was at-large Sept. 6 in the Georgetown and Foggy Bottom areas, having escaped MPD custody at George Washington University Hospital.
With Haynes still at-large, MPD announced Sept. 12 that the award for information leading to his arrest has risen to $30,000.
Here’s is MPD’s Sept. 12 press release:
Christopher Haynes. Courtesy MPD.
(Washington, DC) – The Metropolitan Police Department continues the search for Christopher Haynes while the reward for information leading to his arrest has increased to $30,000.
On September 6, 2023, the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended Christopher Haynes in Manassas, Virginia, pursuant to a DC Superior Court Arrest warrant. Haynes waived his right to an extradition hearing and was brought to MPD’s Homicide Branch to be booked and processed in connection to the murder of Brent Hayward that occurred on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at approximately 10:45 a.m. in the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue.
Later, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Haynes complained of ankle pain from a pre-existing injury while he was being processed.
At 3 p.m., a First District officer transported Haynes to The George Washington University Hospital for treatment. A second officer was also assigned to the hospital detail.
At approximately 3:38 p.m., while an officer was changing out Haynes’ handcuffs at the hospital to cuff one hand to a gurney located in a hallway, Haynes physically assaulted the officer and fled from the hospital with one handcuff still attached to his right wrist. Both officers chased after Haynes but were unable to catch him. The officers at the hospital called for assistance, prompting a multi-agency response to search for the escaped suspect.
MPD searched a large area around the hospital and received numerous possible sightings of Haynes. At this time, he has not been located and the search continues.
Haynes is described as 30-year-old Black male, 6’0” in height, weighing approximately 205 pounds with a medium brown complexion. He has black hair and brown eyes with shoulder-length dreadlocks and a Washington Nationals tattoo on his neck. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, gray shorts, and white socks with black handcuffs hanging from his right wrist.
Finding Christopher Haynes is a top priority for the Metropolitan Police Department. The search remains active and ongoing and MPD is working closely with our local and federal partners to ensure that Haynes is brought to justice.
Anyone who is found to be assisting, aiding, abetting, or harboring Christopher Haynes will be criminally charged.
Since his escape, MPD has received numerous reports of possible sightings and is dedicating resources to each tip.
During the investigation, MPD was able to locate footage captured by a residential security camera of Haynes in a backyard in a neighborhood near the hospital. Here is a link to that footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPlY6D4gZW0
Anyone with information on Haynes’ whereabouts is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411.
MPD Second District Public Safety Report to ANC 2E
Though crime numbers have been alarming in the District over the summer, Georgetown’s crime statistics showed some progress in July and August, according to MPD St. Robinson who briefed ANC 2E in their Sept. 5 virtual meeting.
In the last 30-to-60 days, Robinson reported, though “grand total” of crimes went up by 4 percent, there were no “homicides,” “sex abuse” cases, or “assaults with a dangerous weapon,” or “robberies.” Most of the crime increases were in “property crime,” with “burglaries” rising from 2 to 3, “thefts from auto” rising from 4 to 8, and basic “theft” rising from 28 to 34. Fortunately, “motor vehicle thefts” dropped from 8 to 4 and no “arson” occurred over the last 60 days.
MPD Lt. Merzig said most of the “thefts from autos” were due to service trucks leaving doors open resulting in tool thefts. He also acknowledged that the Safeway at 1855 Wisconsin Ave NW, continues to be a prime target for shoplifters, but reassured that special police units will be dispatched to address the problem.
Local Crime Reports
On Sept. 18, detectives from MPD’s Third District announced arrests of three people for “assaulting a man” Sept. 16. “At approximately 7:51 a.m., the victim was meeting with three people for a business exchange when a fight broke out and the three people assaulted the victim in the 1900 block of 8th St. NW. On Sept 16, 42-year old Jana Jackson, of Northwest, D.C., and 29-year-old James Dominic Littles, of Southeast, D.C., were charged with “Simple Assault.” 45-year-old Robert Christopher White Jr. was charged with “Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Tire Iron).”
On Sept. 17, MPD’s Second District and U.S. Park Police (USPP) reported being on scene for a reported shooting inside the park area of Washington Circle at 23rd St. NW at around 12:33 a.m. “An adult male sustained a single gunshot wound to the leg and was transported to the hospital,” the agencies reported. “There is no specific lookout. Currently, this does not appear to be random, as it seems the victim knows the suspect.” USPP are handling the investigation.
On Sept. 16, MPD’s Second Watch Commander reported a “Robbery Snatch at Ridge Square NW. “Security personnel drew the ire of an illegal parker on private property taking photos of his violations with his cell phone,” MPD reported. “The illegal parker then snatched the cell phone used to take the photos of the illegal parking and drove away. This case is expected to be quickly closed due to video, camera, and other evidence collected by Second District officers.”
On Sept. 16, detectives from MPD’s Fourth District announced an arrest on an “Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense” Sept. 15 in the 3900 block of Georgia Ave. NW. “At approximately 8:44 a.m., the suspect approached the victim… [producing] a handgun and struck the victim,” the report said. “As a result, the suspect and the victim began to fight. During the fight, the suspect struck the victim multiple times with the handgun and one shot was fired. The suspect fled the scene. DC Fire and EMS responded and treated the victim on the scene. On Friday, September 15, 2023, members of the Fourth District Crime Suppression Unit executed a DC Superior Court search warrant, at a residence, in the 3900 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest. As a result, a firearm, multiple rounds of ammunition, and controlled substances were recovered. On Friday, September 15, 2023, 22-year-old Zaria Williams of Northwest, D.C., was arrested” and charged on multiple counts.
Also, on Sept. 16, MPD’s Second Watch Commander announced an investigation into a robbery in the 2900 block of New Mexico Ave. NW. “Suspects were driving a red Chevrolet Camaro and were last seen southbound on New Mexico Ave.. Suspects described as two black males,” the report said.
On Sept. 15, MPD announced arrests in recent “Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle” and stolen auto offenses. In Northwest, they included:
- 40-year-old Robert Watlington, of Northwest, D.C., and 54-year-old Demanne Cutchin, of Northeast, DC, for an offense in the 600 block of S Street, Northwest.
- A 15-year-old juvenile female, of Bowie, MD, was arrested for an offense in the 5700 block of Colorado Avenue, Northwest.
On Sept. 14, detectives from MPD’s Homicide Branch announced an arrest in reference to two homicides in the District.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announce an arrest has been made in reference to two homicides that occurred in the District, one on the 1000 block of Thomas Jefferson St. NW and the other on the 400 block of 33rd St. SE. The Georgetowner story on the 2021 murder on Thomas Jefferson Street can be found here. On Sept. 14, “pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant,” 29-year-old Michael Sanders, of Northwest D.C., was arrested and charged with two counts of “First Degree Murder While Armed.” MPD reported the murders as follows:
- On February 18 [2021], at approximately 3:13 p.m., members of the Second District responded to the 1000 block of Thomas Jefferson Street, Northwest, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 30-year-old Youness Zarouaki, of Alexandria, VA.
- On July 16 [2020], at approximately 10:11 p.m., members of the Sixth District responded to the 400 block of 33rd Street, Southeast, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim, inside a residential building, suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 34-year-old Kenneth Brown, of Southeast, DC.
On Sept. 14, detectives from MPD’s Third District requested public assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in reference to a “Theft One (Stolen Auto) offense Sept. 12 in the 3100 block of 14th St. NW. “At approximately 1:30 p.m., the suspect approached the victim’s vehicle at the listed location,” the MPD press release said. “ The suspect took the victim’s vehicle then fled the scene. The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the photos below:”
On Sept. 13, detectives from MPD’s Fourth District announced the arrest of a man for “burglurizing a home” Sept. 10 in the 4200 block of 8th St. NW. At “approximately 5:55 a.m., the suspect entered an occupied house…took the victim’s property [and] fled the scene,” an MPD press release said. On September 12, “56-year-old Keith Jones of Northwest, D.C. was arrested and charged.”
On Sept. 12, detectives from MPD’s Youth and Family Services Division’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Special Agents from the F.B.I.’s Washington Field Office, announced an arrest in reference to a “Transportation of Child Pornography offense” using the internet Aug. 9 in the District. On Sept. 12, 33-year-old John Albertson of New Richmond, Ohio, was arrested and charged.
On Sept. 11, detectives from MPD’s Fourth District requested public assistance in reference to “Robbery offenses” Aug. 8. “At approximately 8:47 p.m., suspects approached the victim at the intersection of Carroll Street and Cedar Street, NW…. demanded the victim’s property while holding their backpacks in a way that made the victim believe they had weapons,” an MPD press said. “The victim complied. The suspects [then] fled with the victim’s property.” Also, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the suspects “approached a victim in the 6500 block of 3rd Street, NW [and] demanded property while holding their backpacks in a way that made the victim believe they had weapons. The victim fled without giving them their property. The suspects were captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the below photos:
On Sept. 11, detectives from MPD’s Second District requested public assistance in identifying and locating suspects in reference to a “Burglary Two offense” Aug. 18 in the 1700 block of P Street, NW. “At approximately 4:17 a.m., the suspects forcibly opened a key fob lock box and entered an establishment at the listed location. Once inside, the suspects took property then fled the scene,” an MPD press release said. “The suspects were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/oSaKWBKCJyg.
On September 11, detectives from MPD’s Fourth District requested public assistance in locating suspects in reference to an “Armed Carjacking (Gun) offense” September 7 in the 7000 block of Blair Road, Northwest. “At approximately 9:38 p.m., the suspects approached the victim, who was outside of their vehicle, at the listed location,” an MPD press release said. “One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s car keys. The other suspect then assaulted the victim. The suspects took the car keys and fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The suspects were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in the photos below and in this video: https://youtu.be/siEkb1-MpNY.
On Sept. 11, detectives from MPD’s Third District announced an arrest in reference to an “Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Knife) Offense” Sept. 10 in the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW. “At approximately 3:03 p.m., the victim and the suspect were engaged in a verbal altercation,” an MPD press release said. “The victim started walking away when the suspect stabbed the victim. The suspect then fled the scene [but] was apprehended by responding officers. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. On September 10, 42-year-old Shawn Dyson of no fixed address, was arrested and charged.
On Sept. 11, detectives from the MPD’s Third District announced an arrest for an “Armed Carjacking (Gun) Offense” Sept. 10 in the 2000 block of 12th Street, Northwest. “At approximately 3:24 a.m., the suspects exited a vehicle and approached the victims at the listed location,” an MPD press release said. “The suspects took property from two of the victims, including vehicle keys. One of the suspects drove off in the victim’s vehicle while the other suspect fled the scene in the suspects’ vehicle. One of the suspects was apprehended by responding officers and the victim’s vehicle was recovered. On September 10 18-year-old Damon Hudson of Oxon Hill, MD, was arrested and charged.
Also, on Sept. 11, detectives from MPD’s Second District requested public assistance in identifying and locating suspects in reference to a “Burglary Two offense” August 18 in the 1700 block of P Street, Northwest. “At approximately 4:17 a.m., the suspects forcibly opened a key fob lock box and entered an establishment at the listed location. Once inside, the suspects took property then fled the scene,” an MPD press release said. “The suspects were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/oSaKWBKCJyg.
