Crime: Chief Smith Calls for More Cops; MPD’s Carjacking Safety Tips; Local Reports
By • December 4, 2023 0 1200
As crime in the nation’s capital spirals, the District’s new Chief of Police, Pamela A. Smith made the case on Nov. 29 for crime-fighting progress in her testimony before the D.C. Council. Smith championed Mayor Bowser’s recent crime-fighting initiative – the Addressing Crime Trends (ACT) Act Now Amendment of 2023 – in light of a spike in carjackings, organized retail thefts, armed robberies and other violent crimes in the city. Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto called for the hearing and gaveled in the session as Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary.
Chief Smith’s primary concerns? First: illegal gun proliferation in the District, leading to violent crimes; and, Second: the shrinking number of officers in the Metropolitan Police Department.
Police Chief Pamela A. Smith appearing on Fox 5 News. Screen capture.
“It is critical that we continue the work that’s been done so far this year to try to ensure that D.C. has the laws and tools to best address the two most significant public safety issues we’re facing: illegal guns and the increasing use of them in the District, and the historically low sworn staffing levels at MPD,” Chief Smith testified.
“Violent crime, largely driven by the possession and use of illegal guns, has been growing since March 2023, when the number of robberies and carjackings suddenly and sharply spiked. The increase peaked in June, with more than twice as many robberies and three times as many carjackings reported than in June of 2022,” Smith said. “Crime is still higher when compared to the same period in 2022. It’s going to take some time to reverse the sharp rise in crime beginning this past March….”
“The second major public safety challenge we’re facing is the lowest sworn [MPD] staffing level in five decades,” Smith continued. “As of November 22, 2023, we have 3,339 sworn members. This is 460 fewer members than just three years ago. To put that in perspective, at that time there was an average of 342 sworn members in each police district. In just three years, we have lost staffing for one and one-third police districts [out of the District’s 7 police districts].”
While Smith acknowledged that more police are needed – a claim likely embraced by political centrists and conservatives – her blaming of violent crimes solely on gun proliferation without mention of D.C.’s lower rates of criminal prosecution might raise eyebrows.
MPD Releases Year-to-Date Crime Comparisons
Crime is indeed spiraling. A glance at MPD’s recent release of “year-end crime comparisons” for the District (as of Dec. 1) reveals huge increases in several crime categories.
Spiking skyward: “Violent Crime-Total” (up 40 percent); “Homicide” (up 32 percent); “Assault with a Dangerous Weapon” (up 3 percent); “Robbery” (up 69 percent); “Burglary” (up 3 percent); “Motor Vehicle Theft” (up 92 percent); “Theft-Other” (up 24 percent); “Arson” (up 125 percent); “Property Crime” (up 25 percent); and “All Crime” (up 27 percent).
Drops in crime categories were relatively minor, with “Sex Abuse” (down 3 percent); and “Theft from Auto” (down 1 percent).
MPD Issues Safety Tips on Carjackings
Following a rash of carjackings across the District, MPD issued a press release Dec. 1 to help residents keep safe:
“Over the past several years, the District of Columbia has experienced an uptick in carjackings and auto thefts,” MPD said. “As our detectives work tirelessly to close each case and bring violent offenders to justice, we would like to remind the public of several safety tips that can help them avoid becoming targets.
- Always remove your keys and lock the car doors.
- Lock your doors immediately upon entering, even before you put the keys in the ignition. Keep the doors locked at all times while in your vehicle.
- Secure your vehicle, even if parking for “just a minute.” Remove your keys, lock all your doors, and close your windows.
NEVER leave your engine running and vehicle unattended while you run into your home, a convenience store, while pumping gas or anywhere else.
- If you come across a disabled vehicle on a road, or see someone trying to flag you down, the safest way you can help is by calling 911.
- Park in well-lit areas, when possible, near sidewalks or walkways. Avoid parking near dumpsters, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility.
- Always be aware of your surroundings when idle at traffic lights and other locations observing people and vehicle arounds you.
If someone tries to carjack you…
- Don’t resist or argue, especially if there is a weapon involved.
- Try to remember what the robber or carjacker looks like – sex, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes when you call 911 to report the crime to the police.
- Sometimes carjackers have a “follow vehicle,” driven by an accomplice. As the carjacker drives off with your vehicle, try to notice if there is another vehicle following closely behind. If so, try to remember as much as you can about that vehicle.
- Get away from the area as quickly as possible.
- Report the crime to the police. Your actions can prevent others from becoming victims.
Above all, remember: give up your property – don’t put yourself at risk to endanger your life. Vehicles can be replaced, but you can’t be.
Weekly Firearm Recoveries: Of Ghost Guns and Youth Violence
On Nov. 30, MPD released its “Weekly Firearms Recoveries” for Nov. 20 to Nov. 27, reporting 34 firearms taken off the streets. One arrest listing from Nov. 21 illustrates the problems of home firearm kits proliferating in the mail to young kids and facilitating crime in Northwest D.C.:
“A 9mm caliber “Ghost Gun” handgun was recovered in the 5000 block of New Hampshire Ave. NW. The following person was arrested: a 16-year-old male juvenile of Northwest D.C., for Carrying a Pistol without a License, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance while Armed, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, and Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device.”
Local Reports
On Dec. 2, MPD announced arrests in recent car theft offenses in Northwest. On Nov. 24, 33-year-old Victor Damlay of Waldorf, Maryland, was arrested for an “Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle” that occurred in the 600 block of H St. NW. On Nov. 27, a 15-year-old juvenile female was arrested for an “Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle offense” that occurred in the 600 block of H Street, Northwest.
On Dec. 1, detectives from MPD’s Fourth District announced three juvenile males were arrested for “armed robberies” that occurred on Dec. 1, in the Fourth District.
“In each of the below offenses,” MPD said in a press release, “the suspects approached the victim at the listed location. The suspects brandished handguns and took property from the victim. The suspects fled the scene.
- At approximately 9:01 p.m., in the 7600 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest.
- At approximately 9:40 p.m., 6800 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest; and,
- At approximately 9:43 p.m., at the intersection of North Capitol Street and Riggs Road, Northeast.
On Dec. 1, 2023, three 16-year-old juvenile males, of Northwest, Southeast and Northeast D.C., were arrested and charged with three counts of “Armed Robbery (Gun).”
On Dec. 1, detectives from MPD’s Carjacking Task Force requested public assistance in identifying the suspects of an armed kidnapping in the 6900 block of 5th St. NW. At “approximately 10:00 a.m., on Nov. 9,” a vehicle “approached the victim and a suspect exited the vehicle and brandished a handgun,” MPD said in a press release. “The suspect ordered the victim into the vehicle. The suspects drove the victim around while they took property from the victim. The suspects then let the victim out and then they fled the scene in the vehicle.”
On Nov. 30, officers from MPD’s First District announced that ten people were arrested in a “Retail Theft Operation” carried out on Nov. 29 at “multiple retail locations within the First District.” Per MPD’s press release, here’s the breakdown of the multiple thefts:
1100 block of New Jersey Avenue, Southeast:
- A 15-year-old juvenile male, of Northwest, was arrested for Theft II.
- 20-year-old Dale Cody Adrian, of Northwest, was arrested for Theft II and Possession of a BB Gun on Public Space.
- 25-year-old Mikhaila Bennett, of Northeast, was arrested for Theft II.
- 30-year-old Antonio Smith, of Southeast, was arrested for Theft II and Failure to Appear.
- 18-year-old Aaron Wilson, of Southeast, was arrested for Theft II.
100 block of 4th Street, Southwest:
- 24-year-old DeAngelo Epps, of Southeast, was arrested for Theft II.
- 38-year-old Kareem Jenkins, of Northwest, was arrested for Theft II and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
- 53-year-old Lonnie Wiggins, of no fixed address, was arrested for Theft II.
- 22-year-old Najeem Sile, of Southeast, was arrested for Theft II.
Unit block of I Street, Southeast:
- 27-year-old Marvin Davis, of Southeast, was arrested for Theft II.
“This operation resulted in the recovery of a BB gun and amphetamines,” the press release concluded.
On Nov. 30, detectives from MPD’s Carjacking Task Force announced the arrest of a man for “four carjackings and one unlawful entry of a motor vehicle” in “September, October, and November in the District.” Here’s the breakdown of the alleged offenses according to the press release:
- Armed Carjacking: Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at approximately 4:23 p.m., at the intersection of Kalorama Road and Columbia Road, Northwest.
- Armed Carjacking: Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at approximately 7:42 p.m., at the intersection of I Street and 18th Street, Northeast.
- Unarmed Carjacking: Thursday, September 28, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., in the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, Northeast.
- Armed Carjacking: Saturday, October 28, 2023, at approximately 9:46 p.m., in the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, Northeast.
- Unlawful Entry of a Motor Vehicle: Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at approximately 11:27 a.m., in the 1200 block of Gallatin Street, Northeast.
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 32-year-old Ricardo Tylib Washington, of Southeast, D.C., was “arrested and charged with the above offenses. He was additionally charged with Receiving Stolen Property and Resisting Arrest.”
On Nov. 29, detectives from MPD’s First District announced that “a man and woman” were arrested for “robbing and kidnapping a victim near the intersection of 10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW. On Oct. 12, “at approximately 12:00 p.m., the female suspect agreed to give the victim a ride,” the report said. “The male suspect, who was also in the car, assaulted the victim and took his belongings while the female suspect drove around the District. The victim was eventually able to break free, escape the car, and run into the Sixth District Police Station. The male suspect, who had pursued the victim, was apprehended by officers outside the station. The female suspect fled the scene in the vehicle. On Thursday, October 12, 2023, an adult male, of Laurel, Maryland, was arrested and charged with Kidnapping and Robbery. On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant, members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 27-year-old Antionette Camille Gilmore, of Southeast. She was charged with Kidnapping and Robbery.”
On Nov. 29, detectives from MPD’s Fourth District announced a search for a suspect who “robbed a store at gunpoint in the 3400 Block of 14th Street, Northwest. On Nov. 27, at “approximately 6:48 p.m.., the suspect approached an employee at the listed location,” the report said. “The suspect brandished a handgun and demanded the money from the employee. The employee complied [and] the suspect fled the scene. The suspect was captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/HQ5K7NzRAms
Also, on Nov. 29, detectives from MPD’s Youth and Family Services Division’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, announced an “arrest has been made in reference to activity relating to material constituting child pornography that occurred in the District.” In October and November 2023, the “suspect distributed media files of child pornography to an undercover agent,” the report said. “On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 48-year-old Michael Everts, of Northwest, D.C., was arrested and charged with Activity Relating to Material Constituting/Containing Child Pornography.”
On Nov. 28, detectives from MPDs Second District announced a search for a suspect who “burglarized a business in the 4900 block of Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest.” On Nov. 17, at “approximately 11:08 p.m., the suspect entered an establishment,” the report said. “Once inside, the suspect took property then fled the scene. “The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/X3KLUQ5EfqU.”
