From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Crime Mapping Application continues to be unavailable as the department transitions to a new records management system. The application, which allows the public (and crime bloggers!) to view crime data and statistics and the geographic location of serious crime incidents, has been offline since September 17.

Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.

Currently, visitors to the mapping site are unable to view any crime data and instead see the following message: “Due to a data transmission issue, the site has been temporarily disabled. We will make the content available as soon as the issue has been resolved.”

Chief Cathy Lanier addressed the issue on Thursday during WTOP’s monthly “Ask the Chief” show (beginning at about 17:43 in the audio file). She explained that the problem arose when MPD combined four different data and records systems into one.

After the data transfer took place on September 16, the Department realized that the Crime Mapping Application was producing skewed numbers. These issues have not yet been fully addressed, and Lanier noted that even the internal crime data she uses still contains at least 300 duplicate records.

MPD is working with the Office of the Chief Technology Officer to update the Crime Mapping Application, but Lanier said the system (along with updated crime incident files from the D.C. Data Catalog) would be unavailable for at least another month. Daily reports of crime incidents are still posted to the MPD Yahoo! Groups for the Second District (Dupont) and Third District (U Street and Logan).

Hopefully things will be up and running by early 2013 for the 2012 Borderstan crime year in review.

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Borderstan.com covers DC’s Dupont, Logan and U Street neighborhoods.

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody@borderstan.com.

A Borderstan reader reported a possible case of exhibitionism that occurred on the evening of Valentine’s Day. The incident took place on T Street NW near the busy U Street corridor.

As the woman was walking down the street, she noticed a white male, possibly in his mid-30s, standing in front of a house near the sidewalk. He addressed her saying, “Hey, what’s up?”  and when she looked back at him, she realized that his pants were down around his ankles and he was masturbating. She quickly fled the scene.

The woman told Borderstan she could not ascertain whether the man was standing in his own front yard or whether he was on someone else’s property. She told Borderstan that she did not report the incident to the police.

The number of exhibitionism cases is difficult to track because DC police data on sexual abuse only include a subset of more serious sex-related crimes. Collective Action for Safe Spaces maintains a database of instances of public sexual harassment that includes two cases of public masturbation in Borderstan in 2011.

If you are the victim of public sexual harassment, or see any other suspicious activity, call the Metropolitan Police Department at 911.

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An increase in thefts from autos drove up the overall crime rate in 2010 in the Borderstan area.  The largest increases for this type of crime were in Dupont-Logan. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody@borderstan.com.

Crime was up in Borderstan in 2011, but that increase was driven largely by an almost 50% increase in thefts from cars (2011 Borderstan Crime: More Thefts from Auto Drive Crime Rate Up). A closer look at the theft from auto stats from 2010 and 2011 suggests that this jump in thefts was concentrated in only certain parts of Borderstan.

The table below shows thefts from auto divided by Police Service Area (PSA). Using the old PSA boundaries that were in effect until the end of 2011, Borderstan covers parts of PSA 305 (U Street), 307 (Logan), 208 (Dupont) and a small part of 308 (Convention Center). While thefts from auto increased across all of the PSAs, the magnitude of the increases varied a good deal. The number of thefts from auto was similar from 2010 to 2011 in PSA 305, but showed major increases in PSAs 208 (up 91.3%) and 307 (up 54.5%). (PSA 308 also shows a large percentage change, but this is based on small numbers). These data only reflect the portions of each PSA that fall in the Borderstan coverage area.

Thefts from Auto by PSA

We can see these changes reflected when we examine the “hottest” street blocks for thefts from auto. In 2010, these blocks were concentrated in PSA 305 in the U Street corridor. For example, the 1300 block of T Street NW had 12 thefts from auto, while the 1400 block of U Street NW and the 1400 block of V Street NW each had nine.

In 2011, we see some changes in the blocks with the highest number of thefts, reflecting the change in the distribution of thefts from auto across Borderstan. The 1600 block of O Street NW led the way with 15 thefts from auto, followed by the 1700 block of P Street NW and the 900 block of L Street NW with 14 each, and the 1500 block of Church Street NW with 13.

On a brighter note, while thefts from auto were up across Borderstan, the number of stolen cars dropped across all the PSAs in Borderstan from 2010 to 2011. The biggest drop came in PSA 305, which had 28 fewer stolen autos in 2011 than 2010.

Stolen Autos by PSA

What can help explain these changes? Whatever the reason, these changes seem to be following recent citywide trends in stolen vehicles and thefts from auto. Analyses by the D.C. Crime Policy Institute (DCPI) showed declines in auto theft between 2005 and 2009 and increases in thefts from auto in the same time period (see the DCPI briefs on motor vehicle theft and theft from auto).

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) points out that thefts from motor vehicles are a crime of opportunity (see Thefts from Auto), and so it could be the case that the rise is a result of car owners providing more opportunities for potential offenders by leaving small electronics (e.g. GPS devices) and other valuables in plain sight in their vehicles. DC police offer a number of tips to avoid having your car targeted, including keeping valuables out of sight and placing all items in the trunk or a locked glove compartment.

The most likely explanation for the decline in stolen vehicles is that new cars are increasingly difficult to steal because of alarms and engine immobilizers. For example, analyses by the National Insurance Crime Bureau show that all of the 10 most frequently stolen cars nationwide in 2010 were models from 2004 or earlier.

The drop in stolen cars might also help explain the increase in thefts. Potential car thieves may be able to get into the car, but unable to start it, so they may turn to stealing the car’s contents. As MPD recommends, the best advice is to not leave anything valuable in your car in plain sight.

There were 77 robberies (without a gun) in the first six months of 2011 in PSA 305; this is up from 47 in the same period of 2010. (MPD Crime Database)

From Matty Rhoades

For the first six months of 2011, the number of violent crimes in Police Service Area (PSA) 305 jumped 34% from the same period of last year. There were 139 violent crimes in the PSA — which includes most of the U Street corridor — compared to 104 in the first six months of 2010.

Robberies, Assaults Rise

The increase in violent crime in PSA 305 was due mostly to a big jump in the number of robberies (without guns), from 47 in the first six months of 2010 to 77 in the January to June period of this year. The number of robberies involving a gun fell slightly from 22 to 18 on a year-over-year (YOY) basis.

The number of assaults also rose noticeably — from 30 in the first six months of last year to 40 in the same period of 2011; five of the assaults in 2011 involved a gun.

Borderstan asked Lt. Alberto Jova, head of PSA 305 to comment on the numbers for the first half of 2011.

“Year to date, PSA 305 has made significant strides in combating robberies and other crimes within the PSA. We have arrested nine individuals for the offense of robbery. The results have been demonstrable for, in fact, during the last seven-day period, we realized a 100% decrease in robberies. During the last 30 days, we realized a 34% decrease in robberies. I am hopeful that this momentum will continue,” Jova said.

Thefts, Smash and Grabs Drive Property Crime Up

Property crime is also up thanks to a huge rise in the number of thefts from autos (“smash and grabs”) as well as a rise in thefts. The number of property crimes increased 13% on a YOY basis. There were declines in burglaries and stolen autos.

All numbers are from the MPD Crime Database.

Detailed crime numbers for PSA 305 are below the fold. The Logan Circle numbers were posted yesterday, the Dupont Circle numbers last week and the citywide numbers were detailed earlier this month.

Read the full story

Thefts from autos are the most common type of crime. There were 159 in the Logan Circle area in the first six months of 2011. (MPD Crime Database)

From Matty Rhoades

For the first six months of 2011, the number of crimes in the Logan Circle area was steady in most categories compared to the same period of 2010 — with the exception of thefts from autos (“smash and grabs”).

The huge rise in this single category drove up the crime rate in the Logan Circle area. Smash and grabs are the most common type of crime in the Borderstan area, so a large rise in this category can easily drive up the overall rate.

Police Service Area (PSA) 307 covers the Logan Circle neighborhood. All numbers are from the MPD Crime Database.

Detailed crime numbers for Logan Circle are below the fold. The Dupont Circle numbers were reported last week and the citywide numbers were detailed earlier this month.

Six-Month Numbers for Logan Circle

For the January through June period, there were 62 violent crimes in PSA 307, the same as in the first six months of 2010. Robberies decreased from 45 to 40 for the comparable six-month period. However, the number of assaults rose from 11 to 18. Gun crimes rose slightly from 10 in the January to June period of 2010 to 12 this year. Gun crimes are all crimes (usually robberies and assaults) committed with guns.

There were 308 property crimes in the first six months of 2011 in PSA 307, up from 222 in the same period of 2010. This was due to the huge rise in the number of smash and grabs. There were declines in the number of burglaries and stolen autos while thefts were up slightly.

Three-Year Trend: 2008 to 2011

What does the three-year trend for the January through June period in PSA 307 show?

• 2008 versus 2011: Violent crime down 14%.
• Property crime down 21% from 2008 to 2011 for first six months of the year.
• Total crime — property and violent crime combined — down 20%.
• The number of robberies (with and without a gun) are down 16% since 2008. 
• Assault with a Dangerous Weapon has is down 18% since 2008.
• Gun crime — robberies and assaults involving guns — have increased 71% from seven to 12 gun crimes.

Click to enlarge: Burglaries soared in the first six months of 2011 in PSA 208. (MPD Crime Database)

From Matty Rhoades

Two weeks ago, we looked at D.C.’s crime stats for the first six months of 2011,  as compared to the first six months of 2010.

Big picture: the numbers for the entire city are mixed across the January through June period. While property crime has risen by 8%, violent crime has decreased by 7%. That said, because property crimes constitute a vast majority of all crimes, the total crime rate was up by 4% on a year-over-year (YOY) basis. (See what the three-year trend for D.C. crime shows — the news is good.)

Citywide vs. Dupont: January through June
How does 2011 compare to 2010 for the first six months of the year?
District of Columbia: Property crime up 8%, violent crime down 7% — resulting in a 4% total crime increase.
PSA 208/Dupont-Kalorama: Property crime up 30%, violent crime down 3% — resulting in a 25% total crime increase.

Let’s take a closer look at  the Dupont, Logan and U Street areas; PSA 208 covers the Dupont and Kalorama areas.

Read the full story

There were 19 violent crimes in April in Police Service Area 305, which includes most of the U Street corridor. There were 10 robberies and nine assaults; three of the 19 crimes involved a gun. (MPD Crime Database)

From Matty Rhoades

Last month, violent crime rose slightly and property-related crime climbed 16% in Police Service Area (PSA) 305, as compared to April  2010. On a year-over-year (YOY) basis, the total number of crimes in April ncreased by 17% from 2010 to 2011 — from 77 to 90.

YOY increases were seen in assaults, burglaries and thefts from autos. However, the number of robberies and stolen autos declined. PSA 305 includes the U Street NW corridor.

A similar trend of rising property crime was evident in PSA 208 (Dupont) across both March and April. As in PSA 305, there were more assaults but fewer robberies.

Borderstan compares crime statistics on a year-over-year basis by month; this helps account for seasonal differences in crime. All numbers are from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Crime Database.

Specific Crimes in PSA 305

• Robberies were down. There were 10 robberies in PSA 305 in April (two with guns) compared to 14 in April 2010 (four with guns).
• Assaults were up dramatically. There were nine assaults last month (one with a gun), compared to one in April 2010.
• Gun crimes were down. Gun crimes are all crimes committed with guns. There were three last month compared to four in April 2010.
• There were no reported sex abuse crimes last month compared to one in April 2010.
• Burglaries were up in PSA 305. There were five burglaries last month compared to one in April 2010.
• Thefts were unchanged: 19 last month, same as April 2010.
• Thefts from autos (“smash and grabs”) were up in PSA 305. There were 44 last month compared to 34 in April 2010.
• The number of stolen autos was down. There were three last month, compared to seven in April 2010.

Below the fold: A look at April numbers for 2008 through 2011.

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The following is a list of robberies, assaults, stolen autos and burglaries in the Dupont-Logan-U Street area over the past week. Crimes are from police reports for Police Service Areas 208, 305 and 307.

Robbery

• Friday, January 21, 12:55 am, 9th and T Streets NW.

Read the full story

Police Service Area 208 covers the Dupont-Kalorama area. (DC Citizen Atlas)

The 2010 crime numbers are in for DC. In terms of increases and decreases, how do citywide numbers compare to the Dupont-Logan-U Street areas? Overall, crime was down for both — details follow. All numbers are from the DC MPD Crime Database.

In Dupont-area PSA 208, violent crime was stable compared to 2009, up just 0.7%. Thanks to the 15% decline in property crime, total crime declined 13% in 2010.

Today we look at the Dupont Circle area with numbers for Police Service Area (PSA) 208, which covers the Dupont-Kalorma area. Later this week we will look at Logan Circle (PSA 307), and next week we will have numbers for PSA 305, which includes the U Street area.

Citywide Numbers

For 2010, the total number of crimes in DC — six types of violent crimes and five types of property crimes — declined by 8% from 2009. There were 31,059 total crimes — 7,000 of these were violent crimes and 24,059 were property crimes. Citywide, there were declines in almost every category except for two: assault with a dangerous weapon without a gun (up 3%) and burglaries (up 14%). Homicides declined again in DC, by 8% in 2010 — to 131 from 143 in 2009.

Dupont Circle Numbers

Closer to home, in the Dupont area’s PSA 208, total crime declined in 2010, thanks to a decline in property crime. Violent crime was stable compared to 2009, up just 0.7% in PSA 208. Due to the 15% decline in property crime, total crime declined 13% in 2010. However, there was a huge drop in the number of gun crimes reported in this PSA — 23 in 2010 compared to 43 in 2009. Gun crimes are robberies and assaults (and homicides) committed with guns.

Check Borderstan’s Local Resources Page for links to information on police and crime.

The four-year trend for PSA 208 shows that total crime in 2010 is now lower than it was in 2007 after spiking in the intervening years (figures are in the table below). Compared to 2007, total crime was 7% lower in 2010. Separating violent and property crime out of the total numbers shows that violent crime in 2010 was 12% lower than 2007 while property crime was 6% lower.

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PSA 208: 48 burglaries in the Dupont area in the past 60 days compared to 34 in the same period of 2009. (MPD Crime Database)

Both violent and property crimes continue to decline in DC, including in the Dupont-Logan-U Street area. This decline has included burglaries — until the last few months.

The previous 60-day period — October 20 to December 19 — has seen a substantial rise in the number of burglaries when compared to the same period last year. We looked at the three Police Service Areas (PSAs) for the area and found that on a year-over-year (YOY) basis, the number of burglaries is up:

• There have been a total of 86 burglaries in the past 60 days in PSAs 208, 305 and 307; this compares to 48 in the same period of 2009 — a 79% increase.
• For the year to date (January 1 through December 19), there have been 309 burglaries in these three PSAs. This compares to 285 burglaries in the same period of 2009, a YOY increase of just 8%.

Read the full story