
This map shows the location of violent crimes that occurred in the Borderstan crime area in May and June 2009. (Map and statistics: MPD Crime Search database.)
Starting this month I am reporting crime stats differently for our area:
- I am only collecting and analyzing crime stats for the new Borderstan crime area, which is larger than the old Borderstan.
- I will no longer post separate crime stats for Police Service Areas (PSAs) 208 and 307, which are roughly the Dupont Circle and Logan Circle neighborhoods, respectively.
- The old Borderstan crime area covered a circular area that radiated 1,000 feet from 15th and Corcoran Streets NW–an area that roughly went from south of P Street north to just above S Street… and from Kingman Place on the east almost to 17th Street on the west.
- The new Borderstan crime area (see map above) covers a circular area that radiates 1,500 feet from 15th and Corcoran Streets NW–an area that runs from 13th Street/Logan Circle west to New Hampshire Avenue/half way between 17th and 18th Streets… and from Rhode Island Avenue/O Street in the south to T/Caroline Streets in the north.
- The new Borderstan is still divided between PSA 208 (west of 15th) and PSA 307 (east of 15th), with a tiny sliver of PSA 305.
Note: It is easy to get crime stats for any PSA, ward or police district in the city from the MPD crime database. Likewise, you can get crime stats for any particular address or landmark designation, for a 100- to 1,500-foot radius. Another excellent source is CrimeReports, which includes MPD information and has great maps.

Peaches are on tap today at the 14th & U Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Photo: Luis Gomez, One Photograph A Day.)
Get news and updates about the 14th & U Farmers’ Market on Facebook. According to the market’s Facebook page, “Join the 14&U Farmers Market this weekend and enjoy a great variety of peaches!”
The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the northwest corner of 14th and U Streets NW next to the Reeves Municipal Center.
Just got this Police Alert. The crime was at 5:16 a.m. this morning on the 1400-block of R Street NW.
Robbery Snatch_0516 HRS_1400 R ST NW_LOF B/M, medium to dark complexion, 6’0, 200lbs DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20090389183
Remember that you can sign up for DC Alerts online.
“Thanks” to commenter on Wednesday’s “Dog Park Update: The Grass is Always Greener When It’s Artificial,” for pointing us to the February 10 news release on the dog park at 17th-S-New Hampshire NW… the shiny-grass like-green stuff that went down this week is K9 Grass.
Here are recent crimes of note in Police Service Areas (PSAs) 208 and 307 from the past week. Crimes of note are stolen autos, burglaries and violent crimes such as robbries and assaults. West Borderstan (west of 15th NW) is part of PSA 208 while East Borderstan (east of 15th NW) is part of PSA 307. In general, PSA 208 covers the Dupont Circle neighborhood while PSA 307 covers Logan Circle and a bit of Shaw.
Here are some suggestions of things to do during the weekend in Borderstan, really close by or in the city. (more…)

The city appears to be close to finishing the dog park at 17th & S Street NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez.)

Artificial turf went down at the new dog park at 17th & S Street NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez.)
The city dog park under construction at 17th-S-New Hampshire NW seems to be almost ready. Today I watched them put down some very green material that is some sort of artificial turf (think AstroTurf). The workers unrolled the sheets-of-green and then stapled it down. There is even an artificial hill in the center of the park.
After delays due to the heavy May and June rains, a great deal of work has been done in the past week–although I didn’t see an opening date posted on the location today.
I have to ask… What will dog pee do to artificial turf? Will it be easy to pick up dog-doo? Will the turf be hosed down with detergent periodically?
I have to say, though, that artificial turf sounds better than the sharp, dusty rock chips in the Shaw Dog Park at 11th and R NW. Lupe often comes home with banged up feet from that surface.
- Get more information about the park at the DC Parks and Recreation Web site.
It’s Wednesday… at noon today we pass over the imaginary hump in the middle of the work week and then begin sliding toward another summer weekend. So, “wag more” and “bark less” because Friday is less than two days away.
The following two crimes occurred yesterday on Monday, July 13, in Borderstan… note that the assault on Corcoran Street occurred at 4 p.m. The robbery last night on S Street was first reported in the crime alert posting below.
Note: Remember that when you are talking on your cell phone, you are probably not paying attention to your surroundings. This is particularly dangerous late at night. Criminals target people who are talking on their cell phones at night on quiet streets. If you don’t believe me, ask an officer with the DC police.
Be careful out there, Borderstanians.
- Assault w/ a Dangerous Weapon (Gun): 1400 block of Corcoran Street NW on 7/13/2009 at 4 p.m. Complainant in the 1400 block of Corcoran Street, NW reports while talking on his cell phone in front of the listed location, an H/M suspect approached him from behind and pointed a black handgun at him and he began to scream. The suspect began screaming and fled northbound on Corcoran Street, NW. Lookout is for an H/M, 5’7″, wearing a white shirt, nothing further. Officer Daee, M., badge #2105 reporting. 1600 hours, CCN: 098-459, 3D PSA 307.
- Robbery (Fear): 1400 block of S Street NW on 7/13/2009 at 10:27 p.m. Complainant in the 1400 block of S Street, NW reports that while at the listed location, a B/M suspect approached and reached into a bag to imply that he had a weapon and stated, “Get the fu*k down on the ground or I’m going to kill you!” The complainant complied. The suspect reached into the complainants pockets while stating, “Give me what’s in your pocket!” Stolen from the complainant were a black ICE cell phone, a black Blackberry cell phone and $40.00 in U.S. Currency. The suspect fled southbound on Johnson Avenue, NW. Lookout is for a B/M, 5’6″- 5’8″, dark complexion, wearing a white tank top, black pants and a black sweater covering his face. Officer Arhin, G., badge #2077 reporting. 2227 hours, CCN: 098-635, 2D PSA 208.
This happened last night at 10:29 p.m. on the 1400-block of S Street NW.
Police Alert-Robbery – Robbery Force & Violence_ 2229 hours_1400 B/O S St. NW_ LOF B/M, 5’6, wearing a white tank top, dark pants, black sweater, carrying a messager bag. L/S on Johnson St. towards R St. NW. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT # 382581
Here are some suggestions of things to do during the weekend in Borderstan, really close by or in the city.
Ristorante Posto at 1515 14th Street, NW opened in December 2008 and is still a novelty in the area. They serve classic and modern Italian dishes, wood oven pizzas and focaccia. Its prices are in the upper mid range.
Cafe Saint-EX crowns the southeast side corner of 14th and T Streets NW. It is one of the pioneer businesses of its kind in Borderstan on 14th Street. They offer a delicious mix of American-Bistro style cuisine… always a good alternative in the area.

“Dark Play or Stories For Boys” at the Forum Theatre at 1365 H Street, NE. (Photo: Forum Theatre Web site.)
“Spring Awakening” is playing at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F Street NW. It opens in DC after receiving eight Tony Awards. Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater created the music, keeping most of the original dialogue, but creating a contemporary score.
“Dark Play or Stories for Boys” by Carlos Murillo premieres at DC’s Forum Theatre at 1365 H Street NE… with a plot about teenage loneliness in today’s world.

If you register your bike, you are 9 times more likely to get it back if it’s stolen. (Image: Giant Bicycles Web site.)
Borderstanians… the downtown area of DC, including Borderstan, seems to be experiencing a relatively high number bicycle thefts this summer.
One thing you can do to protect your bike is register it with the National Bike Registry. According to the MPD 2nd District, registered bikes are 9 times more likely to be returned. Here are some bike theft-prevention tips from the 2nd District.
(Note: dcist picked up the story first from WBJ.) Is Crate & Barrel thinking about opening one of its CB2 stores in Borderstan at 14th and R NW where the Central Union Mission is located (and supposedly moving to 65 Massachusetts Avenue NW)?
Maybe… possibly… we’ll see. According to the weekly Washington Business Journal:
Furniture retailer Crate & Barrel is looking for space to bring its CB2 store to D.C., according to a source familiar with the deal. CB2, which is aimed at a younger and more urban market than Crate & Barrel, is considering taking space along the 14th Street NW corridor in a planned office-retail project at 1350 R St. NW. The project is being developed by Jeffrey Schonberger, principal at Alturas Real Estate Interests LLC.

Close up of a Colocasia leaf in our back garden. They are commonly called “elephant ears.” (Photo: Luis Gomez, One Photograph A Day.)
It’s Wednesday… at noon today we pass over the imaginary hump in the middle of the work week and then begin sliding toward another summer weekend. So, here is a photo of a lush plant to help you through the rest of the week.
About three or four years ago, we started planting Colocasia bulbs, which are commonly called elephant ears. They’re wonderful–tall, huge green leaves (no flower) and tropical. Being from South America, Luis is particularly partial to them.
After planting, it takes about two months for Colocasias to sprout, but they grow quickly. (You cannot leave the bulbs in the ground here during the winter.) You can buy Colocasia bulbs in the spring for about $10 each (some varieties cost more). It seems you can now find them at almost any nursery, garden center or chain home store.

I’m still wondering if the RWDC cast s going to use this herb garden on the 20th Street side of the house. Romance in the rosemary? Peevishness in the parsley? Boo-hoo fits in the basil? Meltdowns in the mint? (Photo: Luis Gomez.)
Seriously, what we would do without The New York Post? I did wonder how “The Real World: DC” would go over here. Looks like the whole thing is off and running–the cast, the production crews, the filming, the local reaction from neighbors, nightspots, D.C. bloggers and media. El mierdero is underway. Woo-hoo!
From today’s New York Post:
THE Real World” has descended on Washington, DC — and the locals are peeved. In fact, a whole blog, the Anti-Real World DC, has been set up to chronicle just how irritating filming on the 23rd iteration of MTV‘s pioneering reality series has been for residents of historic, upscale Dupont Circle.And it’s only been six days since filming commenced.