U Street Area: Robberies, Assaults, Smash and Grabs All Up

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.

Three-Year Trend: 2008 to 2011

What does the three-year trend for the January through June period in PSA 305 show?

• 2008 versus 2011: Violent crime up 38%.
• Property crime down 20% from 2008 to 2011 for first six months of the year.
• Total crime — property and violent crime combined — down 10%.
• The number of robberies (with and without a gun) are up 34% since 2008.
• Assault with a Dangerous Weapon is up 67% since 2008.
• Gun crime — robberies and assaults involving guns — have decreased 23% from 30 to 23 gun crimes.

Crime in Police Service Area 305: January 1 through June 30
Crime Type	2008	2009	2010	2011	% Change 2010 to 2011	% Change 2008 to 2011
Homicide	2	2	1	0	Down 100%	Down 100%
Sex Abuse	4	1	4	4	No change	No change
Robbery without Gun	49	54	47	77	Up 64%	Up 57%
Robbery with Gun	22	44	22	18	Down 18%	Down 18%
Assault with Dangerous Weapon (no gun)	16	13	26	35	Up 35%	Up 119%
Assault with Dangerous Weapon (with gun)	8	3	4	5	Up 25%	Down 38%
Total Violent Crime	101	117	104	139	Up 34%	Up 38%
Burglary	52	26	31	29	Down 6%	Down 44%
Theft	109	142	118	134	Up 14%	Up 23%
Theft from Auto	246	348	146	193	Up 32%	Down 22%
Stolen Auto	73	86	43	26	Down 40%	Down 64%
Arson	0	0	1	0	Down 100%	NA
Total Property Crime	480	602	339	382	Up 13%	Down 20%
TOTAL CRIME	581	719	443	521	Up 18%	Down 10%