Lt. Ashley Rosenthal, new lieutenant for PSA 405, is holding a meet and greet community meeting tonight to introduce herself to residents. It will take place at 7:00 pm at UDC-CC, Backus (5171 South Dakota Avenue NE).

Also note MPD Fourth District’s Citizens Advisory Council is also holding a meeting tonight at 7:00 pm at 4D Headquarters (6001 Georgia Avenue NW).

Lieutenant Posey is holding her quarterly PSA 406 meeting tonight at 7:00 pm at MPD Fourth District Headquarters (6001 Georgia Avenue NW, community room).

Update from MPD’s 4D listserv. Arrests made:

Public Information Office 202-727-4383

September 4, 2015

Arrest made in Two Sexual Assaults & Three Robberies

(Washington, DC) – The Metropolitan Police Department announces the arrest of 31 year-old Demetrius Julian Banks of Riverdale, MD in connection to two sexual assault offenses and three robberies in the District of Columbia.  All of the crimes were committed as the victims were walking from metro stations.  MPD released video of a person of interest and the suspect was identified due to the assistance of the public.

The Sexual Assault Unit investigated two First Degree Sexual Assault cases.  The first case occurred on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at approximately 10:45 pm in the Unit Block of Riggs Road Northeast. The second case occurred on Friday, August 28, 2015 at approximately 12:08 am in the 1500 block of Michigan Avenue Northeast.

The Fourth District Detective’s Unit investigated three robbery cases.  The first case a Robbery Force & Violence occurred on Friday, July 31, 2015, at 12:18 am in the 800 block of Gallatin Street Northeast.  The second case, a Robbery while Armed (Knife), occurred on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, 10:24 pm in the Unit block of Riggs Road Northeast.  The third case a Robbery while Armed (Knife) occurred on Sunday, August 23, 2015, 3:41 am in the area of 6^th and Gallatin Street Northeast.

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Original Message

From MPD’s 4D listserv. Be aware

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Contact: Public Information Office

August 31, 2015

 MPD Investigating Two Possibly Related Sexual Assaults in Northeast

 (Washington, DC) – The Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit is investigating two  first degree sexual assault cases that may be related.  The first case occurred on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at approximately 10:45 pm in the Unit Block of Riggs Road Northeast. The second case occurred  on  Friday, August 28, 2015 at approximately 12:08 am in the 1500 block of Michigan Avenue Northeast.

The suspect’s description is similar in both cases.  The suspect is described as a black male, in his 20s to 30s, with a medium to dark complexion, 6’ to 6’2” in height, with facial hair.  In both cases, the suspect was armed with a knife and he fled the scene on a dark colored bicycle following the sexual assault. In one of the cases, the suspect robbed the victim of her property.   Prior to the assaults, both complainants’ exited nearby Metro Stations (Fort Totten and Brookland/CUA). MPD is urging the public to use caution when walking alone in the area coming from the Metro Stations and using the nearby foot paths and bike trails. 

Anyone who has information regarding these crimes should call police at 202-727-9099.  Additionally, information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.  A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these crimes.

The Washington Post reports on a blog post by District, Measured (the blog of DC’s Chief Financial Officer) highlighting an increase in crimes committed with guns in certain neighborhoods, including ours (grouped with Fort Totten and Queens Chapel). From January through July 2014, there were 13 crimes committed with guns.  For the same time period in 2015, there were 30 crimes committed with guns. Nearby North Michigan Park (grouped with Michigan Park and University Heights) also saw an increase from 11 to 19.  These numbers are still on the low end relative to other parts of the city, but still disconcerting.

There have been a number of public safety meetings by elected and police officials this year. At a couple of community meetings following shootings in the neighborhood, the police have been a bit tight-lipped, stating they know that some of the shootings are a result of beef between crews in the neighborhood in which the victims and perpetrators are known to each other. Other instances though involve random acts of violence. Some of the crime has been brazen, occurring during daylight hours or in well-lit areas at dusk. Some residents have noted that it would be useful if the police got out of their cars and patrolled on foot or bike. Others have indicated that young people need things to do and people generally need jobs so that they do not resort to crime.

I would like to think the police have a handle on what is driving the increase. In the meantime, we will just have to heed their usual advice of being aware of our surroundings, watching out for our neighbors, and immediately calling 911 about legitimately suspicious behavior.

RSVP at the link.

MPD provided the following information about the shootings earlier this week:

There was a call for gunshots at 8th and Hamilton St, we responded and found damage to some vehicles and recovered shell casings.  A witness reported seeing vehicles, the occupants shooting at each other. One vehicle is described as a dark Blue Nissan Altima, a black Toyota, and a Gray Chrysler. No one reported to the police of being a victim in this incident.

On July 15th around 10pm there was a call for gunshots at 3rd and Peabody Streets, NE.  A witness reported that a silver Nissan and dark BMW were shooting at each other.  We found damage to a vehicle from the shooting.  No one reported to the police of being a victim in this incident.

We are investigating any connections between the two incidents.

If anyone has information regarding either of theses incidents please call the MPD CIC at 202-727-9099 or text at 50411.