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| | | Hill crime down, not out | | September 21, 2009 | | | | Voice Correspondent | | Good news for residents of Capitol Hill: Burglaries and thefts from cars are down this year compared with the same period last year, according to a Metropolitan Police Department report. Bad news: Common-sense safety measures as fundamental as locking windows could have prevented the majority of the thefts.
Burglaries are down a whopping 63 percent, according to the report. From March 1 through Sept. 10, there were 103 burglaries in Capitol Hill. During the same period last year, there were 280.
First District Cmdr. David Kamperin briefed attendees of the crime report at the First District Citizens Advisory Committee meeting last month. He defined Capitol Hill as the area from South Capitol Street to 19th Street and from Constitution Avenue NE to D Street SE.
Thefts from auto — removal of property from parked cars — are down 28 percent from last year, according to the police report. From March to September, there were 72 thefts from auto, compared with 100 in the same period last year.
While burglaries for the year are down, the rate of burglaries has increased. In the last 90 days, there were 41 burglaries compared with 31 that occurred over the same three summer months last year.
The vast majority of burglaries this summer were residential, Kamperin said later in a telephone interview. “When we look at these burglaries, 50 to 60 percent of suspects are going through unlocked windows or doors.”
The easiest and most effective way to avoid a burglary is to make sure all entry points are locked and secure, said Kamperin. He said residents who buy a house alarm should do business with a reputable licensed and bonded company. He also warned against leaving ladders and chairs outside because would-be-burglars can use them to gain entry to the second floor.
Kamperin advised residents to take a look at their hedges and shrubs; if they’re high enough to obscure windows, burglars could use them as a hiding spot.
When planning to travel out of town, he said, residents should arrange for someone to pick up the mail and newspapers because a pileup is an easy clue that no one is home.
As in past years, electronics remain the hot-ticket items for burglaries and thefts. Flat-panel televisions and Global Positioning System devices are especially popular right now, Kamperin said. He said residents should not leave their iPods, cell phones and other digital devices in parked cars where passing eyes can see them.
The police department is using several tactics to combat thefts from cars and burglaries, Kamperin said. A covert team is tailing burglary suspects on Capitol Hill and 12 arrests were made in the past 60 days. A bicycle team is also looking out for suspicious activity. In addition, police are keeping an eye on pawnshops in neighboring Prince George’s County, where some of the stolen goods have appeared.
Another easy and sensible way for residents to keep their belongings safe is to get involved with neighborhood safety organizations, Kamperin said.
Bobby Pittman, citizen coordinator for Police Service Area 102’s public safety committee, said at the August meeting that he cannot stress enough the importance of knowing who belongs on your block.
“I simply think it’s important to know your neighbors,” Pittman said. “If it doesn’t feel right, then call the police. There are individuals that are looking at what your patterns are — when you’re leaving home, when you’re returning home.”
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