August 8, 2007
robberies rising?
A post on MySpace is reporting an armed robbery last night on 24th Street “in the direction of The Market” in which “two guys, one very dark skinned black, heavy set, wearing a black and white striped shirt, the other skinnier, and lighter skinned, possibly latino, pushed me down, demanded my money, and tried to assault me.”
A follow-up on that same page details 3 other robberies in the area recently:
According to the Richmond Police Department site, this makes it the fourth robbery in the area in about a week. Here are the other three:
8/4/07 3:45 a.m.
2111 E. Marshall St.
A male said he was assaulted and robbed by an unknown black male.8/3/07 1:23 a.m.
2411 E. Franklin St.
A male said he was assaulted by an unknown black male who tried to rob him.7/30/07 2:45 p.m.
500 N. 30th St.
A male said he was robbed by two unknown black males with a gun.
I’ve updated the crime map to show robberies in yellow, to make them more apparent, though that data is always a few days behind.
While we were walking away from Acapella, an officer in a cruiser asked me and my friend if we had seen a black man wearing a blue baseball cap around. Two blocks later, another guy in a car (I assume he was a plainclothes cop or something) asked me if I had seen a black man with white shorts.
First time in the year that I’ve lived here that I felt a little uncomfortable walking around.
Hey eyes and Clay Street…. you have any comments?
Why isn’t any of this being broadcast by the Church Hill Crimewatch?
Wow.
Are you trying to call me out on this thread because of the Black Sunday discussion?
How…pathetic.
I must say that I feel much more comfortable walking around Church Hill than some parts of the Fan. My neighbors know who I am and what car my husband and I drive. They always say hello (no matter what difference in “race”). No one on my block brags about how much money their house is worth. Frankly, I was always taught it was rather tacky to discuss one’s finances in relation to others’.
As to what crimes are being broadcast where, the “crimewave” here is not swept under the rug as badly as all of the sexual assaults and burglaries in the Fan.
Have a peaceful night.
This posting should be re-labeled MUGGINGS RISING…….
Looks like someone at Channel 8 has been reading CHPN again. There’s a “CH Robberies on the Rise” video on their webpage…
I feel like I’m being stalked! :) In that video, the first house that they show is OUR FREAKIN’ HOUSE!
That photo is at least a year old, btw.
This video is here or can accessed on the wric.com homepage.
John’s house aside, does it seem like Channel 8 went out of their way to pick shots that make Church Hill look as bad as possible?
The crime map has fresh data showing all of the recent incidents.
AND — if you look at the Hills and Heights crime map and the Carver & Jackson Ward map, you can spot a high number of robberies in those areas, too. The numbers actually seem to be up across more than just our area all of a sudden over the past few weeks…
What the map doesn’t show is three car break-ins in the last week on the 2200 block of E. Marshall St. There seems to be a lot more foot traffic by people that I have not seen in the neighborhood, before. Everyone should keep an eye on the activity in the area and don’t hesitate to call the police non-emergency number - 646-5100 - about anything suspicious. Things were improving around here but the summer always brings out the bad guys.
yup……kinda hard in this heat to sleep in the non airconditioned dumps that these slugs most likely “be staying at” so they figger they might as well get outs the house and do a little street shopping.
Keep your powder dry
8/12/07 2:45 a.m.
2000 block of East Franklin Street
A male said he was robbed by two unknown black males with a gun.
8/9/07 9:15 p.m.
2411 Grace Street
Purse snatching
To Bill Hartsock and anyone else in the area - actually there were two other crimes on Marshall Street, up two blocks in the 2400 block. One was theft from vehicle, someone put a rock through the window and took whatever was inside. The other one, the owner of the car (a Jeep, the same one with the busted window) happened to be walking by and realized that there were two juveniles inside, armed with a screwdriver, trying to hotwire it. He reached in and grabbed one, held him while neighbors called the cops. I heard about both of these incidents the weekend of Aug. 11-12, they happened the prior week, I think between Aug. 8 and 11.
I don’t know how often the crime stats maps are updated.
Unfortunately Channel 8 has the class of a deat rat. During the cat killings they were upset that no one from Church Hill who lost a cat to the attacking dogs wanted to be seen on their news programs. The don’t report news. They report sensation just like their New York affilates.
Will we ever get back to true news reporting?
Lu Motley
Chalk up another smash and grab on the 300 block of N 22nd. Another brilliant criminal (probably a Mensa) took out the passenger side window of the lil’ lady’s Jeep sometime between 2:30a and 7a last this morning. They got away with a $5 black bag full of half-used make-up. If you find it (not likely, but they may have tossed it when they learned the true value of their recent acquisition) please let me know. We’re broke and make-up and replacement windows are not in the budget until next tax return. rugbybrockwell@yahoo.com
Also take note of some of the times these events occured at… 1,2,3am… you really need to be especially aware of your surroundings …
8/17/07 5:36 p.m.
2400 Franklin St.
A male said he was assaulted and robbed by three unknown black males.
8/20/07 12:15 p.m.
2800 block of East Clay Street
A male said he was robbed by an unknown black male with a gun.
8/22/07 3:10 a.m.
1700 E. Franklin St.
A male said he was robbed by two unknown black males with a gun.
8/23/07 10:00 p.m.
700 N. 27th St.
A male said an unknown black male with a gun tried to rob him.
Is there a way we could get volunteers from each block (or two blocks or three blocks) - perhaps via the Block Captains - to take daily shifts on a rotating basis where they sit on their porches/in their front yards and keep their eyes on the street? It wouldn’t need to be anything extremely demanding, since you could probably just sit out there and read a book, etc. and observe anything suspicious. It surprises me that some of these incidents have occured during the day (5:36 pm, 12:15 pm, etc.). Perhaps if we were to have each block or every two blocks under greater surveilance, we’d catch these guys. I know there are neighborhood watches, but perhaps we need something more formalized where we actually know someone (or several people) is keeping a watch over the street for that day. Yes, I also acknowledge that we also have police officers responsible for this sort of security, but couldn’t we at least enhance it through a system like this? Maybe I’m just rambling, but after reading all of these posts, it seems like we need to be more pro-active about it all rather than just inform one another after the events have actually occured. Then perhaps they’ll begin to realize that each street is being watched, and they’ll likely get caught.
Well, it’s just a thought.
I myself want to re-activate the dangerous dog posse and turn it into a vigilante police patrol.
I’m with you! Sharpening my sticks as I type!
A neighborhood in Petersburg went from bombed out to one of the area’s most desirable neighborhoods specifically by volunteers organizing random walking patrols on and off throughout the day/night. They always walk in groups, with mace and cell phone handy, for safety. And they purportedly call every little thing in, everything from an unknown car being parked along the street to high grass, simply so that things - no matter how apparently harmless - are noticed.
Yesterday at 2300 Venable Street in front of the convenience store a man was robbed at gun point by 3 black males who appeared to be 15-16 years old (age estimate according to a witness).
Ann - what time?
Bordy,
Your idea if good, but if we asked dogwalkers, etc. to keep their eyes open it would help. I am constantly watching Libby Hill, plus several of my friends and I keep in touch with cell phones.
Don’t hesitate to report anything or anyone you feel may be suspicious. Also, if you feel threatened, walk to a neighbor’s door and ring the bell.
If these robberies continue a meeting would help.
Lu Motley
Sorry Nordy,
I hit the wrong key.
L. Motley
8/25/07 9:25 p.m.
2001 E. Grace St.
A male said he was robbed by an unknown black male with a gun.
8/26/07 2:53 a.m.
1900 block of East Franklin Street
A male said he was robbed by three unknown black males.
I heard a rumor than there is a known guy stealing lawn equipment and selling it out of the back of his truck. Does anyone know who this guy is or where he sells??? Anyone seen a pickup truck with lawn equipment? Anything like that would help. I have every intention of eventually catching this guy since he has stolen 2 of my lawnmowers, 1 of my neighbors, and a grill.
He took one of your neighbors? That’s terribible! …I wish he’d take one mine.
8/27/07 11:00 p.m.
1900 E. Grace St.
Two males and a female said they were robbed by two black males with a gun.
That makes it 6 robberies in a week. At least 13 in 4 weeks. And that doesn’t include car break-ins and scooter thefts.
Most of these robberies are happening in the same area near the southwest edge of the hill.
I drove around last night along some of these streets and there were whole blocks that were not lit except for a few decorative, but very dim, gas-style lamp posts. Please leave your outside lights on all night long. Compact flourescent bulbs use very little electricity.
Also, as I drove around last night, I didn’t see any police. Was this just a fluke? I normally see at least one cop car cruising around. Has anyone noticed an increase in patrols?
From a friend on myspace:
“Please be advised that yesterday (08/27/07) two friends were robbed at gunpoint on East Grace Street between 18th and 19th in the late evening hours. Luckily no one was injured during the commission of this crime, but the thieves were able to make off with wallets, cell phones and a few other items.
The assailants are described as two black males — both roughly 6 feet tall. The individual who brandished the weapon, thought to be a revolver, was on the thinner but muscular side — approximately 180 pound — and in his late 20s. He was wearing a black T-shirt 5 or 6 times too large, and long black baggy pants. He had a thin goatee/mustache and had on a fisherman style hat.
The other man is reported as having been slightly shorter or same height, maybe 200 pounds with darker skin. He had a shaved head and wore a light colored T-shirt with very baggy jean shorts.”
congrats to all of you who want to organize! Don’t let these perps cause CH to allow the siege mentality to kick in. If robberies and breakins are up, than fight the hell back. Though it doesn’t need a vigilante mentality, just that you are not going to let them control the streets and stoke fear in people. If you want CH to thrive, it is up to ya’ll, the residents.
The police, no matter how well intentioned very, very rarely intercede in the commission of a crime (that is usually only in the movies). Typically, they only come in after the fact. So it can only be through resident associations and crime watches that drive these would-be robbers out of the area or cause the risk to be too high for them to feel so free as to rob people at gunpoint or steal their belongings from their sheds.
Invest in security equipment (alarms, real or fake cameras etc..) but most of all, keep an eye out for each other!
If we choose to organize ourselves, what would be the best way to do it? Would it be via the Church Hill Association? I don’t want it to get so vigilante that we make ourselves into some sort of exclusive/paranoid/unfriendly neighborhood, but it would be nice to create a safer community.
what about utilizing the block captain structure to organize some walkabouts for different regions of the neighborhood.
Here is an example of a Boston program…
http://b-banner.net/issues/2007/08/23/news/local08230713.htm
The Chinatown Crime Watch, formed in May 2005, patrols the neighborhood from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and has helped reduce Chinatown crime by 20 percent and robberies by 44 percent.
I have to admit that I am in no position to take an organizing lead (with a 5 month old, full-time job and starting a fledgling nonprofit I would not be a great help) but I would be willing to walk a few nights a week, help organize the blocks around our house or help anyone who takes the lead with specific tasks.
Well, I suppose this is something that can be brought up at the next CHA meeting. I’m not a member yet, but since I just bought a house in the neighborhood, I suppose joining now would be appropriate. I’m not aware of all of the responsibilities something like this would entail, but I am definitely willing to help with the organization and implementation.
There is a Church Hill Neighborhood Watch Block Captain program in place with about 60 residents in Church Hill currently serving as Block Captains. It’s about a three year old program. There is also a Neighborhood Crime Watch program in place that is about 30 years old. Both programs would be happy to hear your feedback, and would like for you to get involved. Contact Laura Daab for the Block Captain program at 649-1913 or laura@mysterydinner.com and Shelby Long for the Crime Watch Program at shelbyshorttlong@aol.com or 648-2710.
There was another robbery today. 22nd and Carrington area.
Wow, that was quick Elliot. I was the one robbed at 22nd and Carrington, and I just got home from giving a statement and a couple ride alongs with the police. (It’s now 6:05pm). Two black males robbed myself and another gentleman directly in front of No. 876 N. 22nd St. at approximately 4:15pm this afternoon.
We were discussing business and looking through paperwork when the two males approached. The first was approxiamtely 6′0″ medium to slender build, wearing a large plain white t-shirt, blue shorts (not denim), a blue & white baseball cap, and sunglasses. The first one produced a short nosed chrome-plated revolver which came from his pocket wrapped in a small white rag of a towel. With pistol hammer back and weapon pointed at my companions’s head, he threatened physical injury. something along the lines of “.. make a move and I will lay you out…” The second was also aproximately 6′0″ with a slightly heavier build and was also wearing a plain white t-shirt (too large), blue shorts, and a red, white, & blue baseball cap with what appeared to be a red star. The second heavier robber was unarmed, stood behind me, and went through my pockets, ultimately taking a folding carpenter’s knife and roughly $25 in cash. They did not take any of our plastic. My only request was that he leave my driver’s license, which agreed to as he pocketed my cash and dropped the contents of the wallet on the ground. My companion’s cash and cell phone were taken. No attempt was made to take our vechiles. Both perps were in their late 20’s to mid 30’s. Both also had thin, close trimmed goatees.
We were targeted because we were obviously distracted from our environment. My suggestion- did not stand facing one direction for too long, look around (even if it makes you seem paranoid), if you see some one walking near, turn to face them, make sure they know you see them. Even give a “hey” or “how’s it going”. Better yet, if someone is approaching, make sure you can maintain a comfortable amount of distance you and them. The key is to be constantly aware of your surroundings and who is in it.
one more point to add. I have some of the stats from the RPD and though I haven’t cleaned the data for repeats and other problems, it doesn’t look like the stats are up for the same time period since 2001 (Jan-Aug). So it could just be more perceptions and people being more aware of the crime (thanks to JM whose wonderful site this is, get’s people involved).
Check it out (Robbery stats comprise Church Hill, Church Hill North, and Union Hill/per the RPD designation). Even if one takes CH proper, robberies have been holding steady…
2001: 27
2002: 27
2003: 58
2004: 35
2005: 22
2006: 20
2007: 18
Total:207
I forgot to mention, this is just those incidents reported to police. Many people who live in the neighborhood (I live in a different one) might know of other robberies that do not come to the attention of police. Such is life with official statistics.
In any case, if anyone has the time, they could break these numbers down by area or robberies cleared by arrest and other such fun things.
I hope this helps.
j
A belated response to ‘Brenda P’ (9/25 post): excellent comment…amounts to turning an entire neighborhood into a squeaky wheel. Every call to the police becomes part of a permanent record which is used to compute statistics which in turn are used to determine problem areas….which get the attention of the brass and usually, if only while citizen pressure is up, more manpower. Thank you. And John, about the robbery at 2300 Venable, it was while the store was open and in daylight. I’m not exactly sure of the time.
LC, I’m glad to hear that you and your friend are okay. My sister and I were both abducted and robbed two years ago in Church Hill, so I sympathize with all that you’re going through right now.
Laura, I will be emailing you shortly about the Block Captain Program and some ideas I have for a neighborhood patrol/porch surveillance system.
JD, this is not just perception. I looked at the RPD’s daily crime reports and I counted four robberies for August 2006 in the Church Hill area. There have been at least 14 for August 2007. Seven in the last eight days.
The meaning of “Church Hill proper” tends to vary, but none of those four robberies in August 2006 were in the St. John’s Distict, and only one of them was in what the city designates as the Church Hill neighborhood.
The first was at 818 N. 25th St. The second was one the police listed as 2600 W. Main St. but in the 1st District, so I assume they either meant E. Main St. at the bottom of the hill or they meant another district. The third and fourth were related to the Holt killing at the 400 block of N. 31th Street and the following robbery minutes later at 1300 N. 35th St.
There were also about half a dozen robberies north of Nine Mile Road and Fairmont Ave. in August 2006, but I have not been counting those for August 2007.
The 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000 blocks mentioned above are not really Church Hill. They are more Shockoe Valley and Shockoe Bottom. I’m not trying to downplay the seriousness of the crimes, but these reports distort the statistics of crime in our immediate neighborhood.
Yeah, I guess since they are 2 blocks away we should ignore them.
Don’t downplay these crimes because they are just across an arbitrary boundary.
I’m not. Actually these boundaries ARE important. The Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Valley incidents are in very different areas plain and simple. 18th and 19th E. Grace Street is not Church Hill.
Don’t spread misinformation.
The point is J is referring to this side of the city (Church Hill north & south, the Shockoes, Fairmont, Union Hill, etc.) She is thinking of the real and practical situation that criminals do not adhere to imaginary lines seperating these areas. The only people that these boundaries are important to are statisticians.
I think we can agree to disagree.
I understand that the stats might not be covering all of the reported crimes in the neighborhood given definition differences in boundary lines.
Also, I didn’t include the Chimbarzo neighborhood b/c I wasn’t sure if that is part of CH.
Regardless, at least with reported crimes by the RPD’s own CH boundaries, robberies have remained pretty steady.
LC,
While I would agree that boundaries are not necessarily important to criminals, I would also point out that statisticians are not the only ones “just” interested in them. They are important as a tool to better understand things that are often more complex than one thinks…such as crime.
Also, aside from the fact that crime knows no boundaries, you shouldn’t be suprised by the fact that a large majority of street crimes occur pretty closely to where the perp lives. So it’s not just important to look at CH, but perhaps the surrounding/adjacent neighborhoods.
jd
j,
I wasn’t trying to say it was just perception b/c perceptions are important. I just did a quick data search to see if there is some gap between what is reported or known by the police versus real time perceptions of whether crime is rising or falling.
historically, in the short term research has shown us that there is often a gap, though obviously explaining or understanding it might be more complicated.
That aside, I believe that there are more robberies then the stats that I posted show.
8/30/07 10:00 p.m.
900 N. 20th St.
A male said he was robbed by two unknown black males with a gun.
i bring this up because no one else has of yet.
stem the tide of armed robberies?
get a gun and shoot an armed robber.
not a solution for everyone, but if there are many armed robberies, you likely only have to shoot only one armed robber to send the message that a criminal with a gun can understand.
you have to decide how many victims the community is willing to give up
I was walking my dog the other day and saw three teens walking up and down the alleys with seemingly no direction or destination point. I called the non-emergency line which was answered by Officer Green to report what I felt was suspicious behavior only to be told, “Mam, it is not a crime to walk down an alley” Hmmm…Are they really taking these reports seriously?
Mlwr……you spoke to a communications officer. What’s the difference, you ask? The are not police officers. The receive far less training, and almost no legal training, than our police officers. They are correct, it is not against the law to walk down an alley. But to, “walk up and down alleys with seemingly not direction or destination point” is certainly out of the ordinary. Keep calling things in. Just because it’s, “not against the law” doesn’t mean an officer shouldn’t be dispatched.
I’m not seeing any comments by local police at this time concernng the recent events in the neighborhood. In the past I had noticed that certain officers would give us some sort of updates or at least some advice.
Good point, rm. Where’s Mac the Cop these days? I thought he lived up here.
Mlwr, while it certainly is not a crime to walk up and down an alley, you would probably be better off letting them know that you are watching them.
If they are acting verifiably suspicious (I don’t know if walking up and down an alley counts) then you certainly should call the police multiple times, if only to get someone over there.
I’ll reiterate what I’ve said multiple times, the only people that can stem the tide of robberies and other street crimes are the residents of CH.
Police do not, I repeat, do not intervene on crimes. Overwhelmingly, they come in after the fact. This is a well documented empirical fact.
Besides, there oculd never be enough police in the first place. So if you want to avoid the siege mentality, or worse, actually becoming a victim, it’s up to each of you to band together. That means keeping an active eye out in your neighborhood. Confronting strangers by at least alerting them to the fact that you are watching them. Copying down license plates, having proper lighting on your houses (such as those with motion detectors), establishing neighborhood watches and block captain programs, hardening your targets by getting alarm systems and generally making CH an unwelcome place for crime.
While I do not advocate carrying guns on the street b/c the risk of getting injured or killed will increase increases (by increasing the likelihood of the motivated offender actually using theirs), it’s not a bad idea to have one in your house, or at least making would-be offenders to think twice about breaking in (this also applies to alarm systems in general.
Offender are predominantly opportunists, not master-mind hollywood type planners of crime, and therefore, they are much more likely to avoid homes that prominently display signs about an alarm system.
Likewise, if I were ya’ll I would put a sign not just from the alarm system, but something suggesting that you own guns on your house (and believe me I have a few on my windows and lawn). Get a large barking dog and make sure you have double-bold locks that take a key on the inside to open. Same for the windows. All of these things, while not 100% effective, decrease your risk of victimization in the home. Much, in the way of deterrence is symbolic and it doesn’t take too much to deter most potential offenders. As I said, they are opportunists, first and foremost!
These are important steps one must take and little of it involves the police. Should you think any different, ask me for my email, I’ll get you the research on this.
A few more points. Do not leave your windows open when you are not home, particularly your bottom floor ones.
Also, if possible, make your second floor very hard to access from the outside. Make sure that bushes near your house are low enough so perps cannot use them as a quick hiding spot. Get MOTION LIGHTS! Sit on your porch regularly and watch your block, if only to see who regularly comes up and down the street. Be aware.
In NY, where I’m from, we always kept an eye on where we were at and who was around on the block, ALWAYS! The lull or lacksadaisical feeling one gets when they think they are safe can easily lead to victimization, quicker than you think.
Having only moved recently to Richmond, it strikes me how it seems people are so unaware of their surroundings. Say what you want about NY’ers, they understand the potential/risk of street crime. I am not so sure that’s true here (I have a pet theory on this, which has to do with the housing such as that in CH versus a city that is predominantly apartments, like NY). Whatever the case, you must be vigilant in your awareness, everywhere you go, even if your in Windsor Farms or someother stately neighborhood.
The fact is, each of you must also hardent yourself. Women must carry their bags close to the body. Do not show off large sums of money while in the street. Know your surroundings and where NOT to be after dark. Carry mace and a whistle). Trust your gut. If you feel unsafe for whatever reason, get yourself into a better place by leaving quickly.
Most of all, if you are in your neighborhood, do not show fear. Look at people in the eye. Say hello. Act as if you belong. As I said in my last (too long) post, would-be offenders/robbers/thieves are predominantly opportunists, nothing more. (and forget what you see on tv. Most of it’s exaggerated). Such offenders look for the easy score, that is it. If they think you might have a gun (even if you don’t) or sense that you will fight back, they probably will leave you alone.
In fact, I had it the other day. Some young fella walking up the street at dusk looking like he was casing the place realized I was watching him. I shouted out hello, and then continued to watch him without taking my eyes off of him. He stared back (in what I interpreted as kind of menacing) but I tried to convey to him that I was not scared.
It’s not paranoid to act in this way. It’s a must for your own safety.
Please take these tips for what it’s worth. It’s my profession to know these things and to teach others about them (I’m a criminologist). Like I said, the police are limited (very!!!) in what they can do. It is up to the residents. (period).
Carrying a gun does not increase the chances of being shot. It saves lives. If you look at FBI stats that’s supported. Why should the bad guys be the only ones who carry? They COUNT on you being unarmed.
I’m here. I don’t patrol Church Hill anymore. I am a detective in Major Crimes. Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t care, it means I don’t have the chance to respond like I did in the past. I really have no updates on the robberies. Those crimes are handled by the precinct detectives (I’m downtown now) but I will get some information and post what I can here. As far as advice: 1. keep calling things in. If you think the police should know, please tell them. Use the non-emergency number. If you get a answer that you may not think is correct, ask to speak to a supervisor. You may even ask for a police supervisor to call you. You can always ask for a sector officer to call you. These are your (and my) officers and we can talk to them. That is one of the benefits of sector policing.
If you don’t think it’s that important, please send me an email (address is at the bottom of this post) and I’ll send it on to the correct sector lieutenant.
I look at chpn.net pretty frequently so if you have a question or comment, post it. I’ll get back with you. Sorry for the vacation and celeste, thanks for noticing I was gone.
JD, excellent information in your last posts. I take no professional position on on the subject of weapons. For reasons of liability, you must understand I cannot.
bernard.adams@richmondgov.com
Thanks Mac, glad to know you’re still around!
Thanks Mac. I didn’t want to suggest guns either, so I tried to split the middle, or at least get people to think about it seroiusly before buying.
Lisa,
Actually, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Gun victimization is down from the early 1990’s, certainly. However, the presence of guns, particularly in the hands of would-be criminals has led to the historical rise of homicides and violent victimization. Thus, there is certainly and increase in risk.
Some have also found a deterrent effect, and I don’t dispute that. (See the research by Gary Kleck from Florida State University; he is one of the leading gun researchers in the US).
That said, I didn’t want to necessarily push people to go out and get a gun. It’s a choice that can have consequences for those who do not understand the power and risk involved.
jd
Excellent point again, JD.
TURN YOUR PORCH LIGHTS ON!!!!! This neighborhood goes dark after 10. Get a dusk to dawn adapter, so they stay on all night, and come on when your not home. Keep a light on inside your house near the window. Install motions lights in the alley between houses. Put a motion light behind your house. They make solar powered lights that require no wiring.
One last point. There is nothing that one can do that is 100% fail-safe. In fact, most of what is done in terms of protection is more symbolic than anything. Police in marked cars, fake cameras, security signs etc…
However, these symbolic actions, as well as being aware on how to carry oneself in public are the best measures to lessen risk.
From a community standpoint- it’s about two things. Organizing and fighting to effect change such that we improve the conditions of the poor (and too often minority), which serves as a springboard for serious violent and property crimes.
Nationwide over 50% of the street crime is committed by those 25 years or younger. Moreover, even in the most crime-plagued neighborhoods in the country, it is typically less than 10% of the residents that are criminal (and less than 3% that are serious recidivists).
I would surmise that the same is probably true of CH. Crime cannot be eliminated, but organizing and effecting positive change can go a long way.
consider taking personal responsibility.
if you are one on the few that would consider a gun, maybe for the home, i recommend a shotgun. if you have to use it in the house it will make a mess but you dont easily miss your target. baretta is a very good brand. 12 to 20 ga auto loading or side by side. duck or dove shot will work. go to dept of game & inland fisheries and take the gun safety course first. a quality shot gun well kept is a very good investment.
it is not fail safe and it not symbolic
Good point. If you buy a gun for home protection, shotguns are the best choice. Shotguns have better stopping power. If you shoot a criminal with your handgun, they can still return fire after they’ve been hit. That’s why swat teams use shotguns. And when a shotgun is stolen out of your home, it is harder for a criminal to use it in a crime because of its size. They can’t just tuck it in their pocket and walk down the street.
8/31/07 4:42 p.m.
100 N. 19th St.
A male said he was assaulted and robbed by an unknown black male.
9/3/07 3:42 p.m.
2400 Fairmount Ave.
A male said he was assaulted by two black males who tried to rob him.
9/4/07 2:45 a.m.
1000 block of Mosby Street
A male said he was abducted by two unknown black males with a gun who robbed him.
But I’d also like to point out that for the price of a gun you can buy a do-it-yourself home security system, which is probably more effective at protecting your home.
You don’t have to pay monthly monitoring fees with these. You can set them up to dial your cell phone and trusty neighbors. But the loud alarm on its own is usually enough to scare anyone off.
It is absolutely vital that if you are going to purchase a firearm for home protection that you become proficient in using one. Not just take a hand gun safety class but actually spend a good amount of time at a range really learning how to handle one.
You have to realistically ask yourself, “If the need arises, can I actually take a life?” If the answer is a no, then I would say you are safer with a baseball bat then a pistol.
This is by-far the last step in home defense. First do everything to make sure they never make it that far.
I would say the greatest deterrent to home invasions would be, in my order:
lighting
lighting
lighting
a dog
a well fenced in yard (with a dog and good lighting)
strong entry doors with good locks
a home security system
If these are all there, the chance that you will have to shoot Johnny Nogood in the upstairs hallway is very very slim.
Also, Virginia law only allows you to shoot if your life is threatened. Many people have a misconception about what this means.
lighting
It was the middle of the day both of the times that our house was broken into. Both times the alarm system scared them off, alerted us, and alerted the police. I ♥ the alarm.
MLWR regarding your post #58. I have requested and been granted a drive-by by police officers several time. All I say is that there is suspicious behavior @ ….. and could I have an officer respond as soon as they can.
Lisa in response to your post 64. This remains to be seen. The usual scenario is that two people approach you and one draws a gun while the other takes your money. Ok, you have a gun. Odds are the robber will have his gun drawn before you know he is a robber. What are you going to do then? Either a) lose your gun or b) get shot.
I am all for everyone getting there CC permits. Just don’t think that this is going to make you safe.
Now if passerby #3 has a gun… that’s a different story…it’s open season-no limit at that point.
john_m and other readers/writers,
The conundrum about residential burglaries is that they more often occur during the day, usually in the mornings just after people leave their homes.
They are also more likely to occur on Sundays (while people are at church).
Having a security system (whether do it yourself or company monitored) is a good “initial deterrent). And all the other stuff mentioned earlier is important (see Mike’s post).
nevertheless, regardless of the time of day, it is a good idea to have a good lighting system b/c not all burglaries are during daylight hours.
All of these suggestions can help in creating a sense of security (though must always remain alert).
Mike,
your advice was well stated. I think the idea of a gun sounds good to people, particularly when fear starts creeping in, however, they should read your words first!
jd
I’m not sure if this is related (probably not given the magnitude of the police response), but did anyone see 29th and Clay this morning? What happened?
Magneto, I didn’t see 29th and Clay because I headed into town on Marshall, saw a police car parked outside of Chimborazo Elementary and another one turning north on 28th and thought two police cars in a matter of blocks seemed a bit much. What did it look like at 29th and Clay?
I heard it was a domestic disturbance and the policeman who responded was assaulted and then the guy locked himself in the house. News trucks were out so I would guess you could find it on channel 8.
The entire block of 29th north of Clay St. was blocked off with police tape. There were multiple police cars with their lights flashing. I also noticed an officer with a german shepherd search dog at the end of an alley between 29th and 28th. Whatever happened there, it must have been really serious. Most of the officers appeared to be at ease, so I suppose I was driving by after the event had transpired.
I live across the street from Chimborazo Elementary. Things like this happen all the time over there (although there are less incidents since they enclosed the walkway between the buildings).
I noticed the officer’s and mobile police unit outside my home this morning around 6am so I went out and spoke with an officer. He informed me that there was a siutation where a man had been involved in a domestic dispute and at the time was holed up in his home. I am not sure if he was in the home with his woman or if he had released her. The officer assured me that things would be worked out in a short period of time and that this was a pretty non-serious situation. Then around 6:45am Clay St. was reopened and Leigh St. was closed between 28th and 29th. I asked the same officer why they had moved and he replied that the original block they had cordoned off was incorrect but now everything was under control. I didn’t see this as being a super serious situation, just an early morning disturbance. I appreciate the officer informing me of the situation. Unfortunatley in the past the officer’s I have spoken with in Church Hill are not as forthright with information that may be pertinent to residents.
“Also, Virginia law only allows you to shoot if your life is threatened. Many people have a misconception about what this means.”
If we’re talking about a home invasion, my guess is that you’ll be able to show that your life was threatened. If you’re talking about a robbery on the street … well, that can get dicey, but if the perp has a weapon, there’s probably no jury in Virginia that’s going to convict you.
Having said that, I echo all the comments about proper gun safety and training. If you own one, learn how and when to use it properly.
You know the best deterent to robberies? Locking up the culprits. For a long, long time.
I have lined my yard with vietcong style booby traps. Step off the safe path and BLAMMO, sharpened sticks spring out everywhere.
“Also, Virginia law only allows you to shoot if your life is threatened. Many people have a misconception about what this means.”
If we’re talking about a home invasion, my guess is that you’ll be able to show that your life was threatened”
That is why most people recommend that your version is the only one the police hear… if’n ya catch my drift…
Channel 8 has a story on the standoff.
I’ve put this up as it’s own post: streets closed after officer assaulted
mike,
a retired commonwealth’s attorney i know made another “fine” point about a home owner shooting an armed intruder. The intruder should fall (and remain) inside the threshold to minimize the doubt in a court hearing.
Just came back from chasing two black males who mugged one of my friends on Patterson in the fan. White mitsubishi eclipse with a big spoiler. If you see anything suspicious call the police.
To ‘Mlwr’ reference post 58: your post discloses a current, I think, critical problem with Richmond’s dispatch. Some administrative changes have virtually put dispatch in charge of the police department and voided a lot of the benefit of ’sector policing.’ Our cops are routinely logged calls outside their sector and ARE NOT PERMITTED (get in trouble if they do) to question dispatch or point out an incorrectly logged call. Further, dispatchers are making decisions-, comments, and/or recommendations - as in the case of your call - outside their field of expertise or authority. Another example…a couple of months ago I called about a drug sale I saw transacted just outside my yard…plain view, broad daylight. I’m an ex-Richmond cop. I know a drug sale when I see one. The dispatcher actually asked me what kind of drugs were involved in the sale and got testy when I asked if dispatch no longer took drug-related calls unless we citizens could provide that information. If you know any cops, ask about the situation with dispatch. It’s bad and potentially dangerous.
I called in what I believed to be a drug sale (car drives up, person leans in, goods exchanged) and the dispatcher asked “what do you want done about it”. I actually had to tell her that I wanted her to log the location for future policing reference and to have a car drive by.
Why has the dispatch situation become so muddled?
I’ve had problems too, when items were stolen out of our yard on two occasions. I got busy signals when calling several times, and when I finally got through they said someone would call back to take a report over the phone. No one ever did. I wonder how many crimes go unreported because of this.
Two things to consider about Virginia gun laws:
In Virginia, you do not have the right to brandish a weapon or use deadly force solely to protect your property. Your life (or the life of your family) MUST be in danger. This principle has held up in numerous court cases. However, the use of force may be justified if you are preventing an aggressor from entering your home (as long deadly force was absolutely necessary).
Self-Defense is an affirmative defense. This means that you will be arrested if you actually kill someone, but you may use a self-defense as your defense, and if so, the burden of proof is on you to prove that your life was in danger.
I searched the web to find more information and here is a good link on Self Defense and Virginia Fire Arms Laws: http://www.piedmontnrainstructors.org/SummaryOfVAFirearmsLaw.pdf
j,
yes, police decision making on which crimes to log/not log is an issue across most police departments, particularly when people (whether academics, pols, or residents) want information about their neighborhood.
However, an even bigger issue is that people simply do not report many crimes, even if they were robbed or burglarized.
This is for a few reasons. Many people don’t think anything will happen, some don’t trust the police or want the hassle, and others might know who it is and will try to exact revenge in different ways.
Regardless of reason, it’s estimated (by criminologists) that upwards of 40% of robberies & burglaries in some areas go unreported and thus, don’t even come to the attention of the police.
Reference dispatch problems, since dispatchers and not police officers make the decisions about logging calls….please email Chief Monroe: RODNEY.MONROE@RICHMONDGOV.COM
Be nice to not be the only one fussing to him about this.
I know of several women on the Hill who carry guns. They have taken the classes, practice at a gun range and have a permit. Regarding self-defense … a women can shoot a man if she feels threatened. A man can’t use a weapon of greater force then the one being used against him. If a bad guy has a bat you can’t shoot him. If you do shoot anyone, as anyone in law inforcement will tell you privately, you better kill him (or her to be fair). Of course most assaults or hold ups do take place within a very short distance. That’s why you always need to know who is around you at all times, especially when getting in and out of a car.
Lisa,
I have spoken to law enforcement, and please believe me that not everyone shares your point of view. I know you feel strongly about your right to carry a gun, and no one will take that away from you.
However, it is really irresponsible to claim that the police want us to kill people. And untrue.
“If a bad guy has a bat you can’t shoot him”
I, for one, will be pleading innocent to manslaughter versus having my skull caved in…
But that’s just me.
“A man can’t use a weapon of greater force then the one being used against him. If a bad guy has a bat you can’t shoot him.”
Simply not true.
See http://www.courts.state.va.us/txtops/2493992.txt .
“Justifiable homicide in self-defense occurs [when] a person, without any fault on his part in provoking or bringing on the difficulty, kills another under reasonable apprehension of death or great bodily harm to himself. “Smith, 17 Va. App. at 71, 435 S.E.2d at 416 (citations omitted).
The issue is whether you have “reasonable apprehension of death or great bodily harm.” If someone is waving a baseball bat at you, you could very easily make that case. Now, justifiable homicide is an affirmative defense, so you may be charged, but you’ll walk.
Also not true: “a women can shoot a man if she feels threatened” - there is absolutely no distinction between male and female in Virginia’s firearms laws.
I think part of being a responsible gun is not only know how to operate your weapon safely, but also being aware of the gun laws in your state.
Also not true: “a women can shoot a man if she feels threatened” - there is absolutely no distinction between male and female in Virginia’s firearms laws.
I think part of being a responsible gun is not only knowing how to operate your weapon safely, but also being aware of the gun laws in your state.
“a women can shoot a man if she feels threatened”
There cant really be a law that states this?? I hope I’m never walking past her at night.
I’m not an advocator for firearms in my home, it just opens up the book for to many things to happen.I have my trusty Louisville Slugger for that purpose. But if you do own weapons, please know the laws, its so important.
I had some flower pots stolen off of my porch the other night. I called the police to report it and they refused to take the report. I argued a while and finally was promised that someone would call me back. They never did.
Later, I discovered that my neighbor had “borrowed” the plants to play a joke on me, so no crime was committed. However, I am torn. The police should never refuse to take a crime report. After all, there was a man who stole a lot of flowers out of our yards last year. Who is to say he will not escalate to bigger crimes.
So, if I had a foot to stand on, I would lodge a complaint. But, since I do not, I would just be treated as a quack or worse.
Actually, that’s untrue. Part of a PO’s job is to make decisions on when and when not to file a report, otherwise they would spending even less time on patrol related functions filling out unnecessary reports for people’s whose neighbors play jokes on them (no disrespect, since it’s not practical jokes but requests that don not mandate filing of a report).
The fact is, across the US, police officer’s spend, on average, less than 30% of their time on actual patrol due to their other duties. This leaves little room for them to take up additional time attending to unnecessary/frivolous requests by citizens.
I was driving in the Fan this evening - from 4:30 p.m. until about 5:30 p.m. I got off the downtown expressway at Meadow Street - and a cop car was in front of me. I turned onto Park Avenue off Meadow - saw another cop car, just cruising along, going on to Monument Ave. Same experience coming back to Church Hill through town - police cars on Stuart, Grove, Park, and Monument, none with lights flashing, all just sort of cruising along as if doing normal cruising - but when I got to Church Hill - I didn’t see the same amount of police cruising around. What gives? Just my own personal trip, and just one trip - but it was really strange. Last time I saw a police cruiser around 32nd and Clay was about a month ago, give or take a few days….anyone else see cops cruising REGULARLY up here?
Crime has no address.. No matter where yous stay, one should be on alert and adapt to surroundings. I lived in Richmond, on the Hill, 2002-04 and seen in recent years that crime has risen. The positive things goin for this area still there, particularly amazing views of the city, historic landmarks and houses that are being bought up- fixed up n’ flipped. GOOD PEOPLE NEED TO KEEP MOVING INTO THIS AREA!! The more the better and 100% agree the police need to patrol MORE, so Church Hill people… jus report any and all crimes. Maybe reports are comin in more often, those living on the Hill are reporting events more.. yo, thats a positive in a negative situation cuz the shady characters you see roaming the streets at night up there, they got to be reported.. keep up the offensive down to the slightest details. When i stayed there- i was always checkin on my car.. mos def kept guns around.. kept lights on and alarms armed.. but then and now my Hill family.. it takes more than one to form a safe community. Best of luck to one of the most unique places have ever lived.. Church to-the Hill gets love..
[...] this is the 3rd consecutive year of crime being down. As you know, citywide in July & August robberies went up (there were 19 robberies in 7th district in August, for instance). In response, the police [...]
[...] this is the 3rd consecutive year of crime being down. As you know, citywide in July & August robberies went up (there were 19 robberies in 7th district in August, for instance). In response, the police [...]