The following message is from Chief Ogden and I’m reposting it from the Del Ray Citizen’s ListServ. Normally I’d ask permission to repost an email, and that’s the policy for this site, but since this seems to be an open letter and it’s from a public official I’m going to go ahead and post it without asking first.
These robberies have occurred in the area of the City defined by the Police Department as Sector One. However, this area borders Sector 2, which includes Del Ray and Rosemont. The geographic divider is the Metro rail line. Because of this fact, Acting Captain Dianne Gittins, Commander of Patrol Sector One is taking the lead to address these crimes and is working closely with Captain Eddie Reyes, Commander of Patrol Sector 2 so that they may maximize their resources to this problem and keep both areas safe.
The following are some of the actions we have taken to prevent and/or investigate the crime of robbery:
Criminal Investigations Section (CIS) - has been diligently investigating these offenses and has provided information to patrol officers. This has led to the stopping of individuals thought to be
involved in these crimes. Detectives have also made approximately ten arrests for robbery offenses in this area this year and have identified several other suspects. Information is shared with other jurisdictions including the Metro Transit Police.
Patrol Sector One and Two - has ensured that beat officers are aware of suspect information and crime trends in the Old Town and Del Ray area. They have stopped several individuals that are believed to have committed robbery offenses and forwarded the information to the CIS.
Officers have also been directed to increase their patrol activity in the areas where we have seen multiple robberies. Police vehicles have been strategically placed in specific areas to increase visibility and deter this type of criminal activity, ie-Braddock Road 7-11, Metro and others. Captain Reyes has secured new space at 505 East Braddock Road, at Braddock Place, to be used as Police Satellite facility.
The police department is utilizing a number of uniformed and plain clothes type resources to prevent, deter and arrest those individuals that commit the crime of robbery. As we move into the holiday season, Patrol and the Special Operations Division are developing a Robbery
Suppression Detail, as we do each year, which is a deployment strategy that focuses on long term robbery crime trends. This deployment strategy will involve patrol, the Street Crimes Unit, Special Response Unit, Motors, Community Officers and other resources in the police
department. The police department is committed to reducing the number of robberies though prevention, detection and investigation.
As always we encourage residents to be vigilant and call the police when they see suspicious activity. The police department also offers safety checks and other Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CEPTED) information upon request and also as a proactive measure when
dealing with crime trends. Our goal is to improve the safety of a community through CEPTED measures. Examples are to: improve lighting, reduce/remove shrubbery or tree branches etc. These type of environmental design changes can greatly improve the safety in a given area. Lighting and overgrown shrubbery issues have already been improved along the pedestrian/bike path running south into Old Town from the Braddock Road Metro.
As you can see much is being done to prevent and solve these crimes. Of course we encourage citizens to practice safe commuting methods by walking with fellow commuters, staying in well lit areas, not walking with headphones on, remaining alert to your surroundings and using your cellphone to call the police if you see suspicious activity.
Captain Scott D. Ogden
City Council Liaison
Alexandria Police Department
The City’s maintains a website for the Police Department and maintains a searchable online crime database. The Washington Post also maintains a searchable database of local crime information.
