Due to ongoing issues with car theft in the area, residents of the 4th Precinct can get a free anti-car theft device “The Club”. To get yours, bring your vehicle registration to the 4th Precinct office at 107 South 5th Street. Call (804) 646-4105 before coming to make sure an officer is there to help you. [via]
The December 2007 report for Sector 413 (PDF) from Lieutenant Lisa Drew is now available.
Despite OHNA’s opposition, VCU demolished 917 Green Alley (the historic livery stable in back of the Cary St. Gym at 911 W. Cary Street) today.
Changes at one of our sister sites had killed the neighborhood crime map for a few days there, but it’s all back now.
A string of small arsons in Oregon Hill and the Fan that took place late Friday night/Saturday morning is being investigated. While the police and fire marshal were on the scene, more trash can fires were reported on Cumberland and in the Fan.
A motorcycle parked in front of a house on the 400 block of Laurel Street exploded after it’s seat was on fire. Fortunately the fire was put out before it spread to any of the nearby wood frame houses.
The November 2007 report for Sector 413 is now available (PDF), and includes this nugget:
11/26/07 – Due to the assistance of a citizen in Oregon Hill, Terrance Bridy was arrested and charged with 2 Burglaries and Grand Larceny. A citizen observed Mr. Bridy coming from his neighbor’s back yard carrying suspicious items. The citizen confronted the suspect and the suspect began to run. The citizen followed him and was able to detain him until Officer Patrick Mansfield was on scene. Officer Mansfield remembered that Mr. Bridy matched the description of the suspect in an attempted burglary on 11/02 – that victim was notified and was able to identify him as the person attempting to break in to his home. Mr. Bridy was charged with both offenses.
A resident was robbed at gunpoint by two individuals around 12:30AM on November 29th while entering residence. She literally had about an 8 foot walk from her car parked on the street to the side door of the house. While putting her key in the door two men came up behind her and demanded money. They got all the cash on her (three dollars), as well as an old cell phone and her ID. She was not physically hurt in any way. This occured at the corner of Laurel and Idlewood.
The muggers were described as 2 black males. One was about 5’8, the other unknown. Both had dark hoodies and jeans. They had no facial hair and both had semi-automatic pistols. It all happened in about 30 seconds-1 minute or so. They took off around the corner down Laurel St. towards the river.
The police were called and reports were filed.
Lieutenant Lisa Drew reports “another great month for Sector 413 and thanks to the cooperation of our community – crime is continuing to go down! Violent Crime was down 50% this month. We are still continuing to have a problem with property crimes (mainly thefts from autos) but even property crime was down 6%. Thank you to everyone for your continued support from everyone here at 4th Precinct!” Check out the Sector 413 report for October. (PDF)
Ethyl may have changed its name, but it still has a knack for ticking off its neighbors. An Oregon Hill resident took these pictures of Afton Chemical watering their campus despite the City’s mandatory, emergency water restrictions. This happened during 2002 drought also until enough citizens complained.
The Sector Report for September (PDF) from Lt.Lisa Drew is out. Highlights include info on arrests for drug violations, info about an initiative to reduce theft from automobiles, and a funny narrative about a man getting caught for stealing beer from Mojo’s 3 different times.