Controversy Over Rhee Now to Include Sex, Congress
Report: CCDC Split From UDC Is "Critical To Success"
D.C. United Icon Ben Olsen To Retire
The Manhattan Project
Increased Urban Walkability For The Win
Metro has taken its share of heat this year for the way it's handled crime on its trains and in stations, so it's not surprising that the agency sent out a triumphant press release this morning announcing the arrests of five people in connection with a robbery and assault on Dec. 9 that may have been fueled by homophobia.
According to the release, Metro Transit Police have arrested one adult and four juveniles for assaulting and robbing a 25-year old man on a Blue line train earlier this month. What the statement doesn't mention is that this is the same incident that a Fox 5 report that night indicated the unidentified victim, a gay man who said his attackers yelled "faggot" over and over again, felt at the time that Metro didn't respond to fast enough or with an appropriate amount of sensitivity. Metro later released a statement disputing parts of the victim's version of events.
Tarus Stroddard, 18 of Oxon Hill, MD, has now been charged with robbery, force and violence. The four juveniles were also charged with robbery, force and violence. Metro says that all the attackers involved have now been charged.
“If someone commits a crime in our system, especially a violent crime such as this, our detectives will do everything possible to track down the assailants and bring them to justice,” said Acting Transit Police Chief Michael Daly in the emailed statement.
Photo by drewsaunders
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Uh oh. Everybody better behave. Metro's crackin' down on crime. Well ... okay, once.
DCist's commenting system = teh suck.
good for Metro....
I'd be interested in hearing how this ends up... so often charges never lead to any conviction or punishment.
The lack of a consistently visible or perceived police presence will continue to invite more criminals into or near the Metro train system, including buses. Metro police officials should seriously consider strategic non-uniformed policing if they really want to catch victimizers and other assorted violators on a regular basis. There is more unreported criminal activity and violations than what makes the news. Through undercover policing, in a short time Metro riders will feel and be safer. Criminals will surely avoid the clear possibility of encountering a plainclothes officer catching them in the act. New York City and other cities figured this out decades ago.
Dennis Moore
Chairperson,
District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control
www.DCIndependents.org
dennis@DCIndependents.org
The lack of a consistently visible or perceived police presence will continue to invite more criminals into or near the Metro train system, including buses. Metro police officials should seriously consider strategic non-uniformed policing if they really want to catch victimizers and other assorted violators on a regular basis. There is more unreported criminal activity and violations than what makes the news. Through undercover policing, in a short time Metro riders will feel and be safer. Criminals will surely avoid the clear possibility of encountering a plainclothes officer catching them in the act. New York City and other cities figured this out decades ago.
Dennis Moore
Chairperson,
District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control
www.DCIndependents.org
dennis@DCIndependents.org