Violent crime spike alarms Capitol Hill residents

WASHINGTON - Some Capitol Hill residents are scared after a rash of robberies and violent crimes, and they want something to be done about it.

Kate Henvey witnessed a robbery in front of her Navy Yard apartment around 9 p.m. Friday and says it was terrifying.

"We see an altercation between two gentlemen and one is screaming, 'He is going to kill me. He is going to kill me. He has a gun. Call 911,'" said Henvey. "My understanding is that this gentleman was robbed at gunpoint."

As a result of the crime, condos are sending alerts to residents to be cautious on area streets. Many people say they are afraid to go out at night and others worry potential residents will be scared away.

"I've lived here about a decade, and I've never seen the crime so bad. I've never felt so unsafe in the neighborhood," said Jessica Zippin.

ANC commissioner Denise Krepp says one of her neighbors was raped in her home at two in the afternoon.

"In my area, 2,000 people, I've had a rape, a stabbing, multiple assaults, burglaries, and that's just in October. It's out of control," said Krepp. "One of the reasons it's out of control is the fact that the DOJ isn't prosecuting."

The Department of Justice is responsible for prosecuting most crimes in the District, and Krepp says its annual report shows a prosecution rate for misdemeanors of 38 percent.

"Why do we have all of these repeat offenders out there? Why weren't they caught the first time? So why do they get to rob somebody a second or a third time? Why do they get to assault somebody a second or a third time?" said Krepp.

Someone from the Department of Justice will attend a Tuesday night community meeting and D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier will be there as well.

The meeting is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Friendship Chamberlain Public Charter School.