Police Appeal: Help Protect Yourself and Your Neighborhood

By following a few bits of common sense, you can protect yourself and your neighborhood from crime, according to Lieutenant John Hedgecock

Lt. Hedgecock is charge of Georgetown and Burleith's PSA 206. As he explains there will always be "haves and have nots" and in some cases that leads to crime.

Georgetown has seen an in the and Lt. Hedgecock says Second District officers can only do so much on their own. They rely on the community to be alert and exercise caution.

"I grew up in Glover Park" says Lt. Hedgecock, adding, "it's really a wonderful place." He says his number one job is to ensure the safety of the area's residents.

The lieutenant echoes a sentiment he has said many times in the past: neighbors are the first know when something is suspicious or when someone is out of place. He asks that community members not hesitate to dial 911 to report something that seems out of place.

Additionally, he warns people to exercise caution. When possible walk in groups, do not to walk home alone after 10 p.m. Take a cab for a few extra blocks and save yourself the risk.

Just last week a female Georgetown University student was chased by her assailant and . The incident happened on the 3600 block of O Street just after 10 p.m. and is likely related to a similar incient that happened later that night near the Tenleytown Metro also involving a female victim held at gun point. 

Georgetown University Department of Public Safety website offers a helpful list of tips to protect yourself:

1. Pay attention to your surroundings. Do not be pre-occupied by texting, listening to loud music, or talking on the phone.

2. Keep all valuables out of sight and avoid carrying purses or bags when possible.

3. Travel in pairs or groups. You are a less desirable target that way.

4. Do not keep highly confidential data (social security numbers, credit card numbers, passport numbers) on phones or laptops that are not encrypted. Thieves can steal your identity with this information.

5. Do not place valuables on countertops or the floor in stores, even momentarily. The thieves watch for this and will snatch and run before you’ve noticed them.

6. If you have personal valuables unsecured, do not sit or stand next to Metro doors as this makes you a prime target for a snatch and run. Sitting in a window seat makes you much less accessible.

7. For iPhones, consider purchasing a service like MobileMe with features that allow you to lock the phone, delete data, or locate your phone if it’s lost or stolen.

8. Practice security at home by not propping doors open, always keeping doors and windows locked, even when you are in residence, and not opening the door to strangers.

9. If you are the victim of a theft, do not resist. Personal property can be replaced and is not worth fighting for.