Ramsey Lauds Tougher Policing

Chief Cites 11% Drop in Crimes Since Emergency Was Declared

D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey said yesterday that more aggressive policing is having an effect in the city, citing a drop in crime since he declared an emergency nearly two months ago.

"We're starting to have some real concrete results and have a real impact on crime," Ramsey said yesterday at a news conference to tout the downturn. "The spike in violent crime has been reversed."

Ramsey said he hopes the trend continues even after police begin scaling back the use of overtime to put more officers on the street. He said the department does not have the funds or the stamina to keep most officers working six-day weeks. Officers now will work six days every other week, Ramsey said.

The chief declared the crime emergency July 11, after a spike in homicides, robberies and other violence. The move gave him flexibility to more quickly change officers' schedules and limit their days off. The D.C. Council passed emergency legislation that gave police an extra $8 million to cover overtime costs.

In pointing to a crime drop, Ramsey cited statistics covering July 12 through Sept. 3. The city recorded 1,297 violent crimes in that stretch -- an 11 percent drop from the same period a year ago. There were 3,651 property crimes, a 12.9 percent drop from last year, police said.

In addition to the overtime money, the D.C. Council's emergency legislation enabled Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) to adjust curfew hours for youths 16 and younger. A curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. took effect on July 31 and has been extended through at least Sept. 28.

Juveniles have been committing fewer crimes and are being victimized less during curfew hours since the times were adjusted, Ramsey said. Until the change, the summer curfew had begun at midnight.

Ramsey said he will reevaluate patterns to determine whether mandatory overtime remains necessary. Historically, Washington tends to have a spike in crime during the summer months, including September.

He said the $8 million the department received for emergency overtime is almost spent, but some funds will be replenished Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year.

"There is going to be a time when we call off the six-day weeks," Ramsey said. "But it won't be because we've solved the problem."

The council's emergency legislation also gave police the authority to install 48 surveillance cameras throughout the city. About half are in place, with the rest to be installed by the end of the month, Ramsey said.

The cameras have not had much impact on crime because they have been up only a few weeks, Ramsey said.

Because the emergency legislation expires in mid-October, the D.C. Council must take another vote to give the mayor permanent authority to adjust curfew hours and to ensure the surveillance camera program remains in place.

Police have picked up 2,423 curfew violators since July 12. About half came from the two police districts east of the Anacostia River. Those are the districts that account for about half of city homicides. About 38 percent of residents younger than 17 live in those districts, according to police data.

"If you look at the census numbers, that's where the kids are," Ramsey said.

In the long run, crime in the District is decreasing, Ramsey said. Last year, Washington's crime totals were the lowest recorded since 1969.

Since January, homicides are down 11 percent -- 119 this year compared with 133 at this time last year. Violent crime is up 4 percent compared with this time last year, with the increase mostly in sexual assaults and robberies.

Staff writer Robert Samuels contributed to this report.