Fan of the Fan

This one took place in the 00 block of N. Mulberry street at 6:10pm(!) on Monday the 15th.

RPD is reporting an attempted robbery at 3:10 am, January 11th:

600 block of North Meadow Street (between Monument and Grace): a female reported she was assaulted by an unknown male who tried to rob her.

Since we’ve talked a lot about graffiti here I figured it might be worthwhile to see some tips from the cops (most notably environmental officer Claude Picard) who are fighting graffiti in the Fan.

1)  Spray Paint can rattles – It’s a very distinct metallic rattle sound that is created when a person shakes a spray paint can.  Small metal or plastic “peas” are added to spray paint cans to help mix the paint during the shaking process. If this sound is heard, especially in the alleys, please call us so we can investigate.  ”Taggers” are they are often called carry their cans in backpacks which you might be able to hear “clanking” as they are walking down the alley or street.

2)  If you see anyone stopping intermittently in the alleys for unknown reasons.  This may be a sign they are walking, stopping, spray painting, and then moving on to their next target.

3)  If you see anyone hiding/ducking from passing vehicles and then returning to a particular area this may be a sign they are tagging a building or vehicle (or breaking into vehicles).  A “tagger” may also have his face partially covered and using a second person as a lookout.

4)  It is believed that spray paint tags occur in the early morning hours.

The RPD is reporting the armed theft of a Porsche Boxster last night around 9 PM from Harvie Street (between Main and Cary, near Gold’s Gym).

[Capt. Harvey] Powers said two males, one wielding a knife, confronted the car’s driver and took the car by force. The driver was not injured, Powers said.

The much debated ‘offensive’ mural on the back of AlbTech has been replaced with this:

In related graffiti news, there has been an uptick in tags nearby in the Fan–along the Lombardy corridor. I can’t comment on the quality of graffiti, but some of these tags seem to offer a ironic self-referential commentary.

It appears to be the work of FHF, not quite as ubiqitous as BNE, but. . .

The RTD reported this morning that graffiti artists tagged the old Julian’s restaurant property on W. Broad Street (near the Boulevard). This building is owned by Sam Moore (of Velvet infamy), who is due in court today for alleged ABC violations. You may also recall that Moore and Velvet have been in the news lately for some other artwork involving the President.

Ross Catrow posted these photos of the graffiti earlier today.

Whoever did this ‘art’ isn’t shy, leaving this note on the front door:

“To Whom it may concern

- Graffiti is a beautiful art form which is unappreciated in today’s
society. We hope the work done here will intrigue and stimulate the
minds of many

-S.M.”

There are probably some parents who are a little upset and concerned about some recent events near Maggie Walker Governor’s School.  Here’s what Councilman Charles Samuels has to say about it:

“Recent events this week in the vicinity of Maggie Walker Governor’s School are of great concern to me. These events include: a suspicious package being found (empty tool box) in the school parking lot; a fire at a homeless encampment near School Street that the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services extinguished promptly; and, the discovery of a body in a ravine in the 1000 block of Lombardy Avenue.

The body has been identified by the Richmond Police Department as Joseph C. McCray, 54, of no fixed address, and is being investigated as a homicide due to death by blunt force trauma.

Each of these events is sufficient to cause great concern for those who attend Maggie Walker Governor’s School and the neighbors in the Newtowne West Community.  Should neighbors, families or community organizations wish to come together for solace and understanding of these events, I will support them in any way that I can.

I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. McCray and ask that anyone with any information regarding this incomprehensible act to call Richmond Crime Stoppers, at 804.780.1000.

Samuels also shares some resources in Richmond that help the homeless population:

·        Richmond Police Department Homeless Outreach Partnership Enforcement (HOPE) patrol (804.646.4395 tel)

·        Richmond Department of Social Services (804.646.7212 tel)

Provides child, family, adult, employment and financial assistance services.

·        Freedom House (804.233.4064 tel)

·        Community Shelter (804.232.1949 tel)

Providing a stable environment for residents to begin to address issues that led to their homelessness and set goals for a better future.

·        The Conrad Center – Conrad Center (804.225.1853 tel)

Serving breakfast and dinner to Richmond ’s homeless and working-class poor.

·        Daily Planet (804.783.0678 tel)

Operates free standing health care center in the area providing primary health care to the homeless, uninsured and underinsured regardless of their ability to pay.  Additionally, Daily Planet provides a 12-week job training and placement program to the unemployed homeless and offers at no charge to those in need:  eye care, dental care, mental health and psychiatric care, laundry and shower facilities, case management, mail and substance abuse services.”

Police are reporting that the 7-Eleven at 1101 W. Main St. was robbed by 3 males with a gun at 5am Sunday morning.

According to the Richmond Police Department, three prolific auto thieves who have targeted the Fan area have been apprehended. Theft from motor vehicles has dropped 66% in the Fan and Randolph areas since the arrests.

From July 1 through July 19, which is when the third arrest was made, there were 22 thefts from motor vehicles in those neighborhoods. From July 20 through Aug 2, there have been only seven.

On July 13 Brent J. Reed (pictured below) was arrested. On July 15, David R. Cole was arrested. And on July 19 Wayne K. Moore was arrested.

The Richmond Police have posted the June crime summary for Sector 313 (which includes the Fan).

For the Fan, versus June 2008, there was a 46% decrease in burglary. Main target is laptops, jewelry. But for the entire sector (which also includes Randolph and Byrd Park) there was a 600% increase in robberies (7 in June 2009 versus 1 in June 2008).

Year to Date 2009, robberies are up in the Fan neighborhood (19 vs. 20) with fewer
involving a firearm (13 vs. 5).

Admittedly this report is produced by the police, but it’s worth commending the fact June’s report contains examples of prompt and effective police work:

An example of work  in response to the robberies of June 21:

Officer Morley responded to the 2700 block of W. Grace Street (sector 313)
reference the strong-armed robbery of a female. After obtaining the suspects’
description she circulated the immediate area and found a male matching the description in the parking deck of the “Comfort Inn”. The suspect ran when he saw the officer, but after a brief foot pursuit he was apprehended near Mactavish and W. Broad Streets.

View the full pdf here.