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The City's Incident Based Reporting System remained problematic into 2001. In August, 2001, the City made two major improvements: they got the error rate (mostly missing data because of problems with the addressing system) below 10% and made it possible to pull down a whole year's data at a time. We celebrated this event by pulling the Redwood data for 2000 and the first 2 quarters of 2001.
The bad news at the Redwood continued: Of the 1233 offenses reported on Chamberlayne Avenue during that period (from Brookland Park Boulevard, the 3000 block, to the County Line), the Redwood (3916) had 102 or 8.4%. That was twice the rate of the next highest address.
BUILDING_NO Total % 3916 104 8.4% 3006 57 4.6% 3900 51 4.1% 3505 45 3.6% 4930 34 2.8% 3211 31 2.5% 32XX 30 2.4% 3918 29 2.4% 4900 29 2.4% Note that the entry for 3900 probably is an anomaly: The building at 3900 is a small office building. Unless something unusual is going on there, the high number probably represents offenses in the 3900 block that the officer did not have a specific address for.
Note the "32XX" entry denotes events such as sex crimes in the 3200 block where the Department elected to not release the actual address. No telling whether any of these was at the Redwood.
Looking just at the 3900 block, the Redwood retains its commanding lead, even over the very large complex, the Chamberlayne Garden (3901-43), across the street and the much larger Abbey Square (3918-20) next door.
As to the actual offenses, here is a breakdown of the most frequent offenses reported on Chamberlayne. The violent offenses are in red and drug offenses are yellow:
OFFENSE DESCRIPTION Total % MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT 159 12.9% BURGLARY/B&E/RESIDENTIAL 120 9.7% THEFT FROM BUILDING 93 7.5% SIMPLE ASSAULT 88 7.1% DESTRUCTION PROPERTY/PRIVATE PROPERTY 81 6.6% SIMPLE ASSAULT, DOMESTIC 79 6.4% DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION 70 5.7% RUNAWAY 64 5.2% HIT AND RUN 49 4.0% ALL OTHER OFFENSES 43 3.5% TRESPASS OF REAL PROPERTY 36 2.9% ROBBERY/INDIVIDUAL 35 2.8% THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE 32 2.6% ALL OTHER LARCENY 28 2.3% PROSTITUTION 22 1.8% COURT DOCUMENTS 19 1.5% AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 16 1.3% THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS/ACCESSORIES 16 1.3% SHOPLIFTING 14 1.1% UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE 12 1.0% Here, in comparison, are the most frequent offenses at the Redwood:
OFFENSE DESCRIPTION Total % TRESPASS OF REAL PROPERTY 22 21.2% DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION 18 17.3% BURGLARY/B&E/RESIDENTIAL 10 9.6% THEFT FROM BUILDING 7 6.7% MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT 6 5.8% ALL OTHER OFFENSES 5 4.8% DESTRUCTION PROPERTY/PRIVATE PROPERTY 5 4.8% SIMPLE ASSAULT 5 4.8% AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 4 3.8% PROSTITUTION 4 3.8% UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE 4 3.8% COURT DOCUMENTS 3 2.9% ROBBERY/INDIVIDUAL 2 1.9% SIMPLE ASSAULT, DOMESTIC 2 1.9% Please notice that the Redwood had 26% of the drug offenses and 25% of the aggravated assaults on Chamberlayne Avenue, all at single apartment building. This is not a good place.
Here from a separate source (Maj. McCoy of the RPD) is a summary of records of arrests at the Redwood. This summary, for reasons not apparent, is missing the arrests from the first half of 2000. Even so, the disorder at this 24-unit apartment building is remarkable:
Date
Name
Charge(s)
Remarks
1/11/1999
Clarke, Junios Tellperry
Fortified door
1/11/1999
Clarke, Junios Tellperry
Possession of cocaine with intent
1/11/1999
Clarke, Junios Tellperry
Possession of marijuana with intent
5/12/2000
Parker, Tonette Yvonne
35A: Drug/Narcotic violations
5/19/2000
Gaines, Nathaniel A.
18.2-250 - Possession (crack cocaine)
5/19/2000
Gaines, Nathaniel A.
Concealed weapon
7/6/2000
Knight, Cori Devon
Attempt to elude
Followed from 3916
7/6/2000
Knight, Cori Devon
Misdemeanor obstruction
Followed from 3916
7/6/2000
Knight, Cori Devon
No driver's license
Followed from 3916
7/6/2000
Knight, Cori Devon
Reckless driving
Followed from 3916
7/6/2000
McShine, Lavaughin E.
Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor
Followed from 3916
7/6/2000
McShine, Lavaughin E.
Misdemeanor obstruction
Followed from 3916
7/6/2000
McShine, Lavaughin E.
Trespassing
Followed from 3916
7/6/2000
Williams, Rashan Eugene
Misdemeanor obstruction
Followed from 3916
8/3/2000
Robertson, Curtis Layne
18.2-250 - Possession (crack cocaine)
8/3/2000
Smith, Jill Adrain
18.2-250 - Possession (crack cocaine)
11/1/2000
Jones, Joyce Teresa
Possession (cocaine)
In front of 3916
11/1/2000
Jones, Joyce Teresa
Prostitution
In front of 3916
11/30/2000
Zimberg, Evan Brian
18.2-250 - Possession (heroin)
1/3/2001
Lewis, Juane S.
18.2-119 - Trespass
1/3/2001
Lewis, Juane S.
18.2-250 - Possession (crack cocaine)
1/24/2001
Smith, Retha A.
18.2-250 - Possession (crack cocaine)
4/11/2001
Mills, Ricky Alexis
35A1: Drug/Narcotic violation
5/25/2001
Perry, Paul Gregory Davis
35A: Drug/Narcotic violations
6/14/2001
Blacknell, Joan
Possession of cocaine
6/14/2001
Blacknell, Joan
Possession of marijuana
6/14/2001
Jones, Travelle Thomas
Possession of cocaine with intent
6/20/2001
Spencer, Betty Jean
18.2-250 - Possession (crack cocaine)
6/20/2001
Spencer, Betty Jean
18.2-463 - Refuse or neglect to assist officer
6/20/2001
Spencer, Betty Jean
18.2-57 - Assault
The very large number of trespass offenses charged reflects the attention the RPD has been paying to this hotspot. The ongoing disorder testifies that policing alone will never clean the place up (note, in contrast, the dramatic difference the new landlord made at the MacArthur Apts.).
What's Happening (as of 1/6/02)
As to what is happening, here are some relevant documents (in Microsoft Word format; if you want these in another format, you can get them by email from John):
- After the (almost certainly drug-related) shootout at the Redwood in May, 2001 Butcher lost patience and sued the landlord. The case was set for trial in Richmond Circuit Court on Dec 18, 2001.
- In July the City sent another Notice to the landlord with a supporting affidavit.
- Woelfls' answers to Butcher's discovery request (scanned in; don't blame them for the typos) disclose the laissez faire attitude they bring to their duties as landowners. The disorder at the Redwood is the natural consequence of this attitude. Again, the contrast with the MacArthur Apts. tells the story.
- On Nov. 1, Judge Hughes heard argument on Woelfls' motion to disqualify Butcher and Butcher's motion to quash the subpoenas Woelfl sent to Bill Johnson, Tim Pfohl, Chuck Epes, and Meg & Dan Lawrence. Neighbors from Bellevue, Ginter Park, Rosedale, Washington Park, Hermitage Road Old & Historic District, and North District Neighborhood Teams, and three J.P. Black people from the Chamberlayne Avenue Managers Coalition showed up to show their support. Judge Hughes overruled the motion to disqualify Butcher and granted Butcher's motion to quash the subpoenas to our neighbors.
- On November 9 Judge Hughes denied the Woelfls' motion for a protective order. That motion sought to have the case dismissed because, they said, the parallel civil and criminal prosecutions affront their Fifth Amendment and other rights. Butcher cited the Supreme Court cases that say otherwise. Judge Hughes also granted 3/4 of Butcher's motion to strike Woelfls' affirmative defenses. Told simply, Woelfls were saying that they had been prosecuted in 1998 and cannot be sued now. They also were saying that Butcher's delay in bringing the suit and his own bad behavior should prevent this suit. The judge wasn't having any of it. The judge wrote on the order so we don't have a copy here yet. Thanks to our neighbors from Washington Park, Ginter Park, Highland Park, Museum District and Bellevue who showed up to support this important work.
- You may recall that the Commonwealth's Attorney brought criminal charges against Mr. & Mrs. Woelfl under Section 18.2-258. He dismissed the charges against Mrs. Woelfl a few weeks ago. Effective Nov. 26, he settled with Mr. Woelfl. The settlement contains a number of provisions, including:
- Dismissal of the criminal prosecution of Mr. Woelfl;
- Expungement of the criminal records of Woelfls in eight instances, including the most recent prosecutions under § 18.2-258;
- Dismissal of Butcher's civil suit against the Woelfls;
- Comprehensive discharge of Woelfls from all civil, criminal, and administrative liability for their ownership of the Redwood Apartments and an indemnity of Woelfls (promise to defend them) against any future attempt to assert any such claims; and
- Entry of a consent decree in Butcher's case.
Here is a copy of the settlement agreement. It is scanned in from a fax so the errors probably come from that process and not from the document. The proposed decree, partially described in Butcher's brief, is quite long. Email John if you would like a copy. The most offensive paragraph is included with the settlement agreement. The decree is designed to protect Woelfls, not the citizens of Richmond. On Dec. 3 Woelfls moved to dismiss Butcher's suit and have the proposed consent decree issued by Judge Hughes. See Butcher's brief for what Butcher thinks about all this. The Commonwealth's Attorney came to his senses and renounced the settlement, which apparently he can do.
The hearing on the motion was on Monday, 12/10. On the following Friday, Judge Hughes' law clerk called to say the motion to dismiss would be granted. Thus there was no trial. The written decision arrived on Dec. 28. Just to emphasize what a disgraceful idea the Commonwealth's Attorney's surrender to Woelfl was, there was a drug arrest at the Redwood on Dec. 2. Indeed, between the Agreement on Nov. 26, 2001 and March, 2002, there were four drug incidents with six arrests along with a shooting incident:
INCIDENT NO.
BLDG_
NOOFFENSE NO.
OFFENSE DESCRIPTION
ARRESTEE NO.
ARRESTEE FIRST NAME
ARRESTEE MIDDLE NAME
ARRESTEE LAST NAME
ARRESTEE EXACT AGE
ARRESTEE RESIDENT CODE
ARRESTEE HOME BLDG NO.
ARRESTEE HOME STREET NAME
20011202-0042
3916
1
DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION
1
JOVAN
GHAIS
WATSON
19
R
20011202-0042
3916
1
DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION
2
WILLIAM
LEWIS
CULPEPPER
22
R
20011223-0638
3900
1
DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION
1
DANTE
WILLIAM
HARVEY
22
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
1
DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION
2
DEMARR
MARQUI
HARVEY
21
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
1
DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION
1
DANTE
WILLIAM
HARVEY
22
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
1
DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION
2
DEMARR
MARQUI
HARVEY
21
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
2
WEAPON LAW VIOLATIONS
1
DANTE
WILLIAM
HARVEY
22
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
2
WEAPON LAW VIOLATIONS
2
DEMARR
MARQUI
HARVEY
21
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
2
WEAPON LAW VIOLATIONS
1
DANTE
WILLIAM
HARVEY
22
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
2
WEAPON LAW VIOLATIONS
2
DEMARR
MARQUI
HARVEY
21
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
3
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS
1
DANTE
WILLIAM
HARVEY
22
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
3
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS
2
DEMARR
MARQUI
HARVEY
21
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
3
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS
1
DANTE
WILLIAM
HARVEY
22
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20011223-0638
3900
3
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS
2
DEMARR
MARQUI
HARVEY
21
R
3916
CHAMBERLAYNE
20020102-0911
3916
1
TRESPASS OF REAL PROPERTY
1
LUTHER
DARNELL
RICHARDSON
19
R
20020106-0406
3916
1
SHOOTING AT/WITHIN OCCUPIED DWELLING
20020117-0055
3916
1
DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION
1
TYRONE
LORENZO
LUCK
19
R
20020209-0913
3916
1
DRUG/NARCOTIC VIOLATION
1
STEVEN
BLAIR
LEGANO
23
R
20020209-0913
3916
2
TRESPASS OF REAL PROPERTY
1
STEVEN
BLAIR
LEGANO
23
R
20020209-0913
3916
3
FOUND PROPERTY
1
STEVEN
BLAIR
LEGANO
23
R
20020213-0911
3916
1
TRESPASS OF REAL PROPERTY
2
PAUL
GREGORY
PERRY
19
R
For details see the City web site.
- On January 7, 2002 Butcher asked the court to reconsider its dismissal of the case. The Court denied the motion. The time for appeal now has run and the dismissal is final.
- On March 21, 2002 the Commonwealth's Attorney (to his credit) walked into the Lions Den at the North District Teams meeting. He admitted that the settlement was a mistake. He promised to return to a Team meeting this summer to report on his efforts to deal with the drug activity at the Redwood.
Stay tuned.
Last updated
03/24/02
Please send questions or comments to John Butcher