Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511130058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA LENGTH: Medium
After last week's rape of a 19-year-old woman in Founders Park and an assault in which a man was shot in the thigh, Police Chief Charles E. Samarra said the department was increasing patrols and assigning plainclothes officers to stake out potential crime areas.
``These are crimes of violence. We are concerned, and citizens are concerned,'' Samarra said. ``We are going to use all of our resources to deal with the problem and make sure additional crimes don't occur.''
The crimes have occurred in a period when overall armed robberies in Alexandria have fallen to their lowest level since 1970, Samarra said. In addition, in Old Town Alexandria, where businesses and houses date to the 18th century, violent crime has been a rarity.
But in recent months, that has changed.
Beginning in the summer, a series of robberies by gunmen wearing bandannas disrupted the community's tranquillity. In recent weeks, the violence spilled over to Founders Park, next to the Torpedo Factory, a popular complex of art studios.
On Oct. 25, an Arlington man and a Fairfax woman were sitting on a bench in the park when three gunmen approached them. Both victims were pistol-whipped and robbed.
The park is well-traveled by residents and tourists and had never been the site of a serious crime, said Samarra, who added that no arrests have been made in the recent Old Town attacks.
Monday night, community anxiety deepened when a woman was raped at knifepoint in the park.
``People are very, very disturbed,'' said Jim Dorsch, president of the Founders Park Community Association. ``It's a very popular park. People are there early in the morning and late at night, jogging, running or walking their dogs.''
Bradley Marshall, 42, a computer software designer, was home when the rape victim knocked on his door pleading for help.
``It does affect your perspective. Yes, I am more careful. Yes, I double-check to make sure everything is locked. And, yes, I have applied for a new gun permit,'' Marshall said. ``I have never owned a gun before, but when crime is at your front door, you don't bury your head in the sand.''
by CNB