DC: Scooters stolen at gunpoint

[mukaiboston]

Some of you have probably seen my previous posts about just moving to Northern Virginia. I'm currently staying in Alexandria and have mainly been traveling to Arlington and the Northwest quadrant.

Like Boston (where I came from), scooter theft seems to be rampant, even in Northwest which is supposedly the safest quadrant.

Does anyone have any advice on what the scooter theft situation is really like?

What is extremely disturbing is the scooterjackings that have occured in Adams Morgan and in Dupont Circle involving handguns. I've heard that Adams Morgan is a very bad place to take a scooter as thieves rob scooters at gunpoint, knifepoint and do things like attempt to saw through chains on main streets in broad daylight. Last month, a scooter was even stolen from Georgetown.

From now on, I think I am going to have to avoid Columbia Heights, the U Street Corridor and Adams Morgan because those seem to be the worst areas for a scooter. Any thoughts from people who have been here a while?

Not trying to be paranoid, but being scooterjacked at gunpoint is something I do not want to experience.

[BootScootin'FireFighter]

I've been riding for about 4 years in the area. My wifes first Buddy was stolen after about a year from N. Arlington. It was locked up to a metal railing with a 7 foot chain around the floorboard. The crooks were able to get the scooter on the ground and maneuver the chain up and over the handlebars, with just the chain left intact. It was one of the few nights we didn't put on the Xena disc lock. Fast forward to last month... I had my license plate taken off of mine, and a mirror and X-grip (iphone) mount taken off of her scoot. Both didn't have a Xena lock. People seem to be more grabby when there's not an audible deterrant. I've never left a scooter locked up in DC overnight, other than at a Metro station. I suppose I got lucky. I try to avoid the District as much as possible, especially at night. I would especially avoid Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights after 11pm. The neighborhood likes to tout about how walkable and lively the area is, but the muggings and robberies never cease to amaze me, nor how in denial the city is about how dangerous the area still is. Lots of creeps out preying on seemingly intoxicated bar patrons, and they're everywhere (drunks).

Best advice is to stay in Virginia as much as possible. Stay off the roads on Friday and Saturday nights between 11pm and 5am. Lock up all the time, and get theft insurance. Worth every penny! If someone puts a gun in your face, have at it, ride safely! I've never heard of anyone getting jacked at gunpoint, but it wouldn't surprise me. When we lived in N. Arlington, my wifey rode home from work at a restaurant job late and a creeper in a dark van followed her all the way home and scared the crap out of her. She used to call me to let me know when she was leaving work, but didn't this time. From then on, I'd go to her work and ride home with her. Now that we have a car, she won't ride at night. The van managed to turn around and hi-tail it before I was able to issue a beating.

Where in NW are you commuting to? It may be worth your while to take Military Rd up through Arlington and cross over at the Chain Bridge to Arizona Avenue. That'll put you right near Tenleytown and AU. You might also consider Key Bridge, left on M St, and Foxhall Rd north. Or even M St east to Wisconsin Ave north. Wisconsin is probably a better option north to Macomb or Van Ness Sts east towards Cleveland Park.

[mukaiboston]

I only take my scooter to Georgetown, Dupont Circle, downtown (like near Metro Center) and the Smithsonian.

If I go to Adams Morgan, I drive the car.

The theft thing doesn't really surprise me as scooter thefts were rampant in Boston, but I'm just trying to balance when I should and should not take the scooter.

What exactly is North Arlington? Is the area between Ballston and Rosslyn considered North Arlington?

[mukaiboston]

I've been riding for about 4 years in the area. My wifes first Buddy was stolen after about a year from N. Arlington.

Okay, I just spoke to my parents and they said that North Arlington is supposed to be super safe.

Well...they do say that your home is the number one target for scooter thieves because that is where the scooter spends most of its time.

That's too bad that happened.

[JAEGER]

Yeah, if you stay on this side of the Potomac you're more likely to avoid the nonsense.

West of 14th St. NW is usually pretty safe. It often gets dicier when you go east of that. Keep your head up and eyes open on the east side of town, but I've driven/ridden a lot and never had any problem.

The best advice: try not to look like food.

--Jaeger

[mukaiboston]

West of 14th St. NW is usually pretty safe. It often gets dicier when you go east of that.
--Jaeger

Great, my scooter is parked on 11th Street in front of the Washington Gas building as I read this. I just picked up a Xena alarm though.