• The Salvation Army’s “Grate Patrol” provides warm meals to the homeless in Washington every night. The program gets its name because the charity’s white van — called the “canteen” — stops to deliver food at sidewalk heated grate vents where the homeless often sleep. The canteen was stolen Sunday morning, reports Emily Miller.
• Crime is really bad now in D.C. Homicides are up 33%. Motor vehicle thefts — including carjackings— are up 90%. Still. You’d think a white van with a giant red  “Salvation Army” logo would deter criminals.
• Nevertheless, the grate patrol truck was stolen Sunday morning, which the Salvation Army said made it impossible to continue to serve the hot meals.

Tagged: Crime Blotter