Officials alerted students of a recent string of robberies involving the Canada Goose jackets “near” the Foggy Bottom Campus in a GW Alert Wednesday.
The alert states the “very expensive” coats have been taken from individuals, and in some cases, weapons had “been brandished,” warning students to be careful while wearing them. Officials said no Canada Goose thefts have occurred on campus, but two cases of stolen Canada Goose jackets took place “near” the Foggy Bottom Campus Wednesday.
“These jackets are very expensive, and our community members should be mindful while wearing them, even in very public spaces,” the alert states. “As always, be mindful of your surroundings. If a situation feels unsafe, dial 911.”
The alert follows a series of reports of stolen Canada Goose jackets across the city over the past month like at Howard University, where campus police made arrests after a student was punched and robbed, according to NBC4 Washington.
Canada Goose jackets can cost upwards of $500, with some jackets selling for more than $1000, according to Canada Goose’s website. On Depop, a peer-to-peer online commerce reseller, Canadian Goose jackets are listed between $350 to $700.
Morgan Kane, the Metropolitan Police Department’s assistant chief for Patrol Services North, which encompasses the second, third, fourth and fifth police districts, said constituents with “goose downcoats” were being “targeted” in neighborhood robberies, she said at a Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting last month.
“If you have a loved one, or if you wear one, when you’re traversing the streets of the District, just be just be cautious and be aware in that space that that is something that we’re seeing targeted as well as jewelry, off of individuals,” Kane said.