MPD enforcement priority: Dupont Circle jaywalking?

Snapped this photo this morning of an MPD officer writing jaywalking tickets to pedestrians crossing against the light at Dupont Circle and New Hampshire Ave. During the 45-or-so seconds I stood there, I witnessed the officer write no fewer than four tickets to unsuspecting jaywalkers. (Not to worry: this blogger escaped the wrath of the vigilant MPD officer by crossing legally.)



Periodically, it seems that MPD goes on a jaywalking ticket spree, posting officers at "high incident" intersections and generating some serious revenue for the city in the form of $20 tickets. But it does beg the question: is this part of a larger effort to clamp down on "minor" crimes like jaywalking throughout the city, or is this nothing more than a one-day spurt that will bring in a few thousand dollars to the city's coffers and annoy a number of pedestrians--most of whom will go right back to jaywalking on Monday morning, when the MPD officer is gone?

This isn't to completely excuse jaywalkers, but one does have to wonder what ends are being achieved by haphazardly ticketing a handful of pedestrians one or two days a year in a location where tens of thousands of people jaywalk every day? This episode also brought to mind the time several years ago when MPD officers started ticketing bicyclists who were riding the wrong way on New Hampshire Ave., just south of 16th Street. of course, we know how that ended.

Weekly wrap-up: Lost Society opens, Shariah law comes to CityCenter, shooting in Pleasant Plains

Scouring the web so you don't have to...here are a few things in and around the neighborhood that Caught our attention.

Lost Society opens: This blog's eponymous intersection is getting a new "boutique steakhouse" with a rooftop deck. Begining July 1, Lost Society, from the Local 16 team, will commence operations in the building located at 14th and U. The menu is designed by former Smith & Wollensky chef Joseph Evans. Eater DC has all of the details, including pictures of the interior and the rooftop--which will undoubtedly be full come next Friday evening.



No bars in CityCenter?: Hot on the heels of a glowing piece from the New York Times regarding downtown DC's massive CityCenter project, the City Paper's Lydia DePillis examines an interesting yet seemingly glossed-over point regarding it. Seems that a huge chunk of the financing of the $700 million project is comign from a team of Qatari investors. And while it's true that their money is quite good here, it does come with some strings attached: most notably, the project must follow Shariah law. This means no banks, and no businesses that sell alcohol as their primary business. Avoiding banks isn't that big of a deal--after all, developers Archstone and Hines have been quite vocal about not wanting banks to consume commercial space in the projcect, aiming instead for more dynamic retail. But what of the ban on primarily alcohol-selling establishments? Does this mean no liquor stores, bars, clubs or wine shops? It would seem so. Also, what of a restaurant that derives more than 50% of its sales from alcohol--would they be included?

Considering that the project sits on multiple acres of city-owned land, the fact that religious tenets might impact the type of retailers that can be recruited into spaces in the project might not sit well with some. For their part, the project's developers are downplaying any potential negative consequences of the Shariah law requirements, and are insisting that their plans for the project's retail space--of which nearly 300k square feet will be available upon the project's completion--will not be impacted by the religious requirements.

Four shot--one fatally--near Howard University: Just after yesterday's Caribbean Day parade, four individuals were shot, one fatally, in the 700 block of Gresham Place, just off of Georgia Avenue. MPD have indicated that they believe the shooting related to a neighborhood dispute and was not related to the parade or the day's festivities.

Business Journal interviews Jeff Black: DC restauranteur Jeff Black will soon be bringing two new enterprises to the space at 1612 14th Street: the Pearl Dive Oyster Bar, and the BlackJack Lounge on the second floor. DC UrbanTurf has renderings of the two spaces (including, apparently, a BlackJack bartender who is preparing to fire a weapon). Meanwhile, Missy Frederick at the Business Journal has an interview with Black, where he discusses the 12+ years it has taken him to open in Logan, and his plans for both establishments. (Note: the WBJ website is subscription-only.)

Shooting @ 14th and U This Afternoon

UPDATE #2: Congratulations DJ Reed Rothchild for winning the D-bag of the Day Award. (It's a good thing they never have shootings in Adams-Morgan, eh Reed?)

* * * * *

UPDATE: A couple of things to update from below. Reports now say that the two individuals shot were teenagers, both shot in the ankle, and that the violence stemmed from a gang/crew dispute. All of the surrounding streets have been reopened to vehicular traffic (the Metro station was never closed).

Jim Graham has also come out with a statement indicating that we need to crackdown on gang violence, although short of advancing the controversial anti-loitering law, I'm not certain what he is proposing.

* * * * *

At around 2:35 PM this afternoon, it appears that at least two individuals were shot near the intersection of 14th and U streets. According to DCist, witnesses stated that the two individuals were shot at 14th and W, and proceeded south to U Street. Apparently one victim was shot in the foot, and the other in the leg.

Police have currently closed U Street between 13th and 14th, leading one area resident to describe the scene as "eerily quiet".

Property crime is up, but...

Last week, the blogosphere and Twitterverse were all aflutter over the report that came out showing a disturbing rise in property crime in the District. And to be sure, things like a 65% increase in thefts, or the fact that burglaries are up 300% in Dupont Circle, are worthy areas of concern.

But my point here isn't to address the city's response to crime. Well, not from a policing or policy perspective, at least (although it's a worthy discussion why Cathy Lanier seems to have determined that 3,800 police officers is the magic number for the District). Rather, I wanted to mention to something more insignificant, but which I've been noticing more of recently. Namely, this:



I passed this scene the other morning on a Logan Circle residential block--a truly unfortunate and all-too-common sight. However, the car you see in the background was not the one whose window was smashed; I had walked down the same block the week before and noticed the glass then. The shattered glass came from a different car, long since gone. Meaning that there is now a pile of shattered glass that is sitting there--and will continue sitting there for weeks, or until a heavy rain starts to wash it away. Meanwhile, cars are forced to drive over the glass when parking, and people and pets must step on or around it while walking along the sidewalk.

So, I'm issuing a plea to people who are the unfortunate victims of property crime to their cars: do everyone a favor, and clean-up the mess before you leave. And if you're a property owner and you notice something like this in front of your home, take a minute or two to sweep it up. After all, no one else will. Mrs. 14thandyou and I have each been on the receiving end of a smashed car window (enjoying that crappy, $10 cellphone headset, losers?), so we know that it sucks. But it also sucks having to dodge piles of shattered auto glass for weeks.

Report: DC9 Death Ruled a Homicide

An interesting turn in the ongoing saga relating to U Street-area rock club DC9 and the death of Ali Ahmed Mohammed. According to TBD and DCist, Mohammed's death has been ruled a homicide by the DC Medical Examiner.

There are no accusations related to who may--or may not--be responsible for Mohammad's death. DC9 had been closed for the last two months as a result of the incident and ongoing investigation, but reopened last week.

DCist provided a statement sent to them by the Mohammed family's attorney, Billy Martin:

This morning, the family of Ali Ahmed Mohammed received the death certificate based upon the autopsy performed by the D.C. Medical Examiner's office. The death certificate confirms that Ali's death was a homicide. The family wishes to commend those at the Medical Examiner¹s office for their hard work and dedication in helping to uncover that Ali¹s death was a homicide. The family is confident that law enforcement will continue its investigation into Ali's tragic death and that the Medical Examiner¹s report is a step toward justice for Ali. The Medical Examiner's findings, however, also reminds us that Ali suffered a cruel and senseless death. Ali did not deserve to die for allegedly breaking a window. The family remains heartbroken and cannot have peace until those responsible for Ali's death are brought to justice.

There is no word on the club's operating status at this point, although nothing leads us to believe that they will shut down again in the near future.

TBD Reports on Hate Crimes Along 1400 Block of R Street

A truly horrific story appeared this morning on TBD detailing a series of brutal attacks on homosexuals gays that have occured along the 1400 block of R Street.

The piece centers around the recent efforts to attract moderate and higher income-earning individuals to the R Street Apartments along the 1400 block, following the successful effort last year to ensure that affordable housing units remained on the Block for the next 40 years. The initiative was the result of an agreement between the District government, the National Housing Trust and Hampstead Development Group.

That the 1400 block of R Street has a higher rate of crime that surrounding blocks has been the area's worst-kept secret for years. However, marketing efforts by the Trust were geared towards attracting more affluent residents to a development that had predominantly been home to low-income African-American residents. The dreaded "g word," in other words.

So how's that working out?

Not so good for at least a couple of white, homosexual gay males who decided to take the plunge. According to one excerpt from the story, within a week of moving in, a gentlemen named Stanley experienced the following:

On March 26, Stanley moved to R Street; by April 2, he found himself splayed out in the middle of it. Stanley was drifting in and out of consciousness, talking with a paramedic on the pavement. He remembered walking home on the south side of the street, his grocery cart in tow. He passed a group hanging outside the row of apartment buildings on the block. A woman led the group in taunting him. “She screamed at me about not wanting another white faggot on her side of the street,” Stanley says. A fight broke out, Stanley felt the cart pulled from his hands, and “after the whack on the head, I don’t remember much,” he says.

According to a police report, Stanley was punched in the face and repeatedly beaten on the back of the head. A neighbor from across the street recovered his cart and called an ambulance. He spent the night in Howard University Hospital.

Things weren't any better for Ted Puntanen, who moved into a studio apartment in the complex nad soon encountered problems.

The next day, Puntanen noticed “five young black guys standing around in my hallway, just standing around,” he says. “I didn’t think anything of it. I said hello, and they all just stared at me.”

Two days later, Puntanen noticed another group of black men inside the lobby. As he walked past them with his bicycle, the suspects said, “you don’t belong here, faggot, we’re going to kill you,” and “we don’t need any more faggots in here.” According to a police report, five to six suspects beat and kicked Puntanen in the eye, nose, and knees. “They had pulled my pants down and left me half-naked, half in and half out of the door, bleeding,” says Puntanen. His right eye swelled completely shut. “And out of all the screaming, all the run-around, all of the laughing and calling me faggot,” Puntanen says, “nobody called 911.”

In all, it's both a horrific and sad commentary on what human beings are capable of doing to each other. Crime has been a problem along that stretch of R Street for years...but to learn of the personal story behind such a violent act is particularly troubling.

According to the story, two of the men who beat up Puntanen--Michael Speight and Delonte Olden--were arrested and pled guilty to assault with significant bodily injury. The crime was deemed to be bias-motivated, meaning that both Speight and Olden are looking at longer jail terms. Practically inconceivable, however, was the statement made by Speight's mother: "Michael is a good kid. He just got in the wrong place at the wrong time." As if *anyone* would have beaten the crap out of Puntanen, it just happened that Michael drew the short straw.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Ms. Speight, but your son is not a good kid. Perhaps he looked out for you, brought the groceries in from the car, or picked up little sister after school sometimes. But he also pummeled a man senseless for no reason other than because he was gay. That is appalling behavior. I hope prison helps your son straighten out his life, because he is not a "good" kid now by any definition of the word.

As for the 1400 block of R Street: I guess old habits die hard.

So You Have a Question About the DC9 Case?

Well, who doesn't? Like, what was the deal with the blood in the infamous Washington Post picture? What's going to happen to DC9 now that the ANC voted not to support a renewal of its license? Do police suspect race as a motivating factor?

Today, TBD hosted an online chat (specifically, it was hosted by editor Sommer Mathis) where interested parties could submit questions that had been at the top of their minds. It's actually pretty informative, so if you have a few moments available head on over to TBD and check it out.

Charges Against DC9 Employees DROPPED

According to the City Paper and DCist, the United States Attorney's Office announced today that it has dropped all charges againt the five DC9 employees accused of assaulting/murdering Ali Ahmed Mohammed.

The USAO released this statement, as reported by the City Paper:

Our work is not done. The tragic death of Ali Ahmed Mohammed demands that we undertake a careful and comprehensive investigation to determine precisely how he died. Today’s action was taken after a detailed examination of the evidence gathered during the first three weeks of the investigation and a determination that we need more information before moving forward. Our investigation will be informed by pending forensic analyses and the ruling of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on the cause and manner of death, important factors in any death inquiry.

The search for justice cannot be rushed, and we will continue to pursue an active and vigorous inquiry. This is a time of unbearable grief for Mr. Mohammed’s family and friends. We thank them for their patience and understanding as we continue our work.

So, not even an assault charge. Clearly, the door remains open for any and/or all of the individuals--Bill Spieler, Darryl Carter, Evan Preller, Reginald Phillips and Arthur Zaloga--to be charged again, depending upon the results of the DC Medical Examiner's report.

But still, this is a shocking turn of events. I'm inclined to believe what a DCist commenter wrote: someone f'ed up bigtime.

One Dead in Drive-By Shooting @ 11th and U

EDIT: MPD have made an arrest in the shooting, which appears to be a case of two rival gangs getting into an altercation at a funeral which led to the gunfire. Stay classy, street gangs.

On a related note, the victim who died--Jamal Coates--appeared in a campaign video for Ward 1 council candidate Bryan Weaver.

* * * * * *

DCist is reporting that one person has died, and two others have been injured, in a drive-by shooting this afternoon at 11th and U streets. Apparently, the shooting somehow involved the procession for Ashley McRae, who was found shot in the backseat of a car on September 18 after a night out at a nightclub in NE.

Ward 1 ANC commissioner and city council candidate Bryan Weaver tweeted at approximately 12:45 that police had covered the body of an African-American male in his 20s, and that Weaver "might know him".

From DCist:

Details about the actual gunfire are scant -- a Ben's Chili Bowl employee that we talked with on the scene said that he saw gunmen fleeing from the scene southbound. Other eyewitnesses also said that two men escaped from the overturned car after the crash and fled on foot. D.C. Fire and EMS are on the scene and evaluating injuries, but there is no word yet on specifics. The car was completely totaled.

Several people were in hysterical tears by the entrance to Solly's at the intersection of 11th and U, and it took several authorities to calm them. Emotions were running very high at the scene; several people who were yelling at police had to forced to leave the scene as they investigated. Detectives with MPD were on their way to the scene when DCist came back to file this report.

U Street Cafe Burglarized

Via TBD, the U Street Cafe, located at 1301 U Street, was burglarized early Sunday morning. In what could have been an inside job, it appears that a suspect (or suspects) entered the cafe before it opened and set off the burglar alarm, though not before making off with approximately $200 from the register.

This is indeed unfortunate news, although we're thankful that no one was injured. Personally, we like the U Street Cafe, even if they manage to occasionally screw up your bagel order. Nicer people you will not find, and the space is very well maintained. The blueberry muffins aren't bad either, although they're going to have to sell a few of those to offset the $200 in losses.

Weekend Shooting at 8th and R

Total crime may be down across DC so far this year, but that didn't stop a shooting at 8th and R Streets just outside of the Shaw Metro Station early Sunday morning.

According to PoP, a victim was taken to a hostpial in stable condition.

The shooting was one of several notable events in the central-NW part of the city this weekend, which included a CUA senior being murdered at Sherman Circle, and a carjacking on Sheridan Street.

Not saying the two are related, but perhaps we should be thankful that the first day of school is today?

A Question for City Leaders

A brief question for District leaders, related to this weekend's fracas on the Metro:

How does a "brawl...which involved at least 70 youths fighting each other in a frenzy" that began "at the Gallery Place Station...and spilled onto the platform for the Green and Yellow lines at L'Enfant Plaza Station, terrifying other riders and causing a stampede" that resulted in the injury of five people, result in this:

"Two 16-year-olds were charged."

And people wonder why the perception of DC being an unsafe city persists. The question of why an out-and-out brawl, which went on for between 15-20 minutes across multiple Metro stations and lines, and sent several people to the hospital while frightening many others, resulted in 97% of the participants escaping arrest warrants significant scrutiny. Such as, why did it take police officers more than 15 minutes to respond to 911 calls from panicked riders who were ducking the melee? It's a miracle no one fired a gun, and that no one was killed.

In the meantime, while DC and Metro police, and various city officials, sort this out, allow me to offer a recommendation to the youths of the city: The next time you have a score to settle, instead of meeting down to the flagpole after school, why not board the nearest Metro train? Apparently you can go at each other, unharassed by local authorities, for as long as you like. Make sure you bring weapons.

Sigh.

Random Neighborhood Thoughts, Pt. 2

The latest in a continuing series of posts that are basically a series of disconnected thoughts. Best for those of us with ADD.

*****

OK, I get that people enjoy dining al fresco, particularly when the weather is nice. But is dining outside along 14th Street really that enjoyable of an experience? Between the noise and fumes emanating from the Metrobuses, the general cacophony of 14th Street traffic (particularly motorcycles and EMS vehicles) and random people approaching you for a "friendly chat", let's just say that I've dined outside in better places.

*****

It will be a nice day once Metro is able to update its fleet of buses and get everything running as quiet as, say, the G2 along P Street. The 50 line buses can sound like a jet engine taking off when they accelerate--which is amplified when the Metrobus driver stops and accelerates a dozen times in the space of a single block.

*****

Speaking of buses, I meant to write earlier about the story from a few weeks back noting that the District was stepping back from Circulator expansion out of concern that it was competing with the Metrobus system. My question: why is that a bad thing? If people gravitate towards a system that offers greater frequency and reliability, a simplified route and fewer stops (meaning you get to your destination faster), that should say something to the Metro powers-that-be. Your job should be to present District residents with the most dependable and reliable public transit possible; if Metrobus is failing in that regard, fix it. Don't cut back on Circulator expansion simply because it's perceived to be stealing riders from Metrobus.

*****

Switching gears a bit...I'm impressed with how the Room and Board building is coming along. I'll be the first to admit that the prospects of yet another furniture retailer along 14th Street didn't exactly send me rushing into the streets with giddyness. But they're doing a fantastic renovation on that building, and the customer traffic they will bring into the neighborhood can only serve to help the other local retailers. It's also nice to have a new business enter the neighborhood that doesn't provoke some kind of alcohol-fueled controversy.


*****

For all the talk about how DC's homicide rate continues to plummet (and that is a *good* thing), why no talk about how gun crimes are going up through the roof? It's good that the triggers aren't getting pulled as often, but for anyone on the wrong end of a gun robbery the experience can be traumatizing. Yeah, DC's something like a thousand times safer than it was 20 years ago, but let's maintain some perspective.

*****

OK, seriously, WTF is with all of the tagging going on in the neighborhood? We raised this back in February, with assurances that it would be addressed. Yet, near as I can tell, the volume of tags has only increased. The Verizon building next door to Cafe Salsa got hit sometime last week.

*****

I noticed that the 11th Street streetscape project is finally wrapping up. A mere 10 months over schedule. And people wonder why business owners get nervous whenever a streetscape project is announced? To see what a *really* messed up street looks like, head over to H Street NE. That one is a real mess.

*****

And finally...yes, the Caps loss to Montreal is beyond disappointing, yes Bruce Boudreau should be brought back, and no, Jaroslav Halak is not the second coming of Patrick Roy or Dominic Hasek. He just played like it.

Now I've been reduced to rooting for my other favorite team: whoever is playing Pittsburgh.

Nellie's Robbed at Gunpoint; Mid-City Caffe is Really Cool

It appears that Nellie's was robbed this afternoon at gunpoint; Borderstan has the scoop.

I can't tell you how upsetting it is to learn that businesses we love have been the victim of a violent crime. The Mrs. and I have watched more Capitals and Buckeyes games at Nellie's (and played a few rounds of Jenga) than we can count. Thankfully, no one was injured.

On another note, I wanted to pass along a positive story about one of our local businesses. Over the weekend, I inadvertently left my debit card in a local ATM. Aside from being risky to your bank account, it presents all kinds of headaches for your day-to-day activities--including paying for your morning coffee and bagel. I had to hang around the neighborhood a bit this morning in order to wait for the bank branch to open up so I could retrieve my card; while I did so, I decided to pop into the Mid-City Caffe for some breakfast and a coffee.

After placing my order, it immediately dawned on me that I had no cash to pay for it. Seeing my predicament, the guy working the counter said "no problem, just pay us the next time you're in," and promptly delivered my bagel and latte. Now, he certainly didn't have to do that...but it was really cool that he did. So, thank you Mid-City. You've certainly earned yourself a loyal customer.

Graffiti Monster Attacking Logan

So, I don't know whether or not you've noticed, but Logan--in particular 14th Street--has been hit with a scourge of graffiti recently. Anyone who has spent time in the neighborhood knows that we get some tagging here and there--at the Zipcar lot, along some alleyways, etc. But recently, it's getting much more severe. Just strolling down 14th Street recently, I snapped the following:









Many people may not know this, but DPW can actually cite property owners for failing to remove graffiti, once the owner has been notified of it. Practically speaking however, this is one of those laws that is just hardly ever enforced. So, what can be done:

DPW maintains a website--somewhat humorously titled "Not In Our DC!"--devoted explicitly to the issues of litter and graffiti removal. DPW will send a team to a property to remove graffiti, provided the property owner requests it. Citizens can also contact DPW directly through their website to submit a request that graffiti be removed from a property. In addition, DPW offers free "graffiti removal kit" vouchers that property owners can request.

I haven't received any word on what may be responsible for the recent uptick in graffiti in the neighborhood, but whatever the source it's something those of us in the neighborhood can address.

"Estadio" Liquor License Discussion Set for Wednesday

Welcome to 2010, 14thandyou-ers. I hope everyone had a safe, happy and relaxing new year's. I know we did.

What better way to ring in the new year than via an ANC2F meeting? Well, actually, I can think of several more attractive alternatives, but this is DC after all, and we do nothing if not local politics here, so I guess it fits. There are a couple of items of note on this month's agenda, not the least of which is a discussion related to a voluntary agreement for a liquor license for the forthcoming Estadio, the new culinary destination set to arrive later this year at 14th and Church streets. Estadio, you may recall, will be operated by the same team that is behind Penn Quarter's Proof.

Needless to say, the restaurant's liquor license application has been met with a fair amount of pushback from neighborhood residents--particularly those who live directly above it. Remember, that space was previously occupied by the Garden District, and a more benign downstairs neighbor you are unlikely to find. I'm not privy to the issues being addressed in the voluntary agreement negotiations, but it's safe to assume that they involve some combination of 1) operating hours, 2) noise, 3) trash collection and 4) traffic and parking.

It's worth noting, prior to embarking on this lively discussion, that the ANC is limited in its powers with regards to liquor license applications. It cannot refuse to grant licenses--only ABRA has that power. But it can enter the proceedings as a protestant (typically on the grounds of "peace, order and quiet"). The voluntary agreements that are negotiated in order for the ANC to drop their protest are, despite some evidence to the contrary, voluntary--meaning that if the two sides cannot come to an agreement, an adjudication hearing will be held to resolve the dispute.

Other items on the ANC's agenda for Wednesday evening will be a ratification of the Cork and Fork VA (the new wine shop opening across the street from Estadio), a discussion of ongoing crime issues at the Monterrey Condominium complex at 11th and N, and a review of the economic development recommendations put forth by the ANC2f Arts Overlay Committee during summer and fall of last year.

As always, meetings begin at 7 PM on Wednesday evening at the Washington Plaza Hotel in Thomas Circle. Additional information can be found at the ANC's website.

What Was the Commotion on S Street This Evening?

Anyone walking along 14th or 15th streets at S Street between 7:30 - 9:00 pm this evening no doubt noticed the significant collection of police cards, ambulances, fire engines and other EMS vehicles surrounding S Street.

Based on reports we received at the scene, it seems that an individual was seen breaking into a car along 15th street this evening by a man and woman. The man gave chase while the woman called the police; police responded quickly but were unable to immediately apprehend the suspect, who broke into an unoccupied house along the 1400 block of S Street by crashing through a skylight, and climbed into a crawl space. Police, not knowing whether or not the suspect was armed, and unable to determine with certainty whether or not others were in the house, blocked off the street and broke through the back door of the house with a battering ram. At that point, they were able to successfully apprehend the female suspect.

So, yes...basically the response we witnessed this evening was the result of a breaking and entering. Borderstan has more details.



Image courtesy of Luis Gomez.

Shaw Crime Meeting Yields More Finger Pointing Than Results

Howdy, folks. This is Mrs. 14th & You temporarily coming out of blogger retirement. (I’m on break from grad school and need something to do other than study for the two standardized tests I must take in the coming month.)

Last night Council member Phil Mendelson hosted a forum on crime in Shaw, which was attended by between 30 and 40 residents. Though Mendelson holds an at-large seat, he is concerned about Shaw because he chairs the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary. Also present were representatives of the Metropolitan Police Department, Albert Herring of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ward Two Council member Jack Evans, ANC 2C Commissioner Kevin Chapple, and ANC 2F Commissioner Mike Bernardo. In the scope of city events, it was a small gathering, but a reasonable cross-section of stakeholders was in attendance.

Here’s the really quick summary of some of the solutions proposed by Shaw residents:

• Anti-loitering laws
• Assurances that criminals once caught will stay locked up
• Accountability of public officials

And the really quick summary of Mendelson’s responses:

• Anti-loitering laws have not proven effective in other jurisdictions, such as Richmond. In both DC and CA, anti-loitering laws have been limited by the courts so as to not infringe on the constitutional right to assembly.
• The civil gang injunction legislation was poorly written and almost surely would have violated due process and individual liberties.
• Current laws and mandatory minimum sentencing have not proven to be deterrents to crime.
• Whether someone is convicted and incarcerated rests with the United States Attorney’s Office and judges. DC voters and elected officials have no say over U.S. Attorney or judge appointments.
• He would like Fenty to reinstate the position of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. Mendelson believes that it is the executive branch that has the greatest power to “knock heads” and hold others accountable.
• A number of arrests do not result in indictments. Of the indictments that DC does get, a number of those suspects go free. Mendelson would like to study DC arrest, indictment, and conviction rates in order to determine why so many repeat offenders are free. He reports that he and Evans want to work to secure funding for such a statistical study.

Having now attended the meeting, I’m not sure why Mendelson would host it. Perhaps with an election year coming up he’s feeling pressure from Clark Ray, who this September announced his intent to challenge Mendelson. From statements made at the meeting, it also seems that some area residents and members of the blogosphere have been emailing him lately about their crime concerns. In any event, Phil Mendelson is known for having stated previously that there is no legislative solution to crime in Shaw. Yet, the City Council’s role in crime prevention is, by definition, legislative. This quandary did not miss residents. They wanted to hear that someone somewhere in the DC government could control the situation in Shaw and was going to try to do so. Residents requested that the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary subpoena the USAO’s office. (For the record, Mr. Herring states that his office is asked to testify all the time on proposed legislation and someone always appears or provides written testimony.) Another resident also wanted the Committee to lobby the feds to ensure a greater rate of convictions.

As much ire as Mendelson attracted from residents, Jack Evans should have garnered more for his obnoxious behavior. He used this meeting as a chance to dig into Mendelson for not supporting civil gang injunctions, though it sounds like the legislation as introduced was really poorly written. Evans also shouted down USAO representative Herring, demanding answers for crime in Shaw. Well, Mr. Evans, you came to the meeting with no solutions to the problem. How is a non-elected official with no control over funding, departmental coordination, the MPD, social services, or any other factor other than prosecution supposed to come up with an innovative answer in under thirty seconds? It was unfair petty politicking.

Something that was mentioned twice in the meeting, once by Evans and once by Mendelson, is that, though statistics show drops in crime citywide, even in Shaw, residents perceive a higher crime environment. This was not raised to challenge residents’ assumptions about crime, but rather to validate concerned residents. In my next post, I’ll go ahead and critically examine those assumptions because I’m not an elected official.

TONIGHT: Councilmember Mendelson Holds Crime Summit

DC Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), who chairs the DC Council's Committee on Public Safety will be leading a forum discussion on crime in the Shaw and Mt. Vernon Square neighborhoods this evening. The event will take place from 7 - 9:30 PM at the New Community Church at 614 S Street.

According to Mendelson: "The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss what the Council has done/can do to improve public safety in the Shaw and Mt. Vernon Square neighborhoods. I have asked that the MPD and U.S. Attorney's office send representatives, and intend that the bulk of the meeting with me devoted to answering questions from those who attend."

This should be interesting, although the cynic in me doesn't think anything substantive will come from this ("Yes, we'll work to bring down gun crime...") and that this is only taking place because Mendelson has an honest-to-god challenger for his seat, in the form of Clark Ray.

Borderstan and Life in Mount Vernon Square have more.

Arrest Made in Shooting of 9 yo; Columbia Heights Still a Work in Progress

So by now, you've probably heard that the MPD made an arrest in this past weekend's murder of 9 year old Jose Oscar Fuentes, who lived with his family in an apartment in Columbia Heights and was gunned down as he stood inside the front door of his apartment on Saturday evening.

First of all, let me say bravo to the MPD for some excellent police work (assuming, of course, that the suspect is the right guy). It's good to see, at least, that they were able to make an arrest so quickly. But there is, of course, a bigger issue here.

Sometimes, the violence in this city really seems oppressive. It's always there, simmering like an unattended pot on a stove, but sometimes it boils over and forces you to take notice of it. That's what I've found occurring ever since Jose's Oscar's murder this weekend. I truly do love this city, and everything it offers--in spite of its flaws. But there are certain events that transpire that cause me to view the city with a different perspective, however fleetingly. That's what I've found happening this week.

And what to make of Columbia Heights? I don't normally cover things up there--there's more than enough to keep me occupied here in Logan. But it's close enough that me and the Mrs. have regular interactions with it; this includes weekly shopping trips to the Giant and occasional Target runs, among other things. I've also known and/or interacted with a number of people who call Columbia Heights home. And while everyone is appropriately expressing outrage at the murder of Jose Oscar Fuentes, there remains a not-so-subtle undercurrent of surprise from some individuals that such an act could possibly occur in a neighborhood like Columbia Heights.

Col Heights is, in every respect, a transitioning neighborhood. And I think some people buying the expensive rowhouses and even more expensive "luxury" condos there can forget the fact that when one buys into a transitioning neighborhood, there are two sides to that coin. There's the hipster bars, the chain store retail, the attractive housing stock and "urban feel" that the neighborhood provides. But there's also the shootings, the gang beefs and the seemingly never-ending drug trade and prostitution that goes on. That's the Columbia Heights people would like to forget.

To be sure, that stuff happens in other neighborhoods too (unfortunately). But Columbia Heights has been altered faster than possibly any neighborhood has in the history of the city. Just five years ago, it was a largely neglected crime- and drug-infested mess. Then, some developers conspired with the city to stick Clarendon up there, and it became the new place to be. But the ills that plagued the neighborhood didn't magically disappear--they just got swept aside a bit. And they rear their heads from time to time, in the form of gunfights at the Metro station, random shootings on the street, and--yes--the senseless killing of a 9 year old boy in his apartment.

Ultimately, I think the tide of gentrification will continue to sweep over the neighborhood. Past events haven't deterred ongoing development and growth in Columbia Heights, and there's no reason to think that this will, either. I fully expect more Chipotles, more wine bars, more gastropubs and high-end retail in the future. And I imagine housing demand will continue pretty much unabated. But the crime will, as well. And life will continue in Columbia Heights.