CM Charles Allen’s Barracks Row Safety Walk

CM Charles Allen led a public safety walk on Barracks Row last Wednesday night.

CM Charles Allen’s Barracks Row Safety Walk

by Larry Janezich

Posted October 29, 2023

Last Wednesday night, CM Charles Allen hosted a Barracks Row Public Safety Walk.  MPD 1st District officers accompanied Commander Colin Hall, Dr. Jasmine Brann, principal of Tyler Elementary School; representatives from the federal  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA); and others including Brian Ready, Executive Director of Barracks Row Main Street ANC6B Commissioners Frank D’Andrea and David Sobelsohn.  The community turnout was substantial, numbering in the dozens.

The state of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza – specifically the SW quadrant – monopolized discussion.  One attendee pressed for removal of the furniture, a suggestion which Allen rejected.  Commander Hall laid out a plan for a reinvigorated police commitment to the plaza, including increased foot and bike patrols and some things he declined to specify, possibly an allusion to undercover work.

An attendee asked about the recent mini-spike in robberies and carjackings.  The Commander responded that this was his number one priority and the First District had some additional resources patrolling that very evening.  CM Allen said he was working on coordinating a community crime meeting on carjackings.

Commander Hall responded to a question about the possible return of orange hat patrols by saying he welcomed them.

Another attendee raised the issue of dangerous driving.  Hall and Allen referenced a new traffic enforcement plan including additional enforcement against drivers operating vehicles with false or expired temporary tags.  In addition, he intends to step up traffic enforcement at the 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue intersection.

Another question regarding the cannabis gift shops on Barracks Row drew Allen’s response that the shops are illegal but there is no enforcement.  New licensing regulations going into effect will provide greater oversight and regulation and provide that no gift shop can operate within 400 feet of another.  Allen urged people to use medical marijuana establishments for any needs, as those are regulated by the city.

Asked for comment after the meeting, ANC6B Commissioner David Sobelsohn said, “The huge crowd … showed the deep concern Capitol Hill residents have about the increased threat to public safety in our community.  First District Commander Colin Hall, who led the walk, takes the threat seriously and personally.  As Councilmember Allen pointed out, the threat is both critical and complex.  It requires a multifaceted approach.  But law enforcement is key.  Actions must have consequences.  I hope soon to arrange regular updates by First District MPD officers at our ANC meetings, either at our monthly full ANC meetings or at meetings of our newly revived Public Safety Committee….”

ANC6B Commissioner Frank D’Andrea said, “Attendance was very high…a lot of the discussion turned to general concerns around crime. Carjacking, muggings and shootings … were of course mentioned….papering cases remains an issue and without the accountability of a possible trial and sentencing arrests won’t have a great impact….the US Attorney’s office is going to start liaising with MPD to identify issues and hopefully get the cases that should be papered, get papered.

Another big topic of discussion was the Eastern Market Metro Park, specifically the group of people experiencing homelessness that will sometimes camp out under the bandstand….MPD will be conducting more patrols and has assigned an officer to be in charge of the park….a lot of the issues experienced at the EMMP and the blocks surrounding the metro….are not MPD issues and are rather quality of life issues that need to be dealt with by other agencies…. If there is one overall take away it’s that crime is complicated and there is no silver bullet. Crime that occurs must be prosecuted, but also measures to stop crime before it happens or alleviate qualify of life issues need to be robust.”