Architect’s rendering of the renovated Folger Library.
By Larry Janezich
Posted December 27, 2023
Folger Shakespeare Library announced just before Christmas that the Library will reopen this coming June. Last fall, the opening scheduled for November 17, 2023 was moved to a TBA date in 2024. The date for the ribbon cutting ceremony will be made public at the end of January.
According to a news release, the newly renovated building is largely done and staff is preparing the collection for display in the exhibition halls. Work on building out the exhibition galleries and the new café in the Folger’s Great Hall continues.
The announcement from the Library states, “Our goal has always been to guarantee that generations after us are able to enjoy and benefit from our incredible collection, our innovative exhibition halls, our storied theater and all the new public spaces we’ve created.”
The U. S. Botanic Garden, First and Independence, SW.
The south side of the Botanic Garden, along Independence Avenue, SW.
Image from the Plaza at entrance to the Botanic Garden.
Image from the Plaza at entrance to the Botanic Garden.
The Botanic Gardens “Season’s Greenings” holiday display features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens through Jan. 1, 2024. The train display will run 10:00-5:00 daily except December 28 when it will run until 8:00pm.
Tree and light display, outdoor gardens, US Botanic Garden.
The US Capitol Chirstmas Tree.
The Week Ahead….
There are no events scheduled during the coming week for the civic and political organizations which are regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner.
Some 20 residents participated in last Wednesday night’s Safety Walk west of 4th Street, SE, and south of Pennsylvania Avenue, including ANC6B Commissioner Frank Avery (far left) and MPD 1st District Captain Harding, Council Member Charles Allen, and ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe (center).
ANC6B Commissioners on the value of Public Safety Walks: CHC asked Commissioners Frank Avery (ANC6B01) and Jerry Sroufe (ANC6B02) to comment on the value the Safety Walks have for the community.
Avery: I appreciated the thoughtful discussions about how different agencies work together and people sharing their experiences. I was especially appreciative of Captain Harding for leading, Mr. Hughes from the Department of Behavioral Health for providing so much information, the US Attorney’s Office for sharing some background, and both ANC 6B Public Safety Chair Lisa Matsumoto and Councilmember Charles Allen for attending and fostering collaborative ways to address public safety holistically.
Sroufe: I think the safety walks are useful in two respects. First, they tend to bring out some people who are not regulars at ANC meetings, EMCAC meetings, etc. Questions from these residents tend to be less policy oriented and more instrumental – directed to immediate concerns that are often overlooked in policy discussions. Questions and concerns of residents are addressed. The full participation of police and other security agencies, Council Members and Commissioners, also provides assurance that the city does care and is active in addressing the problems. The “walks” I have attended have been positive community building events. I find the opportunity for side conversations with police and other security folks in this setting is very helpful in working on specific problems in my SMD.
The walks are not sufficient, of course. There are systemic issues to be addressed. For one example, the schools are seldom included in these discussions, even though many of the problems are associated with youth who are or have been students (CM Allen is an exception to this comment0. …recently when Mayor Bowser convened all ANC Commissioners to discuss public safety issues, she involved almost every District agency except the schools.
Bethel DC360. Last week, ANC6D heard a presentation on the status of reconstruction for the Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle Church at 60 I Street, SW. The project is being undertaken by the church in partnership with the major development firm Foulger-Pratt under an agreement which allows Bethel to continue to operate on the site while providing Foulger-Pratt rigthts to develop the property. The final product will be a seven story residential building, the ground floor of which will be a new 17,000 s.f. sanctuary. The project will provide 197 residential units with 14 units designated as affordable housing. The reconstruction is being undertaken as a matter of right, limiting oversight by ANC6D. Some commissioners expressed reservations about the exterior lighting of the building, noting that it exceeds standards for the norm in ANC6D. Above is a rendering of the completed building at night.
Here’s a Google Map showing the location of the Bethel DC360 – as the project is known – directly across I street from the Rubell Museum.
Archibald Walk Redux. At its December 4th meeting, the ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee heard from residents of Archibald Walk, SE, who described what was later characterized by the committee as a “putatively illegal construction” of a fence and patio at 516 Archibald Walk. The evidence presented appeared to be compelling enough that – according to the Committee Report – Commissioner Sobelsohn, in whose single member district the property lies, moved that the Committee recommend to the full ANC that a letter be sent to the Department of Buildings laying out what has happened regarding illegal construction at 516 Archibald’s Walk, urging investigation of the situation, and requesting an explanation of why the illegal construction was allowed to happen. That motion passed, 5 – 0. Currently, such a letter is being drafted and will be sent to DOB. Some readers of CHC will recall the dispute back in 2015 regarding a tree house in Archibald Walk which apparently was constructed in violation of public space restrictions. The owners of the tree house and the city subsequently agreed that the tree house would come down by 2024.
Union Kitchen on Barracks Row? CHC never sees any work being done on the buildout of the former Subway outlet at 430 8th Street, Barracks Row. Still, a buildout is underway. In 2022, the site was tapped as a future location of a Union Kitchen outlet and it appears the plan – though delayed – may still be on track.
Pastry at Souk. Here’s a Saturday afternoon capture of the pastry case at Souk café and patisserie at 705 8th Street, SE, Barracks Row. For more info go here: https://www.dcsouk.com/
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
By Larry Janezich
Posted December 1, 2023
Monday, December 18
ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Florida Avenue NE, Streetscape Project Update. The Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project (https://floridaavene-streetscape.ddot.dc.gov/ ) outreach team will provide project updates and address community safety concerns with related contractor work.
Safety concerns with the existing design and approved Florida Avenue NE, Streetscape Project design at the intersections of Florida Avenue NE/12th Street NE/K Street NE and Montello Avenue NE.
Scott Price of Capitol Hill Village (CHV) will present the CHV Pedestrian Safety Program Sidewalk Safety Project, reviewing sidewalk safety data and goals for 2024 DDOT hearings.
ANC6D Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
DC Public Library Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan addresses residents at the final community meeting before closure of SE Library last Thursday night.
Council Member Charles Allen told the audience that “the project is better because of the advocacy of some members of the community and the ANC. We’re on the cusp of getting this going….this is one of the aging facilities that are phenomenal spaces we have to upgrade” and noted that “we’re rebuilding the Rumsey Aquatic Center next year.”
SE Library Prepares to Close – The Final Community Meeting
by Larry Janezich
Posted December 16, 2023
Thursday night, DC Public Library held the final community meeting prior to the closure of SE Library on January 4, and the beginning of the modernization of the library. The Library will not reopen until early 2026. At the meeting, the Southeast Library construction team – Whiting-Turner – updated the community about logistics and on what can be expected during the construction period. About 60 community members attended.
DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan addressed the issues of the interim Library and interim library services which have been the foci of ANC6B and its SE Library Taskforce. He said that the interim Library during the construction period will be NE Library at 330 7th Street, NE.
Regarding interim services for the SE Library, he announced that he expects the SE Library interim services the “TechExpress” at the Arthur Capper Community Center, 1000 5th Street, SE, to open on Monday, February 5. ANC6B had pressed for an opening immediately after closing of SE Library, but Reyes-Gavilan said that installation of equipment at Arthur Capper couldn’t begin until January 8, and that the efforts of all available staff would be required to move out of SE Library. He said that opening by February 5 was the best the Library could do.
The following services will be available at this location:
Holds Pick-Up
Item Return
Wi-Fi Access
Public Computers for Children, Teens and Adults (Desktops and Laptops)
Printing and Copying
There will be no browse-able collections housed at this location.
The hours for this location will be as follows:
Monday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed
The provision of interim services at Arthur Capper came only after the SE Library Taskforce, Chaired by Commissioner David Sobelsohn, lobbied the DC Public Library and Councilmember Charles Allen. Allen acknowledged those efforts saying “Not everyone is entirely satisfied w every aspect of it but thanked Sobelsohn for his advocacy and for making sure “we got out there and fought for additional funding for interim services.”
Sobelsohn raised several other issues regarding signage, limited hours, and weekend closures for the Tech Express, wringing from Reyes-Gavilon concessions for better signage announcing the closure and directing patrons to the TechExpress Center and possible reconsideration of expanded hours there if the demand justifies it. Closure on weekends Reyes-Gavilon said was a budget constraint.
Asked during the Q&A why DC Public Library was not providing a closer interim library, Reyes-Gavilon said it was because that expenditure would have come at the expense of funding for modernization of the SE Library (as opposed to the separate funding acquired by CM Allen for the Arthur Capper site.) He said he wanted “every dime” of the funding to go to the modernization.
ANC6B Commissioners hold press conference prior to the DCPL Community Meeting. From left, Commissioner Frank D’Andrea, Commissioner David Sobelsohn, and ANC6B Chair Edward Ryder. At far left is SE Library Task Force member Wendy Blair.
Prior to the community meeting, Sobelsohn along with ANC6B Commissioner D’Andrea and ANC6B Chair Edward Ryder and several member of the SE Library Task Force, held a press conference on the SE Library steps. Sobelsohn, as spokesperson on this issue, listed several demands the ANC supported regarding the modernization project, including a two week delay in closing the library, better signage, and for Capper, a prompt opening, weekend services, longer hours and minimal reference materials.
As above, Reyes-Gavilan conceded to better signage and possible longer hours at Arthur Capper and cited budgetary reasons why the other demands could not be met.
The ANC6B Task Force will continue to meet during the construction period to represent the concerns of residents and library neighbors to DCPL. The Task Force with meet on Sunday, December 17, at 3:00pm, in Southeast Library, lower level. The meeting will be hybrid – both in-person and virtual. A link to join the meeting virtually will be posted on the ANC6B website, here: https://anc6b.org/
To watch the entire Thursday night community meeting as it was live-streamed on YouTube, go here: https://bit.ly/474QiC1
The Conservative Partnership Institute which has purchased several buildings in the 200 block of PA Ave, SE, for their HQ, hopes to reopen the former Capitol Lounge as a restaurant. The alley closure behind the restaurant could be used for outdoor seating or event space.
Here’s a preliminary rendering of what the closed alley would look like – the relevant portion of the alley is indicated by grey flagstone. A deck in the foreground appears to be event space atop a series of garages which are the rear of a residential building at 203 3rd Street, SE, which is also owned by the Conservative Partnership Institute.
ANC6B Body Proposes $500,000 Cash Community Benefit for Patriot’s Row Alley Closure
by Larry Janezich
December 12, 2023
Tuesday night, ANC6B Commissioner Frank D’Andrea who chairs the Commission’s Subcommittee on Street and Alley Closing, reported that the Subcommittee had crafted a proposed list of 14 community benefits it will seek from the Conservative Partnership Institute to compensate the community for privatization of the dead end alley behind the former Capitol Lounge at 229 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Earlier this year, the Conservative Partnership Institute retained Holland and Knight, one of the largest legal firms in the country, to help privatize the public alley on Capitol Hill to facilitate combining several properties on the 200 block of Pennsylvania Avenues, SE, for its new headquarters. ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee – chaired by D’Andrea – created a Subcommittee to represent the community to consider the merits of the alley closure application and to negotiate an agreement to compensate the public for the conversion of public to private space. DC regulations require the alley closure application to be reviewed by the ANC and city agencies are required to give the opinion of the ANC “great weight.”
The Subcommittee went behind closed doors at a meeting on December 9th to draft the list of potential Items for a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). The list is a draft for discussion only and once the substance of the list has been discussed and agreed upon by the parties, a formal agreement will be drafted by the Subcommittee and sent to the applicant for their review.
The most significant proposal is a financial settlement that provides “Within 3 months of the signing of the CBA the applicant shall make a $500,000 one-time, lump-sum donation to a 6B-based nonprofit organization or foundation chosen by ANC 6B before finalization of the CBA.
The other 13 items proposed for inclusion in a CBA between Clear Plains, LLC (the Applicant) and ANC 6B are:
The applicant shall construct an indoor, refrigerated trash room and indoor recycling room both in the building where trash and recycling are generated. Further, all trash and recyclables produced on the premises shall be stored in said rooms.
Before giving a Notice to Proceed for construction to their general contractor, the Applicant shall work to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with ANC 6B regarding construction management.
No trucks, delivery, service or construction vehicles shall enter or exit Lincoln Court from 3rd Street SE.
The applicant shall only permit residential uses in 205 3rd Street SE or at 207 3rd Street SE if applicant reacquires it.
The courtyard shall be open to the public from dawn till sunset daily, except for private events that the applicant may hold from time to time.
The applicant and any retail lessee shall only use the courtyard from 7AM-10PM Sun-Thurs and 7AM-11PM Fri-Sat.
The applicant shall offer any potential lessee a portion of the courtyard for its use as part of the leased premises.
The applicant shall make the courtyard available for use by the ANC or community organizations for events or meetings.
Neither the applicant nor its licensees or lessees shall use the courtyard between November 1st and January 31st.
The applicant shall install security cameras that monitor the courtyard and entrance to the courtyard from Lincoln Court. Applicant shall provide security-camera footage to federal and local law-enforcement authorities upon request.
The applicant shall perform the following improvements:
Install a blind-corner mirror at the entrance to the courtyard from Lincoln Court.
Provide a mural on the western façade of 203 3rd Street SE Rear.
Additional lighting mounted on the property to illuminate the courtyard and the entrance to the courtyard from Lincoln Court.
The applicant shall maintain in perpetuity a contract for rodent abatement.
The applicant shall propose in its application to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) a privacy fence of at least 10 feet in height on the roof of 203 3rd Street SE Rear. If HPRB approves the application the applicant will construct a fence of that height.
D’Andrea reported to the Commission Tuesday night that the list had been sent to the applicant and “we are waiting to hear back.…we are going to have to wait to see what they say on the initial opening bid and then well have to go from there.…were hoping we can dispense with this by January….”
The Week Ahead…Thursday Community Meeting on SE Library & Photos from Last Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted December 10, 2023
The US Botanic Gardens “Season’s Greenings” holiday display features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens running through a display of pollinators and their related plants all made from plant parts. Tickets are not required to view the trains or any part of the USBG’s outdoor holiday display. G-gauge model trains circulate from 10:00-5:00 daily between Nov. 23, 2023, and Jan. 1, 2024, closed Dec. 25. The train display will run until 8:00 p.m. on three Thursdays: Dec. 14, Dec. 21, and Dec. 28. Inside the building the display features a series of iconic Washington landmarks all made from plant parts. The pollinator-plant scenes made from plant parts include:
Gecko pollinating a Trochetia flower
Chocolate midge pollinating a cacao flower
Long tongued fruit bat pollinating a banana flower
Honeycreeper bird pollinating a lobelia flower
Euglossine orchid bee pollinating a vanilla orchid flower
Lemur pollinating a traveler’s tree flower
A Swallow Tail Butterfly greets visitors outside the main entrance to the Botanic Gardens. For more information, go here: https://www.usbg.gov/holiday
Dr. Oye I. Owolewa, Shadow US Representative for Washington, DC
Tommie Jones Chief of External Affairs and Michael Watts, Program Manager
Community Relations. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)
New Business
Motion: ANC6A resolves to oppose Washington Gas’ PROJECT pipes Phase 3 Application, authorize the Chair, Vice Chair, and/or their designee(s) to represent ANC 6A on this matter, and forward copies of our resolution to the DC Council, the Office of the Peoples Council, and the Office of Mayor Bowser.
Discussion of methods for cooperation between Ward 6 ANCs on the processing of Ward 6 Cannabis applications under the Emergency Regulations and on gathering of data and community feedback for any future regulatory modifications
Community Meeting on Closure of SE Library. DC Public Library will hold an in-person community meeting in SE Library, lower level, on the closure of SE Library at 7:00pm. The last day of service will be Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Library officials will discuss the upcoming logistics related to construction and more details about interim services.
The Northeast Library will serve as the primary interim location for services while the Southeast Library is closed for renovation and will remain open seven days per week.
Weekly Story Time will be held at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (in partnership with Barracks Row Main Street).
An express services location at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center, will offer:
Holds Pick-Up
Item Return
Wi-Fi Access
Public Computers
Printing and Copying
The opening date for Arthur Capper will be announced at the December 14 community meeting. There will be no browse-able collections housed at this location.
Stickies Gift Shop at 1104c Lower Barracks Row across from the Blue Castle.
New Weed Regs Affect Hill’s Retail Corridors – ANC6B Committee to Discuss Tuesday Night
by Larry Janezich
Earlier this year, the Medical Cannabis Amendment Act of 2021 went into effect which allows expansion of the number of medical marijuana outlets in the city. The move side-steps the 2015 Congressional ban on the sale of recreational weed in the city by lowering the threshold for availability; the law also makes permanent a temporary measure that allows all adults 21 and older to self-certify their medical need for cannabis.
One of the unintended consequences of the Congressional ban on recreational weed has been the proliferation of illegal “gifting” shops which gift marijuana to purchasers of expensive trivial items, i.e., stickers or tee shirts. The new law would enable gift shops to apply for medical marijuana licenses which would bring them under jurisdiction of the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration. There are currently at least nine gifting shops on Barracks Row or on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, between 3rd and 11th Streets, SE, and 20 on the H Street, NE, corridor over in ANC6A and ANC6C.
Currently, one existing gift shop on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – No Kids Allowed, at 637B Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – has an application pending before the ANC6B licensing committee. In addition, one proposed medical marijuana outlet – DC Dash at 727 8th Street, SE – either has or soon will have submitted an application for a medical marijuana license to ANC6B. So far, these appear to be the only applications on ANC6B’s the horizon, leading some to speculate that those gift shops which are not moving to legitimize their operations are not taking the threat of civil enforcement seriously.
Tuesday night, ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee, chaired by Commissioner Chander Jayaraman, will hold an in-person AND virtual meeting at 7:00pm to discuss how the changes in the law will affect the retail marijuana operations in the ANC’s commercial corridors. The in-person meeting will be held at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, 2nd Floor Conference Room. (Entrance to the building is just to the left of the entrance to Trader Joe’s)
A question and answer period for the pubic (Sarah Weniger, ABCA Community Liaison; and a representative of a law firm working in the Cannabis industry.)
Community comments from residents on how the ANC should handle the applications from the illegal cannabis retailers (often advertised as “Initiative 71 Compliant” stores).
Consideration of the application from No Kids Allowed for a medical marijuana license.
The new licensing regulations going into effect will provide greater oversight and regulation of the sale of marijuana and provide that no gift shop can operate within 400 feet of another. Stepped up civil enforcement against gifting shops will begin next year.
Comments Off on New Weed Regs Affect Hill’s Retail Corridors – ANC6B Committee to Discuss Tuesday Night
Saturday, Wendell Felder, Chair of ANC7D and Chair of Ward 7 Democrats announced he is running for Ward 7 Councilmember. That seat is currently held by Councilmember Vincent Gray. Gray has not announced his intention to seek re-election, but speculation is that he won’t. If not, there could be as many as a dozen candidates vying for the seat, according to City Paper. Capitol Hill residents will recall that much of Hill East east of 15th Street, lies in Ward 7.
If you were wondering why Eastern Market’s North Hall is no longer open to the public: Eastern Market Management says it’s because parents and caretakers have not been responsive to Market staff requests that children under their care be kept from climbing on stacked furniture and event equipment.
ICYMI – I Egg You has been open for a couple of weeks on Barracks Row. Here a shot at 3pm on Saturday afternoon. Open 8am – 4pm everyday. This location turns into The Shell at night, a private dining and event space. Here’s their website and menu: https://www.ieggyou.com/
Blue No More – The former 1891 Navy Yard Car Barn, also known as the Blue Castle is being restored to reveal its original brick exterior. The architecture is noteworthy for the southeast façade that mimics a medieval castle. (Wiki- ditto below)
The Car Barn was used to turn around the cable cars that ran from Navy Yard to Georgetown. This recent mural on the 7th Street side garage doors, depicts a scene from circa 1919.
The Capital Turnaround: Street car service ended in 1962 and the ownership passed into several different hands and the building was used for various purposes including office space. In the 1990s, it acquired its coat of blue paint. In 2014, the development company Madison Marquette sold the building to the National Community Church which began to renovate the building, renamed “The Capital Turnaround.”
Current uses: Here’s the main entrance on L Street. The Church opened an 850-seat event space in the summer of 2021 and a child development center in October of 2021. (The Church also owns the Miracle Theater on Barracks Row.)
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted December 3, 2023
Monday, December 4
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Grand Central Sports Book, 625 H Street NE, Application for a new Retailer’s Class “D” Tavern License.
Thrive Hair Bar, 528 H Street NE, Application for a new Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License.
Chopsmith, 300 M Street NE, Application for a new Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant License.
New Leaf Smoke Shop, 416 H Street NE, Application for a new Medical Cannabis Retailer License.
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
Please contact the office at 6d@anc.dc.gov if you wish to have a link to the Admin meeting.
Tuesday, December 5
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will how an in-person AND virtual meeting at 7:00pm. The in person meeting will be held at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, 2nd Floor Conference Room 1. (Entrance to the building is just to the left of the entrance to Trader Joe’s)
Question and answer segment for the pubic [Sarah Weniger, ABCA Community Liaison; a representative of a law firm working in the Cannabis industry.]
Hear from ANC 6B residents on how the Commission should handle the applications from Cannabis Retailers (often advertised as “Initiative 71 Compliant” stores).
No Kids Allowed; 637B Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Application for new Medical Cannabis Retail License.
Barrack’s Row Joey’s; 527-529 8th ST SE. Renewal of an existing Class “C” Tavern License. (This is a renewal of an existing license that was transferred from a prior establishment named Marty’s to CAVA (2017) and back to the current Applicant.)
Other Items for Discussion
Implementation of the ABC Committee process for ABRA and ABCA applications in the New Year.
ABRA law review and revision upcoming this fall.
Wednesday, December 6
ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Eastern Market released this security camera photo of persons-of-interest in connection with recent pickpocketing at the Market.
City Ups Security at Eastern Market after Pickpockets Strike
by Larry Janezich
At last Wednesday night’s meeting of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC), Market Manager Barry Margeson reported that on November 18, 19, and 22nd, (as earlier reported by Capitol Hill Corner) pickpockets robbed three different customers. Margeson said all three incidents were of the “bump and run variety” with two individuals acting in tandem.
Separately, in a follow up email to one of the persons robbed, CM Charles Allen said that he had reached out to the Director of the DGS (who manages the market) with concerns about the recent pickpocket crimes as well as concerns about possible thefts from vendors and artists. Allen said that “[DGS] Director Hunter informed me … that he has agreed to my request to place dedicated Protective Services officers at Eastern Market on both Saturdays and Sundays. He shared with me that they expect that increased presence to begin this weekend. I appreciate his agreement and action and am hopeful we don’t see (further instances) of pickpocketing….
EMCAC has been pressing the Department of General Services (DGS) for more security at the market on weekends when the outdoor street markets attract throngs of visitors.
How it works: When two persons are operating a bump and run scheme, one person will suddenly stop in front of you making you bump into them. If the person you bump has their hands full, it relieves their target’s suspicions. The second member of the team takes advantage of the distraction to steal the target’s valuables. Carrying a wallet in a front pocket or putting a rubber band around it is not necessarily a useful ploy to avoid becoming a victim.
Here’s an excerpt from a piece by travel writer Rick Steves on outsmarting pickpockets:
“Stay vigilant in crowds and steer clear of commotions. Go on instant alert anytime there’s a commotion; it’s likely a smokescreen for theft. Imaginative artful-dodger thief teams create a disturbance — a fight, a messy spill, or a jostle or stumble — to distract their victims. Crowds anywhere, but especially on public transit and at flea markets, provide bad guys with plenty of targets, opportunities, and easy escape routes.
Be on guard in train stations, especially upon arrival, when you may be overburdened by luggage and overwhelmed by a new location. A petite bump and a slight nudge getting off the Metro in Paris and…wallet gone.”
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 