Photo Essay: Day – American Legion Post 8 Remembers Veterans Day
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 11, 2021
Veterans Day honors military veterans who served in the US Armed Forces. It is always on November 11 – and marks the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. American Legion Post 8, at 3rd and D Streets, SE, commemorates the day with a ceremony in Folger Park on Capitol Hill.
Presentation of Colors by the US Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.
Several hundred Capitol Hill residents attended today’s ceremony.
David Carmichael, Commander, Kenneth H. Nash Post 8, with Reverend Stephanie Vader, Capitol HillUnited Methodist Church and Captain Eric J. Hawn, Commander, Naval Facilitation Engineering Systems, Command Washington.
Karlene Bowen, President, American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 8. Bowen quoted John F. Kennedy: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen paid tribute to those who served and who pass their morals and values on to the community and instill in young people – like the Boy Scouts who help with the ceremony – the knowledge of what service means.
Council Member at Large Robert White expressed pride in the service of residents of the city and reminded the audience that as Chair of the Council’s Government Operations Committee, he had increased funding for the DC Office of Veterans Affairs.
C. Dixon Osburn, Executive Director of the Servicemenbers Legal Defense Network delivered the Veterans Day Address and asked the audience to reflect on the meaning of inclusion in the Armed Forces on the 10th anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Osburn said, “When barriers drop, extraordinary individuals emerge to make our nation a better place…that’s what it means to be an American.”
Captain Eric J. Hawn thanked those who served and sacrificed and who continue efforts to promote patriotism.
Past American Legion Post 8 Commanders join this year’s ceremony participants in the wreath ceremony.
DC Health Department Bails on ANC6B Meeting (Popeyes, Maybe?)
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 10, 2021
The Food Safety and Hygiene Division of the DC Department of Health was scheduled to make a presentation at ANC6B’s virtual monthly meeting last night but failed to show up despite having confirmed their appearance with Chair Brian Ready.
Ready had invited DC DOH to talk to the committee about health inspection procedures and frequency in the wake of the closure of Popeyes on Barracks Row for health code violations. The closure appears to be permanent after the owner subsequently lost the Popeyes franchise.
Ready told the ANC he was disappointed in DOH’s failure to appear. “If [the video of rats in the kitchen which had gone viral on Twitter and TikTok] had not come out, would the restaurant still be open? What’s going on with the other restaurants on the block? The buildings are old and interconnected. I wonder how often they are inspected. I’m disappointed they did not show up. I have a lot of questions about the safety of restaurants in the city.”
Ready noted the efforts ANC6B had taken to require new or remodeled restaurants on Barracks Row to install cooled indoor trash storage rooms as a means of controlling rodents. ANC6B had pioneered requiring restaurants to provide indoor trash storage, using the public pressure and the power of the ANC to support liquor license applications as leverage. New and remodled restaurants on Barracks Row have complied, and & Pizza on the same block as the former Popeyes has one of the best indoor trash storage spaces. Popeyes trash storage, Ready said, had been grandfathered in. Neighbors pressured them into enclosing their trash area behind the restaurant, but have complained about its lack of effectiveness.
Ready commended the 7th Street neighbors for being vigilant in monitoring the restaurant rodent problem and for their organized support for indoor trash storage all along Barracks Row. He said he would work to schedule an appearance by Food Safety and Hygiene in the near future.
Havana Tobacco “Smoke Shop” Set to Open on 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
by Larry Janezich
The former long-time print shop at 607 Pennsylvania Avenue looks like it’s set to become the Havana Tobacco Mart Smoke Shop and begin marketing Cigars, Hookah products, CBD, Kratom, and Delta 8.
The last two items may raise some resident eyebrows. Kratom is known and used as a psychostimulant and a pain reliever. Although Kratom is currently legal in the US, some states consider it a controlled substance. Kratom is widely available at DC smoke shops.
Delta-8 THC is extracted from hemp-derived CBD and is legal under federal law, but its sale has been banned in some 14 states. It’s chemically similar to cannabis and produces a similar effect. Delta-8 is available in DC, though apparently not as readily as Kratom.
This comes at a time when the DC Council is taking a hard look at stores and delivery services which skirt the law by giving away cannabis as a gift to accompany purchase of exorbitantly priced retail items such as stickers, pencils, and tee shirts. Last week, the City Council passed a bill, introduced by Council Chair Mendelsohn, that originally would have allowed city agencies to take action against retail operations engaging in such gifting activities, including shutting down operations and levying fines. Those enforcement provisions were removed from the bill at the last minute over objections that it penalized entrepreneurship of DC residents involved in the gifting trade and what passed the Council was an extension through January 2022 for expired medical marijuana cards. Medical marijuana dispensaries have suffered during the pandemic because of difficulty in renewing medical marijuana cards and patients turned to gifting operations as an alternative. Mendelsohn said regarding the watered down bill, that the gifting operations would eventually have to be addressed. There is already at least one of the gifting cannabis shops on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
DC voters approved the legalizing the possession of cannabis for personal use and home cultivation of small amounts of cannabis in 2014, but it can’t be sold. Medical marijuana outlets have been sanctioned and regulated by the city for patients with doctor-approved medical marijuana cards issued by the DC Department of Health. Those medical cannabis outlets are licensed by the Alcohol Beverage Control Board after the local ANC weighs in on the application. The ANC appears to have no voice in the establishment of a smoke shop.
Popeyes on Barracks Row was shut down by DC Health Department last week after a video of rats running free in the restaurant’s kitchen went viral on Tik Tok and then on Twitter. The raw chicken delivery person who shared the video said he was subsequently suspended without pay by his employer, and set up a GoFundMe page which raised more than $27,000 – $17,000 over his goal. According to Newsweek, Popeyes told the magazine it has taken action “to terminate the franchise agreement with this restaurant operator. This Franchisee only operates this one location, and it is being closed indefinitely.” Popeyes also confirmed that the delivery person, Ricardo Land, is not employed by Popeyes and added, “We’re cooperating in the distributor’s investigation of the matter, and have been ensured by the vendor that their employee who posted the fundraising page is currently receiving his full pay,” and added, “He is not a Popeyes employee, nor that of the Franchisee, and decisions regarding his suspension are handled by his employer.”
Redistricting hearing. Last Wednesday, CM Silverman, Chair of the Committee on the Whole’s Redistricting Subcommittee held a hearing on Ward 6. Some familiar Ward 6 faces showed up to weigh in, most often to oppose moving their constituents or neighbors out of Ward 6. Some of those who testified included Ken Jarboe, former commissioner ANC6B; Francis Campbell, former commissioner ANC6B, Chander Jayaraman, former commissioner and Chair of ANC6B; Andy Litsky, commissioner ANC6D; Gail Fast, former commissioner and Chair of ANC6D, Sondra Phillips-Gilbert, commissioner ANC6A; Rikki Kramer, commissioner ANC6 D; Brian Alcorn, commissioner ANC6A; Alison Horn, commissioner ANC6B; Denise Rucker Krepp, commissioner ANC6B; and Corey Holman, commissioner ANC6B. The Subcommittee will mark up the ward redistricting bill in mid-November and the City Council will hold the first of 2 votes on December 7th and the second vote on December 21. Ward Task Forces to recommend ANC boundaries will start meeting in December, report out recommendations in February of 2022, and the Council will vote on an ANC redistricting bill in June of 2022.
Dedicated street parking for teachers and school staff. Last week both the Transportation Committees from ANC6B and ANC6C met to weigh in on rule making for implementation of the Daytime School Zone Act of 2018. The act establishes a process for establishing exclusive street parking zones around schools for teachers and staff. Any such zone would have to be recommended by the ANC before DDOT could implement. There seemed to be support in both committees for issuing a residential parking permit for teachers and staff rather than establishing a dedicated parking zone. Letters making recommendations for rules will be taken up by both full ANCs at their November monthly meeting this coming week.
Capitol Hill Corner stopped in at La Casina Romana Pinseria last week. A wood fire was crackling in the pizza oven and the staff said they were waiting for their license and expected to open this coming week. It’s close by Eastern Market at 327 7th Street, SE, in the space formerly held by 7th Hill Pizza. We’ll see if DCRA – known for dragging its feet – comes through.
Here’s a look inside of La Casina Romana Pinseria.
We haven’t seen this band for a while, but Saturday afternoon the Capitol Hillbillies were blazing away in front of the 7th Street Hill Café: “The spirit of New Orleans in the heart of DC.” See here: https://www.facebook.com/rollingpiano/
The Week Ahead & an 8th Street Popeyes Update… Highlights…Last Week’s Photos
by Larry Janezich
Highlights:
Tuesday: Presentation at ANC6B – Food Safety and Hygiene Division of the DC Department of Health. (Wondering if Popeyes will come up/)
Thursday: CM Silverman at ANC6A on redistricting at ANC6A.
Saturday: Rock and Roll Half Marathon will close streets in NE Capitol Hill
403 7th Street, SE, Southeast Library. Historic Preservation and Zoning Adjustment Applications for the interior renovation and cellar addition.
1208 D Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application – Concept Review for second story addition to existing one-story garage.
237 8th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Area Variance to construct a new, detached, one-story accessory garage.
Comments on DDOT Daytime School Parking Zones Proposed Rulemaking.
Comments on DDOT Fast Tracking Process for Roadway Safety Projects.
Presentation:
Food Safety and Hygiene Division of the Department of Health.
Planning and Zoning Committee
316 2nd Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Use Variance to convert an existing, three-story, attached, principal dwelling unit and two-story accessory building to a three-unit apartment house.
1227 E Street SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to construct a rear, two-story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar.
Wednesday, November 10
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Announcements: Dave Thomas Circle; Maryland Ave NE streetscape project.
Proposed rulemaking, Daytime School Parking Zones.
New DDOT process for traffic safety investigations.
1100 block of 7th Street NE—Traffic safety investigation.
300 block of M Street NE—Safe accommodations concerns.
Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
622 Eye Street NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – Further revisions with special exceptions to convert a residential building into a four-unit apartment.
301 Florida Avenue, NE, planned PUD – Proposed all-affordable project of 115+ housing units at 30% And 50% AMI.
621 A Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – Expedited review for relief from lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing two-story residence.
103 Fourth Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – Expedited review for relief from lot occupancy requirements to construct a second-story rear addition to a two-story residence.
New Business
Council hearing on comprehensive cannabis legalization, regulation, and taxation.
Supreme Court expanded security perimeter.
ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. (Moved from Thursday – Veteran’s Day)
DC Redistricting Process – Councilmember-at-Large Elissa Silverman
Department of Parks and Recreation Update – Christopher Dyer, Community Engagement Manager.
Community discussion of 2021 draft of ANC 6A Bylaws
Transportation and Public Space Committee
Letter to DDOT expressing the need for expansion of electric vehicle charging throughout the District; urging both public and private solutions to electric vehicle charging for residents without off-street parking, including measures to facilitate extending charging cables from residences to the curb, with all due consideration for safety and ADA compliance.
Letter to DDOT supporting Transportation Study Application for the 300 block of 18th Street, NE, including consideration of speed humps and raised crosswalks.
Letter to DDOT supporting Transportation Study Applications for the 1500 -1900 blocks of Benning Road, NE, including a full traffic safety investigation; consideration of speed humps, raised crosswalks, signal timing, and all other traffic calming measures; and that DDOT consider extending the planned H Street dedicated bus lanes to this corridor as a traffic calming measure as well as to improve transit.
Letter to DDOT requesting that 20 MPH speed limit signs be placed on all collector streets in ANC6A that do not yet have signs.
Letter to DDOT requesting the installation of a contraflow bike lane on the 1100 block of F Street NE.
Letter to DDOT supporting Transportation Study Application for the intersection of 13th Street, NE, and Wylie Street, NE, including installation of raised crosswalks for the entire intersection.
Economic Development and Zoning
Letter of support to BZA for a special exception from the rooftop and upper floor requirements to construct a third story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit with the caveat that the owners make best efforts to get letters of support from nearby neighbors.
New Business
Letter to the DC Council Redistricting Committee requesting that the Committee ensure that the current ANC6A boundaries are retained in the Redistricting Process, and that ANC 6A remain a part of Ward 6.
Thursday, November 11, Veteran’s Day Commemoration – The American Legion Kenneth H. Nash Post No 8 will sponsor a Veterans Day Commemoration at 11:00an in Folger Park, 3rd and D Street, SE.
Program:
Performances: The U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps & the DCFD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
WELCOME David Carmichael Commander, Kenneth H. Nash Post 8
REMARKS Charles Allen; Councilmember Council of the District of Columbia C. Dixon Osburn, Executive Director Service members Legal Defense Network
Southeast Library Book Sale, 10am until 3:00pm, 7th and D Streets, across from Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
Rock and Roll Marathon (will affect streets in Capitol Hill NE)
The 2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, November 13. The race begins at 8:30 am on Constitution Avenue, NW, at 14th Street. The race course takes runners on a tour of DC past many of the Capitol’s monuments and finishes at the RFK Stadium grounds.
Here’s a rendering of a birds-eye view of the renovated Southeast Library. Note the skylight on the roor which will bring daylight to every floor of the library, including the lowest level. The ground level triangualar skylight below the second row of windows will also illumiate the lowest level.
A view in cross section. The ground level skylight for the lowst level is more visible in this rendering.
Actually, the view here is looking south from D Street, SE. The staff entrance and emergency exit on the left caught the eye of commissioners who wondered about the alcove becomeing a gathering space for habitués of the corner of 7th and D Street.
Here’s how the south-facing side of the library will look, with the entrance to the library’s lower level. The plan envisions keeping the current main entrance on the library’s east side, as is.
And a rendering of the view at night.
Tuesday night’s ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee virtual meeting.
Proposal to Renovate Southeast Library Advances
by Larry Janezich
Posted Novemb er 3, 2021.
Last night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Corey Holman, held a virtual meeting and voted unanimously to support both the Historic Preservation and the Zoning Adjustment Applications for the renovation of Southeast Library. The applications now move to the full ANC and will be taken up at their November 9th meeting for what will likely be a swift endorsement. The renovation will expand the existing library from 8,500 sf to 19,925 square feet.
Prior to the vote, commissioners raised some issues for the design team and DC Public Library personnel. Commissioner Samolyk sought assurances that the concerns of the Friends of Southeast Library had been resolved. The Friends group, headed by Neal Gregory, had protested that the renovation would leave them without space to organize for the popular monthly book sales to benefit the library.
Martha Saccocio, Director of Community Engagement at DCPL, assured the ANC that the DCPL had come to an agreement with the Friends regarding the allocation of additional space and that the Friends had expressed support for the proposal.
Commissioners Jerry Sroufe and Steve Holtzman expressed concern that the proposed emergency exit and staff entrance on D Street would serve as a gathering spot for the habitués who frequent the corner of 7th and D Street. The design team said they were aware of that potential and would look for ways to address the problem in addition to the security camera which would monitor the entrance/exit.
With respect to the time line, the renovation process is approaching the midpoint of the design phase which will continue through mid-2022. Construction will begin in 2022 and reopening is anticipated in 2024
Consideration by the ANC is the first step in agency approval. The plans for the renovation now move to the Historic Preservation Review Board and the DDOT Public Space Committee on November 18. Next comes a review by the Bureau of Zoning Adjustment February 22, 2022. Then reviews by the Commission on Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission in the winter of 2022.
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Here are some photos by Peter Rothschild from last Saturday’s annual Halloween event in Lincoln Park. The event was hosted by Howl To The Chief, 719 8th Street, SE.
“Words Matter” – a Capitol Hill Art League Juried Art Exhibit, Through December 4
The Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL) sponsors a member only Juried Art Exhibit October 23 – December 4, 2021 at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) at 545 7th Street, SE, Washington, DC. 20003.
CHAL members were asked to interpret “Words Matter. Words have the power and energy to excite, deflate, nourish, enrage and everything in between. This exhibit’s theme is an invitation to explore how “words” inform the artist’s work, deepen it, expand expression, and move a narrative realistically, abstractly, or both. The resulting show features nineteen artists who expressed themselves in a variety of media.”
The show opened with a reception at CHAW from 5:30-7:30 pm on Saturday, October 23, where Juror, Ellen Cornett, discussed the art she selected and present awards.
Twenty-six works are on display in the show. The following artists are featured:
Anne Albright, Nancy Arbuthnot, Kenneth Bachman, Julie Byrne, Sally Canzoneri, Karen Cohen, Martin de Alteriis, Tamora Ilasat, Steve Kunin, JoAnn Laboy, Bennett Lowenthal, Jane Mann, Meera Rao, Nan Raphael, Iryna Smitchkova, Rifat Taher, KarenVan Allen, Rosa Ines Vera and Karen Zens.
The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop continues to host activities in compliance with the District of Columbia’s Coronavirus directives. The “Words Matter” show may be viewed online at: https://www.caphillartleague.org/2021-words-matter/
The Capitol Hill Art League is a visual arts program of The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). For more information about the Art League, visit the website at www.caphillartleague.org
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Sweet Crimes, the new Gluten Free Bakery at 1238 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, is still waiting on DCRA permits but it had a trial-run soft opening on Sunday, October 21. It opened at 9:00am, admitting a few customers at a time. At 9:30am, the line waiting to get in was 20 customers deep. By mid-afternoon, they were completely sold out – nothing left but crumbs.. Some customers were waiting for baked goods still in the oven. To see their soft opening menu with the of what’s to come, go here: https://bit.ly/3GHWOTs
Sweet Crimes’ offerings.
Harvest Tide Steakhouse opened last Monday at 212 7th Street, SE, which used to be Acqua al 2. And no, Harold Black – Acqua’s second floor speakeasy – has not been preserved. It’s now part of the seating for 150 diners. Go here for the menu: https://harvesttidecapitolhill.com/menu
Down the Street at 225 7th Street, SE, La Casina Romana Pinseria, the pizza restaurant succeeding 7th Hill Pizza, inches closer to opening.
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, chaired by Donna Scheeder, met last Wednesday. There was much discussion about the low priority MPD has given security at the market. MPD says they would like to help and will if they can, but they’re just so busy, being shorthanded and all.
She Loves Me Flowers opened on Barracks Row on October 16, at 721 8th Street, SE. In addition to dried and fresh flowers to-go, She Loves Me sells houseplants and botanical based gifts. Go here for their website. https://shelovesme.com/pages/upcoming-events
She Loves Me Flowers doesn’t have signage yet, but it’s not hard to find.
The Week Ahead…Highlights (Redistricting)…Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Highlights:
Tuesday – ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee – HPO and BZA Applications for Renovation of SE Library.
Wednesday – Hearing: Subcommittee on RedistrictingWard 6.
Friday – Final Hearing: Subcommittee on Redistricting on city-wide redistricting.
The Week Ahead…
Tuesday, November 2
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
622 Eye Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Further-revised application of VBS Community Builders LLC, to convert an existing residential building into a four-unit apartment house and special exception from the 10’ limit on extensions past the rear wall of any adjacent principal residential building.
638 East Capitol Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Revised application to construct a three-story rear addition to an existing attached four-story principal dwelling unit.
621 A Street, NE – Expedited review application for relief from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story rear deck addition to an existing attached two-story principal dwelling.
227-235 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Zoning Adjustment Application of Hillsdale College for special exception relief to construct new penthouses on existing attached mixed-use buildings.
103 4th Street. Zoning Adjustment Application – Expedited review application to construct a second-story rear addition to an existing attached two-story principal dwelling
Thursday, November 4
ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00 pm.
SW Parking Enforcement Woes. When former DPW Chris Geldhart was named Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Mayor Bowser appointed DPW General Counsel Christine Davis as Acting DPW Director. Last Monday night, ANC6D commissioners asked Davis why so many parking tickets in ANC6D were being “closed out” after being designated “no violation” or “no vehicle found.” Chair Edward Daniels cited data submitted by out-going commissioner Andrew Bossi regarding 200 requests for ticketing which were closed out as “no vehicle found” with evidence that the vehicles were still there. Commissioners also cited DDOT vehicles illegally parked and not ticketed (Davis said Parking Enforcement has authority to ticket them), Traffic Control Officers on game days who park illegally while claiming immunity (Davis says they are subject to ticketing), UPS and FedEx trucks who park illegally with impunity (Davis says they absorb tickets as the cost of doing business and she is working with other agencies on this), and construction workers parking illegally in the SW Post Office parking lot (Davis says DPW will reach out to construction teams). It wasn’t all bad for Davis – commissioner Litsky thanked Davis for the previous weekend’s parking enforcement efforts at The Wharf.
Redistricting. Later Monday evening at ANC6D, CM Elissa Silverman told commissioners that the Redistricting Subcommittee would probably release and make public three draft maps by the November 3, Ward 6 redistricting hearing. She said, “Wards 7 and 8 are both going to move west – there’s no other way to do it.” There are two possibilities for Ward 8 – moving SW or Navy Yard into Ward 8. The Subcommittee is still discussing draft maps for Ward 6 and is considering a Navy Yard approach, a Southwest approach, and a Ward 6 east of the river approach. The guiding principles in redistricting are · Getting as close as possible to the mean number of residents · Not diluting the voices of Black residents · Compactness and contiguous · Conforming to census tracts Several 6D commissioners including Collins, Litsky and Kramer all voiced concerns that SW be kept together as a community.
And still later last Monday night, ANC6D voted to oppose the design for C.W. Smith Development’s 13 story apartment complex at 850 South Capitol Street. The Commission listed five objections: · Lack of retail in the project · 56 balcony units facing the I-695 freeway · Over-all size, egress and ingress issues, and project siting · The amount of parking in the building · Inadequate community amenities in the space under the freeway The commission also voted to oppose the Public Space application for two curb cuts. Both motions to oppose carried unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0. The DC Zoning Commission has regulations for projects on the major arteries leading to the Capitol Building and part of that review is by the affected ANC. The practical consequences of ANC opposition to the design is uncertain pending action or opinion by the Zoning Commission,. The opposition to the Public Space Application seems more straightforward and may require the company to return with an altered proposal. The ANC’s main objection to the project – lack of affordable housing – is not relevant to the design review.
7th & C Street, NE Installation Honors Suffragist. Alice Lee Moqué: 19th & 20th Century women’s’ rights activist, journalist, photographer and one of the earliest women cyclists is honored in a 7th and C Street, NE, fire call box installation. She lived from October 20, 1861 until July 16, 1919.
A dedication on of the work last Wednesday afternoon featured four of her great great granddaughters. The work was sponsored by the Dolly Madison Chapter of the DC Daughters of the American Revolution. The bas relief sculpture was created by Charlotte Patterson. Photo credits: Jay Adelstein
The Week Ahead…and Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Monday, October 25
ANC6A Community Outreach Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
ANC6B held a virtual community safety meeting last Tuesday night.
Political Discussion Takes Over Capitol Hill Community Crime Meeting
by Larry Janezich
The politics of how to address the city’s ongoing gun violence dominated last Tuesday night’s ANC6B community crime meeting. Three top city officials – CM Charles Allen, DC Attorney General Karl Racine, and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chris Geldhart – participated in the panel discussion.
The genesis of the meeting was the occurrence of three mid-October homicides within two weeks on Capitol Hill – two near Watkins School and one at 17th and Independence.
The only new information about the homicides was the assertion by CM Charles Allen and MPD officials that the two homicides near Watkins were not related. In addition, Allen said that MPD had very good information and leads and that both were likely to be closed very soon. With little new information on the homicides, the two and a half hour meeting became a wide ranging discussion on increased policing vs alternatives to addressing crime and gun violence. More than 20 residents had questions and/or comments for the panel, roughly equally divided between those advocating for more police on the streets and those who said that more police is not the solution. Some 400 residents participated at some point in the virtual community meeting. Former ANC6B Chair Chander Jayraman moderated the discussion.
Allen said he supported putting more funding into community based strategies and supported his committee’s and the council’s action in directing MPD funding to programs such as the Violence Interrupters and Family and Survivor Support. He said, “There is a role for traditional policing but also for other programs.”
(The FY 2022 budget provides funds for 195 new officers – which is the number MPD Chief Contee said the department could absorb in a budget cycle. In August of this year, led by Council Chair Phil Mendelsohn and CM Charles Allen, the city council rejected Mayor Bowser’s supplemental budget request for FY 2022 for $11 million to hire an additional 170 new police officers. The council voted unanimously to cut the funding to $6 million and spend $5 million on violence interruption. The Mayor’s additional request followed an alarming dinner hour shooting in 14th Street NW’s restaurant district and another shooting outside Nationals Park.)
Racine supported Allen, saying the whole budget process is involved and confusing and lends itself to mischaracterization. He said a multiplicity of approaches at the same time is necessary. “I totally understand that the community wants to see more police. But we need to invest in these programs – not as a replacement but as a complement to the work police do.
Geldhart endorsed an all-in strategy. He said additional resources are needed to address poverty, systemic racism, and generational under-investment in communities. He supported violence interruption and community based policing saying, “It is not either or – not a question of subtracting police and increasing other areas.” He noted that in 2020 no new officers were hired because there was no budget. In 2021 the new budget allowed for 200 new officers. He said, when people are not afraid to use illegal guns they need to be prosecuted, and noted there is a problem with offenders not being papered or waiting to be processed because of backlog in the courts.
DC Attorney Karl Racine explained that not every case ends up being papered. He said prosecutors sometimes exercised prosecutorial discretion – choosing not to prosecute because of “infirmity in the process.” He continued, “Police have a hard job and try to get it right but sometimes there is a Constitutional issue.” And sometimes three or four people in a car are arrested when an illegal gun is discovered but only one gets charged because there’s not enough evidence to charge all four and sometimes prosecutors are not able to put forward enough evidence to prosecute or to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
Top MPD brass did not participate in the meeting, but MPD was represented by Inspector Tasha Bryan and Captain Tatjana Savoy of the 1st District. Bryant noted that the numbers of MPD are shrinking and that the 200 cadet class for the current year will result in a 20 officer net gain. (According to MPD, 178 officers had left the force by the beginning of May, 202; 315 left in 2020, and 333 left in 2019. In May, the current force level was 3,580.)
The meeting was organized by ANC6B in response to recent violence in the community. In terms of next steps, Brian Ready, Chair of ANC6B, said he hoped for future meetings which would more specifically address some of the issue raised Tuesday night.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 