CAPITOL HILL CORNER

City agency reps assembled to address envioronment and quality of life issues around 15^th and Independence on Thursday afternoon included L-R Byron Johnson, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice; MPD 1D Lt. Seth Anderson, MPD 1D Captain David Augustine, and representatives of DPW, DOB, FEMS, DOH, Parking Enforcement, DOT, and the Department of Hired Vehicles. 

ANC6B Commissioner Chander Jayaraman, who lives on the Ward 6 side of 15^th Street, lent his voice to the effort, pointing out some of the issues in the surrounding streets and alleys. 

The house at 201 17th Street, SE, which neighbors say is the frequent target of gunfire.

Hill East “Nuisance House” Attracts Gunfire – City Agencies Join Response to Hill East Shootings

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 12, 2023

As was announced on Wednesday night, representatives of numerous agencies convened at 15^th and Independence, SE on Thursday afternoon for a walking tour of the alleys and streets near Independence Avenue between 15^th Street and 17^th Street, SE.  The mission was to address in real time environmental and quality of life issues as well as to look specifically at what neighbors say is an illegally occupied house on 17^th Street which is a target for drive by shootings  

The walk was led by MPD 1D Captain David Augustine and the house in question at 201 17^th Street was the final stop.  Neighbors say the house is occupied illegally – perhaps by a relative of the deceased owner.  The occupant, they say, changed the locks and the legitimate owner was not able to gain access.  The house shows evidence of having been struck by rounds fired from passing vehicles.  MPD says that the gunfire involves a small munber of individuals and is apparently the result of a dispute with residents of another neighborhood. 

City officials say that the address of the corner house has been referred to the Office of the DC Attorney General (OAG) for possible declaration as a nuisance house.  OAG can sometimes file legal actions against property owners in cases involving drugs firearms or firearms related nuisances. These actions are aimed at forcing owners of properties where criminal activity occurs to make changes that improve safety and security.

There are specific criteria which must be met for the property to be declared a nuisance – illegal activity is one.  The Public Advocate Division of the OAG deals with vacant and nuisance properties.  Here’s a link to the list of Divisions of the Office of the DC Attorney General – and emails of the key personal of the Public Advocate’s Office to whom questions regarding vacant or nuisance properties and evictions can be directed.  https://oag.dc.gov/about-oag/our-structure-and-divisions

City officials have also initiated a request for a building inspection by the Department of Buildings to determine if the property is habitable.  The building would seemingly have to be condemned in order to take action against an occupant and condemnation would require the building to be found to be a public health hazard. 

Eviction of an occupant – even a squatter – can be a lengthy legal process and requires initiation by the property owner.  Any eviction must be pursuant to a court order, and must be scheduled and supervised by the US Marshals Service. 

MPD is currently maintaining a heightened presence near the house to deter additional shootings. 

The rest of the walk to correct envioronmental and quality of live problems in real time involved a tour of nearby alleys where city officials found ten abandoned cars, accumulated alley trash, and lighting issues.  Though tow trucks were on hand, officials determined that abandoned vehicles on private property had to be inspected and ticketed before they could be removed and requests were submitted to DOT.  But DPW had no reluctance in trashing and crushing 8 abandoned Safeway shopping carts which had found their way to an alley off Independence and abandoned on public space. 

Regarding the attention law officials are giving to community outreach, it’s noteworthy that US Attorney for DC Matthew Graves will give a presentation to ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee at a hybrid meeting on April 24 at 6:30pm.  ANC7D’s Public Safety Committee will schedule a virtual meeting later in the month – TBA – to hear from criminal justice and public safety individuals.  And the MPD D1 Commuity Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting at 6:00pm on the first Tuesday of the month, May 7.  https://anc6b.org/ and https://1dcac.com/

Here’s a link to MPD’s District Crime Data at a Glance:  https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/district-crime-data-glance

MPD Deputy Chief Kyle (second from left) addresses residents on shootings in Hill East. L-R, MPD 1D Commander Colin Hall, (Kyle), MPD 1D Lt. Seth Anderson and MPD 1D Captain David Augustine (in business attire) – behind him in green top is ANC7D Commissioner Ashley Schapitl.

Here’s an image showing the crowd size at the sidewalk meeting.

MPD Details Response to Hill East Shootings

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 11, 2024

At 6:00pm on Wednesday night, some 50 neighbors around 15th and Independence SE, gathered in front of the 7-11 at that location for an MPD “safety walk.”  They turned out because they were alarmed about a spate of shootings in the 1500 – 1700 blocks of Independence Avenue, SE, and wanted to know what MPD was doing about it.  ANC7D Commissioner Ashley Schapitl announced the upcoming walk at ANC7D monthly meeting on Tuesday night.  (Since redistricting last year, the neighborhood is in Ward 7 but still policed by MPD’s First District.) 

A lot of MPD brass turned out:  Deputy Chief for Patrol Services Ramey Kyle and from the MPD First District, Commander Colin Hall, Capt. David Augustine, Lt. Seth Anderson, and a couple of MPD officers.  In addition, local officials and candidates who showed up included:  ANC7D Chair Wendell Felder, 7D Commissioners Ebony Payne, Brian Alcorn, and Ashley Schapitl.  Also present were Ward 7 Council candidate Eboni-Rose Thompson (Felder and Payne are also Council candidates), and Brynn Barnett, Chair of ANC7D’s Public Safety Committee. 

WUSA and DC Now television news crews showed up. 

Residents expressed their deep concerns and fear – sometimes emotionally – about the increase in gun violence in the community.  There have been two incidents recently – one in front of the 7-11, and another at 17^th and Independence.  Some of the neighbors related accounts of their home being penetrated by bullets.

Deputy Chief Ramey Kyle:  MPD has put a lot of resources into the area.  Regarding two recent shootings, that has been one arrest and there’s one arrest warrant out.  In addition, we have “a lot of other things working in the neighborhood.”  We have made key arrests – the shootings were targeted and not widespread and appear related to outsiders coming into the neighborhood.  There was a spike in crime last July – since then it’s gone down.  We believe the shootings in this area might be a neighborhood dispute.  There are not a lot of people involved – sometimes very petty disputes and access to guns results in violence. He said he talks with Violence Interrupter supervisors two or three ties a day and violence interrupters have been in the neighborhood. 

Asked about a vacant house on 17^th Street being related to the shootings and whether it was possible to evict the occupants Augustine said that what MPD can do is address actionable stuff – warrants based on probably cause.  He said he was not aware of any pending eviction notice regarding the house. 

The declaration of a property as a nuisance property and the issue of eviction fall under the purview of other agencies, including the Office of the Attorney General and the deputy mayor’s office. 

Augustine emphasized that what MPD can do in impart visibility to the community and stressed the importance of providing as much detail as possible when calling 911 to help the call center raise the call to a higher priority.

Commander Hall discussed the nature of the whole plan to address criminal justice issues in the area which involves micro beats, increased bike patrols, involvement of the Crime Suppression Team and the Violent Crime Suppression Division, and traffic enforcement and arrests.  He said that Operation Atlas which focuses resources on neighborhood where violent crimes have occurred was involved.  Finally, he said that a multi-agency walking tour of the neighborhood has been scheduled for Thursday to address in real time some of the environmental and quality of life issues in the neighborhood. 

Hall noted that the recently installed 360 degree camera on a light pole at the corner of 15th and Independence helps solve crimes – it “picks up the bread crumbs of crime” and sometimes prevents it.  He says MPD craves information and believes they have a great connection with the community which is something they want to build on. 

The street corner Q&A period lasted an hour.  There have been several meetings or briefings related to public safety this month and one consistent message from MPD is that crime is down significantly compared to the first quarter of 2023 but the crime numbers are likely to show an uptick as warmer weather approaches.  One of the best ways for residents to raise their concerns and address MPD and other public safety officials directly is at the monthly First District Citizens Advisory Council virtual meetings.  These meeting provide a wealth of public safety information plus the presence of public officials who answer questions from the public.  Given that, it’s surprising so few residents with concerns about crime participate or attend.  Here’s the link to the 1^st District MPD CAC:  https://1dcac.com/

Next:  MPD/City Agencies focus on the “nuisance” house neighbors call the target of driveby gunshots. 

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 7, 2024

Crime Update from Matthew Graves, US Attorney for DC – Tuesday night, April 2, Matthew Graves, US Attorney for DC, appeared at the MPD First District Community Advisory Committee virtual meeting to talk about his office’s enforcement policies and other criminal justice issues.  He took questions, and near the end of the meeting, summarized his presentation – as follows: 

“I completely understand the…concerns and the frustrations of what everyone – myself included – is experiencing in the community… and that crime is not something you can necessarily address with numbers.  Commander Hall and I can tell you all day long that the numbers are going down dramatically in a kind of unprecedented fashion – in part because of the law enforcement actions we are collectively taking – but until people feel it, it’s not go to resonate.  So all we can do is continue to employ tactics we’ve been employing which include arrests.  But another thing we’ve been doing that’s having an impact is proactively going at the drivers of violence and doing everything we can to get them off the street…. That often looks like a federal prosecution for illegally carrying firearms [or) illegal drug distribution.  That’s what we can prove – that’s what we can do that gets them off the streets and we’re doing that – and we’ve taken 100s of people who are very dangerous individuals off the streets that way. That’s why if you look at the jail population right now it’s at a relative recent record high … and it’s not just the number of people in jail – when you look and Department of Corrections statistics on what people are in jail for, I don’t think … we’ve had a greater percentage of individuals in jail for serious violent offenses or firearms offenses….  And I think some of that explains in part why you’ve seen a dramatic difference between the violent crime numbers in the summer and the violent crime numbers now.  [We] just have to continue to stick at it and hope that as the trend lines continue … [and] people feel a different way than they felt in 2023.” 

Graves will speak again at ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee on April 23.  More info to come on CHC’s Week Ahead. Meanwhile, here’s a link to MPD’s District Crime Data at a Glance:  https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/district-crime-data-glance

Another Delay for Hilleast Boys and Girls Club Development – Morningstar Development’s plan to develop the Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club into a 34 affordable unit apartment building has hit a snag.  The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) has postponed the Zoning Adjustment hearing scheduled for April 24.  BZA says it wants Morningstar to resolve a map amendment issue through the Zoning Commission before BZA takes up the requested zoning adjustment.  The Zoning Commission hearing won’t occur until June.  Morningstar won the right to develop the city-owned property in 2017.  The Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club is at 261 17th Street, SE.  Here’s a link to Morningstar’s presentation to ANC6B in October 2021.  The architect’s rendering above is from that presentation.  See here: https://bit.ly/3AkTYz8

Here’s another example of the on-going community-building work being done by Guerrilla Gardeners – Jim Guckert, founder and Executive Director of Guerrilla Gardeners, in collaboration with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, established a training program in landscape maintenance and urban agriculture at the Sasha Bruce House House campus, 11^th and Maryland Avenue, NE.  The photo shows tulips from some of the 5,000 bulbs Youthwork project members planted.  Guckert says, “These guys are willing and available to do any kind of yard work. They are looking for entry level employment as well.  During their internship we focused on workplace skills that are translatable for virtually any kind of opportunity.”  Contact Guckert at https://guerrillagardenersdc.org/  Guerrilla Gardeners is a non-profit organization focused on the beautification and maintenance of public parks and gardens throughout the District. 

Saturday afternoon at Hill Center – The second floor of Hill Center was taken over by Volunteer Capitol Hill 2004.  VCH was established in 2013 by the Old Naval Hospital Foundation and is an annual event designed to showcase the variety of opportunities for volunteer service.  Organizations which participated:  13th Street Park & Garden, AARP Driver Safety, Barracks Row Main Street, Capitol Hill Restoration Society, Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, Capitol Hill Village, City Wildlife, Community of Hope, DC Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative, Eastern Market Advisory Committee, Food Rescue US, Hill Center, Horton’s Kids, Kids Connection Haiti, Little Light Urban Ministries, National Capital Bank, Opera Lafayette, Ruth Ann Overbeck History Project, Ward  6 Democrats, and Washington Urban Debate League. 

Saturday afternoon at North Hall, Eastern Market – Here’s a shot of the Capital Art Book Fair, an annual event organized by East City Art, which brought together publishers, artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts to showcase and celebrate the world of art books.  The Fair serves as a platform for artists, publishers, and independent bookmakers to exhibit and sell art-related publications, which can include artist monographs, exhibition catalogs, zines, photography books, graphic novels, and other forms of printed material which double as fine art.  The fair features a diverse range of exhibitors, including established publishing houses, independent publishers, art institutions, galleries, and individual artists.  Go here from more on East City Art:  https://www.eastcityart.com/

The Capitol Hillbillies were tearing it up at Eastern Market on Saturday afternoon.  That’s band leader Joel Bailes at the piano.  https://www.facebook.com/rollingpiano/    https://twitter.com/rollingpianodc

The Week Ahead …

Highlight:  CM Charles Allen visits ANC6B Monday night to discuss the 2025 Budget.

Highlight:  The SE/NE Libraries Joint April Book Sale will be held Saturday, April 13

Monday, April 8

ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/virtual-meetings/

Agenda:  TBA

ANC6B will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.  Note: This meeting date has been adjusted to avoid conflicts with holidays, religious days, or other events.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Consent Agenda

• Capitol Hill Wine & Spirits; 323 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License
• New Congressional Liquor; 404 1st Street, SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License.
• Alley Signs Behind 700 Block of C Street, SE.
• Speed Humps on 600 Block of I Street, SE.
• Letter to DDOT Requesting Study of Future Design for I-695.Planning & Zoning Committee Consent Items.
• Public Safety Committee Consent Items.

Presentations:

• Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen – Discussion of the FY2025 Budget.

Transportation Committee

Planning and Zoning Committee

• 633 E Street, SE, Rear Project: To construct a second story addition, and convert to a principal dwelling unit, an existing, semi-detached, commercial building in the RF-1 zone.
• Report on alley closing community benefits agreement, Square 762.
• Report of the Committee

Southeast Library Task Force

• Update on Traffic Issues Around SE Library.
• Report of the Task Force..

Report for the Public Parks and Recreation Spaces Task Force

Public Safety Committee

• Motion to change date for next meeting to April 24. 
• Testimony in Support of Bill B25-0536: The Home Purchase Assistance for 911/311 Call-Takers and Dispatchers Amendment Act of 2023.
• Report for the Public Safety Committee.

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee

• Report of the Committee.

ANC6B Administrative Matters

• Adjust April Date of Public Safety Committee to Avoid Conflicting with Second Evening of Passover. Suggested New Date: April 24^th.

Tuesday, April 9

ANC7D will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Community Speakers

• TBD, DC Department of Buildings (DOB) – Vacant Property.
• TBD, DC Water – Lead Service Line Replacement Update.

DC Government Updates/Presentations

• Lawrence Davlin, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS) Ward 7 Representative.
• Francis Campbell, Office of Ward 7 CM Vincent Gray.

Community Comment

New Business Items

• Treasurer Item.
• Monthly Treasurer Report.
• Approve FY 2024 Q2 Quarterly Financial Report.

ANC 7D Committee Updates

• Public Safety Committee
• Economic Development, Housing Justice, Zoning and Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
• Transportation & Public Space Committee

Other Commission Business

• Proposed motion: ANC 7D to send a letter to DDOT in support of roadway improvements at the intersection of 16th/North Carolina/C Streets. NE.
• Discussion of hiring administrative support for ANC7D.
• Commissioner Single Member District (SMD) Report.

Wednesday, April 10

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:   https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Calendar

• 420 H Street, NE – Public Space Improvement

Transportation and Public Space Committee

• Proposed letter to DDOT on Florida Avenue

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee

• Application of Heritage Foundation for zoning relief to continue operation of nonadjacent parking lots in the alley complex bounded by 3rd, 4^th, D and E Streets, NE.

Thursday, April 11

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Presentations

• History of H Street NE – Dr. Kyla Sommers, Historian and Author of When the Smoke Cleared (https://thenewpress.com/books/when-smoke-cleared )

Consent Agenda

• Motion that ANC6A approve a grant to Miner Elementary School PTO in the amount of $1,000.00 to fund the renovation of a turtle habitat.
• Motion that ANC6A send a letter to ABCA to protest the license application of Verg Enterprises LLC at 1230 H Street, NE.
• Motion that ANC6A take no action with respect to the application for renewal of a Class A Retail Liquor License by 7 River Mart at 250 11th Street, NE.
• Motion that ANC 6A take no action with respect to the application for renewal of a Class A Retail Liquor License by Exotic Wine and Spirits at at 801 Maryland Avenue, NE.
• Motion that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the HPRB re new two-story and basement rear addition to an existing two-story rowhouse at 216 11th Street, NE.
• Motion that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the BZA Request for a Modification of Consequence from Board of Zoning Adjustment Order to construct a new detached, two-story, accessory garage with second story dwelling unit to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit at 1127 G Street, NE.
• Motion that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the BZA re Request for a Special Exception from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story with cellar, rear addition, to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit at 235 10th Street, NE.

Standing Committee Reports:

Community Outreach

Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis

Transportation and Public Space

• Motion that ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT Acting Director Sharon Kershbaum, Ali Shakeri, DDOT Infrastructure Project Management Division and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen requesting that the crosswalk be restored at Florida Avenue and M Street NE so that there is a way for west bound bicycles and pedestrians to access M Street NE and the NOMA/Gallaudet metro station and request that the traffic signal division review and adjust signal timing to further slow driver speeds to the existing speed limit on Florida Avenue NE.

Economic Development and Zoning

New Business

• Single Member District reports .
• Community Comments.

Saturdy, April 13

• The NE/SE Libraries Joint April Book Sale to benefit both the Friends of the Northeast and Southeast Libraries is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 10-3:00pm, at the Northeast Library.

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

• Artomatic continues through April 28 at Artomatic, 2100 M Street, NW.  For more, go here:  https://www.artomatic.org/

Pacci’s Likely to Get Approval to Expand to Second Floor

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 4, 2024

At tonight ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee virtual meeting, Chair Frank D’Andrea announced that the Office of Planning (OP) has submitted a report recommending approval of a variance requested by Pacci’s restaurant on Lincoln Park to expand its business to the second floor.  The report appears to smooth the way to granting an exception to a zoning regulation that owner Spiro Goldasis said could require him to close.  Goldasis says if he can’t increase the seating it’s unlikely his restaurant can survive.  The report was a reversal of OP’s position; previously they had opposed the variance.  D’Andrea said, “With the Office of Planning’s opposition gone, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) is likely to support the variance.” 

The decision came after a second letter from CM Charles Allen to the Board of Zoning Adjustment on March 12, reiterating a letter of support for the variance which he sent last December.  The March letter was cosigned by 1225 residents who live near the property and support granting a variance. 

Allen’s letter said, “As I mentioned in my first letter, while I wish the applicant the best in their business endeavors and want to them thrive in this space, I am advocating here on behalf of my constituents who are tired of this space sitting vacant because it is clear the existing zoning is not workable.  Pacci’s will be the third restaurant to open and close on this site in a decade if a deviation is not granted. Given the public nature of this case, I also worry about the deterring effect this will have on future small, local businesses interested in opening in our neighborhoods.” 

Last November, Goldasis appeared before ANC6B to tell them that the restaurant needed to expand to the second floor in order to survive – the problem is that zoning regulations require the second floor to be residential – and getting an exception requires a problematic variance to the regulations.  ANC6B – along with ANC6A – subsequently voted unanimously to support the zoning adjustment.

The BZA is scheduled to vote on whether to grant the variance on Wednesday, April 10.

Coming soon to Barracks Row: Jabwemet Indian Kitchen

New Indian Cuisine Coming to Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 1, 2024

Parminder Singh Manan, owner of two restaurants featuring Indian cuisine in NW DC hopes to open Jabwemet Indian Kitchen at 515 8^th Street on Barracks Row later this month.  The space was recently occupied by El Bodegon which closed in January. 

This will be the owner’s third restaurant in the city:  the other two are Naanwise Indian Cuisine in Woodley Park at 2625 Connecticutt Avenue, NW, and Oh! Nan Indian Kitchen in Columbia Heights at 1720 14^th Street, NW.

According to General Manager Sandeep Kapoor, the owner decided to open on Barracks Row owing to the dearth of fine dining Indian restaurants in the area, not only on the nearby commercial corridors on Capitol Hill, but in Navy Yard.  Kapoor says the menu at Jabwemet Kitchen will be similar to that at Oh!  Nan.  See here: https://ohnaan.com/menu.php  

Kapoor said, “We believe in providing a fine dining experience with excellent food and great service – none of the other restaurants in the area offer this.”

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week – Crime Discussion Meeting Tuesday Night

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 31, 1024

Eastern Market News:  EMCAC met last Wednesday night. Takeaways:

• Rumsey Court – work is underway regarding the renovation of Rumsey Court.  Expect public meetings in about six months.
• EMCAC is seeking volunteer community members to work on the Communications Committee and the Public Safety Committee:  Contact Chuck Burger at CBurger@cbmove.com
• Eastern Market is collaborating with Alejandra Calvache of the US State Department’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative who presented a marketing analysis for Eastern Market (which is what should have been funded by DMPED’s 2019 $300,000 strategic plan grant which instead went to the archttectural firm architrave p.c.).  EMCAC Chair Chuck Burger (center in photo) called the presentation excellent” and said and if she’d been here a couple of years ago “we could have gotten you a nice grant.” 
• “Blossoms at Eastern Market” reprises its 2023 installation of 150 blossoming Yoshino Cherry Trees in the North Hall in celebration of the DC Cherry Blossom Festival.  Artechouse’s installation is coming this week. 

Tuesday, hundreds of demonstrators flooded 1^st Street in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as Justices heard arguments in a case regarding the availability of the abortion drug mifepristone.  Press reports after the hearing speculated that Justices did not seem to be impressed by arguments in favor of limiting access. 

ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee held a virtual meeting last Monday night to hear a crime report by 1^st District Commander Colin Hall.  Hall cited an on-going downward trend in crime in the First District and announced establishment of a five day drug free zone at the corner of 8^th and H Streets, NE.  Enforcement began on Wednesday morning and will be lifted on the morning of April 1 – but could be activated by COP Pamela Smith for no more than 15 days per month.  Tuesday night Hall will be back to report on crime in the First District at the MPD CAC meeting which will also feature US Attorney for DC, Matthew Graves (see below). 

Committee Chair Lisa Matsumoto (pictured with Commander Hall at upper right above) commented afterward:  “It was helpful to get an update from Commander Hall and Captain Harding on what work MPD is doing, their challenges, and to hear from them that the number of criminal incidents is declining.  I do think that the committee was incredibly interested and impressed by the information presented by [the Office of Neighborhood Safety Engagement]. The work they are doing is so important and they seem to be having a tangible, positive impact on at-risk individuals and an effect on preventing future crime.”  (A March WaPo editorial on crime said “DC Auditor Kathy Patterson has found that agencies fail to measure their success [of violence interruption programs] in a credible way.  Stronger oversight is essential.”]

New Retail on 7^th Street, SE.  Zen Renovations –  promising to transform your kitchens, bathrooms, basements – opened this past week at 370 7^th Street, SE, across from Peregrine Espresso.  Here’s a link to their website:  https://bit.ly/3xqHOZF

Zero Waste DC Community Fair at Eastern Market:  Saturday, this city-hosted event in the North Hall introduced residents to zero-waste resources provided by city agencies and local businesses and organizations.  Clarissa Edwards of the Office of Waste Diversion handed out free canvas bags.  The event is over, but the DPW website is still up and has a lot of useful information such as neighborhood dropoff locations for recycling batteries and cell phones.  https://bit.ly/4axVIrm

Mott’s Market Update:  Saturday afternoon, Mott’s Market celebrated the communitee with a pop-up artist showcase, featuring the works of local artists.  Community members organized and raised funding to bring this neighborhood market back to the community.

At circa 6:00pm, some 150 community members were present to view the progress on the renovation, view the art works and listen to live jazz provided by The Knox Engler.

A plan for the operation of the market reminds one of the Union Kitchen at 538 3rd Street, NE – espresso, pastries, and hot breakfast offerings, along with upscale groceries and some indoor seating. (BTW, Union Kitchen still plans to open an outlet in the former Subway shop at 8th and E Streets, SE).

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week – Crime Discussion Meeting Tuesday Night

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 31, 1024

Monday, April 1

CANCELLED ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/  

Agenda:  TBA

POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 15. ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in person meeting at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Conference Room 201,

Agenda: TBA

Tuesday, April 2

MPD 1^st District Citizens Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting 6:00 – 7:15 pm

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://1dcac.com/   

Among items on the agenda: 

• Community Discussion with US Attorney for DC, Matthew Graves. 
• Crime Discussion in 1st District with Commander Colin Hall and MPD officials.
• Question period for ANC Commissioners and Block Associations.
• Comments from businesses and residents

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. Physical location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/. 

Agenda:

• Capitol Hill Wine & Spirits; 323 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Renewal of a Class A Liquor License.
• New Congressional Liquor; 404 1st Street, SE. Renewal of a Class A Liquor License. 

ANC6D will hold an Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm. 

To view meeting contact 6D@anc.dc.gov

Agenda: 

• Discussion of the agenda for the April meeting of ANC6D. 

Wednesday, April 3

ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.   

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Agenda: 

• Alley Signs Behind 700 Block of C Street, SE.
• Speed Humps on 600 Block of I Street, SE.
• Letter to DDOT Requesting Study of Future Design of I-695.

ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/  

Agenda:

• Alley lots bounded by 3rd, 4th, D & E Streets, NE.  BZA Application of The Heritage Foundation for a special exception and two area variances to permit the continued operation of accessory parking lots in the RF-1/CAP zone on three lots located within the alley bounded by 3rd, 4th, D and E Streets, NE.

Thursday, April 4

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

For into on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/

Agenda

• 633 E Street, SE.  Rear Project: Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application.  To construct a second story addition, and convert to a principal dwelling unit, an existing, semi-detached, commercial building in the RF-1 zone.
• 138 E Street, SE.  Project:  Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application. To construct a second story addition to an existing detached accessory garage to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• Consideration of CBA for Alley Closing in Square 762 (behind the former Capitol Lounge).

ANC6C Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/  

Agenda: 

• 420 H Street, NE.  Public Space Improvement.  Owner shall perform improvements to the exis>ng building structure that projects into public space. Owner also making improvements to the public space by adding new planters, areaway entrance, stairs w/ handrail, pervious pavers along the 5th St. side of the property.

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

East City Art’s 2024 Capital Art Book Fair:  Saturday & Sunday, April 6 & 7, 2024 | Saturday: 11am–6 pm & Sunday: 10am–4pm.  Eastern Market’s North Hall.

The event is open to the public, free of charge. Thirty-six exhibitors from across the DMV, the US, Asia and Europe will present books as works of art, editions about art or artists, limited run books, prints as well as DIY zines, graphic novels and art magazines. Over 100 fine artists, independent publishers, small presses, illustrators and photographers will be represented.

For more go here:  https://artbookfair.eastcityart.com/

Hill Center Concert :  Stone Room Concerts @ Hill Center Featuring Modern Folk/Americana Sextet Buffalo Rose, Sunday, April 7, 4:30pm – 6:00pm. $20

For more, go here:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/stone-room-concerts-hill-center-featuring-modern-folk-americana-sextet-buffalo-rose/   

Hill Center Event:  Volunteer Capitol Hill, Saturday, April 6, 2pm to 4pm.

More than 30 local non-profit organizations will be present to share how you can help them meet their mission.

For more, go here:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/volunteer-capitol-hill/

Harvest Tide Steak House at 212 7th Street, SE.

Coastline Oyster Company at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Harvest Tide Steak House Closes – Coastline Oyster Company Awaits New Owership

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 25, 2024

Harvest Tide Steak House across from Eastern Market is permanently closed as of this morning.  Its sister restaurant, Coastline Oyster Company at 319 PA Ave, is temporarily closed awaiting a takeover by new ownership in about four months.

A source told CHC that the closure was less a lack of business and more about the increased costs of running the business, the difficulty small businesses face in operating in DC, and an unspecified lease issue.  In addition to its restaurant trade, Harvest Tide had steady revenue from lobbyists and members of Congress as a location for events. 

Owner Danio Somoza owns the Harvest Tide Steak House in downtown Lewes, Delaware.  He opened his second Harvest Tide restaurant opposite Eastern Market in October 2021, in the space formerly occupied by Aqua al 2.  He subsequently opened a third restaurant at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue – ZOCA Mexican Restaurant – in May of 2022, in the space formerly (sequentially) occupied by Stanton + Greene, Pour House, and Politicki.  ZOCA closed in February 2023 and morphed into Coastline Oyster Company, following the closue of Hank’s Oyster Bar in the 600 block of PA Ave.

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 24, 2024

John Lottman, owner of the currently only-on-line Spin Time Records will open a music store on PA Ave SE. 

New Cap Hill Music Outlet:  John Lottman, the DC music scene aficionado who has marketed DC Go-G0, Punk & D.I.Y., Soul & Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop & Electic, and DC Americana on-line is realizing his dream of going brick-and-mortar.  The shop will open soon in the second story at 613 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, above Barrel. 

Here’s Lottman from his website:  “Like so many parts of DC, the Capitol Hill I grew up in has become a neighborhood that has “everything,” but feels like it’s lost so much.   One thing I can give it back is a record store. It seemed like there used to be one on every block, but the last one closed about 25 years ago….

I want this to be a resource for locals, visitors, and people around the world to dive into the city’s musical life. You can look, listen, and read about this dimension of local history. You might give a local artist you’ve never heard of a spin, or discover a connection to DC in an artist you already knew.  And you are guaranteed to find some good music.”  Here’s a link to the website:  https://spintimerecords.com/ and here’s a link to a WaPo article: https://wapo.st/3IOlThA

Here’s the new public restroom from Thronelabs – coming to DC in a six month pilot program.

This is what the Throne at 8th and H Street, NE, would look like on site.

New Public Restroom Pilot coming to H Street NE:  Last Monday, ANC6A’s Transportation Committee heard a presentation from Thronelabs, the company who DC Department of Public Works has contracted with to launch a public restroom pilot.  One of the selected locations for the pilot program which will run now through September 31, 2024, is at the SW corner of H and 8th Street, NE.  Hours of operation will be 7:00am – 10:00pm, but could be expanded.  (It hasn’t been installed yet.)

According to the website, [the] “Throne offers an elevated experience that uses technology and behavioral science to bring bathrooms into the 21st century. The company promotes it as transportable, self monitoring re servicing, clean and touchless, sustainable, plumbed and ventilated, and accessible and completely free to the public.  If it works out, the contract could be extended to February, 2025.  Several residents raised questions regarding whether the corner of 8th and H which they say is a hotspot for drug activity is the best place to test the pilot.  Company representative Jessica Heinzeilman responded that the location was selected by DPW and DDOT, and changing it would be their call. For more, go here:  https://www.thronelabs.co/   Here’s where you can give feedback on proposed locations:  https://bit.ly/3TxC1Jb

Broken Glass.  Tuesday morning, patrons of Peregrine say that a small stone caused the impressive fracturing of the large plate safety glass front window of Peregrine.  How the stone became airborne is uncertain, as there seemed to have been no obvious explanation. 

Memorial for Barracks Row Restaurateur Tom Johnson.  Saturday afternoon, hundreds of friends, former customers, past and present employees, family including his mother, and business partner William Sport – attended a memorial service for Capitol Hill restaurateur Tom Johnson, who died last weekend.  The event was held at Stadium Sports Bar which the Hill Restaurant Group (where Johnson was the managing partner) closed last month.  There were several heart felt eulogies in which he was remembered as a charismatic presence on Barracks Row who had a terrific impact on the Capitol Hill neighborhood.  His restaurant group included numerous eateries on or near Barracks Row and included the Hawk & Dove, Lola’s, Playa Ocho, Opheila’s Fish House, Senart’s Steak House (which became Orchid briefly before closing), Boxcar and Stadium.  Privately, his business partner Sport, confirmed that Johnson had died from a fall on the steep driveway of his home.  Photo by Maggie Hall.

SE Library Update:  Last Thursday, ANC6B’s SE Library Task Force met at the Arthur Capper Community Center, home of the “Tech Express” interim facility during the renovation of the SE Library.  Jaspreet Pahwa, Director, Capital Planning and Construction, DC Public Library, reported that construction is on schedule.  Martha Saccocio, Director, Community Engagement at DC Public Library, reported on usage of the interim facility which has been open for about a month.  After opening early February, an average of four patrons a day visited the facility mostly to use the copier or printer or desktop computers.  Usage has more than doubled in March.  130 patrons have picked up or dropped off books.  From left above:  Jaspreet Pahwa, Eric Schuster, Whiting-Turner Superintendent, Taskforce Chair David Sobelsohn, and Martha Saccocio.

Haiku Contest Winner:  A haiku written by Capitol Hill resident Cindy Gordon was one of those selected for display in the Golden Triangle haiku competition.  It’s located on the north side of I Street NW, just east of Farragut Square.  Photo by Cindy Gordon.

The Week Ahead…

Posted March 24, 2024

Monday, March 25

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Announcements & Updates
• What is Community Outreach?
• Miner Grant Application
• Community Comments (2 minutes each)

ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.

Physical location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 7th Floor Classroom Meeting Room B (Please see front desk security guard who will be able to let you up to the 7th floor).

For info on how to join virtually, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Presentation by Commander Colin Hall, Commander, 1st District, Metropolitan Police Department.
• Availability of Youth Services: Kimberley Pinkney, Community Outreach Program Specialist, Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE).

Tuesday, March 26

ANC6B’s Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Agenda: 

• The committee will consider the draft agenda for the full ANC6B meeting on April 8 (changed from April 9 to avoid religious conflict)
• Vote on two medical cannabis settlement agreements in SMD 6B03.

Wednesday, March 27

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold its monthly meeting virtually and in person at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  TBA

Among items on the draft agenda:

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee has scheduled a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Discussion of application of Verg Enterprises LLC for a medical cannabis license at 1230 H Street NE.
• Discussion of renewal of a Class A retail liquor store license at 7 River Mart at 250 11th Street NE.
• Discussion of renewal of a Class A retail liquor store license at Exotic Wine and Spirits at 801 Maryland Avenue NE.
• Discussion regarding settlement agreements at Pascual at 732 Maryland Ave NE and Jumbo Liquors at 1122 H Street NE.

Thursday, March 28

The ANC6C Grants Committee has scheduled a virtual meeting at 7:30pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agend:

• Discussion of application of Verg Enterprises LLC for a medical cannabis license at 1230 H Street NE.
• Discussion of renewal of a Class A retail liquor store license at 7 River Mart at 250 11th Street NE.
• Discussion of renewal of a Class A retail liquor store license at Exotic Wine and Spirits at 801 Maryland Avenue NE.
• Discussion regarding settlement agreements at Pascual at 732 Maryland Ave NE and Jumbo Liquors at 1122 H Street NE.

Once a contractor starts renovating, sometimes they don’t stop.  The result is shown above in a photo of 326 A Street, SE, from February of 2019:  a demolition that went far beyond anything authorized by the Historic Preservation Review Board.  Once the extent of the work was called to HPRB’ attention, an inspector issued a stop work order on the project – too late to comply with any HPRB attempt to preserve a contributing structure to the Historic District.  The contractor got a slap on the wrist. 

Weigh in on Fines for Contractors Who Violate Historic Standards – Register by 5pm Monday

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 24, 2024

Wednesday, March 27, Council Chair Phil Mendelson will hold a public hearing on Councilmember Allen’s Protecting Historic Homes Amendment Act of 2023, which would increase fines for violating historic preservation laws based on the damage done, in order to deter contractors and developers who view current fines as the cost of doing business.  This will be the public’s only opportunity to weigh in with support or to suggest changes to the bill and have it be part of the legislative record.  

Those who wish to testify must register using the Council’s Hearing Management System at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hearings/353 by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024. Testimony is limited to four minutes.  

Public witnesses will participate virtually via the Internet on the Zoom Video Conference platform and will receive instructions on how to participate prior to the hearing.  If you have additional questions, please contact Evan Cash, Committee and Legislative Director, at (202) 724-7002 or ecash@dccouncil.gov .

Testimony should be submitted through the Council’s Hearing Management System (https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings ) in advance of the hearing.  Testimony will be publicly accessible upon Committee review.  

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Statements for the record should be submitted through the Hearing Management System or left by voicemail by calling (202) 430-6948 (up to 3 minutes which will be transcribed). The record will close at 5:00 pm on Wednesday,

The hearing will be at 2:30pm, Room 412, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Editorial Part II:  Who’s Behind the “Recall Charles Allen” Campaign?

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 21, 2024

Proponents of the “Recall Charles Allen” campaign characterize it as a grass roots effort.  The list of initial donors simply does not bear that out. 

As I discuss below, the list of major donors (defined as giving $100 or more) is overwhelmingly comprised of people who work professionally in national politics or who are identifiable Republicans, or both.  Many people in Ward 6 fall into one or both of these categories.  But the great many more Ward 6 residents who do not are simply just not on the list of $100+ donors.

What accounts for the heavy presence of political professionals and local Republicans on the donor list?  Are they concerned about, but unable to persuasively debate, crime policy in DC?  It’s possible.  But other possibilities exist as well, and I examined the list for indications of these. 

Who benefits or has a stake in recalling Allen?  The list includes congressional and other Republicans who want to show that blue cities can’t manage themselves effectively; Mayor Bowser, who desperately wants the new Commanders stadium that Allen opposes; the DC Police Union, members of which resent Allen’s police reforms; Eric Goulet –  Director of the DC Committee on Health and former Ward 3 City Council candidate who resents Allen’s endorsement of his then-opponent Matt Frumin, and who has been active on social media in support of the recall; the fossil fuel industry – including Washington Gas – which is intensely opposed to Allen’s Healthy Home Act; and lobbyists and political groups using private residences near the Capitol for corporate and/or fundraising receptions contrary to applicable zoning, something Allen has recently been more active in curbing.  

To explore each of these possibilities, CHC examined the initial donor filing.  DC Campaign Finance Law requires filing an initial list of donors by January 31st, but disclosure of additional donor info is not required until July 31st.  For the period from January 12 to January 31, the recall campaign raised $56,000 from 400 donors. 

Of the 400 names on the list, 205 people donated $100 or more, up to the maximum of $500.  Those donations account for 90 % of the $56,000 total, averaging $238 per donation.  The following analysis is confined to this influential group of “big” donors.  (A handful of donors contributed more than once, which explains why the following numbers total 209.)

• 22 were non-DC residents ($259 average donation)
• 75 were DC residents but not Ward 6 ($216 average donation)
• 112 were Ward 6 residents (average donation $250)

My first and most important observation about the big donor list is that the recall is thoroughly political.  That might sound like an obvious point, but in this case I’m not just characterizing the effort, I’m characterizing the donor list. 

The majority (72%) of the 205 in the $100 or more group work professionally in national politics:  lobbyists, consultants, fundraisers, congressional employees, etc.  I’ll call this subgroup the “professional pols.”  Notably, they averaged a substantially higher donation ($251).  It is no exaggeration to say that they are the initial contributors and driving force behind the recall effort. 

Professional pols in the $100 + group were soon joined by a second kind of donor in the $100 + group:  local (DC or Virginia) Republicans.  To some extent, the 41 identifiable Republicans overlapped with professional pols, but many did not.  As a group, identifiable local Republicans donated less money ($213 average).  A separate analysis https://bit.ly/4aoqD9n conducted by Alex Koma of the Washington City Paper found that “nearly half” of the entire list of initial donors could be identified as Republicans or tied to the Republican party.  Koma says the donor’s list includes current and former staff members for former Presidents Trump and G.W. Bush, former Speakers of the House Boehner, Hastert, and McCarthy, and current Senators Cotton, Grassley, Romney and Scott. 

The story that the data describe is a straightforward one:  the professional political class launched and largely funded the recall effort, then localRepublicans and others jumped in seeing an opportunity for advancing their own political message. 

It is easy to explain the political motivation oflocal Republicans looking to exploit the recall effort.  More difficult to assess is the motivation of the professional pol group.  The range of professional pols drawn to the recall effort defies any partisan, ideological, or interest group generalization. 

In fact, it is the sheer number and diversity of “lobbyists,” “consultants,” “fundraisers,” and “strategists” – and, likewise, the nearly total absence of people who are neither professional pols nor identifiable Republicans – that tells us something. 

One issue that many lobbyists, corporations, and politicians on both sides of the political spectrum have in common: opposition to Allen’s attempt to crack down on corporate uses of Capitol Hill townhomes for fundraisers. 

Professional political fundraisers play an important role in the recall campaign.  Tonya Fulkerson, co-founder of Democratic fundraising powerhouse “FK& Company,” one of whose clients is the Senate Majority PAC, has been a vocal presence in the recall effort.  She is the first donor listed following the group’s leader, Jennifer Squires, and her son Alex.  Fulkerson, her partner Ashley Kennedy, and Kennedy’s husband Sean account for $1500 of the fundraising total. 

When discussing the recall effort, Fulkerson cites a shooting https://bit.ly/4cr976o  that took place on her block a year ago.  Police reportedly searched for four juvenile assailants.  But this leaves some questions unanswered, since nothing in Charles Allen’s record would interfere with the ability of police to apprehend those responsible for the shooting or the ability of prosecutors to charge them.  At most, if a judge decided that any of those offenders were eligible for the Youth Rehabilitation Act, then those able to seal their record after successful completion of a sentence would be far less likely to re-offend.

In terms of the political fundraiser explanation, it is also noteworthy that the employer that accounts for the most donations is “814 Consulting,” an equally high-profile Republican fundraising outfit based in Virginia, whose clients include Representative James Comer, (R-KY) who chairs the House DC Oversight Committee (which recently brokered legislation on RFK stadium) and Representative Brett Gutherie (R-KY) chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee. 

As for other possible explanations for the strangely political big donor list, I examined the pool of $100 plus donors for local DC powerbrokers, particularly anyone with connections to Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Federal City Council, and Opportunity DC.  A number of people who could not be categorized as professional pols or identifiable Republicans were local real estate developers with a record of donations to Mayor Bowser.  However, almost any local developer will have a record of donating to Mayor Bowser.  Interestingly, the developers who donated to the recall effort tended to be smaller in scale and known for remodeling residential properties, not the big-time developers who sit on the Federal City Council or donate to Opportunity DC.  I did not see any real connection between the recall effort and the bigger players in DC politics.

But there was one notable exception:  Russell “Rusty” Lindner, executive chair and CEO of The Forge Company, owner of Colonial Parking.  The Forge Company contributes heavily to Opportunity DC, most recently in the news as the Super PAC (or Independent Expenditure Committee) that helped Kenyan McDuffie defeat Councilmember-at-Large Elissa Silverman, and which late last year also launched a soft-on-crime mail campaign aimed at Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George.  Lindner also sits on the powerful and prestigious Federal City Council, despite his past involvement in the pay-to-play corruption investigation of former Councilmember Jack Evans. 

Lindner does not appear on the donor list, but two of his children contributed $500 each to the effort:  Blake Lindner (misspelled as “Linder” on the filing) of New York City, and Rebecca Lindner Clarkson (nee Lindner, listed as “Rebecca Clarkson” on the filing) of Atlantic Beach, Florida.  It seems obvious that two children of a DC power broker who live in New York City and Florida can only have a marginal interest in a recall effort.  These donations seem more likely to track back to “Rusty” Lindner himself.  If so, then it is also worth noting that Colonial Parking owns the parking around the DC Armory on the RFK campus. 

To date, Councilmember Allen has been adamant in opposing conversion of RFK to an NFL stadium for the Washington Commanders, as are several other Councilmembers, on the grounds that NFL stadiums cost a lot of money but deliver little in return.   On the other hand, Mayor Bowser strongly supports the move, as does much of the DC business establishment.  There seem to be clear indications that the possible selection of the RFK site for the Washington Commanders might benefit Colonial Parking.  It will be worth following subsequent donor lists for connections to Opportunity DC, the Federal City Council, and Mayor Bowser.  Equally, it is worth knowing more about the donors to the seemingly well-funded recall launched against Brianne Nadeau. 

Also relevant to the stadium explanation is the fact that, at a March 2 news conference, when the Mayor was asked to address the recall efforts aimed at both councilmembers, she replied, “I don’t have anything to say about that.” 

In all, the initial filing of the recall effort reveals an attempt to rough Allen up for political reasons, capitalizing on the growing neighborhood concern over crime without contributing anything constructive to the conversation of what to do about it. 

If recall proponents object to being second-guessed regarding their motivations, they should offer better reasoning for the recall.  As I showed in Part I of this editorial, that has just not happened yet.      

The city of Washington DC, and this neighborhood, continues to struggle with crime.  But if you’re not talking about evidence-based policies on crime, it’s just politics.  And that does not deserve my support or signature. 

If anyone wants to investigate other possible explanations for the recall, here’s a link to donor list:  https://bit.ly/3ISowPj