The Week Ahead & Some Photos from Last Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 12, 2025
Crime in MPD 1st District and Hill East: 1st MPD District Commander Colin Hall briefs ANC7D Public Safety Committee chaired by resident member Brynn Barnett.
Hall said crime has fallen both citywide and in the First District. In 2024, citywide saw a 35% reduction in violent crime over 2023 and a 47% reduction in violent crime in the 1st District. Homicides have decreased by 68% in the 1st District and robberies and carjackings decreased over 50% in each category.
The 2024 gunfire seen in residential communities on Independence Avenue, SE, Hall said, had been because three neighborhoods had been in conflict with each other. MPD made several key arrests and recovered “a lot of firearms and that quieted everything down.” It currently does not appear to be a hot spot.
MPD made several arrests in response to a spate of robberies involving young females 14 – 17 years old who were repeating juvenile offenders and that has calmed down as well. MPD is working with group homes and is engaging the Youth and Family Engagement Bureau to get juvenile offenders on the right track, but keep them out of the community.
Regarding the shooting at Eastern High School at the end of the year, Hall said, “We’ve identified the people involved and warrants are out. We’ll find them and close the case.”
On the tragic hit and run death of Ronnie Clark on Christmas Eve at 16th and C Streets, NE, Hall said it was still an active investigation: “The vehicle involved was unregistered and we have identified a person of interest and recovered video of the crime. This appears to be a case of speeding then losing control and careening on to the sidewalk. We should be able to share more information soon and to make an arrest in a timely manner.”
Throughout the presentation, Hall emphasized how the community can help fight crime through use of the MPD Tip Line – Text 50411. In addition to anonymously texting tips to the MPD, community members can now use their cell phone to send pictures or video about serious or violent crimes to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Text, photo and video messages are monitored by members of the department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tips on serious or violent crimes will be investigated by members of the department. Call 911 for a police response. Tips may also be directed to (202) 727-9099 and may be eligible for a reward.
Pennsylvania/Potomac Avenues Intersection Project Begins this month. On January 8, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee heard a DDOT presentation on the upcoming redesign of the PA/Potomac intersection. The meeting was chaired by newly-elected Commissioner Karen Hughes, ANC6B09.
Here’s a rendering of the completed project. DDOT Project Manager Abdullahi Mohamed said the agency is moving to construction phase and will focus on the Potomac Avenue/ PA Avenue Circle, and will include new signal lights, street lights, and handicap ramps. The kick off for the project will be on January 27 – the purpose is to enhance pedestrian safety and optimize traffic flow. The completion date is December 28, 2026. Construction of bike lanes east on Pennsylvania Avenue will begin once the circle project is complete. The National Park Service will maintain the circle.
Snow storm collapses Pennsylvania Avenue Streetery – last week, this was the scene on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue – spelling the perhaps temporary end of this streetery.
Basquiat X Banksy at the Hirshhorn through October 26. This exhibit features two major paintings by the artists – the first time either artist has been exhibited in the Hirshhorn. Above is Basquiat’s Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump (fire hydrant), 1982.
Banksy’s Boy and Dog in Stop and Search, 2018.
In Banksy’s appropriation of Basquiat the former pays homage to the legacy of the latter and comments on the systemic racism he encountered. For more, see here: https://hirshhorn.si.edu/exhibitions/basquiat-x-banksy/
The Week Ahead…
Monday, January 13
ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
- For more info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://www.anc6d.org/virtual-meetings/
Among items on the draft agenda: TBA
Tuesday, January 14
ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
- For info on how to join the meeting virtually, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Consent Agenda
Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out
Reminder of Upcoming Meeting Dates
ANC 6B Input on Other Items of Concern
- ANC 6B Letter to on Write-In Certification Timing
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
- Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion t/a Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion – 224 D Street SE. Substantial Change to Retailers Class C License to add a Games of Skill endorsement to their operations.
Planning & Zoning Committee
- 321 D Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application
- 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE. Zoning Application. Project: Construction of new correctional facility. Owner(s): Department of General Services Applicant.
Financials
ANC 6B Administrative Matters
Adjournment
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 of the draft agenda:
Administrative Matters
- Motion to adopt the Commission Bylaws
- Motion to elect the Commission officers
- Motion to elect Committee members for 2025 and 2026
- Motion to schedule Commission virtual monthly meetings for 2025 and January 2026
- Motion to participate in the ANC Security Fund and authorize the Treasurer to write a check for $50 to participate in the Fund
- Motion to adopt the December 2024 meeting minutes 6:50 p.m. – 7:10 p.m.
DC Government Updates/Presentations
Community Comment 1-2 minutes each New Business Items
Monthly Treasurer Report
Approve FY 2025 Q1 Quarterly Financial Report
ANC 7D Committee Updates
Commissioner Single Member District (SMD) Reports 1-2 minutes each
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning 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:
1355-1359 H Street, NE. Bureau of Zoning Adjustment. To combine five lots (2 facing H street NE, 3 facing alley) and convert to a retail and eating and drinking establishment use an existing, semi-detached, mixed use building in the NMU-4/HA and MU-4 zones: Special Exceptions from minimum parking requirements and rear yard requirements and eating and drinking establishment use requirements.
1232 Maryland Avenue, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. To construct a two-story plus cellar rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone. Special Exception from lot occupancy requirements and rear addition requirements.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Event, Wednesday, January 15. Hill Center Galleries 2025 Regional Juried Show Opening Reception. 6:30 – 8:30 pm | FREE | Register Here https://bit.ly/3DSwokM
The exhibit will showcase new exhibits from local artists all across DC, Maryland and Virginia. During the reception prizes will be awarded. All pieces of art will be on display throughout our Galleries and online at Hill Center Galleries. The exhibitions run from January 15th through May 3rd.
What’s On at the Folger? https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 