On Tuesday, July 21st over 30 neighbors met with Lt. Nicole Lindsey (PSA 301), Marco Santiago (3rd District Community Liaison), Noah Smith (ANC 2B09) and Tom Lipinsky (Jack Evans’ Office) to discuss recent serious crimes in the area. I can’t thank Lt. Lindsey and MPD enough for their willingness to meet, listen to neighbors, and be open and honest about what actions can be taken to prevent further serious crimes.

Action Items for Noah Smith (ANC 2B09) and Tom Lipinsky (CM Evans’ Office)

·      Request signage in neighborhood to encourage neighborhood vigilance and calling 911 when suspicious activity is witnessed.

·      Request neighborhood-wide street light inspection to make sure there are no dark spots in alleys and side streets.

·      Distribute basic information about neighborhood watches, including the template for collecting contact information from neighbors to be shared.

·      Find and distribute best practices on lighting your house and other tips for not being a victim of a crime of opportunity.

·      Send this information through the various listservs in the neighborhood.

Action Items for Neighbors

·      Sign up for Police Alerts through AlertDC at http://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc. Make sure to sign up specifically for “Police Alerts” and not just weather or traffic alerts.

·      Sign up for the Third District MPD listserv. Visit the Community Group Site: groups.yahoo.com/group/MPD-3D/. Subscribe by Sending a blank email to:
MPD-3D-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

·      Reach out to DCCA or SDCA or others to determine feasibility of purchasing the services of an off-duty MPD officer to patrol side streets and alleys in evenings.

·      Report crimes, no matter their seriousness, so MPD understands the scope of our concerns and can target trends. You can go to the 3D station, or file minor police reports online at http://mpdc.dc.gov/service/file-police-report-online.

·      Report non-functioning streetlights and overgrown bushes, branches or trees for trimming to 311 or online at http://app.311.dc.gov/CWI/ServiceRequest.mvc/SRIntake.

·      Report new graffiti to the MPD gang task force at: (202) 724-1424 and to 311.

If you see something suspicious, follow your instincts and call 9-1-1! Your neighbors and MPD are depending on your vigilance – even if you aren’t sure a crime is being committed, make the call! If you have a question or don’t feel you received proper police services, call the 24/7 Third District Watch Commander at: (202) 276-7462.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the following people with non-emergency questions or thoughts:

·      Lt. Lindsey (PSA 301): NicoleB.Lindsey@dc.gov
·      Noah Smith (ANC 2B09): noah.smith@anc.dc.gov
·      Tom Lipinsky (Jack Evans’ Office): TLipinsky@dccouncil.us

In the past few months, there have been several high-profile violent crimes in our neighborhood, including armed robberies, stabbings and gunshots. This community meeting will bring together residents and the police to discuss these and other crimes, related concerns, police actions to date, and what residents can do to help prevent further criminal activity.

When: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: MPD Third District Headquarters, 1620 V Street NW

Who: Neighbors joined by PSA 301 Lt. Nicole Lindsey, 2B09 ANC Commissioner Noah Smith, and representatives from CM Evans’ office. While all are welcome, we will focus on crimes in the general areas of 16th St, U St, 13th St, and S St.

Agenda:

1. Introductions and Opening Remarks 
2. MPD review of recent crimes, year-to-date crime statistics, and actions to prevent further serious crimes
   
3. Neighbor reactions, concerns, requests, and ideas 
   
4. Action items for MPD, the ANC, and residents 

From Commissioner (and dog lover) Mike Silverstein: 

The dog park is located at the corners of 17th, New Hampshire and S. Come by this Saturday at 8:30am!

The July 8 regular monthly meeting of the Dupont Circle ANC has been posted and can be viewed HERE. Some highlights for 2B09 include: 

• An application for a new distillery and tavern called District Distilleries to open at 1414 U Street where the old Utopia and Copi's. used to be. I met with the owner last week who has a passion for distilling and intends to hire professional managers and chefs for his distillery and restaurant. The distillery, tasting room and gift shop will be on the first floor and the bar/restaurant will be on the second floor. There will be no dance floor. While I applaud this business and use of space, I will introduce a motion at the meeting to protest this application so we can agree with the owner about certain conditions that will help promote a good quality-of-life for neighbors. We've already talked about many of them, including noise, live music, lines outside, and trash and have made great progress. (And for those wondering, I asked, they intend to distill clear liquors first like vodka and gin, followed by darker ones like rum or whiskey). 
• An application for a new restaurant tavern at 1636 17th St, a former salon that has moved around the corner. This is the first new restaurant on 17th St since Dukes opened up a few years ago. The place is called Brick Lane. 

The meeting is at 7pm on Wednesday July 8 at the Brookings Institutions (see below).