Crime is a hot topic at Mount Pleasant's Advisory Neighborhood Meeting

By Hayley McGhee

WASHINGTON – Mount Pleasant residents voiced their concerns with policeman about the increased criminal activity occurring in their neighborhood at the monthly Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting on Tuesday night.

The discussion of crime began after a Mount Pleasant resident announced that his car was recently stolen, along with the dozen plus packages that had been stolen from his front walkway within the last year.

Yasmin Romero-Latin, the vice-chairperson of ANC ID, also shared her worries about the criminal behavior and lack of police force at the 7/11 on Mt. Pleasant Street during the nighttime. She said to Lieutenant Mark Hodge and Sergeant David Randolph that criminals are starting to catch on that police are less present at nighttime, leading the lawbreakers to feel more inclined to commit crime.

Despite the random sounds of gunshots and robberies, Lt. Hodge assured the meeting attendees that the Mount Pleasant neighborhood is “safe to a degree.”

“These crimes are nothing like the 6th and 7th districts,” Lt. Hodge said. “People are getting shot everyday with military style type weapons, it’s a war zone.”

He explained that there are two fractions, one from Columbia Heights and the other from Ledroit Park, that are against each other. For unknown reasons, they are always violently going back and forth with each other.

Lt. Hodge emphasized the importance of vigilance. He advised to never leave valuable property in a vehicle, and to not walk around with headphones on or while talking on the phone. He said that robbers target people who are not aware of their surroundings.

As far as Romero-Latin’s concern regarding the local 7/11, Sgt. Randolph said that police do not typically stay at one location for long periods of time. “We have to continue to patrol to ensure to protect other parts of the neighborhood,” he said.

“I’m trying to do something with the police, I push the police, but I don’t know what’s going on with the police,” Romero-Latin said. “I’ve lived here for 24 years, and the crime has only gotten worse.”

Lt. Hodge said that Peter Newsham, the chief of police, and Mayor Muriel Bowser have agreed to launch the Fall Crime Prevention Initiative after the success of the Summer Crime Prevention Initiative. The Initiative focuses on crime prevention and strategic enforcement with the support of not just the police department, but all partners in the justice system.

After reassurance of some initiative being taken by the police department to combat criminal activity, the commissioners proceeded with the rest of the agenda.

Commissioner Chelsea Allinger said that sidewalks have been an issue because they aren’t accessible to the majority of the public. It’s unacceptable that people in wheelchairs or people with babies in strollers cannot use the sidewalks because there are light poles in the middle of them, she explained.

The motion to widen the sidewalks was passed unanimously, however that means some parking lanes would be eliminated. The committee has to talk to the District Department of Transportation about the logistics.

Lieutenant Mark Hodge spoke at the monthly Mount Pleasant neighborhood Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting on Tuesday night. A lot of residents were concerned about the increasing criminal activity occurring in their ward.

(Photo by Hayley McGhee)