Update from In Shaw on Last Night's Meeting

Truxtonian has posted an update from last night's emergency crime meeting on the In Shaw blog. The comments provide some informative community commentary, including thoughts on Orange's role in the state of Ward 5 (but, fear not shell-shocked constituents, Orange is hard at work making sure MLB and Comcast treat us with respect).

Don't forget tonight's PSA 501 meeting in response to the recent surge in neighborhood violence.

Not to Be Outdone, Orange Calls for Emergency Crime Meeting TONIGHT

My guess is that either Orange or someone from his office stumbled across this recent comment on WaPo's DC Wire blog:

Our little corner of Ward 5 (Eckington, Truxton Circle, Bloomingdale) is getting very organized this time around. We are tired of being virtually ignored by Vincent Orange because he had Michigan Park and Brookland in his pocket. This time, we're going to make sure that the winning Ward 5 candidate must have the SW corner of Ward 5 in his or her pocket to win. We're going to vote in droves in September. Heed the warning, council candidates. Don't forget about us.

At any rate, Orange is, according to Commissioner Jim Berry's post on the Eckington listserv, organizing an emergency meeting tonight:

Neighbors,

In response to the significant escalation of gunfire in our community of late and, most recently, the shooting that occurred near the intersection of 1st and Q Streets, N.W. as well as the homicide that took place in the 1400 block of First Street, N.W. last night, Council Member Vincent Orange is convening an emergency meeting at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 3rd and Q Streets, N.W., this evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in their old sanctuary. Specifically, Mr. Orange has asked officials from the Fifth District Metropolitan Police Department to provide a briefing on the recent spate of shootings that have taken place in our section of PSA 501, and to respond to questions or recommendations from community residents regarding the strategy that the MPD is using to address the problem.

I have recommended to Mr. Orange's office that a representative also be present from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) who is responsible for the supervision of offenders who live in PSA 501. That is, the CSOSA can play a pivotal role in helping to identify and discipline those who are under their supervision and are ultimately found to be a contributor to our current problems in any way.

Please help to spread the word among your neighbors. Hope to see you this evening!

Best,

Jim Berry
ANC
5C

Shootings Last Night in Truxton Circle - Community Meeting Tomorrow, May 3rd

Short blurb from WaPo (scroll to the bottom).

E-mail verbatim from Commissioner Cleopatra Jones to neighborhood listservs, including Truxton Circle's Daily Dispatch:

Good-morning Constituents;

Approximately about 9:45 PM last night 1st street, between Q & O MPD taped off the streets and the area was flooded with police to include an evidence team and flood lights. MPD remained on site throughout the night until wee hours of the morning and at this writing the area remains taped off, while the MPD continues its investigation. I have made follow up calls throughout the night and until this writing I have spoken with several officials and have learned that there was a shooting and a homicide. I will be continuing to monitor this situation and keep you informed.

In addition I am concerned with the frequency of shootings in this area for which we must not accept as a way of life. It is time for action and not continuous discussions. We must not accept these ongoing shootings as a way of life. We as residents need to take a proactive approach to improve our community and rid the criminal activities that are operating freely. We must unite to show solidarity to bring about changes that affects all of us now!

We must demand that the DC Government, Elected officials and MPD be responsible for providing resources and manpower to combat the criminal elements that are eating away at the fiber of this community. The time for action is now not ongoing discussions. Our quality of life continues to be jeopardize and the public safety remains at high risk.

I am continuously monitoring this situation and will update you accordingly.

Just me,
Cleopatra Jones,
Commissioner ANC5C02
commishcjones@prodigy.net
(202) 635-2850
(202) 234-4225 fax

In response, PSA 501 has postponed their planned Wednesday walkthrough in order to have a meeting on the recent events in the area:

Due to recent events located in PSA 501 our planned Wednesday walkthrough initially scheduled to began at First and O streets NW @ 6:30 PM will be deferred to offer Capt. M. Scott and Lt. Welch an opportunity to share vital information concerning emerging activities in the community. The Captain will address these issues and neighborhood concerns at the Margaret Murray Washington, Career Senior High School, 27 O Street NW, Room 100, May 3rd @ 6:30 pm. Please plan to attend.

Other Crime Prevention Information: You may meet and talk with your assigned Lt. at your monthly scheduled neighborhood PSA Community Meetings. For meeting information visit the [MPD] on-line at http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/ or the Fifth District here.

You may also contact the Fifth District's Community Outreach Coordinator Fayette Vaughn-Lee for meeting schedules on (202) 698-0188 or e-mail her at fayette.vaughn-lee@dc.gov.

Patrol Service Area 501
Lt. Ronald- Wright-ronald.wright@dc.gov
Lt. Dean Welch- dean.welch@dc.gov

Patrol Service Area 502
Lt. Gregory Stroud- gregory.stroud@dc.gov

Patrol Service Area 503
Lt. Corinne Hughes- corinne.Hughes@dc.gov

Patrol Service Area 504
Lt. Judith Anderson- judith.Anderson@dc.gov

Patrol Service Area 505
Lt. Anthony Medoro- anthony.medoro@dc.gov

5D Community Outreach Coordinator
Fayette Vaughn-Lee- fayette.vaughn-lee@dc.gov

Update: The shooting in the 1400 block of First Street resulted in homicide (see reference in Commissioner Berry's e-mail in the post above).

H Street CDC Development at 4th and Rhode Island Avenue, NE

On the Bloomingdale Blog, I came across some info on the Truxton Circle site about the H Street CDC's proposed development at 4th and Rhode Island, NE.

I highly recommend the Truxton Circle site, even if you don't live in the immediate neighborhood - it has a great collection of resources, including links, stories and articles, an events calendar, and community resources. For members (you simply need to create a free account) there are discussion boards and a daily e-mail update. I'm sure I'm missing some details, since I've just started navigating the site myself, but what a wonderful community tool!