Weekend Quick Takes: 17th & 19th, MPD, Barracks Row, Dead Man’s Run

September 21, 2012
  • The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will announce its safety improvement recommendations for 17th and 19th Streets on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6 pm – 7:30 pm at Friendship Charter School Blow Pierce Campus, 700 19th Street NE. DDOT will have short, mid-range and long-term recommendations for the corridors based on feedback the agency received during the July public charrettes. If you can’t attend, I plan to live tweet from the meeting.
  • There have been a number of thefts from auto and burglaries around Hill East in the past few weeks. The Metropolitan Police Department encourages residents to remove any valuable items (even pocket change) from your parked vehicles. And keep reporting any suspicious individuals and activities to 911. MPD has told me that resident calls have led to some recent arrests. The September PSA 108 newsletter (pdf) has more information on public safety in our neighborhood.
  • The annual Barracks Row Fall Festival is tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 22) from 11 am – 5 pm. The festival will feature great food, a petting zoo, a military cooking competition and much more. I’ll be “staffing” the ANC 6B booth with colleagues during the festivities – please stop by and say hello!
  • Register today for the 2nd Annual Dead Man’s Run 5K taking place Saturday, Oct. 6, 6 pm at Historic Congressional Cemetery. Race proceeds go to the restoration and preservation of the cemetery. I participated in the inaugural run last year and had a great time. Come out and support our neighborhood landmark!

Leave a Comment » | 17th Street SE, 19th Street SE, Congressional Cemetery, PSA 108, Public Safety | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Friday Updates: Public Safety, ANC 6B, Vacant Buildings

September 7, 2012
  • Unfortunately, the spike in burglaries and assaults across Capitol Hill continues, including a couple of  recent assaults in Hill East. During the August 28 community public safety meeting, the Metropolitan Police Department urged residents to call 911 – not 311 – when reporting suspicious individuals/activities. MPD also encouraged residents to join the MPD First District listserv and to attend monthly Police Service Area (PSA) meetings. The next PSA 108 meeting is on Thursday, Sept. 20, 7 pm at Liberty Baptist Church (527 Kentucky Ave. SE). Stay alert and stay safe!
  • ANC 6B’s September meeting is next Tues., Sept. 11, 7 pm at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE). The agenda is posted on the ANC 6B website.  Included in a long list of agenda items is a presentation from Lisa Sutter about MPD’s speed camera plans and consideration of a resolution supporting the closure of the 300 block of 7th Street SE for use by the weekend flea markets during Hine construction. The full agenda is posted on the ANC 6B website. In addition, ANC 6B will hold a special call meeting on Mon., Sept. 17, 7 pm at Brent Elementary School (301 North Carolina Avenue SE) to consider proposed revised bylaws and proposed standing rules.
  • The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) has posted updated lists of vacant buildings in DC and information on how you can notify the agency if your home has been incorrectly classified as vacant. If you don’t see a building that you assume is vacant on these  lists, send an an e-mail to vacantbuildings@dc.gov.
  • DCRA has also finally responded to May 16 ANC 6B letter (pdf) asking why the agency was incorrectly classifying Reservation 13 as “unzoned” for purposes of building/construction permit applications. In an August 31 letter (pdf), DCRA Director Nicholas Majett said that DCRA’s computer systems have now been updated to correctly reflect the “Hill East District” zoning on the site. Director Majett also said that an agency review of all permits issued for the site since August 2009 found that all work permitted was allowed under the Hill East District regulations.
  • While the closing of Crepes on the Corner is certainly disappointing, I am excited that the Pretzel Bakery (340 15th Street SE) has announced an expanded menu and hours. Since the bakery now opens at 8 am, customers can pick up coffee and a pretzel on their way to work. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to check it out.
  • Finally, THANK YOU to everyone who signed and/or volunteered to sign my petition to run for re-election for ANC 6B09. Thanks to your help, my name will be on the November 6 ballot.  While I do not have an opponent, I plan to campaign hard this fall to earn the support of 6B09 residents.

1 Comment | ANC 6B, PSA 108, Public Safety, Reservation 13/Hill East Waterfront | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Neighborhood Crime to Be Discussed at Aug. 28 Community Public Safety Meeting

August 23, 2012

In the aftermath of last week’s assault near Eastern Market, the Metropolitan Police Department and Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells have scheduled a Community Public Safety meeting next Tuesday, August 28, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE). Unfortunately, violent crime and robberies are up this year across the Hill, including in Hill East.  MPD First District Commander Daniel Hickson will provide an update on the assault investigation and MPD’s efforts to keep all of Capitol Hill safe.

In addition to attending next week’s meeting, I encourage you to take a few moments a recent The Hill is Home blog post that includes helpful advice on staying safe from MPD.

Leave a Comment » | PSA 108, Public Safety | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

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