Archive for June 2019

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MPD Fourth District Leadership Meets with Park View Community on Public Safety

June 27, 2019

MPD Fourth District Capt. John McDonald (left) and Commander Randy Griffin (right).

In response to recent violence in the Park View neighborhood and staffing changes within the Metropolitan Police Department ((MPD), MPD Scheduled a community meeting on June 26th at the Park View Recreation Center. The meeting was well attended and included ANC1A Commissioners Michael Wray and Kent Boese as well as representatives from the Mayor’s and Councilmember’s offices.

The meeting was presided over by the new 4D Sector 3 Police Captain, John McDonald and Fourth District Commander, Randy Griffin.

While there was little information the officers could share about the active homicide investigations related to the June 19th shooting death of 29 year-old Juan Marcell Grant on the 700 block of Princeton Place, NW and the June 22nd shooting of two people on the 600 block of Morton Street where 45 year-old Melton Grant was killed, they did respond to overall public safety concerns and share some information.

Commander Griffin shared that the murders are unrelated and acknowledged that the gun related crimes are up in many parts of the city, not just in Park View. He also shared that the typical age range for those involved in shootings is between 18 and 24/25. It was interesting to note that Captain McDonald shared that MPD officers in the Morton Street area have also been shot at themselves while on patrol and that special officers have been assigned to the area. Additionally, on Morton Street MPD is collaborating with the DC Housing Authority Police for that area.

According to MPD, often what is happening is that a petty argument escalates quickly and one person has a firearm, often illegal, who then used it. For this reason, MPD has made illegal gun retrieval a priority as part of their response.

Additionally, the meeting afforded an opportunity to have a more robust conversation about public safety in general, address tensions between newer residents and long-term residents, and emphasized that staying alert and being aware of your surroundings is instrumental in staying safe when out in the community.

At the close of the meeting the Park View Rec Center staff also gave an overview of their programs and what they are doing to help reduce violence in the neighborhood, including a summer basketball tournament for young men ages 16-18 and a series of community events in the works for Friday’s this summer.

Categories: Community Meetings, Crime, homicides, MPD, Public Safety
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Comments: 1 Comment

Athletic Fields at Park View Rec Center and Tubman Elementary School Fail Annual G-MAX Safety Tests

June 25, 2019

Park View Soccer Field is closed until repairs can be made to improve its safety.

On June 20th, the Department of General Services (DGS) sent out notice that they had begun their annual shock attenuation, or G-MAX testing, of the District’s 54 synthetic turf fields. As of last week, 13 fields had failed their G-MAX test out of 30 tested so far. Seven of the fields are in need of additional infill in order to return to compliance, however, six fields — including the athletic fields at Park View Recreation Center and Harriet Tubman Elementary School — will require more extensive repair.

All 13 fields were taken off-line immediately in order that the necessary adjustments and repairs could be made.  The extensive repair work could take up to two weeks; fields needing additional infill will require 1-2 days.

Below is the list DGS provided showing the fields that need to be repaired.

In speaking directly with DGS, I learned that they were scheduled to be on site at the Park View field on June 24th to inspect the field and assess the appropriate measures to repair the field and reopen it for community use.

You can read more about G-MAX and the testing at the DGS G-MAX webpage which includes the individual reports.

Categories: Restoration repair and maintenance, Sports leisure and entertainment
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Comments: 3 Comments

Special Public Safety Meeting Scheduled for Park View on Wednesday 6/26, at 6 pm

June 24, 2019

Commander Randy Griffin and Captain John McDonald of MPD’s 4th District have scheduled a special community meeting to discuss community safety concerns within ANC1A / the Park View Community.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 at the Park View Recreation Center located at 693 Otis Pl NW, Washington, DC 20010 from 6pm to 7pm.

This meeting is open to the community, and I encourage neighbors to attend if they are available as I know we all have questions about public safety in light of the recent homicides and other violence in our community.

Most recently, on June 22, 2019, at approximately 9:50pm, patrol officers of the Fourth District received a 911 call regarding a shooting in the 600 block of Morton St NW and the 3400 block of Georgia Avenue NW. Upon officers’ arrival, one adult male was located in an unconscious state on Morton St NW with multiple gunshot wounds. The male was transported to a local hospital where life-saving measures proved futile and he was pronounced deceased. Another adult male was located in a conscious state on Georgia Avenue NW with one apparent gunshot wound to the body. The male was transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition.

This was hot on the heals of a homicide that occurred on June 19, 2019, at approximately 9:25pm, on the 700 block of Princeton Pl. NW. When officers of the Fourth District arrived on the scene, the victim was located in an alleyway suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where life-saving efforts proved futile. The victim was later pronounced deceased.

With the murder of Breon Austin on April 19th, this makes three homicides in 2019 so far for the year in Park View, which is a marked increase. Overall in ANC1A, there have been 5 homicides thus far for the year with two more occurring along 14th Street in Columbia Heights.

Categories: Crime, homicides, MPD
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Comments: 1 Comment

Heads Up, CSOSA & MPD Third District Hosting Public Safety Roundtable

June 10, 2019

I’ve just been notified of the following CSOSA/MPD 3D Community Roundtable to promote Safe Neighborhoods that will be on the evening of June 20, 2019. Please see the flyer below for details.

While this event is at the Third District Substation, the information should be relevant to all residents regardless of what police district they live in.

Categories: MPD, Public Safety
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DDOT to Repair Sidewalks on Georgia Avenue from Princeton Place to Ingraham Street, NW, in June

June 5, 2019

Here’s a heads up that I’ve just received, DDOT is scheduled to repair the sidewalks, curbs, and gutters on Georgia Avenue north of Princeton Place beginning later this week or early next week. Full announcement from DDOT below:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin repairing the sidewalks, curbs and gutter on Georgia Avenue from Princeton Place to Ingraham Street NW on or about June 7, 2019.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by July 7, 2019, if weather permits.

In order to keep the inconvenience to residents, businesses and their customers to a minimum, the repair work will be done during non-rush hours only.

The contractor is authorized to work Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The contractor is also authorized to work Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

During construction at least one lane in each direction will be open to traffic. However, curbside parking will not be allowed on some blocks of Georgia Avenue NW during the construction working days.

Parking restriction signs will be posted at least 72 hours in advance at locations where parking will not be allowed. These signs will notify the duration of “No Parking”, dates of “No Parking” and contact information of the engineer in charge.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the repair work. Should you have any problems, concerns or suggestions; please contact me at the information below.

Categories: Restoration repair and maintenance, Sidewalk improvements
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Comments: 1 Comment