Given the near universal concern for pedestrian safety on our neighborhood streets, we thought this upcoming meeting would be of interest for a lot folks. It is being sponsored by the Coalition for Smarter Growth and will focus on creating safe streets for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers alike.

What: Designing Complete Streets: How to create safe and efficient streets for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers (with Michael King, Nelson/Nygaard Consulting)
When:  Tuesday, May 29: refreshments at 6:00 pm, program begins at 6:30 pm
Where: 401 9th Street, NW - North Lobby, Suite 500. Nearest Metro stations: Metro Center, Gallery Place, and Archives stations

Here's the forum announcement from the Coalition for Smarter Growth:

Pedestrian safety has risen to the top of the political agenda, as one tragic death after another demonstrates that our region's streets are not safe enough for everyday use. Conventionally, the design and operation decisions for streets and intersections place a priority on moving motor
vehicle traffic swiftly.  Other users - pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders - are often only included as an afterthought.  New thinking among transportation professionals is moving toward complete streets or balanced designs that improve the safe and efficient use of streets for everyone,
including the most vulnerable.

Join us to learn from Michael King, considered one of the country's leading experts on innovative street and intersection design.  Mr. King will share his experience and research from around the world on innovative approaches to safe streets that work for all users.

RSVP (attendance only): 202-244-4408 ext 114, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This event is free of charge.

The Director for Constituent Services will write periodically about common constituent services complaints and issues to help those that may be facing similar problems learn about the resources that are availabe for help and assistance.

Barking Dogs  “Do you lose sleep because of a barking dog?”

Have you watched the show “Seinfeld” and the character Elaine tries everything to quiet her neighbor’s dog from barking?   That was funny on TV but not when you’re trying to sleep in reality.  Here are some of the reasons dogs bark constantly at night, 1) they bark because someone has walked by their owners’ homes, 2) they are in need of human attention, are hungry or need to be taken into their homes at night, or 3) they may be in some other type of distress.  

If you are ever disturbed repeatedly at night by a barking dog, and need a little enforcement assistance, you may contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 311.  Don’t be discouraged if they tell you there is nothing they can do.  Actually, the District does have a regulation that addresses this problem.  According to Title 24, of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), Chapter 9, “Animal Control”, Section 900.1 the following applies:  “No person shall own or keep a dog that, by barking or in any other manner, disturbs the quiet of any neighborhood or any person."  This is enforceable by the Metropolitan Police Department and carries fines and penalties for violations.

The police will need to actually hear the dog barking in order to approach the owner.  Once police hear the dog barking they can approach the owner.     

I hope this in formation will help those who find themselves in such a predicament.

As many community members already know, this was a troubling weekend of robberies and assualts. Between Friday the 18th and Sunday the 20th, there were 15 robberies reported. 4 of this weekend's robberies were closed with arrests. The spree of 5 robberies from two weeks ago in psa 107 were closed last week with two arrests of juveniles that lived on Bay Street, SE.

The map below plots where each of this weekend's robberies occurred. More neighborhood specific maps, along with the MPD crime descriptions, are outlined further below. Anyone with information or tips is asked to call the 1st District Detectives' Office at 202-698-0549.

More detail for the area immediately around Potomac Avenue Metro Station

More detail for the area immediately around PSA 102 and 103:

More detail for the area immediately north of H Street, NE:

 
Details for each robbery as provided by MPD

Friday - May 18th
 
400 16th Street, NE at 1:55 am - two males walking home in block were approached by group of young b/m who shouted out "MS13, MS13" and struck the two victims in the head with 2 x 4s and took their wallets
 
1005 1st Street, NE (Greyhound bus station) at 6:25 pm - male subject snatched $500 out of cash register and ran through building - he was apprehended by MPD and placed under arrest for Robbery Snatch
 
7th and M Street, SE at 10:14 pm - female citizen walking on M Street, SE was approached by male subject in his thirties who grabbed her purse - dragged her and then fled on  foot - suspect dropped purse - recovered in 1100 blk of 7th St SE
 
600 Constitution Ave, NE at 10:00 pm - male subject was approached by male subject (no lookout) who knocked him down and dragged him into the alley and took cellphone and wallet
 
Saturday - May 19th
 
400 L Street, NE at 1:21 am - male citizen was approached by three b/m (17-20 yrs old) and they demanded his money - he refused and they jumped him and went through his pockets and took money -- they fled west on L Street, NE
 
51 N Street, NE at 9:45 am - male citizen was approached by two males in burgundy Ford Focus who approached him at gunpoint demanding his money -- he gave up money - police were called and stopped car in 600 blk of 3rd Street, NE - subjects placed under arrest for ARMED robbery
 
600 E Street, NE at 12:30 pm - female citizen had b/m in his twenties approached and grab her purse - he then fled east on E Street, NE

1400 G Street, SE at 2:25 pm - male citizen reported that three b/m youth (12-16 yrs old) jumped him and took his money - they fled towards Kentucky Avenue
 
300 17th Street, NE at 10:53 pm - female citizen reports two b/m about 16-17 yrs old approached at gunpoint and demanded her purse and cellphone - they threatened to shoot her if she didnt comply - they then fled onto East Capital Street towards the Armory Metro
 
**1200 East Capital Street, SE at 11:30 pm - female citizen was approached by three males at gunpoint who jumped out of silver 4-door car and robbed her of 20 dollars - they jumped back in car and fled south on 12th Street to Independence Ave
 
**1600 Massachusetts Ave, SE at 11:39 pm - female citizen reports being approached by three males at gunpoint who pulled gun and demanded her purse and money - they then fled in silver 4-door car with white tint and fled south on 17th Street to Independence AVe
 
Sunday May 20th -
 
**1200 G Street, SE at 1:10 am - a couple walking past the park at 1300 G Street, SE area reported three males approached at gunpoint and put gun to males head and told female to give up some money or they would shoot male - she gave up money and the suspects jumped into silver car that was parked in 1200 G Street, SE

900 North Carolina Ave SE at 3:05 pm - female citizen reports black male in his thirties snatched her purse from shoulder and fled in car that was parked

815 F Street, NE at 6:40 hours - male citizens was jumped by three young males who was taking his money when neighbors intervened and called MPD who responded and apprehended one fleeing youth -- arrest was made in 900 G ST NE
 
500 14th Street, SE at 7:20 pm - female citizen was approached by another young female who beat her in the face and took wallet and ran down the street - officers responded and located the female suspect and placed her under arrest for robbery
 
**related cases with silver car and three suspects

Anyone with information or tips is asked to call the 1st District Detectives' Office at 202-698-0549.

One of the challenges we face in Ward 6, and frankly, the entire District, is finding ways for residents to “age in place.” It’s a term of art that simply means ensuring that we have all the amenities and services available so that as residents age, they don’t need to move out of the city to get access to greater healthcare, recreation, education and transportation opportunities. I know that when it’s time for me to leave DC, I want it to be boots up.

There is a fascinating effort underway in Ward 6 called the Capitol Hill Village (CHV). It’s a new local non-profit organization, and it will be holding a community meeting at the Market Five Gallery (North Hall of Eastern Market) at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, May 22nd to report on its current status and future plans.  

The Village is a membership organization created to provide support for residents of the Capitol Hill community who wish to stay in their homes as they grow older – aging in place.  Part of the premise is to have its members call a single telephone number to arrange for a number of services or to participate in a variety of activities.  A small office staff will assess service providers and will respond quickly to requests for services or information and emphasize follow-up calls with members.

Founded just one year ago by a group of Hill residents, CHV has a working Board of Directors and has attained non-profit status.  Since late in 2006, the Board has undertaken a successful fundraising effort, enabling it to hire an executive director and open an office in the summer of 2007.   An extensive search for a director resulted in the recent selection of Gail Kohn, a nationally known leader in aging services with long experience in the field.  She will be on hand at the meeting.  

The community meeting will offer a chance for all residents to learn more about the Village concept, ask questions and, if interested, sign up as members.

For more information on Capitol Hill Village, consult the website: www.capitolhillvillage.org or call (202) 543-1778. 

Tommy Wells