MINUTES FROM PSA 102 MEETING
July 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
(second Tuesday of every month)
Sherwood Recreation Center
10th and G St NE

Thank you to Donna Anaya, who volunteered to take meeting notes!

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Volunteer PSA 102 Citizen Coordinator Dave Klavitter convened the meeting and asked everyone to introduce themselves. Officials and special guests present included Lt. Barbara Hawkins, MPOs Leon Johnson and James Burgess, and Ofc. Simmons from MPD; Michael Bonds w/ CSOSA; and Marius (Mike) Korwin w/ ADT.

Lt. Hawkins provided her new cell phone number (202-506-0683) to citizens and asked that they use it judiciously.

Klavitter announced that a closed circuit TV has been installed at 4th & L Sts. NE; a second camera installed at 8th & H Sts. has helped close several cases over the past year.

Hawkins informed citizens about two new sergeants in PSA 102: Sgt. Domas (on midnight shift) and Sgt. Jones who replaces Sgt. Washington.

The H Street Festival will be on Saturday, September 15.

BURGLARIES AND OTHER INCIDENTS

Hawkins reported that burglaries are continuing but that two arrests in PSA 102 have been made. She urged citizens to take act responsibly by locking all doors and windows.

Hawkins and Johnson discussed the shooting involving a Capitol Hill police officer and a suspect who subsequently died. The incident took place on July 9 in the 1200 block of 5th St. (at 5th & M), NE at 6:05 pm. They also reported on a stabbing on 5th St. between L & M Sts. NE on Sunday, July 8 at 2:00 am. The case, which appeared to be domestic violence, has since been closed. And lastly, they reported on a recent sexual assault case (at 3rd & I Sts. NE) in which a suspect has been arrested and the case remains open.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Hawkins and citizens discussed National Night Out on Tuesday, August 7, and various options to bring neighbors and police officers together. All agreed to meet on the patio of the Argonaut Tavern at 1433 H Sts NE at 6:00 pm (the patio sits on Maryland Ave. NE). Neighbors will then walk west on H Street to Sherwood Rec Center and be joined by 1D Cmdr. Diane Groomes who will address the group. Business owners along H Street will be encouraged to come out and meet and/or walk with the citizens.

ADT PRACTICES

Mike Korwin, a Senior Security Advisor w/ ADT (based in Springfield, VA), spoke to citizens to address complaints voiced about so-called ADT representatives who were knocking on residents’ doors. Korwin informed citizens about ADT’s practices with respect to calling on residents. He said it’s not all that common for ADT salespeople to go door-to-door; they generally rely on word of mouth, their website or relationships with retailers such as Home Depot or Best Buy.

However, those employees who may go door-to-door and any other ADT employees are required to wear ID badges and carry a license issued by ADT operations in either Maryland or Virginia. They also are subject to background checks. ADT does not use any contractors, nor does it have any control over authorized ADT dealers/representatives who may engage in door-to-door sales.

Citizens were advised to ask any persons for proper identification or, better yet, not to allow anyone to enter their home unless they initiated the visit. Call 311 and police will swing by neighborhood to verify representative’s legitimacy.

LET THERE BE LIGHTS

MPO Burgess, who works the midnight shift, asked citizens to help him do his job more efficiently. He said big, full grown trees often block street lights and he encouraged residents to keep outside lights on at night to help illuminate their houses.

If necessary, residents should report any non-working street lights by submitting a request for service to the city’s service center (202-727-1000 or online at www.dc.gov).

Burgess also asked residents to put a placard displaying their house number on the back of their houses so he can easily identify addresses while patrolling in alleys or driveways behind houses. He also encouraged citizens to email www.dc.gov to follow up on service requests for lights or tree trimming.

CRIME STATISTICS

Citizen Roger Mattioli reported on last month’s crime stats which generally showed downward trends. Specifically, burglaries were up and continue to be a concern; street robberies were down.

CITIZEN PATROLS

Mattioli invited citizens to walk with his Orange Hat patrol each Wednesday at 7:30 pm beginning at Stuart-Hobson Middle School at the 400 block of E St. NE. ANC 6C Commissioner Anne Phelps announced a one-hour Community Safety Walk (patrol) beginning on Thursday, July 12, and continuing each Thursday thereafter. Citizens should meet at 7:00 pm at J.O. Wilson Elementary School at 7th & K Sts. NE. (Block captain Brandon Bies is also helping to organize the patrol.)

Ofcr. Johnson offered to provide an officer to walk with each group as often as possible. He stated that Wednesdays are the best day to get officers to participate in community events because all PSA officers are on duty that day.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm. Next month’s meeting will be on Tuesday, August 14, 2007.

Officer Simmons during the July 10 PSA 102 meeting at Sherwood Recreation Center. (Copyright © 2007. David Klavitter)

Labels: PSA102Blue

Master Patrol Officer Burgess during the July 10 PSA 102 meeting at Sherwood Recreation Center. (Copyright © 2007. David Klavitter)

Labels: PSA102Blue

Community walk on H Street NE, June 28, 2007. From left: ANC6C Commissioner Alan Kimber, First District Commander Diane Groomes, Ward 1 Councilmember Tommy Wells and H Street Main Street Executive Director Anwar Saleem. (David Klavitter photo)

MINUTES FROM PSA 102 MEETING
June 12, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
(the second Tuesday of every month)
Sherwood Recreation Center
10th and G Streets NE

[Special thanks to Donna Anaya, who volunteered to take notes during the June meeting.]

I. Introductions, agenda

PSA 102 Citizen Coordinator Dave Klavitter convened the meeting, reviewed the agenda items and asked all attendees to introduce themselves. Officials attending included Lt. Barbara Hawkins and several of her officers (including Ofcr. Johnson and MPO Burgess); Carolyn Crank, 1D Community Outreach Specialist, US Attorney’s Office; Prosecutor w/ US Attorney’s Ofc. for 1D; first responder Jackie White from 911/311 of DC’s Unified Communications Center; and Maria Barner from Sherwood Rec Center.

II. Crime Stats/Burglaries

Citizen Roger Mattioli reviewed the crime stats which showed an increase in total crime in May, including burglaries, robberies and thefts. Lt. Hawkins said items being stolen include laptops, cell phones, iPods and CDs and are often carried in backpacks by the suspects. Assaults often involve domestic situations or people who know each other. Burglaries often occur during the day when most people are at work. Hawkins said she has a plan to combat burglaries and robberies but is unable to discuss it at this time. She reported on several arrests that have recently occurred, including those of juveniles. She stated that beginning July 18, MPD would start 10-hour shifts in 1D. Overall, such shifts will add 70-100 officers on the streets. She advised citizens to call ID Station to request “special attention” when you go on vacation and to leave point of contact info for someone close by who can reach you and secure your house if necessary.

A resident of Capitol Hill Towers asked what can be done to ensure safety of CHT’s seniors who walk in the neighborhood. MPD agreed to work with CHT’s security force.

III. Hot Spots

Lt. Hawkins noted various hot spots including: 6th & L Sts., 4th & L Sts., 1200 blocks of Linden and Wylie, and 10th & G Sts. including Sherwood Rec Center. Additional attention to these areas will continue for the next 30 days.

Klavitter asked citizens to call 727-1000 to report street lights that are out along w/ their identifying number on a band near the top of the pole and whether it’s a metal or wooden pole.

IV. Flyers

Klavitter acknowledged that this meeting had one of the largest turnouts ever. Flyers work well to supplement electronic communications to get the word out. Several volunteers handed out flyers regarding the meeting and the PSA102 brochure at nearby Metro stations. More volunteers are needed to continue the effort.

Special note of thanks to those who volunteered their time to distribute the information: Brandon Bies, Aimee Carter, Claudia Lawder, Roger Mattioli, John Wirt.

At PSA 102’s September meeting, Dr. Richard Lytle, Special Asst. to the President of Gallaudet University, will attend to discuss problems that neighbors have experienced with some of the students. Lt. Hawkins reiterated MPD’s interest in working with groups in the community, i.e., Gallaudet or Capitol Hill Towers, to help identify and resolve various issues of concern.

V. Ride Alongs

Klavitter shared his experience of doing a ride along with Ofcr. Michelle Ridlehoover and recommended others sign up for the same experience which he described as fascinating and worthwhile. Lt. Hawkins offered that any day was a good day to do them.

VI. Orange Hat Patrols

Mattioli explained how Orange Hat or citizen patrols worked and encouraged others to participate. The patrols walk with flashlights and cell phones; a police officer will sometimes join them. He walks year-round (weather permitting) with a group each Wednesday night for approximately an hour and a half, starting at Stuart-Hobson Middle School at the 400 block of E St. NE.

Klavitter stated that a similar patrol would be helpful on the north side of H St. NE if anyone was interested. Block Captain Brandon Bies is coordinating.

VII. Juveniles

Lt. Hawkins touched on the problem with juveniles, particularly during summer months after schools close. MPD is working with Sherwood Rec Center to develop activities that’ll attract youth and provide a positive influence rather than those involving crime. Hawkins believes juveniles can be changed with the proper support and encouragement.

Sherwood Rec Center’s Maria Barner spoke briefly about their summer programs including camps and DC’s summer job program for youth. She invited neighbors to volunteer to help staff the various programs.

Ofcr. Johnson encouraged neighbors to sponsor a child to send them to summer camp or at least help them with the application process. For more information, neighbors should contact Sgt. Johnson at 1D.

Carolyn Crank announced that an Asst. Attorney General will be making the rounds at PSA meetings to discuss juvenile crimes and associated problems. The first appearance will be at PSA103’s meeting on June 13.

VIII. Miscellaneous Items & Announcements

Reps from 911/311 spoke briefly and answered questions from neighbors. They stated that the best way to get a response to a call for service is to call 911/311 and beat officers directly who will likely respond to the dispatch. They also encouraged citizens (groups preferred) to visit the Unified Communications Center’s new facility at 2720 MLK Ave., SE, and see their operations.

Crank announced a city-wide event to kick off summer youth activities on June 14 at Hechinger Mall? from 12-4pm. Sponsored by the US Attorney’s Office and MPD, the event will include radio personalities from WPGC, giveaways and other celebrities.

National Night Out will be August 7.

In closing, citizens were invited to talk privately to MPD or other officials about individual concerns. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm. The next meeting is Tuesday, July 10.