DCist: Police to Seal Off D.C. Neighborhoods

francisonline

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:46:20 -0500

........naziism is alive and kicking

francisonline

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:45:23 -0500

i'm afraid that's only the beginning folks.........

klee

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:41:04 -0500

Doesn't ANYONE on this forum besides me think the War on Drugs is responsible for almost all of this violence? Albert Einstein pointed out that "Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced." Didn't we learn ANYTHING from our grandparents (and great-grandparents)? It only took them seven years to realize their attempt at Prohibition (which was a lot more limited than ours) only made things worse, not better. Drugs are a fact of life. If we don't learn to live with that, we'll be living with a whole lot worse.

ClintJCL

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:31:01 -0500

UPDATE on D.C. police state driver checkpoints: * Being monitored by activist groups * They are interviewing those who were turned away to see if their rights were violated LINK: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/neighborhood_checkpoint BACKUP: http://www.badcopnews.com/2008/06/08/groups-to-monitor-nazi-style-washington-dc-police-checkpoints/

monkeyrotica

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:45:49 -0500

This is a textbook example of the divergent attitudes liberal and conservative lawmakers take towards crime control. The standard DC reaction is that we need more laws and more cops and more visible presence, regardless of the systemic problems involved. What's the point of bringing more police into a neighborhood where the residents don't cooperate by providing evidence and testimony? Y'know, the stuff you need to actually close cases if and when they get to court? Then there's the conservative attitude that if more people had more guns to protect themselves, the problem would take care of itself. Which ignores the fact that the majority of illegal guns on the street were stolen from law-abiding owners, and no reversal of the gun ban is going to protect you on the street. You still can't get a concealed weapon permit in DC and even if you did, where the hell would you take it? Practically every building has a metal detector and guard who doesn't know anything about the existing regulations. Myself, I take a hybrid view: if only enough people had enough guns to kill enough lawyers, maybe then Kathy in accounting would quit emailing that goddamned list of lawyer jokes. I know. You're saying, "But Monkey, when will you announce your availability as a running mate for the two major parties? Wouldn't they rather have you inside the tent peeing out than outside peeing in?" To which I respond, I will not seek, nor will I accept, the nomination for Vice President until the two parties agree that what America needs today isn't "change" or "staying the course." What America needs now more than ever is a carton of chocolate milk, a cot, some Romper Room, and a goddamned nap. Vote Monkeyrotica. Because it's Naptime in America.

washwords

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:03:52 -0500

@mel21clc : wow I read that "elsewhere" site - eek those livejournal peeps are pretty intense and misguided, huh? yah, one thing about the warsaw ghettos, nazi-ism, etc., it would have been greaaat if more people could have said "hey, this is really not a big deal, so we're losing some civil liberties, don't say that's bad. it offends me." wow. that dude annoyed me. and then livejournal is so odd I couldn't post to say so, so I'm doing it here. you were right. and I'm glad you said so. as for this news: wow. pretty scary stuff.

AR

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:12:36 -0500

Warsaw is doing fine these days. The situations are interestingly reversing.

Bethesdaist

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:34:48 -0500

This story is now on Above the Law: http://abovethelaw.com/2008/06/welcome_to_baghdad_dc.php#comments Let the nationwide mockery begin! (Is it me, or did Monkey invite me to pee on him?)

robertsgt40

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:25:12 -0500

Sounds like something Chertoff might have hatched. Can't be too secure ya know. I wonder where he would have gotten that idea? Hmmm. Let me see. Wall off, check papers, restrict movement. How about Gaza! and what's left of the Palestinians? Duh

Stanton Park

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:23:40 -0500

Roberts asked how this is constitutional. It's not, but that has never stopped the MPD. Remember the mass arrests of "protesters" between 2000 and 2002? Did you know about the woman arrested for wondering why there were so many cops in the 7-11? It is not a crime control strategy. It is a PR strategy. It is similar to the constantly flashing light on police cars, Capitol Police posted at intersections around the Hill, and having to show ID at places that do not serve alcohol. It is unlikely that they will arrest anyone in these boondoggles, unless someone in a stolen car has drugs and guns sitting on the seat next to them. If they make no arrests, they are less likely to be sued. Alternatively, the MPD may have planned this so they would be sued. That way they could claim every time they try something "innovative" the courts stop them. I don't think they are really that smart, though.

monkeyrotica

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:20:43 -0500

Plus after talking to one of the cops on my block, he said a lot of this recent shootings had to do with guys who were in jail and are now out and are trying to get their turf back. Just as Count Dookoo predicted!

PUrpleFox

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:10:14 -0500

Welcome to the New Regime! Thank you Dictator Bush! papers please? JT http://www.Ultimate-Anonymity.com

K_lib

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:01:01 -0500

Good for them! Lock it down tight! I live in Ward 5, around Rhode Island AVE NE, and I would love any way to catch and curb the crime that comes from the money coming in from Maryland and VA drug trade to dealers in the district. Plus after talking to one of the cops on my block, he said a lot of this recent shootings had to do with guys who were in jail and are now out and are trying to get their turf back. As being one of the few white people here it amazes me what the locals(blacks) are able to put up with. Of course the more genification(sp?) takes place this all will be pushed out... at least I pray for that.

Everett

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:57:33 -0500

But HR, you need a blue cape to match your latest toenail color, no? ;) So as someone who lives nearish Trinidad if not in it, am I legit or not? Can I wave my DC license at them to get in or is my white skin color enough to get through? Wait, they're not profiling are they? My bad. The whole thing is gross.

monkeyrotica

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:38:17 -0500

Whatever happens in Israel, one can expect it to be tried here next... They better not try and take my foreskin or my pulled pork barbecue or there'll be hell to pay. And this time...it's personal.

grotec

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:33:37 -0500

They have used this in other cities around the world...Belfast, Baghdad, Jerusalem. And they're fine...aren't they? Oh wait...

ishmael

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:30:52 -0500

Ahhh Monkey! Jar Jar reference... Let's just send it the Jedi. 'Cause God knows, I'm scared to clone Metro PD!

RJ

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:12:19 -0500

"Until the DC black community rises up within itself to universally condemn the morons who wreak havoc in their communities"....or move to the suburbs and leave the morons behind.

monkeyrotica

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:06:12 -0500

Mesa mosto Supreme Chancellor Regentrifydcnow... Mesa gusto pallos. Mesa proud to proposing the motion to give yousa Honor emergency powers.

sparrowdancer

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:37:00 -0500

They are going to try the Israeli government's method of sealing off neighborhoods and demanding papers. Whatever happens in Israel, one can expect it to be tried here next...

regentrifydcnow

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:56:11 -0500

Absolutely outrageous. Sadly, this is a natural - probably inevitable - evolution for a culture that encourages a sense of victimization and refuses to demand accountability. In the end, as "liberty" descends into chaos, the authorities are forced to do "something - anything" in a desperate attempt to staunch the blood flow -- but of course, it won't work because only people can police themselves. Until the DC black community rises up within itself to universally condemn the morons who wreak havoc in their communities, and demand that their children learn to respect themselves and one another DC will remain full of little neighborhood hellholes - all of which are primarily black.

Wizzyliz

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:42:28 -0500

Well, hells bells ... let's call in the TEXAS RANGERS to scoop up all the "abused children" and take 'em away from their families. That should help the crime rate, don't you think?

monkeyrotica

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:51:48 -0500

Bethesdist - That sounds like a dare to me. I'll show you my mantitties if I can see your cask-conditioned ale.

Bethesdaist

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:36:39 -0500

There's not nearly enough beer and boobs in this thread for Fark, is there?

jdg

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:33:09 -0500

The dcist servers better run for the hills because this page just got approved as a link on fark.com

Norf

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:55:42 -0500

Vader, Don't forget Singapore (controls all the spices and bamboo canes of the world) and Monaco (controls all the tax havens and F-1 racing of the world)... While you are at it, what about Berlin, Mexico City, Brasilia, etc?!? Be very afraid...

16th Street Line

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:55:20 -0500

Vader can you please post more awesome

Bethesdaist

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:32:32 -0500

Looks like some neighborhoods might be sealed off with tinfoil, Vader.

Hillman

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:18:44 -0500

If this becomes a regular police venture can they get special uniforms? Something with a nice eagle motif would be nice. And a motto. Gotta have a motto. Seriously, I'm as big a fan of aggressive policing as the next reformed leftie, but honestly I just can't see justifying this. First, does anyone think it will actually do any good? And, b, it's just stupid. Justifying to police why you are driving down the street? Really?

blittle

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:10:20 -0500

Nah, you don't want what vader's smoking or you'll end like me with a bag on your crotch riding in the nudie ride on saturday yelling, "passing on the left biatch."

hillrat

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:03:45 -0500

wow...someone give me some of what vader's smoking That's exactly what the MPD is trying to prevent with these "Neighborhood Safety Zones."

Vader

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:02:26 -0500

my comment has not been posted because it speaks the real truth. DC is an independent city state, along with the vatican and the "city of London. They are beholden to no government on earth. Look it up, and wake up to what is really going on.

aantonop

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:01:43 -0500

Desperate and Stupid Official A: "We have to DO something!" Desperate and Stupid Official B: "X is something!" Desperate and Stupid Official A: "We HAVE to do X!" The Public: GROAN! Please pay no attention to the fact that this is stupid, unconstitutional, short-sighted, racist, pandering, idiotic, counter-productive, expensive, pointless, authoritarian and demeaning. It's SOMETHING!

IMGoph

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:59:44 -0500

wow...someone give me some of what vader's smoking

mho

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:54:21 -0500

Give people quality education, quality technical training, quality job guidance, quality financial planning, and quality recreation.

Hillman

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:51:49 -0500

"cool. can we start with hillrat and hillman's neighborhood first? because i want to see the two of them fight crime together in leotards to the tune of "ebony and ivory."" Hell yessums. But can we please reschedule it for Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend please? It'd make it so much more fun. And if Rat wants to wear pink, that's all the better. Black and pink is one sweet combo....

Vader

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:42:52 -0500

The District of Columbia. The "City of London" and the Vatican are the only three, totally independent City States in the world. While only Acres in size, they are not part of any country or government. They are a law unto themselves. Interestingly, all three use an obilisk as their symbol. Of course, DCs is not a real one, as it is not carved from a single piece of stone. these city states are the real seats of power in the Western world. London controls the money. Not even the Queen can enter without being invited. Look it up. The Vatican is one of the wealthiest corporations in the entire world. It owns more tax free real estate in the US than any other enterprise. Look it up. The District of Columbia's flag is comprised of three stars, each representing the three city states that control every aspect of our lives. Not by espousing any values, but by the memes of freedom, love and the free market. Am I crazy? Look it up. Really. I really hope someone proves me wrong, as I am getting very worried about the next decade

meganomics

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:35:20 -0500

I live in the 1200 block of Montello and I find the choice of location... strange. IIRC, a slight majority of the 5D shootings have taken place on the eastern side of Trinidad, near 16th Street and Benning Road. Rumor has it that that's where a new "group of thugs", or "gang", has moved in. [NB: I do not know if there is an official distinction between the two; having only watched 1 season of 'The Wire', I will have to defer to others regarding the intricacies of crime lingo.] Montello has seen a good deal of the recent crime, but last weekend's triple homicide was again in the eastern part of the neighborhood. I don't get it. And just for a second, I'd like put in my 2 cents praising the DC Police Officers' actions during this period. I'm sure that many people have had bad experiences with DC cops, but I've found them to be consistently professional, courteous, and responsive.

funfriends

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:10:51 -0500

disgusting

guest number 10

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:10:12 -0500

From WaPo: Officials said police will stop all cars driving in the 1400 block of Montello Avenue, between Penn Street and Oates Street and about a block east of Gallaudet University What's best is this is a N to S running 1 way street. Or is what's best that they are only stopping people in one block of traffic? So basically it's ineffective, unless your criminals are REALLY stupid.

woodstock

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:06:10 -0500

Wow...I'm absolutely stunned. Given as how I live in one of those "bad neighborhoods" (looks out window at my huge yard on a quiet street where all the neighbors know and look after each other), I certainly welcome more police presence (let's see...one homicide less than 2 blocks away, 3 car jackings, dozens of attempted or successful armed robberies in the last 60 days [check]) but this isn't the way to do it. Someone had it pegged: makes MPD look like they're doing something without them having to actually expend any effort. Bravo DC government!

Bethesdaist

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:02:08 -0500

This, unfortunately, won't do much more than swirl the crime around. Maybe Rita's will offer a crime swirly as a summer flavor. This reminds me of when Sharon Pratt Kelly wanted the National Guard for police duty - once the national press got ahold of that, the ridicule of the city's response (and fear of potential crime) dogged the city's reputation for years.

Wizzyliz

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:54:12 -0500

I have a better idea ... string some Hot Wire around the bad neighborhoods and hear the zaaaaaaaaap zaaaaaaaaap zaaaaaaaaaaaap all night long. And don't forget to bring the weiners!

iAManugget

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:53:35 -0500

so what happens when they put these boarders into effect and all the criminals begin to invade the "safe parts" of the city?

smittydc

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:49:24 -0500

Here's a novel policing plan they should try instead: showing up when people call the police.

guest number 10

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:45:21 -0500

Like I said, still a bad idea, but can we try to avoid false analogies on this blog? Well, you said it yourself (this blog), DCist is a blog and thus, no, there is no way to try to avoid false analogies... Because if I wrote it on my blog it must be true.

3 toed Sloth

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:44:24 -0500

Actually it would probably be like this: Guten Morgen/Tag/Abend! Führerschein und Fahrzeugpapiere, bitte.

16th Street Line

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:42:44 -0500

Well, again, Mel, there doesn't seem to be any intent to keep people *in* a certain neighborhood as there was in-- are you serious?-- Theresienstadt (or, for that matter, to sytematically exterminate its residents). So, yes, drawing comparisons to Warsaw or Clichy-sous-Bois or Cabrini-Green would likely draw some fire, because it's a false analogy. The idea is to keep them *out*, which bears a greater resemblance to (a half-assed form of) U.S. Army counterinsurgency inkblot strategy than French or German ghettoization. Will this work in Washington, D.C.? No. Why? Because MPD doesn't have the same powers in Washington as the U.S. Army does in Baghdad (nor should it). Let's talk about why this is likely to be totally ineffective and a waste of manpower, rather than making histrionic and inaccurate comparisons to concentration camps and ghettos.

IMGoph

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:38:38 -0500

has anyone addressed what happens when, even if one of these neighborhoods (like trinidad or edgewood) is sealed off, and crime still happens inside it? don't we all realize that a lot of this crime is perpetrated by people who live inside these neighborhoods, since they know who they can exploit and what they can get away with? doesn't that make you think that they're just trying to have some people in these neighborhoods kill each other off? this doesn't stand a snowballs chance in hell of actually working...

OldPosterKnownAsCranky

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:29:29 -0500

I have no doubt this is MPD's way of "doing something" given that they've been out in full force in 5D and that hasn't stopped the blatant murders. While I imagine criminals understand the concept of geography well enough to simply move down a block or two from the "safety zone", I wonder what local residents think about this? Do they think it's a constitutional outrage? Or are they glad to see the cops are actually coming up with creative attempts to solve the shootings epidemic? One additional suggestion: Will doing the Safety Dance in the Safety Zone be illegal?

ikindahatedc

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:25:32 -0500

No big deal. My RFID implant doesn't let me get that close to SE anyhow.

DAJ

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:24:54 -0500

My Grandmother used to tell me about how successful this program was when she was a little girl in Warsaw. Eventually, the coppers got bored of standing on street corners in the heat hassling the neighbors and just put up a big wall with glass shards on the top. It got so bad one year her parents just picked up and moved here. I never really understood why her relatives who lived in the safe zone behind the wall never made it over here to the US. If I recall, she said she never heard from her aunts and uncles again. They must have been doing so well under the care of those special police in black uniforms with the cool lightning bolts that they just cut of ties to the parts of the family in the "new world".

mel21clc

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:22:36 -0500

I'm glad someone else thought it appropriate to mention the similarities to Jewish ghettos, since I got attacked for drawing that same conclusion elsewhere. Also, I'm really looking forward to the increased crime wave in Columbia Heights and everywhere else that isn't a "Neighborhood Safety Zone" for the next ten days, only with fewer police nearby to be able to respond.

Roberts

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:22:31 -0500

Will someone with some legal knowledge please explain how this is Constitutional? What about freedom of association? How does a rank and file police officer get to make the arbitrary determination of whether my reason for being in the neighborhood is what that officer consider's legitimate? This is the mayor and Nickles trying to make themselves look better by lowering crime statistics in that area at the expense of the people who actually live there.

dank

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:20:37 -0500

To the barricades, mon freres! We must liberate the Trinidadians!

monkeyrotica

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:16:41 -0500

the only viable, effective, long-term solution to the problem of juvenile delinquency has been thoroughly documented in the film "The Vanishing." and I'm talking the original version, not the keifer sutherland remake. that thing still ives me nightmares and not the good David Lynch kind. I'm talking the nasty Demi Moore as Hester Prynne kind.

16th Street Line

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:14:35 -0500

OK, it's a bad idea. But Sommer, don't you think you're a little over the top with all the ghetto rhetoric? The point of the official ghettos in Europe, or de-facto enforcement of ghettos in American cities, was to keep undesirables *in* a certain neighborhood to make the other neighborhoods "safe" for the upper/majority class. The intent of this program appears to be to keep undesirables *out* of Trinidad, or wherever. Like I said, still a bad idea, but can we try to avoid false analogies on this blog?

erincarly

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:05:58 -0500

WTF!! here's just one example of why this sucks. what if i'm driving from point A. to point B. and the only through street goes smack-through the middle of a "neighborhood zone?" will the wardens nazi's police make me drive all the way around their zone? and really, i'd think pedestrians would be of more interest. doesn't take long to walk from one neighborhood to another. what's that in your pocket? oh, nothing? okay, you're free to go. what's next, WALLS? :: grumble ::

monkeyrotica

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:04:36 -0500

you're doing it wrong. instead of harrassing kids and law-abiding neighbors, we should be giving these people hope and a way out of their dead-end lifestyle. like with my Send a Kid to Summer Thrall Camp in Upstate Triskelion Program. and when the parents come to pick them up in August, we do the jedi mind trick and say "this isnt the camp you're looking for. you want the green slave girl fat farm on Orion." or we just say "there were never any kids. you never had kids" and we reach into a top hat and throw a smoke bomb and disappear in a cloud of echoing maniacal laughter.

Mike Licht

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:01:43 -0500

About (yikes) 20 years ago, I helped stage a cultural event in a DC public housing community and was stopped at the entrance by an MPD roadblock (driving while white?). I arrived at the event site early to find neighborhood sportsmen throwing dice. Several were wagering small plastic bags of non-FDA pharmaceuticals in lieu of currency. Containment is not necessarily crime reduction.

ihatewalks

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:49:36 -0500

Our own Green Zone!

monkeyrotica

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:45:03 -0500

i'm with cranky. there's nothing here that moats and medieval siege engines can't fix, or at least, make more entertaining. and it just so happens I have a gently used sewage trebuchet for sale for the low, low price of three thousand quatloos.

Geezer

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:44:28 -0500

Current police practices are not stemming the homicide tide. Truth is, if the citizenry is hell-bent on mayhem, there is damn little the police can do about it. People say, the cops are lazy, corrupt, etc and as cops are people, there it's probably true. But even if every cop was 100% committed to excellence 100% of the time, those intent on committing a crime are going to do it and in most cases, get away with it. I understand the concern but personally, I’m glad to see MPD leadership thinking "outside the box". They've stepped up patrols, redeployed officers - it's not working. It's time for new measures and props to the chief for not acquiescing to the violence.

hillrat

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:43:44 -0500

here's an idea--instead of barricading neighborhoods, why don't we try actually having a visible, engaged, and larger police presence in the neighborhoods? I've actually been seeing more of this over the last few weeks. Two weeks ago a couple of cops on horseback went clomping down my street and the other day I was walking around and zut alors! There was a cop on a bicycle just cruising around.

rugbykate

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:42:08 -0500

Actually all the crimes in Trinadad this weekend were committed within a block or two of police. There has actually been a high police presence there (due to the recent criminal activity), but clearly the criminals don't care. This points to something larger that no amount of policing (short of armed police on every corner and in every alley) can do anything about. This, unfortunately, won't do much more than swirl the crime around. If we're in the market for ridiculous (yet loud) police action, I recommend the Baltimore model - big spotlights in the open air drug markets all night with police sitting in every alley. I enjoyed the way that moved the criminal activity somewhere else (ie, three blocks south).

hillrat

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:40:05 -0500

@angrypenguin Carlo Rossi is the fine wine of choice for much of the DCist commentariat.

RJ

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:39:19 -0500

LA kind of did this during the Gang Wars of the 90's. They used to block off certain thoroughfares and restrict traffic to highly visible roads within the community. I guess it didn't work as they now have the Race Wars of the 2000's. It does look like these "safety” Zones have spurted up in CA and some have been challenged in court.

fuckregistering

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:37:59 -0500

Is there any way to set up police checkpoints to keep people from leaving those 'neighborhoods'?

skoochie

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:35:35 -0500

Apparently they've already done something more or less like this -- a manager at work was complaining about it this week. He'd been in a neighborhood nearish the Brentwood Giant, as I recall.

ishmael

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:33:56 -0500

here's an idea--instead of barricading neighborhoods, why don't we try actually having a visible, engaged, and larger police presence in the neighborhoods? I can hear it now... We're sorry ma'am that your house was robbed. We were too busy at the roadblocks to your neighborhood to actually walk the streets of the neighborhood.

homeslice

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:33:39 -0500

the po po's been at this (or something similar) in park view for the past few months. about every other week, they block off warder near park road and stop all cars. supposedly to check for ID and insurance. it struck me as very strange, but maybe it has something to do with this. a test run, perhaps?

EdTheRed

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:33:09 -0500

They should start by sealing off the block of Connecticut Avenue that Politics and Prose is on. Winzilla could man the ID-check barricade himself.

IMGoph

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:32:36 -0500

this is going to be entertaining to see it attempted. so they're not stopping pedestrians, but are stopping cars, right? what about bikers? the secret that the cops don't know is that us bikers are the cause of all the crime in the city. we sneak into your neighborhood on our huffys, rob your stores, shoot your kids, and slink off in 3rd gear to terrorize the next neighborhood. as long as the MPD doesn't monitor this comment thread....

monkeyrotica

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:30:12 -0500

the only way this will work is if the Neighborhood Safety Zones are administered and enforced by a French Revolution-style Committee for Public Safety. I nominate Jim Graham for the position of Robespierre. at last, the litter control department has been given some teeth.

Reid

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:29:50 -0500

"This is actualy a last ditch effort by republicans to keep the homeless out of Georgetown." Republicans in Georgetown? There's C. Boyden Gray and then just about nobody else. You're confusing rich with Republican. An easy mistake, but the reality is that Georgetown is just as Democratic as the rest of DC. But what about the trust-funded (and those just trying to look it) Smith Pointers, you ask? They mostly live in Glover Park.

songfta

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:29:21 -0500

Much as this seems a bit much, something has to be done. Given that the residents of the neighborhoods affected by violence either can't or won't do anything to try and stem the tide, it is the charge of the MPD to try and maintain a state of law and order in the District. I just hope that MPD is very clear and consistent with execution of their "hot zones" enforcement. If done well, it can set a good example. That said, the track record for MPD and other DC services of that ilk is far from stellar. So perhaps it's time for the residents to show some civic pride and invest some sweat equity into their neighborhoods: offer alternatives to teens, make the streets attractive for the residents to be out and about. It can be done - it just takes a little work. And if these neighborhoods take the initiative, the MPD action isn't necessary in the future. Just my $0.02 - YMMV.

angrypenguin

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:29:04 -0500

@ hillrat: drink a 3-liter jug of Carlo Rossi and toss the empty on top of Eastern Market just like they did in "The Wire." [cue music] Carlo Rossi and "The Wire?" In the same sentence? How dare you? Natty Boh, at least. Oh, how I miss that show already.

OldPosterKnownAsCranky

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:27:05 -0500

I say build a moat around troubled neighborhoods, fill the moat with lava and a single drawbridge, and full body cavity searches for anyone entering or leaving. That's a much better option.

Nate

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:26:13 -0500

They did this in Bridgeport, CT back in the 1980s, and the neighborhoods targeted were those that were most frequently visited by out-of-town drivers coming in to the city to purchase drugs or sex. I was young, and not paying terribly close attention at the time, but my recollection is that crime actually did decline, at least a little bit. The problem was that several local businesses were destroyed or severely damaged because access to them was obstructed, and local residents were far more inconvenienced by the barricades, closed roads, and constant police contact than the drive-by lawbreakers who were theoretically being targeted. One other thing to consider about this kind of measure: many, if not most, "quality-of-life" crimes like vandalism, joyriding car thefts, street harrassment, and the like are committed by people who actually live in the neighborhoods they are victimizing. Keeping strangers out of the neighborhood won't have much of an impact.

EdTheRed

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:23:42 -0500

"I am speechless....." No need for that just yet, BigL, they aren't planning to ban criticism of the government until August.

guest number 10

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:22:46 -0500

Maybe they'll recognize the address as being from a rival "neighborhood crew." Of course, if they knew how to call a gang a gang they might not need such ridiculous methods of controlling crime.

hillrat

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:21:38 -0500

cool. can we start with hillrat and hillman's neighborhood first? because i want to see the two of them fight crime together in leotards to the tune of "ebony and ivory." Only if I get the pink leotard, otherwise no deal. After our shift we'll stand around in the alley behind Eastern Market, drink a 3-liter jug of Carlo Rossi and toss the empty on top of Eastern Market just like they did in "The Wire." [cue music]

TimmyTucker

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:17:11 -0500

So basically this is a 10-day hiatus on drive-by shootings and murder.

meganomics

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:17:08 -0500

Wow. As a Trinidad resident who's as sick as anyone else of the recent violence, I'm still completely gobsmacked by this proposal. Leaving aside questions of legality or constitutionality that I'm not remotely qualified to address, how on earth do the police think they're going to separate "legitimate" nonresidents from ill-intentioned ones? "Well, Officer, my purpose in coming into the neighborhood was to shoot my ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend... but I guess I'll just go home and watch 'American Gladiator' now." I can only speculate that the police are hoping that barriers will intimidate and discourage potential troublemakers while reassuring (ha!) law-abiding residents, but in my opinion (and, I suspect, that of most rational human beings), the many drawbacks are simply not worth the marginal advantage.

Andrew Wiseman

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:15:36 -0500

WTF. If this makes the national news, it's going to look great for DC.

CantHelpViewingMonkeyErotica

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:15:25 -0500

This is actualy a last ditch effort by republicans to keep the homeless out of Georgetown.

monkeyrotica

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:13:04 -0500

cool. can we start with hillrat and hillman's neighborhood first? because i want to see the two of them fight crime together in leotards to the tune of "ebony and ivory."

guest number 10

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:08:39 -0500

Can I be the first to predict more crime in the neighboring areas of Atlas, Gallaudet, Carver Langston, Ivy City, Old City next week? (thanks wikipedia)

Reid

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:08:15 -0500

I just hope the police actually say "Your papers, please"? I think it would be more apt if it were "Achtung, I vould like to zee your papers."

registeringsucks

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:05:43 -0500

Tropical climate?! I don't know what it's like down in the low country, but in Columbia Heights we have a little thing called winter.

Big L

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:04:30 -0500

I am speechless.....

SpeakSoftlyCarryABigStick

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:04:08 -0500

"Pedestrians will not be subject to the public safety checks." Little do the criminals realize this is an ingenious way to combat the obesity epidemic among the criminal underworld. Just think of the number of calories criminals will burn walking to and running from their crimes, rather than driving!

Pandaist

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:00:58 -0500

I just hope the police actually say "Your papers, please"? What is the point of setting these up if "[p]edestrians will not be subject to the public safety checks"? Violent criminals can't also be pedestrians or park a couple blocks away? Let's see here...Limits on internal travel? No elected representatives? Tropical climate? Welcome to our nation's banana republic.

registrationsucks

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:58:56 -0500

Warsaw is a much bigger, cleaner, safer, and more affluent city than Washington

McGillicuddy

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:55:36 -0500

i doubt this will help curb crime, but it makes the MPD look like they're trying to do something. i mean have they done a study finding that people drive into an area, commit their crime, and then leave? what about good ol' fashioned neighborhood crime where neighbor x rapes neighbor y or holds up convenience store z? you don't need a car to do that. i put this into the category of the 'all hands on deck' idea. they're grasping at straws here.

GhettoBurbs

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:50:34 -0500

ACLU challenge in 3... 2... 1...