Over 60 protestors, predominantly pro-Palestinian, entered the Hart Senate Office Building wearing masks and displayed banners reading “Love People, Choose Life.”

“I’m here in solidarity with people in Gaza who are suffering every day while we beg for a ceasefire,” Fatima Saleh, a 23-year-old Virginia resident, said, who was protesting outside the building.

In an emailed statement, the director of communications for USCP, Tim Barber, told 91���� that just after 10 a.m., a group of people started illegally protesting inside the building. The participants were arrested under D.C. code 22–1307, which prohibits crowding, obstructing, or incommoding.

BREAKING: Protesters call for a ceasefire now in Hart Senate Building as police start making mass arrests

— #StopCopCity (@ChuckModi1)

The protests come after the United Nations failed to pass a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The U.S. vetoed the resolution, causing international concern and prompting calls for a global strike for Gaza. Activists urged individuals worldwide to abstain from economic activities, travel, and school attendance, redirecting efforts to engage with political leaders and join protests.

“We cannot support genocide of my people,” Saleh said. “As an American citizen, it’s enraging to me that my country vetoed the ceasefire calls,” Saleh said.

One protester climbed the iconic “Mountains and Clouds” sculpture by Alexander Calder, drawing attention and initiating intervention by police and firefighters. Barber said the individual was arrested separately under a code for resisting arrest.

A woman was also arrested for resisting arrest, according to Barber’s emailed statement.

Congress is set to resume negotiations this week on an aid package that includes aid to both Israel and Ukraine, as well as humanitarian aid for Gaza, adding a layer of complexity to an already charged situation.

“This is honestly so demoralizing that we have to take extreme actions to get attention, and still, they are just continuing to negotiate instead of actually taking action to help innocent civilians in Gaza,” said Amal Al-Natsheh, a DC resident.��

Al-Natsheh said he witnessed a group of protesters walk into the congressional building in the morning while he stayed on the sidelines outside the building. Not long after, Natsheh said he witnessed tens of protestors arrested via zip ties being led out.��

Many protestors cleared the premises following the mass arrest, leaving a handful of protestors peacefully demonstrating outside the building’s entrance.

Organized by groups such as the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Jewish Voice for Peace, and 91���� Face: Veterans Against the War, the protest highlighted the contentious debate surrounding U.S. support in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The post Dozens arrested in Capitol protest demanding ceasefire amid Israel-Hamas conflict first appeared on 91����.

“It’s cheap, so some people don’t mind buying me a sandwich or some nuggets. Not sure where will I go next if this won’t exist,” he said. “I usually eat at least three or four times a month here.”

In September, Real estate giant JBG Smith applied with the DC Office of Planning to raze the fast-food joint located at 75 New York Ave. as part of a two-phase development project to introduce 800 new apartments.

However, not everyone in the community welcomes this change with open arms. For some, the possible closure of another fast-food establishment means losing more than just a convenient dining option.

Commissioner Ahmad Abu-Khalaf of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E05 acknowledged the potential food affordability issues for groups such as students, low-income individuals, or those experiencing homelessness.

“I’ve been more focused on food deserts when it comes to grocery stores, but it’s another interesting example about how food affordability through fast food chains is another focus for some residents,” Abu-Khalaf said. “Maybe it’s the combination of a popular fast-food chain with affordable prices located at a somewhat of a popular street?”

According to Abu-Khalaf, who had an informal conversation with the planning team from JBG Smith, if fast food affordability turns out to be a broad community concern that the developer recognizes, the team might pursue their plans of keeping the McDonald’s, albeit a downsized location.

“It would be a different, smaller space, but it could still be there,” he said. “And that’s another issue with wanting a project to be everything for everyone. I think it’s very obvious that demand for housing and NoMa is increasing. So having more housing, it’s really good to absorb some of that demand.”

Recent revealed a surge in apartment constructions, with ZIP code 20002, encompassing NoMa and nearby areas, leading the nation in this housing boom. RentCafe, a prominent nationwide apartment listing service, a 73.1% increase in new apartment units delivered in the area since 2017.

Another issue adding to the complexity surrounding the closure of the fast food location is the looming scarcity of fast food chain options in the area for some residents.��

Nora Montgomery, a 32-year-old Eckington resident, expressed her concerns about what she perceives as a “fast food desert” emerging in the neighborhood, noting McDonald’s as the third fast food chain that might shut down within the area.

In 2014, a Burger King joint at 320 Florida Ave. to welcome a . A famous Wendy’s restaurant at the intersection of New York Ave. and Florida Ave. closed its door in to reconstruct the famous “Dave Tomas Circle,” recently renamed “Mamie ‘Peanut’ Johnson Plaza.”

With the possibility of McDonald’s soon closing its service, Montgomery noted that all three fast food restaurants within a block of each other might make the area “dull.”��

“I like crossing the street to grab a quick burger or fries,” she said, as part of her daily dog walks to Alethia Tanner Park. “If this one shuts down, I guess I got no reason to come here just to walk my dog through a residential area.”

JBG Smith, the real estate company behind the proposed development, purchased the McDonald’s site in 2018 for . Currently, the company owns at least six lots in the vicinity, covering approximately 2.88 acres.

Then, Andrew VanHorn, executive vice president of the real estate company, the Washington Business Journal in 2018 that the company had controlled the site for a while before finalizing the deal.��

The McDonald’s store, according to the same report, was slated to continue serving customers for at least two years as the company planned the site’s future. According to Abu-Khalaf, the fast-food location might remain open for another two years as the real estate team is still determining the redevelopment timeline.��

“I don’t think that one specific site will fix all issues, but I think it’s probably a better use than just one large physical area for fast food and then a lot of like parking spaces and a drive-thru versus having more housing and other retail options.”

A proposed development under JBG Smith adjacent to McDonald’s at 1300 First St. NE, as outlined on the NoMa Business Improvement District (NoMa BID) plans two phases with 800 units and 35,000 sq ft of retail, anticipating delivery in 2024.

However, specific details regarding the nature of the 800 new apartments, such as their size, affordability, and target demographic, remain undisclosed as both the team at JBG Smith and NoMa Business Improvement District (NoMa BID) did not respond to multiple requests for comment.��

With the absence of clarity from the real estate in charge of the location and NoMa BID responsible for the transformation of NoMa through planning and economic development, the fate of McDonald’s at New York Ave., as well as the potential impact on fast-food affordability in the area, remains uncertain.

The post ‘A fast-food desert’: New York Ave. McDonald’s may close soon amid housing boom in NoMa first appeared on 91����.

The March for Israel comes as the war between Israel and Hamas enters its sixth week. The National Park Service permits initially estimated 60,000 participants, but the turnout appeared significantly larger.

Noah Beckler, an attendee from Pennsylvania, expressed the emotional impact of being embraced by his community in large numbers.

“Being here surrounded by so many people of my community, it feels incredible,” Beckler said. “I’m glad to be here supporting my community. I have family in Israel who are mourning the horrific loss of their neighbors.”

Beckler was one of many who had traveled a long distance to come in solidarity with his community. Karen Thomashow, a rabbi from a synagogue located just outside of Boston, was also in attendance with her congregation.

“There is a sense of aloneness that’s maybe tempered when we all come together, which is why it’s so inspiring to be together,” Thomashow said. “I emotionally know it, but to physically feel it, it’s actually overwhelming.”

For Thomashow, she said there were three worthy causes for showing up to the nation’s capital on Tuesday with her fellow Jewish members: to stand with Israel, to stand against antisemitism, and to put pressure on the U.S. government to help bring back the hostages captured by Hamas during the October attacks.

“I think we as Jewish people feel that we don’t want to stand ideally by when the blood of our people has been spilled,” she said. “So we just want to speak out on the causes that mean something to us.”

The event, believed to be the largest pro-Israel gathering in the U.S. since the conflict began, contrasts with a recent Capitol gathering supporting Palestinian freedom, calling for an Israeli ceasefire and an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

At that time, Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, 91����ington Post he and his group discouraged counter-protesters from attending the event, urging them to “resist any urge to counter the event or engage with protesters.”

Some demonstrators came to the March for Israel from different parts of the country in response to the “Free Palestine” protest. College student Linda Abrams, who traveled with her friends from Buffalo, New York, was one of them.

“So many Palestinians came to show their support and stand their ground,” Abrams said. “It inspired me. I’m here to stand for my people.”

Beckler, who drove from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his family, said while he respects and supports the position of Pro-Palestinians, he felt the need to be present for his community amid the rise of antisemitic acts worldwide as the war rages on.

“They’ve made their voices heard when they were here to say “Free Palestine,” and I support that,” he said. “I just want to be here to say that I stand with Israel, with my people.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refuses to consider calls for a cease fire until the approximately 240 hostages captured by Hamas are safely returned home.

While the Biden administration has faced growing demands to pressure Israel into a ceasefire, the president has continued to defend Israel’s actions in the war. On Tuesday, more than of the Biden administration penned an open letter to the president calling on him to demand a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages and detained Palestinians.

In a rare show of bipartisan support, Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer and Republican Congressman Ritchie Torres spoke to the massive gathering near the U.S. Capitol building.

Addressing the crowd, Torres said that the U.S.-Israel relationship is not just a Democratic or Republican value but rather an American value. He also rejected the ongoing ceasefire calls for Israel.

“I want to be crystal clear: a ceasefire with a terrorist organization is not a peace agreement. It’s a death sentence for Israelis,” Rep. Torres said. “Israel has a right to defend itself, and America has a duty to stand with Israel in her struggle for survival and self-defense.”

Some attendees resonated with the New York congressman’s sentiments.

“My position of ceasefire is that when the hostages come home, I would absolutely love that,” said a protestor from Boston, who requested to be identified as Stan, citing privacy and safety concerns.

“But if I’m living in Israel right now, I want to see the hostages come back before there’s any talks about the ceasefire,” he continued.

Stan said he flew from Boston just to be at the National Mall for a couple of hours because he wanted to stand in solidarity with his Jewish community.

It’s a big political divide right now, so I just wanted to turn up and show my support,” he said. “It was incredibly important for me to be here today.”

Keith Kaplan from Teaneck, New Jersey, said he came to the rally to show the world that the United States must unite behind the sole democracy in the Middle East.

“This country has always stood behind the philosophy that the multitude needs to be heard,” he said.

The post Jewish groups descend on Washington to support Israel first appeared on 91����.

Among the four referendum questions on the ballot, one stands out for its potential to transform the political landscape: should Rockville allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections?

“I think lowering the voting age is really important because a lot of the city issues affect students,” said Sophie Nguyen, a junior at Rockville High School. “A lot of teenagers work jobs and pay taxes, they are impacted by policy changes. And if we don’t have a say, how can we really say that we’re being truly represented?”��

This pivotal referendum stems from the findings of the city’s , which highlighted the historically low voter turnout in local elections.��

Latest data from the commission reports showed that roughly 70% of registered voters in Rockville did not participate in city elections. The commission’s response to this issue was to unanimously recommend lowering the voting age to 16, aiming to boost civic engagement and representation for the city’s younger residents.

Alyssa Canty, the director of youth programs for Common Cause Maryland— a nonpartisan organization dedicated to lowering the voting age to 18, said it’s important to include high school adolescents in voting as the policies more directly impact them in the long term.

“Most teenagers get a job at the age of 15 or 16 and pay taxes to the community, but don’t have a say on how those taxes get used,” Canty said. “You also are more impacted by school board elections than, say, someone like myself, who doesn’t have children and who’s not school age. I vote for school board elections, but that doesn’t really impact my day-to-day life.”

In Maryland, cities can lower the voting age for local elections through a city council vote. In the case of Rockville, however, instead of voting, the city council left it to residents to vote on the issue through a referendum ballot.

Notably, five Maryland cities have already embraced this change, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to cast their ballots in municipal elections: Takoma Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, and Mount Rainier. A sixth city, Somerset, will have 16-year-olds who can vote in local elections beginning next May.

With about 21.1% of Rockville’s population under 18, to the U.S. Census Bureau as of July 2022, the potential impact of this policy change is substantial.��

However, some residents are skeptical of allowing individuals below 18 to participate in local elections citing concerns such as maturity level and lack of political interest among teens, based on the public hearing comments from the city’s

“It’s just unfortunate that a lot of adults don’t think that we’re responsible enough or just educated enough to vote at the age of 16,” Nguyen said.

Like many of her peers, Nguyen is actively involved in various student advocacy organizations, including the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association (MCRSGA) and Montgomery County Students For a Change.

“A lot of us are really involved in checking up on politics, the news, and issues that we’re seeing every single day around social media,” she continued. “We have our own thoughts and opinions on it.”��

In the Charter Review reports, the commission also linked the unanimous recommendation to from Rutgers University that found 16-and-17-year-olds are “neurologically and socially mature enough to vote responsibly.”

Canty also emphasized the importance of involving younger voices in the electoral process.

“I think a lot of times we think of youth activists being college students,” Canty said. “But there’s a lot of people who are 16 and 15, that are really a part of those movements, especially the ones around gun control and how that really impacts their experience as students.”

Daniel Leuning, a 32-year-old Rockville resident, echoed the sentiment on how issues like climate change, reproductive justice, and gun control laws impact on the younger generation due to decisions made by politicians much older than the impacted youth.��

“Older people in the society just have a stranglehold on the levers of power and I think that just needs to change,” Leuning said. “Especially since they’re making decisions on issues that they want to see from the past while high school and middle school kids have to deal with those consequences later down the line, even though they don’t have the agency to shape what’s going to be happening.”

This year’s latest data from the Pew Research Center shows the of voting House lawmakers is 57.9 years, while the Senate’s median age is 65.3 years.

Rockville’s Charter Review Commission also argued that this provision has a multiplying effect, as younger people who vote directly influence voter turnout if their parents/caretakers and older residents within their community.

According to , these policy shifts in Maryland have proven successful in other cities, with 16 and 17-year-old voters turning out at higher rates than their older counterparts.

For most high schools across the country, Canty said the age of 16 and 17 is when most students have their first civics and economics classes. Engaging in early voting habits would be an experimental learning in social sciences such as civic and government engagement.

“There’s no one any age that can just wake up and go vote without doing any type of research,” she continued. “So I think as long as we provide that education, it’s really critical that they get a voice in elections, to be able to influence a change.

Recalling her days as a teenager, 58-year-old resident Dana Sarti said many high school students get politically activated during this age as they become more aware of the governmental systems and policies enacted by the officials.

“I remember when I was 16 or 17, I was really interested in politics and human rights in particular at that age, and so I think now, it’s even more relevant,” Sarti said. “Given that there’s a lot in the political climate affecting 16 and 17-year-olds right now more than when I was a kid, it is definitely time that we should be letting them have their voices speaking up, as they are definitely mature enough.”

City officials mailed the ballots to registered voters earlier this month. Voters can return their postage-paid ballot to the city, or drop off the completed ballot at any time at an Election Dropbox by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7.��

For the first time since 2019, voters can also cast their votes at two Election Day Vote Centers on the election day.����

The post ‘It’s critical that they get a voice’: Rockville to vote on lowering voting age in upcoming city election first appeared on 91����.

The intersection that has been informally long referred to as “Dave Thomas Circle” by the locals will now be known as Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Plaza, following a community-driven initiative in naming the public space.

“I love the new name,” expressed Natalie Meyer, a Black NoMa resident, with enthusiasm. “It’s a homage to my culture, and (Mamie Johnson) has been an inspiring female figure for Black women in sports.”

Mamie “Peanut” Johnson was the first woman to pitch in the Negro League. A longtime resident of Northeast D.C., she graduated from Long Branch High School and was a dedicated advocate for youth sports.��

The renaming of this iconic intersection was not a swift decision. The NoMa Business Improvement District (NoMa BID) received a staggering 1,200 name suggestions from the community throughout the summer following the reconstruction project announcement in April.

“We’re excited about the name,” said NoMa BID President Maura Brophy. “We’re also really excited about the overwhelming response that we got from the community when we invited them to submit names and then to cast the final vote.”

With no official name before this initiative, the intersection had long carried the theme of confusion, mirroring the complexities of the space. Brophy said it was also consistent with the lack of clarity around the space’s identity.��

The renaming process aimed to eliminate this ambiguity and formally identify the space. In collaboration with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the NoMa BID of the NoMa community in April, to propose a name for the evolving intersection, set to include protected bicycle lanes and create three new public park spaces.

These public spaces will be situated at the circle where a famous Wendy’s restaurant was before it shut down in 2021, often having residents refer to the intersection as “Wendy’s Circle” as well.

Following the suggestions from the community, a diverse panel of community stakeholders, encompassing residents and local business owners from NoMa, carefully reviewed all submissions and narrowed the selection down to five choices.��

After DDOT’s approval, these name options were put up for voting in , allowing the public to vote on their favorite name until late August.

Out of more than 4,300 votes cast, 40% of respondents chose to honor Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, making it the winning name.

The other names up for voting included “Douglass Crossing,” referring to social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass; “Three Stars Plaza,” denoting the three stars in the DC flag and reflecting the three green public spaces in the project; “Tiber Gateway” representing Tiber Creek that ran near First Street NE and was important to the early development of D.C.; and “People’s Plaza.”

“We’ve undergone several community gaming processes in the past,” Brophy said, referring to Alethia Tanner Park and other parks in NoMa. “And one thing that we’ve learned from them is that people really do see these as an opportunity to tell stories to reflect history.”

With the community vote determined, the next step is to introduce formal legislation before the DC Council to officially recognize the name for the new trio of public spaces.

Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed her excitement and gratitude for the community’s involvement in the renaming process in a statement last week.

“Our community is ready to start a new chapter at this intersection, and we are off to a strong start by naming it after such an iconic woman,” she said. “Mamie ‘Peanut’ Johnson was a pioneer. Now, it is fitting that her name will represent these new spaces where residents and visitors can rest and play.”

The intersection, notorious for its complexity and confusion, has posed challenges for both drivers and pedestrians over the years. The new $41 million infrastructure project launched by Mayor Bowser in July aims to enhance safety for all road users. It involves realigning and adding two-way traffic to First Street NE and restoring two-way traffic on Florida Avenue NE.

“One thing about this particular intersection is it really does serve as a point of connection between neighborhoods, a point of connection to D.C., it is very heavily traversed,” Brophy said. “So a lot of people interact with it and experience it. And because of its former configuration, despite the fact that it sat at the crossroads of neighborhoods, it could and it did serve as somewhat of a barrier between them.”

Having lived in NoMa for over a year, William Baker said the intersection has always frightened local and visiting drivers alike.

“It’s exhausting when you’re in a rush,” he said. “Usually, I would drive the opposite way to avoid the intersection.”

However, the new design and the changing traffic pattern have given him “new hopes”, he said, adding that he voted for the new name of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Plaza.

Another NoMa resident, Jonathan Spiers said while he initially voted for Douglas Crossing, the winning name was his second choice and he is excited to explore the park spaces.

“We expected that we would get a lot of attention and a lot of responses from the community, given the high-profile nature of this space, and that definitely proved to be true,” Brophy said, describing the naming process. “We really had fun with this.”

The construction phase for the infrastructure project began in July. The estimated completion of the project is set to be in December 2024. According to NoMA BID, the signage indicating the new name is expected to be installed close to the delivery of the project. It will be designed by an award-winning landscape architecture firm, SWA Balsley.

The post D.C.’s Dave Thomas Circle Renamed Mamie ‘Peanut’ Johnson Plaza: A Community Tribute first appeared on 91����.

“It’s awesome,” said NoMa resident William Foster, pointing out the Doberman. “Of all the murals here, I think one of the most beautiful ones is that dog with that chain. I see it and I feel there’s more to it than just a dog.”����

Painted by local artist Gentry Pack, the mural is one of 16 new artworks unveiled by the NoMa Business Improvement District (BID) last month as part of the “NoMa in Color” event, running from September to mid-October.��

The inspiration behind the mural, according to Pack, was to reflect on the stigma of the Doberman breed’s intimidating and aggressive appearance despite their friendly, loving and goofy nature.

“As a minority male, sometimes, depending on how I’m dressed or whatever neighborhood I’m in, people might think I’m on a certain type of time, but in reality, I’m smiling, I’m assuming, I’m laughing and I’m just trying to spread love, inspiring people,” Pack said.��

The eighth Annual Mural Festival featured both established and emerging muralists with diverse backgrounds, adding to the neighborhood’s history and spirit. These newly released murals are an addition to the colorful 900-foot-long concrete wall owned by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) serving Metro’s Red Line.��

Residents can find the mural wall behind Alethia Tanner Park. The wall hosts a range of artworks, from abstract pieces to depictions of human portraits. One such portrait by Maryland artist Yewande K. Davis titled “Joy Reverie” features a Black woman basking in a nature-inspired setting. Another vibrant mural spelling out “DC” in American Sign Language painted by artist Yiqiao Wang represents the Deaf community in NoMa.

Toward the end of this expansive mural wall, residents can discover Pack’s striking Doberman painting.

Pack, originally from Baltimore, has found his artistic home in the DMV. With an arts degree from the University of Maryland, Pack has been painting for the past 10 years, often featuring animals and humans.

“I started off with animals because I was scared to paint people,” Pack said. “Animals are a lot more forgiving. But I do think naturally, as a subject, (dogs) can carry just as much emotion as a human; they can carry just as much symbolism. And last but not least, like most people just love dogs.”

While this was his first mural— and it took him nine days to finish the piece— Pack is no stranger to incorporating dogs into his art. He previously showcased a series of canvas paintings titled “Demon Dogs” at Eckington Hall earlier this year.

Pack’s choice to paint the Doberman is also rooted in the breed’s common practice of cosmetic alterations, including ear cropping and tail docking, for both aesthetic and working purposes. As a Black artist, he draws a meaningful link to the historical mistreatment of his race, akin to the way these dogs have been altered, reflecting a shared history of cruelty and resilience.

“I always see them wearing like gold chains; I always wear gold chains,” Pack said. “And I was like, man, all these things that I think are so cool about this dog are low-key kind of cruelly done. I think just as a black man and the history of black culture in this country, for some reason or another, I just really resonated with those things, and aesthetically, I was already drawn to it.”

Many residents and pedestrians, especially from the Black community, marveled over Pack’s artwork and were able to recognize its cultural inspiration. One such resident was Neena B., who saw Pack working on the piece last month during her regular strolls.

“Looking at it, it felt very much inspired by the Black culture,” she said. “I really love it, and I feel like the additional context makes a lot of sense.”

Another resident, Colby, appreciated the muted colors and the attempt to soften Doberman’s majestic pose with the addition of flowers to the piece. Colby said that knowing the story behind the artwork made her feel more connected to the artist.

As NoMa’s mural display has become a highly anticipated cultural and community event, NoMa BID President and CEO Maura Brophy said the organization recognized the vast talent pool in the DMV and wanted to support local artists like Pack.

“We love it when people have a chance to reflect on the pieces and kind of see their own personal lived experience through them,” Brophy said. “Everyone brings something unique to a piece of art when they interact with it. … I love that G. Pack was able to bring us a piece that is reflective of the community.”

��

The post ‘A piece reflective of the community’: Local artist’s Doberman Mural in NoMa depicts Black Culture first appeared on 91����.

Located in the Northeast quadrant of the nation’s capital, the Deanwood neighborhood is often considered one of the most unsafe neighborhoods by the locals. Living in shared housing as a tenant, Alderman said her housemates don’t feel safe either.��

“When I first moved here almost two years ago, I was constantly told by my landlord and roommates to avoid roaming around by yourself here, that it’s not a very good area,” Alderman said.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department’s latest statistics, Police Sector 6D1, encompassing the Deanwood neighborhood, has experienced a notable uptick in violent incidents this year, including homicide, robbery, sexual assault, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

There have been 21 more crimes within the jurisdiction this year, dated from January 1, 2023, to September 12, 2023, compared to the same time frame in the preceding year.

This accounts for about 6.1% of the city’s violent crime incidents this year.��The Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7C region, which represents the Deanwood neighborhood within Police Sector 6D1, alone accounts for nearly of the city’s overall violent crime incidents during the specified time period.

“I think it’s a mix of gentrification happening rapidly while at the same time having a large poverty population all within the same area that comes into play,” said Dr. Carlos Richardon, one of the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners in ANC 7C. “Racially, ethnically and even economically, I see my neighborhood rapidly changing before my eyes.”��

While not surprised about the statistics, Richardson said that during their regular ANC meetings, MPD has reported a decline in crime incidents over the last few months.

“So, I’ve been encouraged by the fact that crime is going down, but I think in relation to the statistics — and I don’t want to necessarily say that is definitely just as one area, but there are some large public housing complexes within 7C,” Richardson said.”I feel like a great concentration of that crime is due to this location having public housing.”

Living in Deanwood since 2009, Richardson believes there has been a significant reduction in neighborhood crime compared to the early 2010s. Despite statistical upturns in recent crime reports, he maintains a sense of security within the community. However, MPD data reveals that violent crime trends in subsequent years of , , and mirror today’s trends.

In an attempt to address the violent crime, property crime and quality of life issues, MPD Inspector Matthew Fitzgerald from the Sixth District substation stated in an email to 91���� that the department is working closely with community partners and non-law enforcement government agencies.

“The Deanwood neighborhood is unique in that the community has a major metro station as well as closely bordering Maryland,” Fitzgerald wrote in the email. “Considering these factors, the Sixth District partners closely with the Metro-Transit Police Department as well as our jurisdictional neighbors along the Eastern Avenue Corridor.”

Not all residents feel like they can rely on law enforcement, though. According to from , a ranking and review site for U.S. cities and neighborhoods, five out of nine Deanwood residents feel that while the police are visible, they respond slowly when needed.

In response to the poll, Fitzgerald wrote that the Office of Unified Communication (OUC) is an external government agency separate from the MPD that intakes 911 calls for service, ranks the calls for service in order of priority, and then relays them to a dispatcher for police assignment.

“Calls are ranked in order of priority,” Fitzgerald wrote. “For example, a threat to life would be given higher priority than a call for service involving lost property. The MPD ensures appropriate response times to calls for service across the District of Columbia.”

A Deanwood resident, who declined to be identified said that while they see the MPD cars patrolling in the neighborhood all the time, an incident of wallet-snatching reported by their friend last year went unheard.��

“I’m just gonna play devil’s advocate,” Richardson said. “A lot of people already have a bias against the police because they’ve had a negative experience with them. I don’t want to discredit what they had to say, but I don’t find that to be the case for me.”

As an ANC Commissioner, Richardson said that all the issues he has dealt with in the past have been mostly about traffic or carjacking incidents. Not one of them has been about violent crimes in the neighborhood, he said.

“The safety of this neighborhood is very important to me,” Richardson said. “I have my family living here, my home here. And it’s very important to me that the community feels safe. So, as an elected community leader, it is my goal to do what all I can.”

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