Jack Evans Meeting on Crime, 2/21

Tonight's meeting on crime attracted a large number (I'd guess at least 150-200) community residents to the United House of Prayer--not surprising given the alarming increase in shootings in the community. Acting Police Chief Lanier spoke at some length, making what seem to be good points:

• We cant just rely on statistics, but have to look at non-numeric indicators, like graffiti and general conditions in the area;
• Police visibility has been increased and will remain so, but visibility isn't the answer for everything--some shootings have taken place within sight of fixed police posts;
• There has been a shift of resources into Shaw and this will continue--it's not just a temporary fix;
  
• The age of kids doing this stuff is very disturbing; there's a great need to engage them in positive activities;
• People are not reporting what they see, and without that help there is much less that the police can do.

Mayor Fenty arrived late (about 6:40) and left early. I didn't think he had anything very interesting to say, but at least he was there to listen to some of the community comments and questions. Most of the latter were familiar to anyone who attended the last two meetings in June and September which were covered in previous posts here and elsewhere. One resident of 1330 7th made an impassioned plea for help from the city and MPD to get rid of residents at that and other properties who are engaged in crime, saying it simply takes too long. Some other issues mentioned included a growing rat problem in the neighborhood, and the need for programs for seniors. A representative of UHOP made another pitch for the city to sell the bleak little "park" at 7th and N to the church. Someone else said--to some applause--that people need to be placed ahead of dogs--presumably a reference to requests by some residents for a dog park.

I guess the meeting was useful as a indicator of neighborhood residents' increased concerns, and top level agency heads were all there to listen. Unfortunately, a lot of the time was consumed in introducing city and neighborhood notables and (thankfully fairly brief) speechifying. These meetings are looking more and more like political events for the folks on the dais.

Which is an interesting point, and seems to call for a sort of local version of old-school Kremlinology. Though supposedly organized by Jack Evans, the meeting was co-hosted by Leroy Thorpe (there as "President East Central Civic Association") and ANC Commissioner Doris Brooks, who as usual played second fiddle. As for the other ANC commissioners, Alex Padro managed a seat at the table (at the end) but neither Barbara Curtis nor Kevin Chapple were included. Chapple was not invited, as it turns out, nor was he recognized as being present in the audience (he was there), though at least a dozen other people were. Don't know about Curtis. The Mt. Vernon Square Neighborhood Association was not at the table either (nor has it been included at previous meetings), but the ECCA was. Go figure. Apparently, the crime problem isn't bad enough to get beyond this kind of pettiness.

Oh, yes. There probably won't be a video of the meeting. Commissioner Brooks told a resident who was setting up to record the meeting that this wasn't to be permitted, even though he had written permission from Evans' office to do so. Evans apparently caved when the moment came. What is with this videophobia?
(I did see one other resident with a videocamera, so maybe some of it will show up anyway.)