Mount Pleasant residents enjoy local “Streatery” following ANC 1D September monthly meeting, where commissioners discussed neighborhood crime and voted on other proposals.
By Jacqueline Smith
WASHINGTON – The Mount Pleasant Advisory Neighborhood Commission for Ward 1 discussed neighborhood crime and other policing matters with Lieutenant Chambers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) 3rd District, at a September monthly meeting. Policing matters discussed included a citizen’s arrest by MPD and deportation by ICE at Mount Pleasant Library in January 2020, a hit and run at 18th and Newton, and a recent surge in residential auto theft.
Lieutenant Chambers announced that MPD is regularly patrolling again with an increased shifting of resources to maintain a positive trajectory of low community and violent crime after the community’s Summer Crime Initiative (SCI) concluded in August. Chambers reminded residents to call 911 for immediate assistance, but suggested anonymous witnesses of nuance activities text 50411 to receive an automated, non-monitored response from MPD.
Commissioner Jon Stewart inquired about a local citizen’s arrest and deportation in January 2020, referencing an affidavit that states that MPD directly notified an ICE officer of the undocumented citizen’s arrest for possessing an open container of alcohol at Mount Pleasant Library. Stewart expressed concern, explaining that either MPD and the 3rd District violated the city’s sanctuary policies or this officer committed perjury on an affidavit. He described ICE’s ability to get insight into arrests via federal authorities as “sort of a data leak we need to solve at a policy level with the council” but argued that to have MPD directly notify ICE about Mendez’s arrest is a direct violation of the city’s policies. Lieutenant Chambers did not have knowledge to speak on this case but referenced MPD’s policies that prevent officers’ entanglement with lawful individuals’ immigration status and urged residents to trust police departments.
A hit-and-run accident on 18th and Newton Street Northwest that injured 4 pedestrians is still being actively investigated and the suspect is still being sought. Commissioner Jon Stewart shared that eyewitnesses claimed to have seen another suspect acting as an accomplice, but residents’ accounts and some video footage are the only pieces of evidence so far. In the meantime, Lieutenant Chambers encouraged residents to call or text MPD with any additional updates on the “horrific accident”.
The 3rd District is leading the city with a recent surge in auto theft, which Chambers shares “is unfortunately not something we’re very proud of.” She encourages residents to not leave vehicles running and to remove items of value from public view because criminals see this as a crime of opportunity. Drivers of food delivery services, like UberEats and DoorDash, especially are targeted, as they usually leave their cars running unattended while picking up orders and these services have increased in demand due to people’s preference to still dine at home during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Mount Pleasant restaurants will be able to apply for a grant to “winterize” their businesses so that they can continue profiting during the colder season. Purple Patch’s “Streatery” application for extended outdoor seating was a pressing issue on the meeting’s agenda, and the resolution was passed with a 4 to 0 vote by commissioners McKay, Romero-Latin, Stewart, and Allinger. Council member Jack McKay clarified that the Streatery extension would take up 2 or 3 residential parking spaces but explained in the meeting that “under the circumstances of this state of emergency and the consequences of the coronavirus, I think we have to surrender a few parking spaces in order to try to keep our restaurants solvent through this crisis” In the meantime, Purple Patch continues to adhere to Mayor Bowser’s guidelines to ensure that safety is prioritized and COVID-19 updates can be found on the restaurant’s website.
In other business, the Commission reviewed their reports and voted on other proposals, including a Board of Zoning Adjustment special exception relief application for case number 20298 at 3215 Mount Pleasant Street NW, approval of liquor license renewal for Each Peach Market, and a requested traffic safety assessment at the intersection of Klingle Road NW and Adams Mill Road NW. All of these resolutions were passed by commissioners with 4 to 0 votes. Meeting minutes and a recording of the Zoom webinar are on the ANC 1D website.