SHOOTING AT 1330 7TH ST NW

This actually was NOT at 1330 but on N Street across the street where the basketball "court" is. Tragic that the young man died but that seems to be par for the course these days in our 'hood

Posted By MC / At 7/28/08 6:05 AM

so he was killed on DC gov property? was the gate locked and secured? were all the lights operational? how many more have to be killed at this location before the lights fully work, properly locked gates installed and the laws of the district of columbia enforced? we pour millions into Stead Park, why cant we find $50,000. to FIX THIS PARK?

Posted By richard r / At 7/28/08 6:42 AM

I am unsure if it was IN the court of not - either way I have never seen that thing locked and I ALWAYS see grown men having BBQs or just loitering in general around that area. This is the same parcel UHOP wants to purchase. Somehow I don;t think more affordable housing will solve the crime/debauchery that takes place on that parcel. I have not heard any detailed reports but does anyone know if ShotSpotter was effective and if there was actually a car at 1330? For the longest time in addition to a car on the O St market side of 1330 there was a car on the NE corner of 6th and N next to Gibson Plaza. Maybe that needs to come back

Posted By MC / At 7/28/08 7:26 AM

There is no gate. After Chris Crowder got killed there a couple years ago, neighbors started lobbying for basic fixes to this park. You know stuff like landscaping, a nice fence, lights...but were met with hostility. long story short, UHOP wants DC to give them the park. Jack Evans wanted to make this happen and even intended to introduce legislation. ANC 2C under the control of Doris Brooks & Leroy Thorpe voted to give UHOP the park (after reducing one activist to tears) despite the community opposition. Every time we have a meeting to try to talk about fixing up this park, UHOP packs the room with parishioners and the elders say give the park to the Church. Actually, they dont admit its a park. At the last meeting Jack Evans basicly gave up: "We are going to move forward without moving forward"
So nothing happened. The park was left to the guys who hang out there at all hours. They couldnt even do BASIC fixes, it was always massive renovation or nothing! This situation with UHOP should not have prevented this park from getting ANY attention. and now another person has been killed.

Posted By Si Kailian / At 7/28/08 7:35 AM

I have posted on this here: http://caryforcouncil.org/campaign/index.php?blog=9&p=356

Posted By Cary Silverman / At 7/28/08 7:42 AM

Actually, it was behind the 1200 block, across the street to the south of those projects behind 1211 7th. There is a basketball court there that is frequently used by teenagers after dark. There is a high fence that separates the basketball court from the Washington Apts. property, but it is ripped open at multiple points. I'm not sure what access looks like on the N St side as I live at 1201 7th and don't venture up that way.

I have no news on the ShotSpotter, but Lieutenant Smith who lives in 1203, responded instantly and cops were on the scene in seconds. This isn't the first shooting outside my building and I really wish they would do something about all this violence. Since I moved in 3 years ago, this neighborhood has only deteriorated.

Posted By Howard Marshall / At 7/28/08 8:52 AM

thanks howard. good to have contacts in 2C03 ANC. Lt smith is the best.

Posted By richard / At 7/28/08 1:39 PM