MVT Bike Ride pics

Hey all! I am just picture happy this month.  hope you all dont mind ;) Last night MVT Bill led us on the annual Triangle community bike ride with some very nice n very fit MPD officers...Turnout was much better this time, it was great fun.

we met up at 555 Mass...

We proceeded to mosey around the Triangle, MPD officers answering questions...It was kind of neat riding in a big group surrounded by beefy cops, all the cars had to wait on us:)

We paused at the vacant lot on the 1100 block of 4th.  A fellow bicyclist seemed to be trying to use the portopotty there,  but he then hid behind it as we approached.  A crowd was splayed out on the grassy patch along museum sq apts.  We discussed enforcement tools (and lack of Guiliani) that the police are able to use to combat loitering, prostitution & encampments.  the latter has become more of an issue for a few reasons.  One of the ladies informed the MPD officers that a Transgendered health program had lost city funding and so she was now sleeping on the street.  MPD also indicated that many people have been let out of jail recently.  we dont really have loitering laws & MPD has few means to fight prostitution, hence the longevity of the problem.

Also 4th street is about to get totally redone and they are making it 2 way.  (utility work in advance of this explaings the pile of lumber on the lot & the portopotty) after that they are redoing K Street from 7th all the way over to....oops cant remember but a ways.  This will undoubtedly have an impact on the prostituion & McKennas wagon feeding..

One tool in effect now, MPD keeps rotating them:

Stopped into Golden Rule on NJ Ave to say hello & have a cool drink of water.  These handsome gentlemen were nice enough to let me take a quick shot.

Over to triangle park ...the vivid red flowers in the planting bed looked awesome.  We made a loop thru the park, there were some guys hanging out, enjoying the heat.  the furniture is back...

Back over by the little park next to 455 Mass & House of Ruth. thats a straw hes chewing on...

Another encampment in this park complete with bedding. its NPS land which has strict no camping rules.  this park has become very congested lately with people drinking, sleeping, prostitution...