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Dear Neighbors:? It is very disturbing to hear about the October 14^th armed robbery, the second one on 10^th street within a week. My heart goes out to the victims of last night’s crime as well as the victims of last week’s crime.? It is such a personal violation.? The only good news here is that apparently no one was physically injured.

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These two crimes follow some other reported incidents on nearby streets, which include armed carjackings in June and July.? In addition to some neighbors’ suggestions about requesting enhanced police presence on our street and installing more door cameras, here are few more thoughts about enhancing safety in our neighborhood:

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1.???? Alley issues (C Street SE between 9^th and 10^th).? A long-time resident of the neighborhood mentioned a conversation from several years back with a victim of armed robbery.? The victim said that the robbers came from the alley between 9^th Street SE and 10^th Street SE (north side of C Street SE).? Based on that conversation and the incidents from October 7 and October 14, the neighbor believes that the alley may offer hiding places and/or insufficient lighting that allows criminals to lie in wait for potential victims.? The neighbor added that she avoids walking on C Street SE between 9^th and 10^th Streets, for this very reason.

Walking by the alley this morning on my way to church I noticed bushes close to the sidewalk that are very tall and that come right up to the alley. These bushes, which I believe are part of the yard for the building at 900 C Street SE, seem like a hiding place for someone to observe passersby. One thought is to contact the owner of that building to discuss trimming drastically or removing those bushes entirely.? Another thought is to contact the neighbors on 9^th Street and 10^th Street SE whose properties have garages in the alley and ask them (i) to inspect for potential hiding places around their garages and make reasonable alterations to reduce the attractiveness of such spaces, (ii) to consider installing motion sensor and/or dusk-to-dawn lighting on the garage walls, and (iii) to contact the DC government about potentially adding or enhancing public street lamps in the alley.

2.???? DC Council and Secure DC Plan.? Councilmember Brooke Pinto, Ward 2, Chairwoman, Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, announced the Secure DC Plan in September 2023.? According to Councilmember Pinto: “Secure DC Plan addresses every aspect of our legal justice system by increasing accountability for violent crime and gun offenses, giving our public safety agencies the tools needed to address hiring and retention challenges, and enhancing infrastructure to make our schools, recreational spaces, and commercial and transit corridors safer. The Secure DC Plan will drive the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety’s agenda this fall.” ?I’ve attached a copy of her email describing the plan, for those of you who did not receive this message.? Councilmember Pinto and the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety would be another point of contact in the DC Government where our neighborhood safety concerns could be shared.

3.???? Gun violence.? People may disagree about the meaning of the Second Amendment and individual gun ownership. Still, it is reasonable to conclude that no person wants to be assaulted with a gun or see a family member or neighbor be a victim of an armed criminal.? According to the DC Attorney General, many firearms connected with crime come from outside of DC, including from Virginia. Therefore, not only DC laws, but also laws in neighboring states, have a role in the rising incidence of violence in our neighborhoods. To that end, I am inviting my neighbors to join me in efforts to promote safety in our community and across our country. I volunteer with Moms Demand Action,???The group supports public safety measures to protect people from gun violence and works to enact stronger gun laws and close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. Our group also works with leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership.??The group is open to all, mothers, fathers, and those without children, and there is a student chapter as well.? Moms Demand Action is affiliated with Everytown for Gun Safety,?, and also partners with March for Our Lives.??? Anyone interested in learning more about Moms Demand Action and how to get involved may contact me directly.

4.???? Timing of crimes.? The two armed robberies were reported as occurring between 9:00PM-9:30PM, both on a Saturday night. The two armed carjackings were reported as occurring around 10:00PM and 11:00PM, one on a Saturday night and the other on a Sunday night. While the weekend/nighttime timing of these incidents could be coincidental, it does seem reasonable to be extra cautious when traveling to and from one’s home on a weekend night between 9:00PM-11:00PM.?

I’d be interested in hearing from others about ways to enhance the safety of our neighborhood. Feel free to email, call or text me, or come by the house, as indicated below. Also, many of us on the 200 block of 10^th Street will see each other next Saturday at the block party.? This could be a time to chat a bit about what has been happening and ways we can work together to help keep our neighbors safe.

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Linda

200 10^th Street SE

linda.kotis@...

(202) 441-6531