Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites residents to join his next Monthly Public Safety Call on Wednesday, November 29 at 3:00 p.m.
Guests will be Matthew Graves, United States Attorney for DC; Dr. Barbara J. Bazron, Director of the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health; and MPD Fifth District Commander Sylvan Altieri. Please join to share your observations, concerns, and questions.
Register to receive the meeting link at ward5.us/monthlycall. The meeting will be livestreamed on CM Parker’s YouTube channel. It will be recorded, and slides will be shared afterwards.
Reach out to CM Parker’s office to share questions or specific concerns you would like to be addressed at the public safety meetings by emailing ward5contact@dccouncil.gov or calling 202-724-8028.
I have not been attending the meetings that North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) has held regarding the planned temporary hypothermia shelter site at Faith United Church of Christ. But I figured I would make a post with the information I do know. If you want to get on NMPCA’s distribution list, email Carmen Williams at carm8954@aol.com.
ANC 5A plans to hold a special meeting on November 6, 2023. The hypothermia shelter is one agenda item.
Faith United Church is located at 4900 10th Street NE. Its property sits along South Dakota Avenue across from the Sunoco station.
From the FAQs, the church plans to house up to 35 adult women at the church for the 2023-2024 hypothermia season. The shelter will be open from 7:00 pm-7:00 am when hypothermia alerts are in effect.
A resident at the ANC meeting on October 25 asked whether women with children would be turned away if they show up at the church. The church officials said that the shelter is for single women who would be transported to the site by DHS.
My understanding is that while cots, equipment, and security cameras/lights have been set up at the church already, the shelter will not begin operation until November 7 or November 15. There were a couple of hypothermia alerts earlier this week, but church officials said that the shelter is on the DHS list for use starting next week.
Church representatives want to form an advisory committee. If interested, email faithuccdc@gmail.com or call (202) 635-7777.
Update October 24, 2023: According to news reports, the dog has been found.
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Original post
On Saturday, a neighbor’s dog named Max was stolen in the 300 block of Galloway Street NE near Fort Totten Metro station. The dog is a 14-year-old west highland white terrier in need of special care. Call (917) 399-8276 if seen.
In his weekly newsletter, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker announced that his office is launching a Ward 5 Monthly Public Safety Call.
Join Councilmember Parker, Council staff, all three MPD Commanders from the Police Districts in Ward 5, and violence interruption groups from the Office of the Attorney General and Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement for a monthly public safety call.
[Ed. Note: At the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting held on October 4, Faith United Church shared that DC’s Department of Human Services (DHS) approached the church about serving as a hypothermia shelter site for single women when hypothermia alerts are in effect. A church representative said that the church wants to help and that there is space for up to approximately 30 women. He said the individuals would remain on the grounds of the church during their stay. DHS wants to have everything in place by November in time for the cold weather months. The church representative stated the church will have a community meeting about the proposal. ANC 5A sent the information below to the ANC’s distribution list.]
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From ANC 5A
Faith United Church of Christ at Decatur Street NE and South Dakota Ave NE has been asked to become a shelter for women over the winter. At this point, what we know is that if this goes forward, the women will be bussed there in the evening and will be bussed from there in the morning. It is out understanding that there will be security and that they will not be allowed to leave the shelter after they arrive. We have also been told that there will be security. That is all we know as of now.
There is a community meeting scheduled. Please attend to learn more.
Single agenda: Faith UCC becoming a temporary hypothermia site for DHS.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 7pm Faith United Church of Christ 4900 10th St NE, Washington DC 20017
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites North Michigan Park residents to a public safety walk with new MPD 4th District Commander Nikki Lavenhouse.
October 12, 2023 5:30 pm
Meet at corner of South Dakota Avenue & Delafield Street NE (McDonald’s side).
For questions, contact Carlos McKnight at cmcknight@dccouncil.gov or at (771) 333-9914.
MPD’s Fourth District (4D) has a new leader, Commander Nikki Lavenhouse. All of Riggs Park sits in MPD’s 4D.
Commander Lavenhouse’s message on 4D’s homepage states:
I am excited about building new partnerships and I am honored to have been selected to serve the residents and stakeholders of Wards 1, 4, and 5. I am committed to further strengthening our community partnerships as we work to reduce crime and ensure that everyone feels safe.
In the coming days I will be out in the community meeting with residents and stakeholders. I look forward to engaging with you all to assess and meet the needs of our community.
The commander can be reached at nikki.lavenhouse@dc.gov.
Ward 4 Summer Safety Strategic Planning Meeting June 29, 2023 6:30 pm-8:30 pm Barnard Elementary School (enter on 4th & Crittenden Street NW).
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George encourages Ward 4 residents to attend a strategic planning meeting to discuss specific actions to address crime and gun violence during the summer.
You have one more week to visit a ward-based COVID center to pick up free masks and COVID tests. These helpful, well-used centers are scheduled to close for good on March 31, 2023.
Riggs Park Follow Up Public Safety Meeting Hosted by DC’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety & Justice January 10, 2023 6:30 pm Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE)
Government agencies in attendance:
Metropolitan Police Department DC Department of General Services DC Department of Parks & Recreation DC Department of Behavioral Health
For questions or concerns, please contact Jasmin Benab at jasmin.benab@dc.gov.
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This meeting is a follow-up to a less than useful meeting that was held on January 3, 2023, in response to the shooting that happend at the Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center on December 23, 2022. MPD 4th District Commander Carlos Heraud attended the meeting but a minute before having to leave because of a shooting at Georgia Avenue & Rittenhouse Street NW. Officials from other agencies present were not prepared to address questions raised by residents.
For the meeting on January 10, residents are encouraged to submit questions, concerns, and ideas in advance to jasmin.benab@dc.gov.
My understanding is that representatives will be prepared with responses to questions raised at the meeting on January 3. It sounds like this will be a real opportunity for residents to say what they would like to see from District government officials and what kind of resources residents believe are necessary to make sure something like this does not happen again.
The frontline staff at the rec deserve all the thanks and support for keeping the children who were in the gym at the time safe. They also deserve a workplace free from violence, a building with working security cameras, and an executive branch that timely responds to issues raised by the staff.
Also, nothing can be that deep to make someone decide to shoot up a rec center. So often people say that there are not enough programs or things for young people to do in this city and then people decide to shoot up a place that actually offers programs and things for young people to do. This is ridiculous.
Riggs Park Public Safety Meeting Hosted by DC’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety & Justice January 3, 2023 6:00 pm Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE)
Government agencies in attendance:
MPD 4th District Commander Carlos Heraud DC Department of Parks & Recreation DC Department of Behavioral Health
For questions or concerns, please contact Jasmin Benab at jasmin.benab@dc.gov.
Faith United Church of Christ (4900 10th Street NE) is hosting its mobile market with free produce and groceries on November 17, 2022, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Coat Drives
The Modern at Art Place (400 Galloway Street NE) is accepting winter coats from November 7 to December 1, 2022. Drop off in lobby.
Faith United Church of Christ (4900 10th Street NE) is accepting coats and other winter clothing (socks, blankets, thermal underwear, gloves, scarves) 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on November 17, December 15, & December 17, 2022. For information contact (202) 635-7777 or email faithuccdc@gmail.com.
According to MPD, on November 11, 2022, twenty-year-old Rashawn Phiffer passsed away after being stabbed near the 500 block of Riggs Road NE. Information about this homicide is scant. If anyone has information about this situation, please contact MPD at 202-727-9099. Anonymous tips can be sent to MPD by texting 50411.
Rest in peace and condolences to this young man’s family.
Last week, MPD announced the arrest of two individuals in relation to a string of robberies of several establishments around the city. A few nearby establishments were targets of this robbery spree earlier this year, including the minimart on South Dakota Avenue NE, Five Guys on Riggs Road NE, and Takoma Liquors on Eastern Avenue NE.
To listen to the meeting by phone Dial-in Phone Number: 301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 982 6429 4844 Passcode: 731215
View the LRCA February 2022 newsletter here. To view a map of LRCA’s boundaries click here.
February 8, 2022
Ward 5 ANC Redistricting Task Force Public Meeting 6:00 pm
Residents are invited to provide comments to the Ward 5 ANC Redistricting Task Force. Comments may be provided live in an online public meeting on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 6:00 pm. Written comments will also be accepted until Tuesday, February 22, 2022.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Sector 2 Meeting with MPD Fourth District (4D) Captain John Terry 6:00 pm
*Sector 2 Monthly Crime Stats *Community Questions and answers *Community Outreach events and planning *Closing Comments
Occurs the second Tuesday of every month. This month’s meeting is on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 6:00 pm. When it’s time, join the Webex meeting here:
Join by meeting number: Meeting number (access code): 2318 987 9879 Meeting password: 4dsector2
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only) +1-202-860-2110,,23189879879## United States Toll (Washington D.C.) +1-650-479-3208,,23189879879## Call-in toll number (US/Canada)
Join by phone +1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.) 1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada) Global call-in numbers
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number
February 10, 2022
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George Listening Session for Lamond-Riggs 6:30 pm
Please join Councilmember Lewis George and your neighbors on Thursday, February 10 at 6:30 pm for your neighborhood’s community listening session over Zoom. Every neighbor will get the chance to discuss the change you want to see in our community and hear from other neighbors too. These events are shaping the work Councilmember Lewis George does when it comes to legislation, the DC budget, constituent services, and efforts in the community.
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George Budget Forum 3:30 pm
Join Councilmember Lewis George on Saturday, February 12 at 3:30 pm to discuss the upcoming budget process and share your priorities for funding that puts people first. Each Ward 4 resident will have the chance to share their budget priorities as we head into budget season. All RSVP’d attendees will be provided an opportunity to make brief remarks or provide 2 minutes of testimony.
Last week, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced that Carlos Heraud will take the reins as commander overseeing MPD’s Fourth District (4D) from Randy Griffin, who assumed a command position in MPD’s recently created Technical and Analytical Services Bureau. Riggs Park sits within the boundaries of the Fourth District. Below is the message Commander Heraud shared with residents on MPD 4D’s google group:
Good Afternoon 4th District Residents,
I’m very excited about my new assignment as Commander of the Fourth District. My time as a sector captain in the Seventh District and as Summer Crime Initiative (SCI) Captain in 2018 and 2019 gave me great insight into crime trends in different parts of the city. That experience, coupled with my earlier patrol assignments, gives me the tools I need to work with our community partners as we identify ways to use traditional and non-traditional methods to address and prevent crime in the Fourth District. I welcome community input and encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns that may arise.
The Fourth District leadership team looks forward to working with the community during this transition.
Residents can always contact Commander Heraud about issues in the neighborhood. His email address is carlos.heraud@dc.gov. Riggs Park sits in Sector 2 of the Fourth District. The MPD captain for Sector 2 is John Terry. He can be reached at john.terry@dc.gov. Officer Robert Hamrick is the community engagement coordinator for the Fourth District. His email address is robert.hamrick@dc.gov. The full roster of Fourth District key personnel is available at https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/fourth-district-roster.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 