Representatives of the three most active tenant associations in northwest Washington met with MPD District Commander Christopher Dorsey, Captain Charles Barnes-Tutt, and Lieutenant Bobbette Williams, to discuss public-safety concerns affecting residents along the Connecticut Avenue corridor. Participants included members of the Van Ness South Tenants Association, the Brandywine Tenant Association, and the Sedgwick Gardens Tenants.
In recent years, all three buildings have experienced a very high volume of 911 calls for help from MPD, including for serious incidents.
The tenant representatives thanked MPD for its work addressing crime in the Van Ness neighborhood, specifically citing the recent drug arrest at 3003 Van Ness and multiple arrests in the three buildings. In the past, MPD has at times taken forceful action to combat crime at 3003 Van Ness, including in 2021 asking the DC Attorney General to consider prosecuting the building owner under the Drug-, Firearm-, or Prostitution-Related Nuisance Abatement Act.
The discussion covered several issues of particular concern to residents, including building security, drug dealing and other illegal activity, and the placement of additional MPD security cameras in the Van Ness area, including near 3003 Van Ness.
Some tenant representatives expressed frustration that management in their buildings has not taken security problems seriously. At 3003 Van Ness, for example, some security doors have been broken repeatedly for years, allowing unauthorized individuals easier access to the building.
Tenant representatives also discussed ways to improve communication and cooperation among MPD, residents, and tenant associations. We asked MPD to maintain a more visible presence at our properties, including periodically meeting with residents and walking through the buildings and grounds with tenant representatives.
Representatives also requested faster access to information about serious crimes when they occur. MPD expressed its commitment to share information, and it also pointed to its Crime Cards website as a useful resource for information and statistics about crime and arrests in the area.
The three tenant associations plan to continue working together and maintaining direct contact with MPD on issues affecting the safety of residents and the surrounding neighborhood.