Hi Brightwood:
In March 2024, the DC Council passed the Secure DC omnibus bill. Part of the bill includes Drug-Free Zones, proposed by Mayor Bowser that allows MPD to cordon off temporary zones for five days where anyone congregating to use, buy or sell drugs could be arrested if they refuse to leave. When Secure DC was passed, I immediately contacted 4D's Commander Lavenhouse and requested that Georgia & Sheridan, a known drug-use and crime-riddled corner, be declared a Drug-Free Zone. Commander Lavenhouse and her 4D officers were very supportive of my request and assured me that they were working on getting it approved. Months went by and criminal activity continued on Georgia & Sheridan, but still, no designation was granted.
From March through August, I consistently contacted Commander Lavenhouse about the status of my request, and each time she promptly responded and explained the detailed Drug-Free Zone approval process - there's A LOT involved. Nevertheless, I pressed onward and so did she. Yesterday, August 21, 2024, Georgia & Sheridan was declared a Drug-Free Zone along with Georgia & Tuckerman & Rittenhouse! Other parts of the zone include sections of Piney Branch Road, 12th Street & 9th Street. Secure DC only allows Drug-Free Zones to be in place for 5 days, therefore, the zone will run through August 26, 2024. I am sincerely grateful to Commander Lavenhouse and MPD for their dedication to improving safety in Ward 4 and especially in Brightwood.
With that said, today I received calls from neighbors about groups of men hanging out near their homes and at Fort Stevens Civil War Fort. So, yes, now that congregating and using/selling drugs can't happen on the usual streets, this activity has now moved to nearby streets. Frustrating to say the least, so now what? This morning I spoke with the 4D Watch Commander who advised me to inform residents who witness illegal activity near their homes to call 911 and report it and MPD will respond.
Thank you, Brightwood, for working with me on crime in our neighborhood. Almost 2 years ago, on my very first day as Commissioner, I was called to Georgia & Sheridan because of a drive-by murder. Dealing with crime in Brightwood has been challenging and I appreciate all of your calls and emails expressing your concern. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of access to solutions for resolving crime - but what I do have available, I use to the best of my abilities.
My best,
Commissioner Kim Patterson
ANC 4A05, Brightwood Neighborhood
