It’s another gorgeous, luminous Tuesday in October, and the temperatures are finally getting down to mosquito-killing range. What’s going on?
First up, if you want to listen to a special ANC 6B meeting TONIGHT at 7 p.m. due to the recent spate of crime in the neighborhood, you can click here to sign up for the meeting. Once you sign up, you will receive the Zoom link in your inbox. Tonight’s panelists will be Charles Allen, a representative from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, a representative from the First District Commander, Metropolitan Police Department, a representative from Karl Racine’s Office and a representative from the Office Youth Rehabilitation Services.
There was a bit of controversy about one of the guest panelists who was to speak at tonight’s meeting, Gregg Pemberton. Mr. Pemberton is the DC Police Union Chairman and many, like ANC commissioner Denise Krepp, felt that his voice would add on-the-ground knowledge about how to, in her words, “stop the murders.” Pemberton penned an opinion for the Washington Post back in August on the damage done by second-guessing police action, which you can read here. Others, including ANC commissioners Corey Holman, Alison Horn and Edward Ryder, objected to his presence on the panel. Perhaps this objection came because of Pemberton’s past tweets disparaging Black Lives Matter and issuing other incendiary remarks (HuffPost, The Intercept)
And now, a tale of two approaches at reporting our second homicide in the 400 block of 12th Street SE in less than a month. On the one hand, WTOP focused on reporting about the incidents and the frustration voiced by different residents.
On the other hand, WJLA focused on the “million dollar homes” aspect of the neighborhood, and had a particularly tone-deaf quote from DC Council Chairman and neighbor Phil Mendelson,
“I’ve lived in the Capitol Hill neighborhood for 5 years. This is the first time there have been homicides in the immediate neighborhood,” said Chairman Mendelson in an interview today, “I don’t want to be alarmist, I don’t think the city is more dangerous, but it shows that violent crime can occur anywhere.”
Yes, it’s shocking to have a really violent act happen close to your home. However, this violence, while on the rise, is not new. Most importantly, it is more relentless in many parts of our own neighborhood, despite not getting nearly as much coverage, much like how there is violence on 14th Street NW, but it only gets media attention when it happens at Le Diplomate. Several readers were quick to point out this fact:
The Spooky Hill map is still collecting your submissions for both fun decor and special treats on Halloween night! Send your approximate address to info@thehillishome.com