Dear PoPville – “To cut a long and convoluted story short, ‘Alternative Solutions for Youth’ is running an atrocious mess that they call rehabilitative services”

“Dear PoPville,

To cut a long and convoluted story short, “Alternative Solutions for Youth” at 5808 14th St. NW is running an atrocious mess that they call rehabilitative services, but what DC classifies as a jail. An older neighbor confirmed that they did not consult or even notify the neighborhood before creating this monstrocity. They also do not even have the proper city permit to be in operation, as confirmed by our ANC rep.

I hate to start listing the ways that this place is offensive and disgusting, because I could go on and on, but here are a few:
– Incidents of inmates escaping, including one shot and killed in Petworth after escaping
– Security guards yelling and swearing on cell phones
– Inmates yell about guns and other indecencies out the window
– Windows shoddily boarded up with plywood, cardboard, other materials
– Barbed wire running along the top of their poorly built fences
– Trash thrown by guards into our backyard

We have been working with a lawyer and the ANC rep for months on this issue, and we need support from more neighbors. I would like to ask for any 4A residents´ help at the monthly meeting, 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, at Fort Stevens Recreation Center (13th and Van Buren Streets NW).”