photo by Jess Mugler
“Dear PoPville,
I’m reaching out to see if you would consider covering the ongoing gun violence in LeDroit Park and the frustration residents have faced trying to get our elected officials and MPD to take meaningful action.
WUSA9 recently reported on neighbors demanding accountability over recurring shootings. This is an issue residents have been documenting and raising for years, with little meaningful response.
We have compiled a running list of these shootings, which include two from October alone. The list goes back several years and includes juveniles being shot, residents’ homes and vehicles struck by gunfire, and shootings occurring near the LeDroit Park park and areas where children play. Of particular concern is the proximity of this violence to the elementary school in our community, as the housing development that attracts these incidents is directly between the park and elementary school.
Ledroit Park Gun Violence – 2nd and V-W Streets NW
Despite repeated outreach to our Council representatives, residents have struggled to get meaningful engagement or a commitment to address the problem. We are tired of having to normalize this level of violence in our neighborhood. We would appreciate PoPville helping bring continued attention to this issue and amplifying the voices of residents who are asking for action.
Thank you for considering sharing our story.
A LeDroit Park Resident”