Ed. Note: Information here about “anyone experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis will be able to dial 988”. Also the DC Department of Behavioral Health’s Community Response Team can be contacted. They have a 24/7 hotline: 202-673-6495.”
“Dear PoPville,
I wanted to reach out to spread the awareness about an unwell man in Navy Yard. As quick background, our dog was born with a medical condition and walks with a bad limp. We have been treating it since he was a puppy but there is nothing we can do until he is older. He’s given pain medicine (as needed) and is well taken care of and frequently sees the vet.
Last week, a man with blue hair approached my girlfriend while she was walking our dog and continuously commented on our dog’s leg. She asked him to leave her alone and was able to walk away.
This morning around 7:20 am, the man approached her again. He was screaming at her, followed her, kept trying to get close to her, and at one point even laid in the street.
Even when my girlfriend was able to get other people to step in and help, he remained belligerent. When she called me I could hear him screaming in the background. He believes that our dog is being abused because he walks with a limp, and no amount of explanation will get him to calm down. He also kept trying to take pictures and videos of her. I’m not sure what he’s planning on doing with videos of a crying and terrified woman who is asking to be left alone and covering her face.
I am going to be on the look out for him, but I was hoping to spread the word that there’s an unstable man in the Navy Yard area. My girlfriend was, and remains, terrified, and we think he would have taken the dog from her had she not been able to walk away (while he followed her) and find people.
D.C. police were unable to help but his neighbors should be aware. Additionally, everyone, especially women, should be aware that he is out there.”