“Safety Alert: Drug Free Zone Announced in DowntownDC”

From the DowntownDC BID:

“On March 14, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) began enforcing three Drug Free Zones in the District, one of which impacts downtown D.C.

These zones will remain in place until 7:59 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19. This initiative comes days after Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto’s Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024 was signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. Secure DC includes provisions from the Mayor’s Safer Stronger Amendment Act of 2023 as the Addressing Crime Trends Now Act (ACT Now) of 2023.

The new legislation allows MPD to declare an area up to 1,000 square feet in a size a “drug-free zone” for 120 hours (five days). During that time, police can intervene and break up any groups of two or more people believed to be in that area for reasons related to illegal drugs. MPD will mark each block with barriers, tape, or police officers. Signs will be posted clarifying the rules and how long the zone is in effect for.

MPD Boundaries of Interest

First District (This zone impacts DowntownDC’s Penn Quarter – Chinatown corridor):

The 600-700 block of I Street, NW

The 700-800 block of 8th Street, NW

The 700 block of G Street, NW

The 700 block of 7th Street, NW

Gallery Way Place, NW

The 700-800 block of 6th Street, NW

Sixth District:

The 3800-3900 block of Minnesota Avenue NE

The 3900-4000 block of Benning Road NE

The 3900-4000 block of Clay Place NE

The 300 block of 40th Street NE

Seventh District:

The 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE

The 2700 block of Langston Place, SE

The 2300 block of Raynolds Place, SE

The 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE”