14th and L Street, NW photo by Joshua Collier “checkpoint at 14TH and L St NW this morning. Every car is getting stopped and questioned.”

Stefanie (and others) report this morning: “Downtown DC really locked up (assuming for Inauguration prep etc) – can’t go south of Gallery Place from at least 6th as far west as I can tell. I had a heck of a time getting to 395 this morning.”


8th and F Street, NW photo by Mark Lyon

From Alert DC:

“MPD reports the following road closures are in effect until further notice due to preparation for the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (more…)



Photo by C Buoscio

Late last night MPD tweeted: “Traffic Advisory: On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at approximately 6 am, morning commuters should be aware of parking restrictions & potential street closures in the downtown area. Stay tuned for additional updates.”

I got lots of concerned queries asking what this was about. The Mayor now explains:

“Allow for additional travel time in and around downtown. All are encouraged to sign up for text alerts, text INAUG2021 to 888-777.

This is the beginning of the installation of the inauguration perimeter around the White House, the Mall, the Capitol and parts of downtown.(more…)



Photo by angela n.

Mayor Bowser wrote: “On behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia, our thoughts & prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of United States Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick.

May he Rest In Peace, and we work tirelessly to honor his service to the Congress and our nation.”

From the United States Capitol Police:

“At approximately 9:30 p.m. this evening (January 7, 2021), United States Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick passed away due to injuries sustained while on-duty.

Officer Sicknick was responding to the riots on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol and was injured while physically engaging with protesters. (more…)



Photo by Joanna Hiatt Kim

Ed. Note: NPR reported: “Two pipe bombs left at the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee were discovered by police and safely detonated, police said.

In a car on Capitol grounds, law enforcement found a drink cooler full of gasoline bombs and a long gun, Contee told reporters.

The FBI confirmed to NPR that the agency is involved in ongoing investigations and said, “two suspected explosive devices were rendered safe by the FBI and our law enforcement partners.”

From Mayor Bowser:

“The FBI is seeking information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington, DC. The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021: fbi.gov/USCapitol

The FBI form says:

“The FBI is seeking information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington, DC. The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the U.S. Capitol Building and surrounding area in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. (more…)


From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7.

During the hours of the curfew, no person, other than persons designated by the Mayor, shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand, or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park, or other public place within the District.

The curfew imposed by the Mayor’s Order shall not apply to essential workers, including working media with their outlet-issued credentials, when engaged in essential functions, including travel to and from their essential work.”



Robert Contee via MPD

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that she has named 31-year Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) veteran Robert Contee as the next MPD Chief of Police. Contee joined MPD in 1989 and has served as Assistant Chief of the Investigative Services Bureau at MPD since 2018.

A native Washingtonian, Acting Chief Contee began his career at MPD as a police cadet in November 1989. He became a sworn member of the Department three years later and quickly rose through the ranks, serving in a variety of assignments. Most recently, as the Assistant Chief of the Investigative Services Bureau at MPD, he worked with the community to solve crimes, bring offenders to justice, support the recovery of victims, and protect witnesses.

Acting Chief Contee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies with a concentration in Police Science from George Washington University. He has also completed the Management College at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration and the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) of the Police Executive Research Forum in Boston, Massachusetts.”

From AG Racine’s Office: (more…)



Photo by Elvert Barnes

Ed. Note: The Washington Post reported last night: “D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham is leaving the force to take over the police department in Prince William County, Va., ending a three-decade career in law enforcement in the nation’s capital.”

From Councilmember Charles Allen’s Office:

“The following is a statement from Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety:

“I want to thank Chief Newsham for his many years of service with the Metropolitan Police Department, and I wish him well in Prince William County.

This is a critical moment for policing, public safety, and justice across the country and right here at home. The Chief of the nation’s police force is a unique position, with city, county, state, national, and even international responsibilities. But most importantly for the residents of the District of Columbia, the leadership of a Chief of Police is consequential in ways few other positions are. The nation is changing, and law enforcement in the District – and what we expect from a Chief of Police – must evolve, as well. (more…)



via google maps

From MPD:

“On November 9th, 2020, at approximately 1955 hours, there was a robbery that occurred in the 200 block of 10th Street NE. The Complainant reported that several unknown black male suspects exited a white in color SUV and approached her while she was walking in the block. At which point, the suspects demanded her property, struck her several times in the face, and ultimately took her purse and U.S. Government issued iPhone. The suspects then fled in the same white SUV suspect vehicle.

Shortly afterwards an attempted robbery occurred in the 400 block of 11th Street NE. The Complainant reported that two suspects exited a white in color Honda CRV while she was walking northbound in the 400 block of 11th Street NE. The suspects approached the Complainant and one of the suspects brandished a black in color revolver. The suspects demanded the victim’s purse and struck her with a closed fist in the face. (more…)


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