Columbia Heights

Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi

“Dear PoPville,

I’m a resident of Adams Morgan and my fiance is a resident in Columbia Heights so were are particularly aware of the crime that takes place in Ward 1. Reading all of the recent posts on the increased criminal activity, shootings, pipe violence, etc has lead me to think of options outside of just complaining on POP and other list serves. I highly doubt the thugs that are doing these atrocities read POP to see how enraged the communities are. Police presence has done little to combat the issue.

Therefore, I think it’s come a time where there needs to be active community presence via a “Operation Take Back the Streets” or “People of Columbia Heights March for Nonviolence” rally or parade up/down 14th street across to Sherman Ave or Georgia Ave or similar layout. This would be a show of visual nonviolent force that the residents are sick and tired of crime/violence in our community.

Could we post to gauge interest or peoples thoughts?”

Today

“Dear PoP,

I live on the 3500 block of 13th Street NW, and I’ve noticed that 3504 13th St NW seems to function as a guesthouse/hotel. On the weekends, there are always families coming and going, and this past week, a number of monks who were in town for the Dalai Lama event were staying there. I’ve looked all over google trying to find out more information on the property, but to no avail. Can you or your readers help me solve this mystery?”

Hmm, looks like it sold for $1,900,000 back on Oct. 30, 2009. Anyone know if they are a hostel/hotel? Maybe some residents are doing airbnb or a similar service that we talked about yesterday?

Before reno

Photo via twitter user @ShamaiLama

Many readers write along the following lines:

“Several police cars sped by while riding my bike up past Meridian Hill park on my way home from work. A few blocks up, at the intersection of 15th & Harvard, officers had stopped traffic and were getting ready to tape off the area. As I rolled my bike by I could see, unmistakably, about 10 – 12 bullet casings in the street and heard the police officer refer to them as such.

This was all in broad daylight – maybe around 6:30 or 6:45 p.m. I am guessing a drive by of some sort – anyone have any further details? Sure seems like there has been a lot of gun violence up in this area lately, though I can’t recall it being this early on in the day anytime recently.”

DCfireems confirms:

“Update – 14th St & Columbia Rd NW correct location shooting”

More info when it becomes available.

Update from MPD Wed. 4:49pm:

Dear citizens,

On 7/19/2011 at approximately 6:50 p.m., a male complainant reported that a vehicle approached him, while at 15th & Harvard Streets, N.W., and that its occupants started shooting at him. The complainant sustained a gunshot injury and was transported for medical treatment. Currently, there is a lookout for two suspects, described as 1) a black male, dreadlocks, thin build and 2) black male, short hair, medium build. Both suspects are reportedly armed with a handgun. There is also a vehicle lookout for a silver Dodge Charger with a partial Virginia tag of XGW.

Anyone having information about this incident or encountering referenced vehicle is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 202/727-9099. Thank you.

View Larger Map

From an email:

The District Department of the Environment and Audubon MD/DC is holding a backyard wildlife habitat workshop at Columbia Heights Recreation Center on Saturday July 23 from 1-4pm.

The workshop will consist of an hour of slideshow presentations on creating wildlife habitat and gardening with native plants, after which we will plant a garden with locally native plants. Participants will receive a book (“Bringing Nature Home” by Douglas Tallamy), a birdhouse kit and live plants to bring home. The workshop is free and open to the public. Register online here (click on “Backyard Habitat Education”).