Columbia Heights

Dear PoP

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. note this is my final Dear Pop on whether or not a particular neighborhood is safe. This is what inspired last Friday’s question of the day. I’m going to give my final opinion on crime in DC. If there are more specific questions, of course I’ll still address them, but no longer neighborhood wide safety questions.

“Can you tell me a bit about your opinion of Columbia Heights? Do women walk around by themselves at night? I know the area is improving but how safe is it really? Finally, have you ever been mugged in DC and where? What about if I went to Adams Morgan on a Saturday, drank too much, and decided to walk home to Columbia Heights at 3AM? Would you just take a cab?”

Moving from KC to DC

Dear KC to DC,

I would guess that crime and safety are the number one issues people are concerned with in certain areas of Washington, DC. However, I believe your question is impossible to answer. It is kind of like asking if the 9:30 club (a great live music venue) hosts good bands? Yes, many of the bands are great but they also host many bands that I don’t like. Similarly, your question requires a much more nuanced answer.

I can easily say that Columbia Heights is by far one of the greatest most vibrant neighborhoods in Washington, DC. It has incredible homes, restaurants, bars, culture and diversity. It also has crime. This is a fact. However, there are certain steps you can take to minimize your potential for becoming a victim. One is most definitely not to walk home drunk at 3am from Adams Morgan. That is an easy one. But it is really common sense. As has been mentioned many times on this site you have to be alert. I.E. after dark it is not advised to walk home with an ipod, talking on a cell phone or drunk. Having said that I have done all three on a few occasions because I am an idiot. Let me repeat that, I am an idiot. And if I did get mugged it would be because I was an idiot not because I was walking through Columbia Heights or living in Petworth.  Maybe I am just supremely lucky. I can tell you I have never been mugged in DC (knock wood, knock wood) but I certainly could have been on multiple occasions. I also mention this because there is luck involved – good luck and bad luck. You can follow all the safety rules and still get mugged. It is obviously less likely but it is still possible and it does happen.

Even if it were to happen I don’t think that it can necessarily be attributed to living in Columbia Heights. You may have a slightly higher possibility of it happening in CH but it can happen anywhere in a city. So remember these common sense rules apply to almost all neighborhoods in Washington, DC – particularly Columbia Heights, Petworth, Shaw, Mt. Pleasant etc. Columbia Heights is a neighborhood that has a bar with a Wanted flier (see photo) on the bulletin board. That is saying something.

Like with all life’s decisions you have to weigh the pros versus the cons. And my conclusion, shared by many others, is that if you act responsibly the risk of being a victim of crime in Columbia Heights is far outweighed by all the wonderful options that Columbia Heights offers. If you can visit, you should and walk around a bit to gauge your comfort level. All I’m saying is that I’m 5’6″, 135 pounds soaking wet and I rarely feel happier and more at peace than when I am spending time in Columbia Heights.

Best of luck to you with your decision.

Be smart,
PoP

16th St. South of Park Road

By Prince Of Petworth

If you like coconuts, mangoes, tamales, you should do yourself a favor and check out this little street fair on the weekends. It reminds me of walking around a small town when I was in Peru a couple of summers ago. In addition to food check out the best find I’ve seen there in a while after the jump.

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Reader Reports New Washington Sports Club in Columbia Heights Kicks Ass!

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader:

“So, I worked out at the newly opened Washington Sports Club at DCUSA this morning. Not sure when it opened, but the place is MONEY! Full length 4 lane lap pool with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Irving St; a full court basketball court with a beautiful old school wooden gymnasium floor; huge layout of the weight/cardio room with sweet views from the corner of 14th and Irving. Didn’t get any photos (they’re pretty strict about that sort of thing), but it’s a great addition to the neighborhood.”

If my swimming skills consisted of more than the doggy paddle, I’d totally be there.   It definitely sounds awesome though, very cool to hear.

Columbia Heights Listserv Debates 11th and Monroe Park

By Prince Of Petworth

The original notice says:

“There will be a meeting held on 4 June 2008 at 1125
Spring Road, NW (the Mental Health Center), at 7:30pm,
About the park at 11th and Monroe Streets, NW.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide a public forum
for all the residents, especially those from ANC 1A04 and
1A07, to address concerns or make suggestions about the
park. Residents of other Single Member Districts in ANC
1A are also invited to participate.”

Apparently folks are upset that residents from ANC 1A04 and 07 are given a greater stake in the issue presumably because they live closer to the park.

I thought this was an interesting follow up comment from the listserv:

“The park is a community asset and there are many citizen interests in
the park – to use it for recreation, to use it for relaxation, to use it
to escape the heat, to walk by and not be harassed, to have a good night sleep because no one is in it drinking, to no smell urine/excrement when you walk in an alley, to feel safe and secure in your home/street because it is free of crime, to watch you property value rise because you have an attractive green space nearby.”

Personally, I think those that live right near the park do have a greater stake but obviously those in the general area would like the atmosphere of this park improved. What do you think – does proximity to the park give one a greater stake?

Moroni & Bros and Pete’s Apizza Get Props in the Post

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to the many readers for sending me the link from today’s Washington Post’s Special Food section on pizza. We’ve discussed this issue a fair share over here but I’m glad the Post took notice too. Pete’s seems to be doing great already but I hope the extra exposure gets some more folks over to Moroni’s.

The props keep coming to Moroni’s as another reader sent me word that they were selected by the Washingtonian as one of the 100 best bargain restaurants. Congrats to both restaurants.

Can You Help The Youth of Columbia Heights Village?

By Prince Of Petworth

I received the following text from a flyer on 14th and Columbia Road the other day. “The youth of Columbia Heights Village are trying to get a go-go band started but we’re having a hard time finding equipment…What’s the worst you can get from helping youth reach for their goal? Can you help? If you have any donations please call Jamya at (202) 234-1876. Thank you.”

I sincerely hope they are able to form their go-go band. I wish them the best of luck in their pursuit of this awesome goal.

Red Rocks Offering Memorial Day Brunch on Monday

By Prince Of Petworth

Red Rocks at llth and Park will be serving brunch from 11am-4pm with bottomless mimosas and $5 bloody mary’s. I’m also told they’ve just added french toast to the brunch list. But they’ll also be serving their regular menu during brunch for people who need their pizza fix.

Friday Question of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

I noticed this MPD officer standing “guard” at the entrance to the Target. I know he wasn’t just talking on the phone because he was there when I left as well. So I was happy to see him there but isn’t there already mall security. Did the city work out some kind of deal where MPD officers are stationed within the Target? Is it possible the officer could have been working off duty in uniform? Has anyone else seen an MPD officer standing guard in the Target? I’m not sure it is the best use of MPD resources. Seems like it’d be way better to have that officer walking around the perimeter of the complex. So, assuming the officer was on duty the Friday question of the day is: Is it necessary to have an MPD officer inside the Target or would it be better better to have officers patrolling the neighborhood right around the DCUSA complex?

Updated: Just in case Mr. T in DC is right then this would be a pretty boring Friday question of the day. So I need a back up question. I took today off work to recover from the happy hour and noticed when I was walking around there were tons of people of all backgrounds out and about. I’m sure some are students but who is everyone else out and about at cafes etc. at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Thursday? I’ve noticed it in Adams Morgan too on 18th street. Tryst and the Diner always seem to be filled with folks. How do they get to do it?

Target Continues to Amaze

By Prince Of Petworth

I don’t know how I missed this the first time. I had to pick up some notebooks at Target today and they have an insane contraption to bring shopping carts up and down the escalator. This might be old technology but I’ve never seen this before. I guess I don’t go to malls that often but this is sweet. (more…)

Where Do You Lock Up Your Bike at DCUSA in Columbia Heights?

By Prince Of Petworth

Walking by the DCUSA complex on 14th Street I noticed that there is only this paltry section for Bike lock up. It can hold what maybe 10 bikes? There don’t seem to be a lot of other options to lock up your bike. I guess maybe they assume people won’t be biking there as it’ll be tough to carry home all your tube socks from Target on your bike? Anyone know if the new streetscape plans call for more bicycle “parking”? Anyone think that actually this is the right amount of bicycle “parking”?

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