Fort Totten

“a section of Fort Totten Park remains closed after a National Park Service employee found two WWI-era military munitions in mounds of soil on April 18”

By Prince Of Petworth


April 18, 2023

From the National Park Service:

“Out of an abundance of caution and while an investigation remains active, a section of Fort Totten Park remains closed after a National Park Service (NPS) employee found two WWI-era military munitions in mounds of soil on April 18. The NPS will install “No Trespassing” signs around the closed area today. Fencing and barriers will be installed around the area where the munitions were found until further testing can be completed. Unofficial trails through the woods are also closed off. (more…)

Meanwhile at Fort Totten Park “The U.S. Army will analyze the canisters and any contents at Marine Corps Base Quantico.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From NPS:

“On April 18, a National Park Service employee found two metal canisters in a mound of soil in Fort Totten Park. Out of an abundance of caution and until more research can be completed, the park is closed just east of Fort Totten Drive, south of Gallatin Street, and north of Brookland Ave NE/Farragut St. The United States Park Police has blocked off the site, and the NPS urges people to stay out of the area. (more…)

Mama Chepa Cocina Latina posts liquor license placard in little strip mall next to the Avenue Supermarket

By Prince Of Petworth


5018 1st Street, NW via google

The liquor license placard for Mama Chepa says:

“Establishment will be a family-oriented Restaurant serving Salvadorean and Mexican food. Total Occupancy Load of 49 with seating for 40. The licensee is requesting an Entertainment Endorsement to provide live entertainment. Carry-out and Delivery Endorsement.”

Check out their great looking menu here.

WMATA unveils some prototypes fare gates “to reduce fare evasion”

By Prince Of Petworth

Some interesting tweets from WMATA this morning:

“We’re continuing to look at ways to reduce fare evasion. The image shows a prototype customers will see at Fort Totten.”

“Here is another prototype shown that will be at Fort Totten to help reduce fare evasion.”

Also of note:

“We also have a new screen inside Columbia Heights. This screen will be an outward display of our security system.

“We want criminals to know we are watching you, and we will not tolerate any criminal behavior in our system.” says @wmatagm” (more…)

“a car drove clean through the side of an apartment building on North Capitol”

By Prince Of Petworth


via DC Fire and EMS

A reader reported around 1:45am: “a car drove clean through the side of an apartment building on North Capitol and Webster NE. Police and EMS already there. I hope no one was injured.”


via DC Fire and EMS

DC Fire and EMS reported: “Box Alarm with vehicle striking building 4500 block Clermont Dr. NE. Vehicle went thru wall into apartment of 3 story apartment building. (more…)

Yesterday in Driving Dangerously

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Carrie for sending: “Can’t tell you if they are the cause or result, but hope everyone is okay. Riggs & Rock Creek Church Road NE, in front of DC Bilingual, 7:15pm Sunday.”

“Officers (with guns unholstered) stood at every open door and did not allow anyone to enter the train”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: It sounds like it could be related to the 3:45pm shooting near the Petworth metro yesterday afternoon.

“Dear PoPville,

Any idea what was happened on the red line yesterday? I was on a north-bound red line train around 4:15 in the afternoon, and when we got to Fort Totten, the police held the train after departing passengers got off (though those of us who were continuing north remained on the train). Officers (with guns unholstered) stood at every open door and did not allow anyone to enter the train (but also didn’t direct those of us on the train to get off). Then a group of police (with guns drawn, shields up, and “SWAT” emblazoned on uniforms) moved from car to car doing what appeared to be a sweep. (more…)

Brookland and Fort Totten now connected via the Metropolitan Branch Trail

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office on Saturday:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), and the National Park Service (NPS) celebrated the newest section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), between Brookland and Fort Totten. This new section closes a gap in the District’s pedestrian and bicycle network and represents a key milestone in the goal to complete the nearly 900-mile regional trail network.

“Washingtonians are eager to embrace new ways of using public space and new ways of getting around our city, and we’re proud that with the MBT, we’re delivering a space that is practical, safe, and that people truly enjoy using,” said Mayor Bowser. “As we continue investing in a multi-modal city that is more sustainable and less reliant on cars, we know that spaces like these will play a critical role in our transportation network.”

The new 0.8-mile trail is 11 feet wide, connects the Fort Totten Metro to the Brookland Metro, and provides North-South bicycle and pedestrian connectivity for Catholic University, Lamond Riggs, Queens Chapel, Manor Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods. The new trail features LED lighting, stormwater management facilities, wayfinding signage, and security cameras. (more…)

In Other Chicken News – Fort Totten Chick-Fil-A Now Open

By Prince Of Petworth


220 Riggs Road, NE

Thanks to Natalie for sending: “The Chick-Fil-A (on the former Taco Bell/KFC lot) is now open in Fort Totten NE. Business looks brisk. Unsurprisingly, there’s now a bottleneck with cars trying to make a U-turn on 3rd to get over to the restaurant, as well as another bottleneck trying to turn from 3rd into the parking lot (despite the double drive-through lines).” (more…)

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