quality of life

Big Brawl at El Ray Last Night – Props to the Staff but “disgust” for the patrons who filmed it

By Prince Of Petworth

el ray
919 U Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

My friend and I were having dinner in the back room of El Rey around 8:30 pm yesterday when a brawl broke out between a group of patrons. Only a few were actually fighting, but the crowd involved was probably about 40-50 people. Tables were flipped, chairs tossed, and at least one woman was throwing glassware at people.

The fight was eventually broken up (props to the bouncers on this!) and the crowd made their way out to the street leaving a wreck behind them. Our server told us that the two-top next to us had paid with a fake $50 and skipped out when the fighting crowd dispersed, so I imagine he was not the only server who got stiffed last night.

I am even sadder for the fact that while my friend’s first reaction, and that of several staff and other patrons, was to call 911, those closest to the fight pulled their phones out to film it. I feel disappointed and disgusted by the behavior I witnessed last night. I know there has been a long debate about whether and when to get involved when an individual witnesses crimes in action, but the very least people can do is call the police when a situation is escalating like that and putting others in danger.

Despite the incident yesterday, I will definitely be returning to El Rey. After the fight dispersed, the staff was really great and sweet to the patrons who were not involved, our server gave us a couple of beers and a series of apologies for what was clearly not his fault. I feel sad that this happened to them and their business.”

“We have communicated with the management at the Dupont Circle Starbucks about helping us create a welcoming and safe environment for women, LGBTQ, and gender nonconforming people. We invite you to stand—or sit—with us in solidarity for safe spaces.”

By Prince Of Petworth

starbucks-dupont-circle-protest
1501 Connecticut Avenue, NW

From MPD:

“We have received your emails and heard your concerns about the meeting this Saturday evening in Dupont Circle with the writer Roosh V.

We understand your concerns about events of this nature in your community. We are aware of the upcoming event.

Events like these take place all the time in the District of Columbia and the MPD prepares for all of them.

These groups have the same First Amendment rights as any other citizen or organization in our country.

We understand that there may be counter protests to this event and we have prepared for that as well.

The MPD are there to ensure peaceful and lawful events. Any persons breaking the law will not be tolerated.

A lot of times controversial organizations plan public events just to provoke a response from the community.

Please let the MPD handle the situation and remember there are many ways to express yourself in a peaceful manner.

Let’s continue to work together, we are making great progress!!”

From Collective Action for Safe Spaces:

“We invite you to join local nonprofit Collective Action for Safe Spaces for Women Drinking Coffee: Sitting In For Safe Spaces on February 6 for women, LGBTQGNC folks, and allies to meet to talk about ways that we can make public spaces safe for everyone.

The sit-in was planned after we read this article about an event happening at the Dupont Starbucks and realized it had been too long since feminists had gathered at this location to enjoy delicious beverages like the white chocolate mocha. While the event cited in the article may have been canceled, our sit-in for safe spaces will prevail. (more…)

“I recently moved into a basement apartment and this morning, I found that my floor was covered in water.”

By Prince Of Petworth

flood
Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

“Dear PoPville,

I recently moved into a basement apartment and this morning, I found that my floor was covered in water. I don’t think there was a flood, rather, intense moisture and condensation that resulted in standing water all over my floor, soaking belongings (including my floor lamp, which I then unplugged from the wall). This is my first basement apartment, so I was wondering if this was a common issue with basement apartments and if there was anything I can do to remedy the problem (such as purchase a dehumidifier). I really do not want to have to move again, but I’m afraid of ruining all my possessions! Thanks.”

“When the plows don’t come, good people do!”

By Prince Of Petworth

shovel

“Dear PoPville,

I just wanted to give a public thank you to the 8 or so people who came to shovel out Richardson Pl NW. There was a guy with a snowblower and a bunch of people shoveling, and they were doing a great job! There are about 10 cars on the street that had no way out, so thanks to the team that made the street navigable!”

“Needless to say, only the most depraved life forms would threaten a female pedestrian with a baby strapped to her chest”

By Prince Of Petworth

road rage
Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish

“Dear PoPville,

Mine may be an isolated incident, but I figured I would reach out, as I hope no one else experiences what I did as I walked home to Mount Pleasant yesterday afternoon with my 10-month-old.

As I’m sure you are well aware, there are many “crosswalks of shame” around the District and pedestrians have to gingerly navigate piles of plowed snow to safely cross the street. Around 3:45pm, a man in a late model black Ford F-150 plastered with Redskins stickers narrowly missed hitting my daughter and I as we waited patiently on packed snow for our turn to cross 16th Street at Monroe. Of course, he almost hit us because he gunned it at the last second and decided to swerve around the snow bank on a red light.

As I threw up my hands and shook my head in disbelief, he had the gall to stop, get out of his truck, and yell several times, “I’ll hit and kill you next time, b*itch!” He was still screaming at us as we walked away, with many on-lookers watching the incident in disbelief.

Needless to say, only the most depraved life forms would threaten a female pedestrian with a baby strapped to her chest in front of several other adult and child pedestrians, so no wonder what that piece of human garbage is capable of doing. While I am relieved my child and I were able to walk away safely, I am shaken and wish I had been able to get the offender’s DC tag number.”

“Shout Out to Roger”

By Prince Of Petworth

roger
Photo by PoPville flickr user Patrick Hills

“Dear PoPville,

Last night, after making the mistake of going to the Trader Joe’s in Foggy Bottom (and waiting in line for 45 minutes), I had to make my way back to Eckington. After several bus plans fell through because they never showed up, my phone died and I decided to make my way to Chinatown to take the P6. Conditions were awful and at 7th & H a man fell in the middle of the street – I helped him up only to have him say a few pervy things to me. Classic DC.

All of this made for a really crappy and cold night. Then my grocery bag ripped at the bus stop that I ended up standing at for 30 minutes. I want to say THANK YOU to a man named Roger who ran across the street to Walgreens to get me a few plastic bags that I could put my groceries in. This was one of my worst DC commutes (it took 2.5 hours to go about 4 miles), but he reminded me that some people are really good. Roger – if you see this thank you from the bottom of my heart – I will pay it forward.”

5 men and 5 women were arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution on Friday and Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

23698325683_a236386498_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From MPD:

“Members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Narcotics and Special Investigation Division Human Trafficking Unit announced arrests have been made in a recent joint prostitution enforcement operation conducted with the Third District Crime Suppression Team.

On Friday, January 8th, 2016, five adult males and an adult female were arrested. They all have been charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.

On Saturday, January 9th, 2016, four females were arrested. They all have been charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.

These recent arrests took place in the Downtown area in Washington, DC.

The Metropolitan Police Department continues to respond to complaints about crime and encourages the public to contact the Metropolitan Police Department with those concerns.”

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