MBT

“As she passed by me, within inches of my bike, she slapped/sucker punched me across the left side of my jaw”

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

Not sending this to start another conversation about safety on the MBT, a trail I use almost everyday, but to ask you/readers to keep an eye out for a woman on a motorbike in the area — or on the trail itself.

Yesterday, while riding home on the trail from work, this woman entered the trail at NOMA. I let her know that it was a bike and pedestrian trail only (even though it’s clearly marked, some think it’s an access road), but she kept going. I decided to call 911 – clearly on a nice day, or any day for that matter, with runners, children, and dogs, a trail is no place for a motorbike. I was on with 911 for a few minutes until I saw that bicycle cop on the trail had stopped her at S Street NE, so I hung up thinking the cop was handling the situation.

She must have recognized me or overheard my conversation, because the moment I passed by, she sped off and headed west off 4th. Moments later I heard the bike’s engine come up behind me while I was riding north on 4th in the bike lane. As she passed by me, within inches of my bike, she slapped/sucker punched me across the left side of my jaw (there were two witnesses to this — one was a lovely woman who turned her car around to make sure I was okay). Shaken, I rode back to find the police officer on the trail and filed a report. He indicated that she was arguing with him about who could use the trail — she suggested that she could because people were also pushing baby strollers.

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I’m asking you all to keep any eye out for her, but unfortunately I don’t have a good description of her. African American woman. Small (not quite a Vespa, but not a motorcycle either), black bike, red/reddish orange helmet, sunglasses. The back of the bike was also rigged with a square storage system. If you see anyone matching that description, I would appreciate you letting the police know.”

“NoMa Is Getting Land for Yet Another Park”

By Prince Of Petworth

NoMa Green with Option

From a press release:

“The NoMa Parks Foundation, an affiliate of the NoMa Business Improvement District, announced today that it will acquire its third parcel, an approximately half acre site at the intersection of R Street, NE, and the popular Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT). This acquisition has been accomplished through a collaboration with Foulger-Pratt Development and with strong support from Pepco from whom the parcel was acquired. No funds from the Foundation’s original $50 million NoMa Parks grant will be required to close on this important parcel. Instead, Foulger-Pratt will donate the parcel and will also provide the NoMa Parks Foundation with certain design consultation rights as well as other community benefits. Ultimately, the new park will be transferred to the District of Columbia Government.

This acquisition of additional land to improve the MBT and provide additional park space was first envisioned in a joint study of the MBT executed by the NoMa BID, the Metropolitan Police Department and the District Department of Transportation in 2015. That study recommended straightening the “Z-turn” at R Street as an important public safety measure, among other things. “Adding this new land is so important to improving the MBT and assuring another fabulous park experience for the residents of the NoMa neighborhood and all of Northeast. We look forward to partnering with the community to plan this new green space,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, president of the NoMa Parks Foundation.

Foulger-Pratt will be developing a residential and retail project on the balance of the property bounded by the Foundation’s previously-acquired 2-acre park to the south, Harry Thomas Way on the west, and R Street to the north. (more…)

15 Year Old Arrested in Alleged Assault on the MBT where Victim was “approached by 14 juvenile males on bikes”

By Prince Of Petworth

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From MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Fifth District have announced an arrest has been made in a Robbery Force and Violence offense, which occurred in the 1900 block of 5th Street, Northeast, on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at approximately 4:50 pm.

The victim was walking to his residence when he was approached by approximately 14 juvenile males on bikes. Several suspects assaulted the victim and stole his cell phone.

On Friday, April 1, 2016, a 15-year-old juvenile male, of Northeast, was arrested and charged with Robbery Force and Violence.

This case remains under investigation.

Anyone who has information regarding this case should call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”

Assault on Metropolitan Branch Trail by “20 Juvenile Suspects” at 4:50pm

By Prince Of Petworth

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From MPD:

“TODAY [Tuesday] AT APPROXIMATELY 4:50 PM, A VICTIM OF A ROBBERY REPORTS TO MPD THAT WHILE WALKING SOUTHBOUND ON THE METROPOLITAN BRANCH TRAIL [close to 5th and T St, NE] AN UNKNOWN SUSPECT STRUCK THE VICTIM WHILE RIDING HIS BIKE. THE VICTIM WAS THEN ASSAULTED BY THE INITIAL SUSPECT AND APPROXIMATELY 20 OTHER JUVENILE SUSPECTS. STOLEN FROM THE VICTIM WAS A CELL PHONE THAT WAS TAKEN DURING THE ASSAULT. ALL OF THE SUSPECTS FLED SOUTH ON THE TRAIL.”

Arrest Made in Recent Mugging on the MBT

By Prince Of Petworth

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From MPD:

“On the evening of 10-26-15, complainant reports that while in the area of the Metropolitan Branch Trail near 8th & Edgewood St. NE he was approached by 3-4 suspects. The suspects assaulted the complainant, stole his property and then fled the area.

On 10-28-15, thanks to the diligent efforts of 5D Detectives and community involvement, a suspect was identified and arrested with no incident. The case continues to be investigated.

Anyone who has information regarding this case should call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”

Mugging on the Metropolitan Branch Trail Last Night

By Prince Of Petworth

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From MPD:

“On the evening of 10-26-15, complainant reports that while in the area of the Metropolitan Branch Trail near 8th & Edgewood St. NE he was approached by 3-4 suspects. The suspects assaulted the complainant, stole his property and then fled the area.

Anyone who has information regarding this case should call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”

Props to the Cops – Metropolitan Branch Trail Robbery Apprehensions

By Prince Of Petworth

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From MPD:

“In reference to the recent Mountain Bike Trail Metropolitan Branch Trail robbery, the 5D Detectives Office has made apprehensions of both subjects involved!! CCN 15-106-205

C-1 states that while traveling N/B on the bicycle trail, S-1, S-2 attempted to push her off the bike, C-1 was able keep her balance, S-1, S-2 chased her

on foot, C-1 jumped of the bike, and stop, she wasn`t able to get away from S-1, and S-2. S-1, S-2 states “Where is your money at?” C-1 told them “In

my bag.” C-1 handed her property over , S-1, S-2 took the listed property from her backpack (Iphone 5/$50.00 U.S currency), and fled N/B toward 3Rd

Street NE. C-1 has no injury. W-1 was able to snap a picture of S-1, and S-2 after the incident.

CR5790, 5D61 (DAVIS) responded on scene. CR500, and CIC (Madison/5400) notified.

Look-out

S-1:B/M, 14-17 YEARS OLD, Dark skin, Slim built, Short hair, 145-165 lbs, Camouflage shorts (black/gray), white t-shirt, clean shave.

S-2:B/M, 14-17 YEARS OLD, Dark skin, Slim built, Short hair, 145-165 lbs, Dark jeans, no shirt, white shirt on right shoulder, red underwear,clean shaven

NOTE: C-1 means complainant 1 and S-1/S-2 Means Suspect 1 & 2″

Did you Lose (or were Robbed of) a Pink iPhone?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

Last night, I found a pink iPhone near 3rd St NE and R St NE in my alley. After reaching out to the Eckington listserve to find it’s owner, I was informed that there was a mugging on the Metropolitan Branch Trial around 11:30 a.m. yesterday, July 13, 2015, and the only things that were stolen was an iPhone and $50 (and probably the victim’s general faith in mankind).

Information on the mugging (with pictures of the assailants) can be found here.

I can only imagine the state of shock the victim must be in, and I would like to get her phone back to her ASAP. Can you help?

Interested folks can e-mail me at [email protected] and simply tell me what kind of sticker is on the back of the iPhone.

If I don’t hear anything back today, I’ll send the iPhone to the police — where it will likely fall into a evidence-holding cosmic black hole.”

“Motorcycles Cops on the MBT”

By Prince Of Petworth

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A reader reports Friday afternoon:

“I just got home from a long Friday very mad that I saw three motorcycle cops speeding down the Metropolitan Branch Trail at 5:30 PM with no sirens or lights. I am 100% certain that motor vehicles aren’t allowed on the trail and am of the belief that cops aren’t supposed to endanger lives (we all know the reality).”

Side note from REI:

“Met. Branch Trail Safety & Access Study:Public Input Meeting

Date: 6/16/2015
Event Location: REI Community Space at Wunder Garten: 150 M St. NE Washington, DC
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM EDT

Description: The NoMa Business Improvement District, Metropolitan Police Department, District Department of Transportation and local stakeholders, leaders and advocates are leading an effort to enhance safety, accessibility and the user experience on the Metropolitan Branch Trail. This effort has been underway since April and the project team is in the process of finalizing recommendations for improvements to be implemented. The team is looking for input from the public (you!) on the concepts and ideas that have been developed thus far. These ideas have come from one-on-one conversations with stakeholders, public workshops along the trail, and over 750 responses from a public survey. Whether you are a trail user or not, your participation is essential to the success of this process.”

Given all the crime reports we’ve heard if they were responding in an official capacity – I think I’d be ok with it. If it deters crime would you support MPD motorcycles on the the Metropolitan Branch Trail or do you think that’d be too dangerous?

Fire at MBT Entrance on L Street, NE

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader tweeted us on Monday:

“Yesterday found no more access to Metro Branch Trail @ L St bc top stairs were set on fire? Anyone know what happened?”

This morning a reader sends details via email:

“I called in the fire on the MBT steps on this past Friday night at around 10:30-10:45. From experience, it looked as though an accelerant was used, as, even though the steps are wooden, they went up in flames very quickly and were flaming in a way that indicates an accelerant. The Fire Department came in less than 2-3 minutes and worked on the fire for about five minutes before putting it out completely. I didn’t see anyone check out the scene or any DCPD/EMS arrive after.

The next morning, the stairs had been roped off with yellow caution tape, but no police or otherwise presence. The fire spread very close to the metro tracks (the grass at the top of the steps), so I was surprised to see that no one was out there checking it out. I know that some of the homeless people who sleep underneath the street bridge below sometimes sleep on the MBT bridge at night, so I’m hopeful there were no injuries.”

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