MBT

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.”

Meeting on the preliminary design of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Brookland to Takoma Park on Saturday, March 21

By Prince Of Petworth

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From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B will hold a joint meeting on the preliminary design of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Brookland to Takoma Park on Saturday, March 21 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the 4th District Police Headquarters, 6001 Georgia Avenue, NW.

Representatives from DDOT will present the trail alignment and solicit feedback from the general public.

The Metropolitan Branch Trail is an eight-mile, paved bicycle and pedestrian trail from Union Station in Ward 6 to Silver Spring, Md. The portion between Union Station and Brookland in Ward 5 is very popular averaging more than 500 users a day. Design is underway for the section that’s north of Brookland. This new section is proposed to run along the railroad tracks from Bates Road to the Ft. Totten Metro station, then along First Place, Riggs Road, First Street, all in Northeast, and Blair Road, NW.

More information is available at www.metbranchtrail.com.

Comments on the preliminary design, as well as requests for more information should be directed to Jim Sebastian at [email protected].

The event information is as follows:

What: Metropolitan Branch Trail Open House

When: Saturday, March 21, 2015
1 pm to 4 pm

Where: Metropolitan Police Department
6001 Georgia Avenue (at Peabody)”

Lost Dog Last Seen on the MBT by 9th St and Monroe St, NE; UPDATE – Found!

By Prince Of Petworth

Update:

“@PoPville Finnegan has been found! We were circling solid leads in Petworth and got a text that he was spotted back in Brookland. #findfinn”

“His name is Finnegan, and he just ran away at ~5:30PM Eastern time. He was last seen at 9th and Monroe St NE, in Washington, DC. He was running the Metro Branch Trail.

He’s a mix of rat terrier and cattle dog. Photos of him are attached. Any sightings or information will be extremely helpful.

About Finnegan:

* He’s likelier to come if you crouch down and beckon or whistle. Don’t run at him, and try to crouch and stay low if you get near him.
* He responds to “Finnegan”, “Finn”, and whistles.
* He is microchipped.
* He likes peanut butter, jerky, and other normal dog things.”

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Huge New Mural on the MBT Trail

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to a reader for sending:

“This one is on the MBT trail in NE. It’s called “Crossroads”. It starts with a dimly lit scene with black and white shaded people standing around in a Chinese carry out. Then it shows a burst of color then and a bunch of brightly colored people on bicycles. Perhaps the artist is trying to say NE DC is at a crossroads? The mural is huge and takes up a whole wall.”

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Another Assault Reported on the Metropolitan Branch Trail Monday

By Prince Of Petworth

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A reader writes:

“I know you posted about the first attack, but another woman was attacked the same day!”

The report from WTOP:

“Chanel Marshall, 30, tells WTOP that she was walking from work to the NoMa-Gallaudet Metro Station about 5 p.m. when she was attacked from behind by a man who had followed her along the trail.”

Ed. Note: We’ve previously discussed safety issues and concerns on the MBT here.

From the Forum Part 2 – Safety on the MBT?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Safety on the MBT?

“I was looking for more information on the safety of the Metro Branch Trail. I work in Brookland and would love to run home on the trail as it goes straight to my house. However, I’ve read the previous PoP posts on violence and attacks on the MBT. Does anyone have any advice or updated information on whether the police patrol or not? I would hope to be on it in the early evening an hour or so before sunset.”

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