Comments on: Fenty To Hold Press Conference @ Columbia Heights Metro Stop

By: fedupcitizen

fedupcitizen — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:47:21 +0000

Did these people fall off the Bush scare tactic machine or what? Fenty is stupid he cares more about DC investors then the citizens. We were lied to for 8 year guess some of us fell for it others didn't, this is not about gangs this is about taking away our rights. Fenty you idiot and Nickles words can't describe you. Graham what are you getting from this?? Bank on this we are not afraid we pay you you don't pay us!!!!

By: Marco

Marco — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:15:44 +0000

I'm also skeptical of the effectiveness of gang injunctions. How are gang affiliations proven? And how much recent violence is actually due to gang activity (I know Jim Graham claims most of it is)? But on the other hand, gang injunctions in L.A. appear to be working to some extent. And I'm really not sure what else the D.C. Council can do... maybe these are "isolated incidents" like Q says, but I refuse to believe the current tools for dealing with violent crime in our area are sufficient -- there's still far too much of it.

By: Live From the Post-Columbia Heights Shooting Press Conference - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:58:38 +0000

[...] Cherkis is on the scene for the press conference announced after yesterday’s shooting at the Columbia Heights [...]

By: Q

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:25:25 +0000

Whoa, Joel. Before you call me a liar, please understand that I'm not fond of crime either. In fact, I have lived in some of the most crime ridden neighborhoods in the city. I've lived in Fairlawn (SE), Petworth, Brightwood Park, Brookland, River Terrace and known of the the good and bad areas of each of them. Not only that, I've seen my share of open air drug markets, heard my share of automatic weapons being fired, and known of several murders. Not that this qualifies me as an expert, but I am not naive when I mention the "gang" moniker. I have been close enough to individuals to know that it is not a "gang" mentality per se that is ruling this situation. When a close member of my family was murdered, it wasn't a GANG or loose collection of individuals. When I was walking in one of the neighborhoods above BY MYSELF, I've been stopped by Police Officers assuming the worst. This is not some quasi-sympathy for the true "gang bangers" either. What this is, is knowing how to distinguish gang violence from other violence. I haven't heard the press conference, but will check it out later. However, even if MPDC points this to "gang violence" no amout of emergency legislation would've prevented this. Much like the war on terrorism, it is difficult to target an "enemy" that is not a formal entity (nation-state). Listening to Fenty, Graham, Nickels, Groomes, etc. extol to the citizens the City's vigilence is one thing. Have them sugar coat and generalize acts of violence as gangs, instills fear and untruthful testimony. The Iraq war was bought by the Congress based on "threats" and "fear". I'm not doubting Graham, Fenty, or anyone else's desire to eliminate crime. I'm just saying that some of the talking is highly unecessary. Who called for the Press Conference? The Columbia Heights Civic Association? The ANC of the affected area? Metro? Exactly my point! Now you understand what I mean by grandstanding.

By: Joel Lawson

Joel Lawson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:56:40 +0000

It's incredible for anyone to attempt and imagine some daylight between gangs and criminal acts of retribution.

Just be careful of the gang label? It's high time we be more purposeful in its application, both in crafting crime legislation, and in taking a cold eye to incidents such as the Columbia Heights shooting.

You may avert your eyes when an elected official speaks, but I'm hearing Jim Graham simply relay information from DCMPD which points to a gang scenario in this shooting.

Gang incident, gang measures in a crime bill. Who are residents to believe regarding the legitimacy of the connection here, you or our lying eyes?

By: Q

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:18:20 +0000

Joel, I support the intent of your concern, but I disagree. I agree you should use all tools within their power to catch the assailant, but the grandstanding creates this artificial environment for this particular case. Retribution, vengeance crimes don't necessarily point to what is formally described as gangs or crews. Gangs or crews are supposed to be 'organized' factions of individuals who commit crimes not for the sole purposes of retribution but for criminal enterprises, turf wars, etc. Nothing of what I read of the assault points to a gang or crew. The only people who are fielding this concept are the politicians. And that is what I have a problem with. When a mob of people protest in an unlawful way they are not necessarily considered a gang and in most cases arrested individually. However, in urban (non-protest) settings, it is far too easy to classify crimes as "gang related" so as to obscure true police work. Either way, the assailant needs to be caught. Just be careful of the "gang" application. As far as Angry Al's questions, they have merit, BUT... The convention center is not operated by DCPS and not subject to metal detectors, magnetometers, etc. Imagine the delays for our many conventioneers if these were installed. My suspicion is that the brass knuckes and firearm were discovered by a security person or another kid who contacted the authorities.

By: Joel Lawson

Joel Lawson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:01:47 +0000

Very good questions, Angry Al. And Q, there are a lot of very similar "isolated incidents" happening, not that DCMPD is allowed to use injunction tools to prove their lack of isolation, thanks to those opposed to the Mayor's crime bill.

By: Q

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:31:57 +0000

You ain't kidding about the grandstanding. I guess Lanier was too busy. The sad thing is the fearmongering will continue and folks will read into this like anything else as a MAJOR CRISIS and not an isolated incident. Since when does two guys getting in an altercation on a metro train constitute a GANG. My prayers for the victims, but sincerely, FENTY and Co. need to just sit down on this one and let the Transit Police and MPDC do their jobs. Their content adds NOTHING but alarmist subterfuge of the real problem.

By: Angry Al Gonzales

Angry Al Gonzales — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:19:34 +0000

Would someone please ask them why the kids were not arrested at the first incident, where the cops seized a gun & brass knuckles? A second question is why the kids were assembled without using a metal detector for screening - every high school in DC uses metal detectors. Why not at this meeting?