Comments on: Terrible Crime in Columbia Heights Sat. Night

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:04:49 +0000

Where is this google map criminal registry?

By: Bitter Elitist

Bitter Elitist — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:28:15 +0000

agreed about the drug trade. Sans decriminalization and legalization it would take an all out war.

By: Dirty

Dirty — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:50:20 +0000

My point regarding dislocation is that a common excuse to not solve the problem at the source is dislocation. Of course property tax increases can also cause dislocation, but for people who don’t improve their homes, the cap limitations result in nominal increases, especially for elderly and long-time owners. Plus, there home is increasing in value, so it’s not like they can sell and move to a more affordable location (for those on fixed incomes).

There is no amount of community involvement that can alter the predatory nature of the drug/gang trade. The community can’t intimidate these people into cooperation… I mean when society fears thugs more than the law, I think we can all agree that our societies priorities are a bit screwed up. We don’t adequately instill the notion of consequence and responsibility in people. Obviously, parents don’t, the school doesn’t, society promotes rappers and moviestars, more than honest hardworking people, because its glamorous.

By: nate

nate — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:33:25 +0000

# Bitter Elitist Says:
November 16th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

Nate~the truancy police made me laugh. On my day off I see kids all over CH. I actually saw a truant officer taking a nap in the back of a van in front if DCUSA. Couldn’t get my phone out quick enough.
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I didn’t say it is effective. I just wanted to point out that this is not a problem the gov’t can solve. With AHOD, checkpoints, truancy police, a massive build-out by the city of parks/rec centers, the gangsters still will not stop killing each other.

By: Bitter Elitist

Bitter Elitist — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:16:22 +0000

Dirty, I understand the taxpayer’s return on the investment (my pay stub).

However, I don’t think community involvement and eliminating the source are mutually exclusive. There will be friction. But you can’t eliminate the source w/o community involvement.

Dislocation can happen as a result of ownership as well (property taxes).

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By: nate

nate — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:54:26 +0000

dcmom Says:
November 16th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

I am going to get crucified for saying this, but perhaps we need to give up some of our civil liberties so that the criminals can’t run ramshod over us. I am not talking about eliminating probable cause, I am talking about curfews for anyone 16
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We ALREADY HAVE a curfew. And truancy police. And police jumpouts that harass primarily blacks and hispanics without probable cause. We have already given up much of our rights. Ploys like Trinidad checkpoints are one example. Once it comes down to the government to maintain the civility, the battle is already lost.

“any crime using a gun tried as an adult regardless of age”
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Any age? You sure about that? I am all for being tough on crime. But do we want to scar a child for life when as DCMOM says the gangbangers give the 14 y/o the gun to carry? Or how about knives? There have been numerous stabbings recently. I’m all for punishing people to the MAX if you harm or intend to harm someone. Now that is something I can support regardless of age. I make no distinction between gun/knives/railroad planks/bare hands.

“The fact of the matter is that even if you are caught in this city, the chances of serving real time are slim to none.”
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DC’s jails are packed to capacity. People are definitely getting sent to jail. A better question to ask is why are so many people committing crimes worthy of prison time. If people had their way, DC would end up spending a disproportionate share of their income on policing and jailing criminals. That’s synonymous with what they do in third world countries to protect dictatorships.

By: bogfrog

bogfrog — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:30:48 +0000

@ Nate – Mixed income is alive and well on my block. Not to point fingers at any individuals, but we have a spectrum running from currently unemployed living in a rooming house to dual-career yuppies.

The big challenge on our block seems to be language, not income/education, but maybe other people see it differently and are unhappy (“Why are there so few rats in my neighbors’ yard? Why are their trash cans taken out and put back on the designated nights?”.)

By: dcmom

dcmom — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:25:51 +0000

I agree with whomever said that the criminal justice system in this city should take a lot of blame for the issue. Our laws are too easy to get around. Gang members give the 14 year old the gun because they will get off easy based on age. Many criminals serve below minimum sentences, juries don’t convict because “the system is just out to get ((insert group here))”, etc.

I am going to get crucified for saying this, but perhaps we need to give up some of our civil liberties so that the criminals can’t run ramshod over us. I am not talking about eliminating probable cause, I am talking about curfews for anyone 16 and under unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, any crime using a gun tried as an adult regardless of age, elimination of probation for crimes involving hand guns, etc. The fact of the matter is that even if you are caught in this city, the chances of serving real time are slim to none.

By: Dirty

Dirty — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:21:33 +0000

Bitter E – To answer your question. No. But, the taxpayer’s have invested lot’s of tax dollars in DCUSA and we should increase the return on those investments by making the neighborhood a more desirable place to live. Dislocation is a cost of not owning, regardless of race/class/ethnicity. The problem properties will remain problems regardless of how much money is thrown at them. As much as involving the community to solve the problem sounds like a great idea, getting rid of the problem by eliminating the source is a better idea. We can’t help people who don’t want to help themselves.

John Galt – I am under a similar impression. Maybe POP could do some investigative reporting.

By: ballslightning

ballslightning — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:16:15 +0000

@Ragged Dog: welcome to the reality of abstract liberalism actually having to implement practical policy/results. Like Communism, instilling Democracy from the top down, and other Utopian dreams: the ideal is beautiful but the attainment begs the question: if wo/men were able to maintain such a society, they’d already be living it. {If men were angels, they wouldn’t need government].

Meanwhile, from a naive and entitled vantage point, we’re vollunterily giving away our society to the lowest common denominator. Instead of setting the bar high and demanding action, like a dog walking the man, we let those without the wherewithal or values dictate how we must live. And WE actually must apologize for THEIR actions (…should have been more after school programs, Spanish should be an official language etc…)

Calling things out doesn’t make one racist/predudice/insenitve. If 99% of this crime (in Columbia Heights) is committed by illegal immigrants, then illegal immigrants need to go – leave it to a sociologist or their group leaders to address why the % is so high. Any one not supporting that position, but actually blaming the victims (us), is too buffered and priveledged to know how insane they are. No other people would give up their saftey, laguage, etc. for you – none.

Sorry for the rant, but the ideas expressed within the POP commentary represent a fundemental cause of these incidents. Encouraging victimhood, laziness and non-assimilation.