Bloomingdale already has its share of crime.

Below is today's listserv offering from Bloomingdale's intrepid Scott Roberts. Adding more than a thousand low-income housing units to our neighborhood would certainly tip the delicate balance we have regarding crime here in Bloomingdale. This neighborhood has enough taxpayer-subsidized housing. It's about time other neighborhoods, like Georgetown and upper Northwest shoulder some of the burden of supplying housing for people that don't have jobs. There are already enough people walking around all day and night with nothing better to do than loiter, rob, steal, deal drugs, assault and murder us. It is not my opinion that low-income housing is a magnet for these people, it is a well-documented fact of life in the city. In fact, we live in a microcosm here in Bloomingdale with violent crimes more likely nearer to Florida Avenue and less crime to the North. Bloomingdale has a chance to become a safer neighborhood thanks to the efforts of John Salatti and others. Adding 1,200 of units of taxpayer-subsidized housing in Bloomingdale will create new opportunities and destinations for criminals that tend to hang around Florida Avenue.

Here is Scott's listserv:

+ See this 12/28/2008 message from a resident on the 200 block of Flagler Place NW: "I would like to report that my car was vandalized this evening. My car was parked a couple doors down from my house in the 2000 block of Flagler Pl NW. The rear left passenger window was broken. If someone seen anything please respond to the listserve."

[ 1 ] Micro Mart Store Robbed & Owner Beat Up Sunday Afternoon, 12/28/2008

Your moderator was visited by a neighbor Sunday afternoon, who advised that the Micro Mart at 2007 1st Street NW -- the former A & LK Market -- had been robbed. So I walked over to the store and spotted three MPD officers who were interviewing witnesses. The store owner and her brother were out front with a few other residents..

Apparently, a number of young boys -- sorry, I didn't get the possible age range of the guys -- came into the store mid-afternoon and tried to steal some beer. The store ownerr tried to stop them and they beat her up a bit. There was another male patron in the store at time time. And another male patron came into the store after the boys had entered. So it appears that there were two witnesses to the crime.

The young boys had been in the store before They had tried to steal beer about a month ago, said that brother who was working at the store at the time. He was able to stop the theft back then. I guess that the boys had decided to try again yesterday.

The store owner was upset because she was "looking after them after like a mother would" and felt betrayed that they would turn around and do this to her.

Other residents were around at the time while we were all out front with the police. Some other residents said that they think the boys live in the neighborhood. Another resident commented that he thought the boys sometimes hung out at the corner of 1st & U Street NW.

In any event, I was glad that the store owner was not seriously physically hurt. But she certainly was shaken up.

No, there were no working cameras in the store. I suggested to tthe brother than they work on getting operable cameras in the store.

[ 2 ] John Salatti: Public Safety Announcement & 1^st Neighborhood Safety Walk of 2009 -- Friday, 01/02/2008

See this 12/29?2008 message from Bloomingdale resident and ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY WALK OF 2009

Happy Holidays, Everyone,

Before the year closes, here is a public safety update.

The very good news is that crime is DOWN!! For the year 2008, in the northern half of Bloomingdale, total crime is down about 20% compared with 2007. Violent crime is down about 5%. So overall we continue to do better. I commend 5D for all Commander Greene and his officers are doing to help us. They are responsive to our requests and have helped us cut down on some drug crime and have closed a number of problem houses where drug crime was beginning to take root. Many thanks to neighbors who alerted me to problems early. That helped us keep the problems from becoming big trouble.

Also, note that 5D is aware of the drug activity centered around the north end of the alley that runs parallel to the 2100 blocks of Flagler Place and 2nd Street . Nevertheless, if you see something, either call 911 or let me know and I’ll get 5D involved.

But while we have done pretty well concerning crime, all has not been well. We have had two homicides in the north Bloomingdale and others not far away. Some of those cases are making real progress. For example, in the case of Delfa Hercules, who was stabbed at a bus stop on the 1700 block of 3rd Street , police are confident that they know who committed this murder and are building their case to ensure conviction. Regarding the most recent killing, which occurred at the corner of 1st and U Streets at 2:45 in the afternoon in front of many witnesses, the victim was Orlando Carroll who has lived at a couple of places in the neighborhood including the 100 block of Rhode Island Avenue and on Flagler Place. According to police, Mr. Carroll was involved in drugs and was a suspect in a few murders. Because of the witnesses, police hope to arrest a suspect.

Because we still have a ways to go before Bloomingdale is the safe place we all want it to be, I am organizing the first public safety walk of the year for this coming Friday. Although many will be away for the holiday, we neighbors who will be here can set the tone for 2009 by walking the streets and letting everyone know that we will not be complacent about crime.

So dress warmly, bring a flashlight, and meet at 1st & U at 6:30 p.m. this Friday, January 2nd.

If you have any questions or ideas, please let me know.

I look forward to seeing you!

John

John T. Salatti

Commissioner, ANC 5C04

Recording Secretary, ANC 5C

(202) 986- 2592

Jsalatti @ earthlink.net

"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"