Ihre Papiere Bitte

[CHL/LEO]

D.C. Police to Check Drivers In Violence-Plagued Trinidad

By Allison Klein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 5, 2008; A01

D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced a military-style checkpoint yesterday to stop cars this weekend in a Northeast Washington neighborhood inundated by gun violence, saying it will help keep criminals out of the area.

Starting on Saturday, officers will check drivers' identification and ask whether they have a "legitimate purpose" to be in the Trinidad area, such as going to a doctor or church or visiting friends or relatives. If not, the drivers will be turned away.

The Neighborhood Safety Zone initiative is the latest crime-fighting attempt by Lanier and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, who have been under pressure from residents to stop a recent surge in violence. Last weekend was especially bloody, with seven slayings, including three in the Trinidad area.

"In certain areas, we need to go beyond the normal methods of policing," Fenty (D) said at a news conference announcing the action. "We're going to go into an area and completely shut it down to prevent shootings and the sale of drugs."

The checkpoint will stop vehicles approaching the 1400 block of Montello Avenue NE, a section of the Trinidad neighborhood that has been plagued with homicides and other violence. Police will search cars if they suspect the presence of guns or drugs, and will arrest people who do not cooperate, under a charge of failure to obey a police officer, officials said.

The enforcement will take place at random hours and last for at least five days in Trinidad, with the option of extending it five more days. Checkpoints could be set up in other neighborhoods if they are requested by patrol commanders and approved by Lanier.

The strategy, patterned after a similar effort conducted years ago in New York, is not airtight. There are many ways to get in and out of Trinidad, not just on the one-way Montello Avenue. And pedestrians will not be stopped, which is something critics say might render the program ineffective.

"I guess the plan is to hope criminals will not walk into neighborhoods," said D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large). "I also suppose the plan is to take the criminal's word for it when he or she gives the police a reason for driving into a neighborhood."

Since taking over as chief in December 2006, Lanier has struggled with the issue of violent crime. She has added patrols, revived a unit specializing in getting guns off the streets and changed commanders in six of the city's seven patrol districts. Last weekend, officers were close enough in one case that they heard the barrage of gunfire coming from a triple homicide on Holbrook Street in Trinidad.

The program is aimed at the city's most troubled areas. The 5th Police District, which includes Trinidad, has had 22 killings this year, one more than all of last year. Since April 1, the Trinidad neighborhood has had seven homicides, 16 robberies and 20 assaults with dangerous weapons, according to police data. In many cases in Trinidad and across the city, gunshots are fired from passing cars, victims are found in cars or cars are used to make fast getaways.

"We have to try to take away the things that are facilitating the ability to commit crime," Lanier said.

Leaders of the American Civil Liberties Union said yesterday that they will be watching what happens closely and that legal action is likely.

To read the rest of the story click here

[bdickens]

Wow. DC just doesn't give a flying fig about the Constitution!

[Keith B]

While I don't like the fact that they are trampling on civil liberties, if you have ever been in DC, you would NOT want to even step foot in the Trinidad area. It is a NASTY place!!

I can understand their wanting to find ways to curtail the gang and drug related activities in the area, but as usual, they have gone way overboard.

[Lodge2004]

"We have to try to take away the things that are facilitating the ability to commit crime," Lanier said.

How do you do that? Do you amputate a person's legs to prevent them from jaywalking/trespassing? Do you remove their hands to prevent an assault?

[texasgirl]

In many cases in Trinidad and across the city, gunshots are fired from passing cars, victims are found in cars or cars are used to make fast getaways.

I guess since they banned the guns already now the problem is the evil cars with out them the criminals couldn't possible commit a crime because it's the thing not the person right.

[KD5NRH]

officers will check drivers' identification and ask whether they have a "legitimate purpose" to be in the Trinidad area

Anybody with some serious disposable income want to make it a retirement goal to drive on every street their taxes have paid for?

Bonus points if you send Al Gore copies of the gas receipts

[Venus Pax]

What are they doing about the crime that lives within the boundaries of the Trinidad area?

[stevie_d_64]

"...refusing to cooperate..."

hmmmmmm...

"I do not consent to a search of my vehicle sir, am I free to go?"

Doesn't look like D.C. is giving up so easily...At least the local government...The people seem to have lost their will...

what a shame...

[stevie_d_64]

officers will check drivers' identification and ask whether they have a "legitimate purpose" to be in the Trinidad area

Anybody with some serious disposable income want to make it a retirement goal to drive on every street their taxes have paid for?

Bonus points if you send Al Gore copies of the gas receipts

He'd only use them as bird cage liner...

[57Coastie]

Groups to monitor DC checkpoints.

http://galvestondailynews.com/wire.lass ... CHECKPOINT

[tarkus]

What are they doing about the crime that lives within the boundaries of the Trinidad area?

The locals that make the payoffs can commit crime without fear. DC is the city that elected Marion Barry as their mayor again after he got out of prison. He's currently on the council despite being a convicted criminal. DC is the model Gun Free Zone.

[bpet]

What are they doing about the crime that lives within the boundaries of the Trinidad area?

The locals that make the payoffs can commit crime without fear. DC is the city that elected Marion Barry as their mayor again after he got out of prison. He's currently on the council despite being a convicted criminal. DC is the model Gun Free Zone.

Bold is my emphasis not the authors and I agree.

At least it's not a real state and Mayor is as high as their political corruption can go without a governor. Thank goodness some sanity still exists in the nations capitol.

[lunchbox]

no wonder everone else in the world hates us