CRESTWOOD CITIZENS ASSOCIATION & ANC 4E06MEETING
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
7:00 PM by Zoom
Minutes of the Meeting
CCA President, Hala Harik Hayes, opened. She introduced the Board Members, and our ANC Commissioner, Pavan Khoobchandani.
Guest Speaker:
Hala introduced tonight’s guest, Captain Bellavance from 4D to discuss police-related issues in Crestwood and to share ways that the neighborhood can support the work of the Metropolitan Police Department. He has been with 4D for about 4 years and brought us up to date on the latest information on crime in the neighborhood.
The majority of complaints are related to theft from autos. There is a web site that gives crime stats. In the last 4 months there have been 15 thefts from autos, time of day is usually overnight. The recent uptick in thefts of catalytic converters has dropped way off. Tires and rings thefts are becoming common throughout the area. Usually, thefts are from inside the car – backpacks, computer cases, etc. are pretty typical. A lot of contractors working in the area seem to be having their trucks targeted, but a lot of those are not reported. It is important for all of us to make sure anyone working in our homes knows to lock their vehicles and not to leave attractive items where they can be seen and grabbed. Most of these crimes have no video or witnesses, and the police reports are handled over the phone.
Here are some of the questions that CCA members asked him:
- If there is a crime reported and the victims don’t have video, will the police check with the neighbors who have surveillance camera that were paid for by the recent city program that supplied free cameras to homeowners. Captain Bellavance said that when the officers report to the scene, they knock on doors or leave cards with neighboring homes asking if they have footage of the incident.
- Are some car models more common theft bait than others? Hundai and Kias that are key operated seem to be targeted. They are easy to steal. 2018-2021 model years. Toyotas have not come to his attention as being particularly vulnerable.
- Is there anything we can do to make the neighborhood less friendly for criminals? Keep doors locked. Theft from auto is a major crime of opportunity, and a lot of people carelessly leave cars and even houses are unlocked. The thieves often work in pairs, and if they see something attractive and grabbable, or they’ll break in then. Have good lighting around your house. Remind visitors to bring in valuables.
- Have the police reduced ordinary patrols in neighborhoods like Crestwood? Yes. We are down 240 officers, which stretches recourses.
Captain Bellavance said that on October 27, the City Council is changing crime protocols in DC, decriminalizing what some people might consider to be more of a nuisance than a crime. These include things that many of us might consider to be arrest worthy, like urinating and defecating in public, even if you’re not a dog. (Hmmm. Will people have to scoop their poop?). It also decriminalizes drinking in public, illegal vending and noise-related public disturbances. It also downgrades carjacking to robbery. If we don’t like it, let our Counsel member know. [The code changes, if approved by the DC Council, go into effect in 2025]
Captain Bellavance’s phone number is 202-815-4505.
Acknowledgments:
Hala acknowledged some of our neighbors who have gone above and beyond to serve our community:
- Alan and Adam McDonald for several years of e-cycling and hazardous waste services. They organized the events and lent their truck to haul all of our old electronic devices to be recycled.
- George Chaconas has been managing the dog bag stations, and without being asked, he painted the Crestwood benches at the Point.
- Yvonne Baskerville stepped down as co-chair of the Aging in Place group in Crestwood after many years of service.
CCA Updates:
- CCA Membership Management Software/Membership Directory – we switched to an online directory last year, and there are directions on how to opt in to the directory. We are using a software system, Wild Apricot. If we decide to change our member management software, we’ll have to redo the directory input.
- Dallas Salisbury will become the new Aging in Place cochair, and they are setting up a meeting for November for 7 pm on November 3, 2022. (dallassalisburycca@gmail.com for more information)
- Green Team: Garden tour? If anyone is interested, let us know. You don’t need a really fancy garden. The idea is to share what we’ve learned, especially about using native plants and growing food.
Past events:
- Crestwood Traffic Safety Walkthrough (May)
- Spring Picnic (June)
- 4th of July Parade (July)
- Ice Cream Social (July)
- Jazz in the Park (Sept)
There are photos of many of these events on the web site, and we are all welcome to send in photos we have taken.
Upcoming Events: These are the opportunities we took to get together and have some fun.
- October 30 at 4:00 PM Halloween Parade at The Point. Caitlin Clark is the Kid’s Team lead and is organizing it.
- Nov 24 at 9:00 AM Turkey Trot at The Triangle. Money that is raised will go to reopen Carter Baron by 2026 (Carter Baron Alliance, a project of Rock Creek Conservancy)
- Dec 10 from 5:00-7:00 PM, Holiday Party at the Budde Home on Matthewson – this will be our first holiday party since the onset of the Covid pandemic!
- Dec 24 at 6:00 PM Christmas Caroling at the Dabbs Home – this is a tradition that dates back to the 1950’s!
Pavan Khoobchandani - ANC 4E06 Update
- DDOT traffic safety improvements have come mostly from the recent safety walkthrough last May. All requests begin with 311 submission. You can also Tweet your request. You can go to the DDOT Website and do a search by ANC district for improvements that has been installed and are scheduled to be done.
- Adopt a Block – commit to doing 4 cleanups per year.
- Blagden Ave traffic has eased up. There will be a 3-way stop installed at Blagden and Beach very soon now.
- Capital Bikeshare station – it narrows the road and people honk. Stop honking! It does seem to get used a lot, and we want to work together to minimize the impact on its immediate neighbors.
Other announcements
- Reminder: A ban on gas powered leaf blowers is now in effect – they are very noisy! We need to remind anyone we hire to do yard work that they can’t be used in DC
- Aging in Place getting organized - anyone interested contact Jackie Jackson or Dallas Salisbury
Neighbor concerns and questions
At 8:05 PM, Hala adjourned the meeting