Monthly Archives: June 2015
Traffic Concerns for Vision Zero
Are there areas where you feel unsafe crossing streets in and out of Trinidad by foot, bike, or car?
The DC Department of Transportation is working towards Vision Zero. Their objective is that “by the year 2024, Washington, DC will reach zero fatalities and serious injuries to travelers of our transportation system, through more effective use of data, education, enforcement, and engineering.”
The DC Department of Transportation has a map where residents can click on sites trouble spots for pedestrians, bicycle riders, or drivers. You can register where you have safety concerns on the interactive map. If an intersection is already marked on the map, you can click to open the text box and provide additional comments.
The Mayor’s Office is responding to a call for safer streets with Vision Zero. This initiative is in response to the US Department of Transportation’s Mayor’s Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets, which aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle transportation safety by showcasing effective local actions, empowering local leaders to take action, and promoting partnerships to advance pedestrian and bicycle safety.
To learn more about Vision Zero, you can visit the DDOT website.
Every Hero Has a Story: Summer Reading with DCPL
This year, DC Public Library is teaming up with the Washington Nationals in a summer reading program. All kids and teens who reach their summer reading goal win two tickets to catch a Nationals baseball game. Kids, teens and adults who complete will win free Chipotle too. There are different guidelines and prizes based on age (birth to 5 years; 6 to 12 years; 13 to 19 years; and adults).
The program started in late May and runs through the end of August.
You can learn more about the program and sign up on line at http://dclibrary.org/summerreading or you can visit a library to sign up.
The closest DCPL locations to Trinidad are:
- Woodridge Library at 1790 Douglas St NE
- Rosedale Library at 1701 Gales St NE
- Northeast Library at 330 7th St NE
Ongoing Homicide Investigations
There still is not a lot of information on last Tuesday’s gruesome crime on Holbrook Terrace and only speculation about it being connected to the July 17 shooting of 25-year-old Larry Michael Lockhart on Orren St or Friday night’s shooting of 23-year-old Jeffery Cortez Johnson on Raum St, both of which have been ruled homicides.
MPD announced that the death of the unidentified victim found in a burning trash can behind a long-vacant home in the 1200 block of Holbrook Terrace NE has been ruled a homicide. On Wednesday, June 24, 2015, members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be gunshot wounds and the manner of death is homicide. It was also determined that the decedent is a black male. The investigation is ongoing.
MPD has shared that they are getting a lot of tips from the community and that even small bits of information help them piece together the larger puzzle. At a recent TNA meeting, Commander Fitzgerald indicated MPD was close to closing the Larry Lockhart homicide investigation. Please contact MPD with any information you may have.
The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.
Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Break – DC Free Summer Meals Program
Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Break
Kids and teens (18 and under) eat free through the DC Free Summer Meal Program. The program runs June through August with most sites opening June 22 and closing August 22. Meal times and dates vary by location. You can find sites by texting FOOD to 877877 or call 1-866-3-HUNGRY between 8 am and 8 pm Monday through Friday.
Program Details:
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), known in Washington, DC as the DC Free 
Summer Meals Program (FSMP), provides reimbursement for free nutritious meals and snacks served to children 18 and younger. These meals help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.
When school is out, the meals served as a part of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are not available, and due to families’ limited budgets, or other circumstances, children will often miss wholesome meals. The FSMP fills this gap and parents benefit from some help in stretching their food dollars and by knowing that their children are receiving healthy meals in a supportive environment.
The Free Summer Meals Program has served over 1 million meals to children and youth in the District of Columbia in the past three summers. Sponsoring organizations included:
- Public or private local education agencies;
- Entities of state, local, or municipal government;
- Residential camps; and
- Private non-profit organizations with 501 (c) (3) status.
See http://osse.dc.gov/service/dc-free-summer-meals-program for additional information.
Special ANC 5D Meeting Set for Thursday July 2nd
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION (ANC) 5D
NOTICE OF SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING
FIFTH DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS, 1805 BLADENSBURG RD, NE
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 – 7:00 PM
Per DC Code § 1–309.11.3.c and ANC 5D Bylaws § V.4, Commissioners Blacknell, Buggs, Lee, Roberts and Shropshire have requested a Special Meeting of ANC 5D to address the below agenda items. Per the bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order, only the below items may be discussed at this Special Meeting.
AGENDA
1. Roll Call 7:00 – 7:05
2. Letter of Support for Zoning Variances 7:05 – 7:25
Pierce Investments, LLC (1124 Florida Ave NE)
3. Approval of Minutes 7:25 – Close
a. January 13, 2015 monthly meeting
b. January 23, 2015 special meeting
c. February 10, 2015 monthly meeting
d. March 10, 2015 monthly meeting
e. April 14, 2015 monthly meeting
f. May 12, 2015 monthly meeting
g. May 22, 2015 special meeting
4. Adjourn
Arrest Made in Armed Robbery in 1200 block of Raum St NE
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Fifth District have announced an arrest has been made in the armed robbery of a citizen that occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2015, at approximately 11:30 pm in the 1200 block of Raum Street Northeast.
On Thursday, June 25, 2015, pursuant to D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant members of the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division-Gun Recovery Unit located and arrested 19-year old Darius Briscoe of Northeast, DC. He was charged with Armed Robbery.
Decedent in Homicide Identified
The Washington Post reported additional information on the homicide victim from last night’s shooting:
By Martin Weil June 27 at 7:32 PM
A man was found fatally shot a few minutes before midnight Friday in the Trinidad area of Northeast Washington, D.C. police said.
They said Kevin Cortez Johnson, 23, of Southeast Washington was found about 11:45 p.m. in the 1200 block of Raum Street NE.
It was not clear who shot him or why.
Homicide on Raum
Just before midnight MPD responded to a 911 call regarding shots fired in the 1200 block of Raum. A male victim was found on the scene with wounds from multiple gunshots. MPD reported that the victim was transported to Med Starr hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Our condolences to the family.
We will update the community as additional information becomes available. This morning MPD said that they did not have additional information to release but are preparing a press release.
REI Outdoor Classes at Wunder Garten
REI is opening a store in the old Uline Arena in 2016. Ahead of the store opening, they are offering free outdoor classes in bike maintenance, yoga for athletes, knots, and backpacking basics as well as trivia sessions, a run club, and other events. You can see the full schedule and descriptions of classes at http://wundergartendc.com/rei/.
All classes will be held at Wunder Garten, the pop-up beer garden at 150 M Street NE by the NoMa metro. Since the site is a beer garden, you must be 21 to enter or be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
This is a great chance to learn new skills but stick close to the neighborhood!
Trinidad Neighborhood Association 