Two child homicides in Cleveland Park/Van Ness apartment buildings in eight days

[Anonymous]

The same issues we were experiencing in Sedgwick Gardens. DV in the halls, cops are always at the building, someone stabbed someone else in the lobby, lots of weed - which I’m not against marijuana use but the smell was in the halls and our apt constantly. A child fell out of an 8 story window while we were there. Also just a general feeling of not being safe in your own building. Neighbors are rude, not friendly. The Brandywine is a huge building and we still have friends who live there who don’t experience the same issues and I think it’s because they were in a different wing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The same issues we were experiencing in Sedgwick Gardens. DV in the halls, cops are always at the building, someone stabbed someone else in the lobby, lots of weed - which I’m not against marijuana use but the smell was in the halls and our apt constantly. A child fell out of an 8 story window while we were there. Also just a general feeling of not being safe in your own building. Neighbors are rude, not friendly. The Brandywine is a huge building and we still have friends who live there who don’t experience the same issues and I think it’s because they were in a different wing.

In two months there will be a marijuana dispensary walking distance from Sedgwick Gardens where anyone can get their early onset glaucoma treated without a doctor thanks to DC’s patient friendly and well thought out marijuana laws.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The DC ME’s office is extremely dysfunctional, and has gone through years long stints without accreditation, are you unfamiliar with its history?

Much like the 911 call center whose incompetence has resulted in quite a few deaths.

In this case, a violent child killer is now released due to their incompetence. I do expect him to be arrested and convicted eventually, hopefully without harming the girls in the meantime.

The USAO did not object, they are not good re: dv in particular and are weak on crime overall. Had they prosecuted the felony dv case, the one another judge ordered him held for and for which a grand jury found probable cause, the boy would’ve alive.

How are the kids at Murch doing? Cannot fathom explaining something like this to a kindergarter.

Parent of a kindergartener at Murch. This has been so upsetting and difficult. We saw Deandre at morning drop offs. Never with a parent. His sisters walked him to school. I never noticed any evidence of him being abused or any of the kids looking like they were suffering from their living situation. There are many families still living in that same building and staff from the school lives there, too. My family has been displaced from buildings that have gotten unsafe - we used to live in Sedgwick Gardens from 2010 to 2018 when it got REALLY bad. Then moved to the Brandywine - same shit. Now we live in another smaller building on Conn Ave that has some voucher recipients but not many. We do not make enough money to afford a condo or house in NW DC (GS 9s) but live here because we felt it was the safest place to raise kids. Now I'm not so sure.

This is so sad. I am sorry.

Why are so many homeless families being moved to Connecticut Avenue buildings? Just curious why especially if the buildings are having so many issues?

[Anonymous]

It’s a good question and I’m not sure of the exact answer. I imagine that many buildings in the city are taking in voucher recipients. But because Ward 3 in particular is the demographic that it is, it’s more noticeable when there are issues? Also Conn Ave has lots of older rent controlled buildings, is close to bus lines and metro, lots of grocery stores, so it is a desirable place to live. When we lived in Sedgwick we met with our ANC rep to talk about the issues. She said landlords can get more money from DC for voucher recipients than they can compared to market rate. So they made money. DARO was the worst offender. When we moved into Sedgwick in 2010 the building was full of older folks who had lived there for 20 years plus. They all got pushed out.

[Anonymous]

How do you find out which buildings are nuisance properties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The DC ME’s office is extremely dysfunctional, and has gone through years long stints without accreditation, are you unfamiliar with its history?

Much like the 911 call center whose incompetence has resulted in quite a few deaths.

In this case, a violent child killer is now released due to their incompetence. I do expect him to be arrested and convicted eventually, hopefully without harming the girls in the meantime.

The USAO did not object, they are not good re: dv in particular and are weak on crime overall. Had they prosecuted the felony dv case, the one another judge ordered him held for and for which a grand jury found probable cause, the boy would’ve alive.

How are the kids at Murch doing? Cannot fathom explaining something like this to a kindergarter.

Parent of a kindergartener at Murch. This has been so upsetting and difficult. We saw Deandre at morning drop offs. Never with a parent. His sisters walked him to school. I never noticed any evidence of him being abused or any of the kids looking like they were suffering from their living situation. There are many families still living in that same building and staff from the school lives there, too. My family has been displaced from buildings that have gotten unsafe - we used to live in Sedgwick Gardens from 2010 to 2018 when it got REALLY bad. Then moved to the Brandywine - same shit. Now we live in another smaller building on Conn Ave that has some voucher recipients but not many. We do not make enough money to afford a condo or house in NW DC (GS 9s) but live here because we felt it was the safest place to raise kids. Now I'm not so sure.

This is so sad. I am sorry.

Why are so many homeless families being moved to Connecticut Avenue buildings? Just curious why especially if the buildings are having so many issues?

Because the Ward 3 councilman invited them here and the mayor is more than happy to oblige. This crisis will live on long after they’re both out of office, which many longtime neighbors hope is soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a good question and I’m not sure of the exact answer. I imagine that many buildings in the city are taking in voucher recipients. But because Ward 3 in particular is the demographic that it is, it’s more noticeable when there are issues? Also Conn Ave has lots of older rent controlled buildings, is close to bus lines and metro, lots of grocery stores, so it is a desirable place to live. When we lived in Sedgwick we met with our ANC rep to talk about the issues. She said landlords can get more money from DC for voucher recipients than they can compared to market rate. So they made money. DARO was the worst offender. When we moved into Sedgwick in 2010 the building was full of older folks who had lived there for 20 years plus. They all got pushed out.

So hard-working seniors and workers who pay their rent and obey the law get forced out by criminals, drug dealers and abusers, sociopaths, and other deviants. Thanks, Bowser.

[Anonymous]

I feel very conflicted about the voucher program. It has caused me to move twice in the past six years due to feeling unsafe in my building. But so many of the voucher recipients also have kids. If Deandre Pettus got his voucher revoked, what would have happened to his three children? Where would they end up? At least in a building on Connecticut Ave those kids get the opportunity to attend a good school like Murch and get to see what healthy family relationships and caring adults look like. They get to feel safe walking down the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a good question and I’m not sure of the exact answer. I imagine that many buildings in the city are taking in voucher recipients. But because Ward 3 in particular is the demographic that it is, it’s more noticeable when there are issues? Also Conn Ave has lots of older rent controlled buildings, is close to bus lines and metro, lots of grocery stores, so it is a desirable place to live. When we lived in Sedgwick we met with our ANC rep to talk about the issues. She said landlords can get more money from DC for voucher recipients than they can compared to market rate. So they made money. DARO was the worst offender. When we moved into Sedgwick in 2010 the building was full of older folks who had lived there for 20 years plus. They all got pushed out.

It’s more noticeable because crime along Connecticut used to be quite low. Now, because of certain voucher vagrants, it’s increased dramatically. Note the correlation (and Co-location) of reporter crimes with voucher manors. And then there’s the antisocial behavior and quality of life issues (feces rubbed on hallway walls, anyone), that don’t show up in the heightened crime stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel very conflicted about the voucher program. It has caused me to move twice in the past six years due to feeling unsafe in my building. But so many of the voucher recipients also have kids. If Deandre Pettus got his voucher revoked, what would have happened to his three children? Where would they end up? At least in a building on Connecticut Ave those kids get the opportunity to attend a good school like Murch and get to see what healthy family relationships and caring adults look like. They get to feel safe walking down the street.

Unfortunately longtime residents now feel less safe walking down the street. How is that just?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same issues we were experiencing in Sedgwick Gardens. DV in the halls, cops are always at the building, someone stabbed someone else in the lobby, lots of weed - which I’m not against marijuana use but the smell was in the halls and our apt constantly. A child fell out of an 8 story window while we were there. Also just a general feeling of not being safe in your own building. Neighbors are rude, not friendly. The Brandywine is a huge building and we still have friends who live there who don’t experience the same issues and I think it’s because they were in a different wing.

In two months there will be a marijuana dispensary walking distance from Sedgwick Gardens where anyone can get their early onset glaucoma treated without a doctor thanks to DC’s patient friendly and well thought out marijuana laws.

Light it up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel very conflicted about the voucher program. It has caused me to move twice in the past six years due to feeling unsafe in my building. But so many of the voucher recipients also have kids. If Deandre Pettus got his voucher revoked, what would have happened to his three children? Where would they end up? At least in a building on Connecticut Ave those kids get the opportunity to attend a good school like Murch and get to see what healthy family relationships and caring adults look like. They get to feel safe walking down the street.

Unfortunately longtime residents now feel less safe walking down the street. How is that just?

It's equitable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel very conflicted about the voucher program. It has caused me to move twice in the past six years due to feeling unsafe in my building. But so many of the voucher recipients also have kids. If Deandre Pettus got his voucher revoked, what would have happened to his three children? Where would they end up? At least in a building on Connecticut Ave those kids get the opportunity to attend a good school like Murch and get to see what healthy family relationships and caring adults look like. They get to feel safe walking down the street.

Unfortunately longtime residents now feel less safe walking down the street. How is that just?

It's equitable.

No, it’s not. Law abiding people are being threatened and penalized while criminal and druggies are getting free housing on the taxpayers’ dime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same issues we were experiencing in Sedgwick Gardens. DV in the halls, cops are always at the building, someone stabbed someone else in the lobby, lots of weed - which I’m not against marijuana use but the smell was in the halls and our apt constantly. A child fell out of an 8 story window while we were there. Also just a general feeling of not being safe in your own building. Neighbors are rude, not friendly. The Brandywine is a huge building and we still have friends who live there who don’t experience the same issues and I think it’s because they were in a different wing.

In two months there will be a marijuana dispensary walking distance from Sedgwick Gardens where anyone can get their early onset glaucoma treated without a doctor thanks to DC’s patient friendly and well thought out marijuana laws.

Light it up!

If I were a parent who was paying to send my kid to UDC I’d be furious that they approved an on campus dispensary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The DC ME’s office is extremely dysfunctional, and has gone through years long stints without accreditation, are you unfamiliar with its history?

Much like the 911 call center whose incompetence has resulted in quite a few deaths.

In this case, a violent child killer is now released due to their incompetence. I do expect him to be arrested and convicted eventually, hopefully without harming the girls in the meantime.

The USAO did not object, they are not good re: dv in particular and are weak on crime overall. Had they prosecuted the felony dv case, the one another judge ordered him held for and for which a grand jury found probable cause, the boy would’ve alive.

How are the kids at Murch doing? Cannot fathom explaining something like this to a kindergarter.

Parent of a kindergartener at Murch. This has been so upsetting and difficult. We saw Deandre at morning drop offs. Never with a parent. His sisters walked him to school. I never noticed any evidence of him being abused or any of the kids looking like they were suffering from their living situation. There are many families still living in that same building and staff from the school lives there, too. My family has been displaced from buildings that have gotten unsafe - we used to live in Sedgwick Gardens from 2010 to 2018 when it got REALLY bad. Then moved to the Brandywine - same shit. Now we live in another smaller building on Conn Ave that has some voucher recipients but not many. We do not make enough money to afford a condo or house in NW DC (GS 9s) but live here because we felt it was the safest place to raise kids. Now I'm not so sure.

Sorry, but I'm confused. When you say GS 9s, do you mean that you have a 2-parent household, with both working at GS 9 level? Why on earth do you say you can't afford a house or condo? And even if there are good reasons you can't, you sure as heck can afford better than Sedgwich Gardens. This makes no sense.