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[quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele]It seems like every day there are multiple shootings in DC. Many of them are full out gunfights that you might expect in the O.K. Corral -- multiple shooters and 10s of bullets flying everywhere. I moved to DC in 1986 in the midst of the crack epidemic when daily murders were a normal thing. But we knew what they were tied to drugs. Now, I have no idea what is provoking these shootings and I see no discussion of the causes anywhere (there maybe some that I've missed). Does anyone have any idea what is going on?
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As with the late 80’s and early 90’s, it’s still drugs, territory, and interpersonal beefs.

Brightwood Park has been a recent site where shootings have ticked up. Before the pandemic, we had an issue with some folks loitering at a strip mall at 5th and Kennedy St. NW. No one was terribly concerned until there was a 3 p.m. shooting at this corner. The cops parked some cruisers nearby and out up lights and cameras, which shifted activity west toward 7th St. and north to Longfellow St. Violence interruptors and folks from the mayor’s office came out to chat with the young men loitering outside of Kennedy St. businesses. They were offered job training but turned it down in favor of the “jobs” they currently have.

Meanwhile, there were some problem rental properties south of this location at Jefferson St. The neighborhood, CM Todd’s office, MOCR’s, and Racine’s office have all been trying to find creative strategies to deal with problematic behavior that keeps popping up at the same properties regardless of who’s on the lease.

Now that we’re in a pandemic, the same problems that have been going on for over five years still exist. However, there are no open schools or rec centers, and honest jobs for the untrained are harder to come by. You have more people with more time on their hands. Tension has also built during 50+ person gatherings taking place on the streets during the pandemic. I guess people don’t have their normal indoor places to go have smaller get togethers.

In short, it’s the same people and the same social problems that have always existed in the same locations. As with before, residents who are not involved in criminal activity are still at little risk. When you walk or drive through the neighborhood, you can see the nights when there are more folks gathering around on the corners. These are times when tensions kick up and it’s better to stay away from the area and keep indoors.[/quote]

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