Anonymous wrote:OK, 311 wanted to where I want them to file the issue. I told them I had no idea but I hoped they would know. They ended up claiming that they reported the issue to department of human services. Who knows what happens now, but I think that as far as DC is concerned, reporting has been completed and now we just wait.

Anonymous wrote:It appears this would be the number to call--

You may also wish to call the Hearst Principal, Mary Cheh's office, ANC, Friendship Place and non-emergency 311 as well.

Community Response Team
The DBH Community Response Team (CRT), is a 24-7 multidisciplinary direct service team that expands our community based direct service efforts—including homeless outreach, mobile crisis, and pre-arrest diversion. Our CRT supports adults who are experiencing emotional, psychiatric or substance use vulnerabilities to promote service engagement and overall behavioral health and wellness.

These supports are provided through assessment, referral, short term care management, and follow-up for individuals across the District. CRT also provides community education, individual and neighborhood outreach, behavioral health consultation, short term support for critical incidents, in addition to co-response and intervention support for our partner agencies and community organizations.

Teams of behavioral health specialists, licensed clinicians and peers in recovery have an ongoing presence in communities to:

Conduct on the spot assessment and referral to behavioral health care.
Engage regularly individuals living with unmet needs to encourage treatment.
Connect to support services including employment, education and economic benefit programs.
Offer harm reduction options such as life-saving naloxone while promoting treatment.
Support diversion from the criminal justice system for low level behavioral health related offenses.
The Community Response Team offers 24-hour services to communities experiencing psychiatric emergencies, trauma, or show signs of mental health and substance use disorders.

To reach the Community Response Team any time call 202-673-6495 or visit:

35 K Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002

Anonymous wrote:Schools, nope. Cops need to move them off and keep them off. No strangers homeless or not hanging out at schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Let's assume for a moment that these people do not want help. Can they simply camp forever on the school grounds or can the city do anything? Isn't there a health issue? What is the purpose of making the kids wear masks at recess, if the unvaccinated temporarily displaced population they share the playground with is not wearing masks or even just pooping on the ground in corners.


I don't think that's a great assumption. They may not want exactly what we want but most people can be reasoned with. They will be more willing to see things from our point of view if we're willing to see things from their point of view.

Also, I think the issue from public health is defecation, if they don't have somewhere to go, not COVID if they are outdoors / not in direct contact with kids. In fact, someone avoiding shelters is probably less likely to pick up COVID.

I think you should go test your theories. Go over to the tents and actually try to engage in a civilized neighborhood discussion about boundaries and compromise and then report back and tell us how it went . . . .