Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

https://dcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e5db6c2361f84c969308b846440c98be

Very interesting map. Lots of it a result of the kickbacks Bowser’s voucher queen took from CT ave landlords. She stepped down but I have heard nothing about her being held accountable.

Who is the voucher queen?

From March 30, 2023 Washington post

The most recent internal audit accuses Karissa Spann, a deputy director of the voucher program, of a conflict of interest in her relationship to a landlord. Spann, whose name was redacted from the report reviewed by The Washington Post, confirmed she was the subject of an investigation, said it had not been properly conducted and denied wrongdoing.
The other audit, which also contained redactions, accuses a lower-level employee of steering vouchers to people unqualified to receive them.
Spann along with two lower-level employees are no longer employed by the housing authority, DCHA officials confirmed. The agency’s internal auditing office found her in violation of ethics standards and accused her of planning to steer voucher tenants to a landlord with whom she’d had a financial relationship.
[D.C. overpays landlords millions to house the city’s poorest]
The investigation originated from a Jan. 24 complaint by an employee under Spann’s supervision. The complaint alleged that she maintained a financial relationship with a landlord described as owning 30 apartment buildings totaling 700 units. The landlord, whose name is redacted from the report, told auditors he met Spann 11 years ago through an unidentified business venture and had provided her with a “financial bailout” when her business was in “financial distress.”
The landlord told auditors he paid Spann “50 to 100%” of the first month’s rent for placing residents in his apartment complexes. He said he had not paid Spann to do this since she began at DCHA. But in January, the landlord told auditors, he again asked for her help, and he had intended to pay her. The landlord declined to provide further information because he didn’t want to get her “into trouble,” the audit report said.
Auditors obtained recent text messages in which Spann referred to the landlord as her “client,” according to the audit report, which states that she did not disclose her business on conflict-of-interest waiver forms when she was hired.
Before joining DCHA in May of last year, Spann ran a D.C.-based real estate business, Fresh Start Housing Services, but she said that she received no payments while working at DCHA and that there were no conflicts of interest.
“I wasn’t providing consultant services, I was providing weekly landlord coaching and tenant classes,” she said.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is people's plan to avoid the type of carjacking above, the bump and snatch? Not to pull over at all if car is drivable and occupants look more like thieves than people carrying insurance? Traditionally the advice was to drive to somewhere safe to pull over if concerned, but the Connecticut commercial strip in broad daylight used to qualify, so ??? Not sure what to do myself, to advise teen drivers, etc. Anyone work for an insurance company and know what they require? It's expensive any way you look at it. Getting hit in the head with a gun could be very expensive too, esp for those of us who make our living with a head free from TBI. Sometimes people are shot even if they hand over keys and walk away. What is the best practices strategy? Anyone lived in countries where this has been more common who has safety experience to share?

I have thought about this also. Never in a million years would I have thought that block on Conn Ave during rush hour would not be safe to pull over.

Definitely get a dash cam. Beyond that, I am stumped for how to answer.

I would definitely profile whoever rear-ended me before deciding what to do in the moment.

Juveniles really fear no consequences in DC. Even for homicide, held until 21. When the 1993 crime bill was written, with hefty mandatory minimums, it had no carve outs for age.

It may be time to rebalance the "potential" of one violent kid vs. the safety of all others, regardless of how they pay their rent. People who have vouchers deserve a safe building, community and Connecticut Avenue, we ALL do.

DC Justice Lab is mobilizing a lot of opposition to Pinto's latest public safety bill. If you support, talk with neighbors and email/call CM, at large CMs and Mendo. And if in W3, keep Frumin's feet to the fire after his performance at the June hearing.

How would people's answers change, if at all, to a bump and snatch scenario with kids in the car? DC is up over 5,000 stolen cars for 2023 to date and over 700 carjackings. Starting to try to think through how to respond if carjacked.

And bringing it back around, have known people in Forest Hills who were carjacked/attempted by teens that turned out to live in The Brandywine, etc. Sometimes that involved pistol whipping too.

There is also the box in scenario when pulling out of a parallel parking space or at a red light.

Anonymous wrote:I've said it before, and some posters didn't like it. If someone approaches my car, I'm moving forward.

As long as it is drivable that may be the best plan.

This is the conventional wisdom.

One underhanded tactic that some criminals use to carjack is called the “bump and run.” The carjacker and an accomplice will intentionally bump their vehicle into the rear of the victim’s car. Thinking he’s been involved in a fender bender, the victim will get out of his car to assess the damage and exchange insurance information. That’s when the carjacker will threaten the victim and steal his car. The carjacker zooms away in your vehicle, his accomplice drives away in his, and the victim is left stranded.

If you do get rear-ended, pull your car over into a well-lit and populated area. You want as many people as you can to see you. If there isn’t a good place to pull over, keep driving (with your flashers on, so if the person who bumped you is an average citizen, they know you’ll be stopping) until you find one. If you suspect the bumper is likely a car thief, call the police, and stay in your car with doors locked and windows rolled up until the police arrive.

Except long before MPD arrives someone is likely to walk up to your window with a gun. What then, get out and give it up? I thought MPD did not respond to traffic accidents if cars are drivable?

I've seen quite a few dumped what look like stolen cars in Forest Hills/Wakefield and wondered why so many seem to have front end damage. This may be part of it. Have also seen what look like very young teens driving Korean cars with front end damage, often during morning rush hour. Be careful walking, they are not the safest drivers, and driving, obv.

I've said it before, and some posters didn't like it. If someone approaches my car, I'm moving forward.

Anonymous wrote:What is people's plan to avoid the type of carjacking above, the bump and snatch? Not to pull over at all if car is drivable and occupants look more like thieves than people carrying insurance? Traditionally the advice was to drive to somewhere safe to pull over if concerned, but the Connecticut commercial strip in broad daylight used to qualify, so ??? Not sure what to do myself, to advise teen drivers, etc. Anyone work for an insurance company and know what they require? It's expensive any way you look at it. Getting hit in the head with a gun could be very expensive too, esp for those of us who make our living with a head free from TBI. Sometimes people are shot even if they hand over keys and walk away. What is the best practices strategy? Anyone lived in countries where this has been more common who has safety experience to share?

I have thought about this also. Never in a million years would I have thought that block on Conn Ave during rush hour would not be safe to pull over.

Definitely get a dash cam. Beyond that, I am stumped for how to answer.

I would definitely profile whoever rear-ended me before deciding what to do in the moment.

What is people's plan to avoid the type of carjacking above, the bump and snatch? Not to pull over at all if car is drivable and occupants look more like thieves than people carrying insurance? Traditionally the advice was to drive to somewhere safe to pull over if concerned, but the Connecticut commercial strip in broad daylight used to qualify, so ??? Not sure what to do myself, to advise teen drivers, etc. Anyone work for an insurance company and know what they require? It's expensive any way you look at it. Getting hit in the head with a gun could be very expensive too, esp for those of us who make our living with a head free from TBI. Sometimes people are shot even if they hand over keys and walk away. What is the best practices strategy? Anyone lived in countries where this has been more common who has safety experience to share?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son moved back to the DMV this year and looked at some formerly nice apartment buildings along Connecticut. He could quickly see that several buildings were overrun with voucher holders, many with behavioral issues. He now lives in Bethesda. He loved growing up in DC but will settle in Maryland. DC is losing its tax base because of this misguided voucher program and unwillingness to address criminal and deviant behavior.

DC has long survived without your precious Jimmy. It will be fine. Some of us a real city people and others are not. Voucher holders are entitled to housing as a basic human right. If the city had not closed down the St. Elizabeth hospital as a result of Reagan economics and the oppressive policies of the American government against native Indigenous peoples and the African American community.

If your family had to deal with generational trauma, you would go crazy.

No one should be begrudging voucher people the right to housing.

Are you begrudging people the right to be safe in their homes?

People like this believe that because some people are unsafe in their homes, it is inequitable for *anyone* to be safe in their homes. A widening crime footprint is viewed as positive, not negative, because it spreads crime more fairly.

This. The correct viewpoint is the *no one* should feel unsafe in their homes, and their neighborhoods. Not just Ward 3 residents, but everyone. We should be shrinking the crime footprint.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son moved back to the DMV this year and looked at some formerly nice apartment buildings along Connecticut. He could quickly see that several buildings were overrun with voucher holders, many with behavioral issues. He now lives in Bethesda. He loved growing up in DC but will settle in Maryland. DC is losing its tax base because of this misguided voucher program and unwillingness to address criminal and deviant behavior.

DC has long survived without your precious Jimmy. It will be fine. Some of us a real city people and others are not. Voucher holders are entitled to housing as a basic human right. If the city had not closed down the St. Elizabeth hospital as a result of Reagan economics and the oppressive policies of the American government against native Indigenous peoples and the African American community.

If your family had to deal with generational trauma, you would go crazy.

No one should be begrudging voucher people the right to housing.

Are you begrudging people the right to be safe in their homes?

People like this believe that because some people are unsafe in their homes, it is inequitable for *anyone* to be safe in their homes. A widening crime footprint is viewed as positive, not negative, because it spreads crime more fairly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

https://dcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e5db6c2361f84c969308b846440c98be

Very interesting map. Lots of it a result of the kickbacks Bowser’s voucher queen took from CT ave landlords. She stepped down but I have heard nothing about her being held accountable.

Who is the voucher queen?

Anonymous wrote:

https://dcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e5db6c2361f84c969308b846440c98be

Very interesting map. Lots of it a result of the kickbacks Bowser’s voucher queen took from CT ave landlords. She stepped down but I have heard nothing about her being held accountable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son moved back to the DMV this year and looked at some formerly nice apartment buildings along Connecticut. He could quickly see that several buildings were overrun with voucher holders, many with behavioral issues. He now lives in Bethesda. He loved growing up in DC but will settle in Maryland. DC is losing its tax base because of this misguided voucher program and unwillingness to address criminal and deviant behavior.

DC has long survived without your precious Jimmy. It will be fine. Some of us a real city people and others are not. Voucher holders are entitled to housing as a basic human right. If the city had not closed down the St. Elizabeth hospital as a result of Reagan economics and the oppressive policies of the American government against native Indigenous peoples and the African American community.

If your family had to deal with generational trauma, you would go crazy.

No one should be begrudging voucher people the right to housing.

Are you begrudging people the right to be safe in their homes?

From MPD:

Attempt Car Jacking While Armed - 5500 Block of Connecticut Avenue, NW At approximately 07:10 a.m., Second District Officers responded to the 5500 Block of Connecticut Ave, NW, for the report of an attempted carjacking while armed. Officers learned that our victim was rear-ended by the suspect vehicle. When the victim pulled over to exchange information with the suspect driver, three black males exited the striking vehicle and approached the victim. One suspect, armed with a handgun, demanded the victim's vehicle keys while another attempted to take the victim's cell phone. The armed suspect struck the victim in the head when the second suspect could not snatch the victim's cell phone. The third suspect attempted to enter the victim's vehicle without success before all three suspects entered the getaway vehicle and fled from the scene west on Morrison Street, NW, in a dark-colored Volvo S-60. The three male suspects were described as black males wearing all-black clothing in their early 20s. The driver of the suspect vehicle was described as a black female. If anyone has information about this crime, please get in touch with the Department's tip line at 202-727-9099 or the Second District Detective's Office at 202-715-1903 .

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With the attempted armed carjacking at Exxon in Chevy Chase earlier this morning, I am not sure what to tell my teen drivers if they need to stop for gas. Daylight on a major road used to be pretty safe. Now, can't even watch for sketchy people, they pull up in a luxury Volvo stolen in VA. All of this crime feels really overwhelming and random and not easily avoided. Had planned to retire in W3.

Can you post a link to this please?

From MPD:

Attempt Car Jacking While Armed - 5500 Block of Connecticut Avenue, NW At approximately 07:10 a.m., Second District Officers responded to the 5500 Block of Connecticut Ave, NW, for the report of an attempted carjacking while armed. Officers learned that our victim was rear-ended by the suspect vehicle. When the victim pulled over to exchange information with the suspect driver, three black males exited the striking vehicle and approached the victim. One suspect, armed with a handgun, demanded the victim's vehicle keys while another attempted to take the victim's cell phone. The armed suspect struck the victim in the head when the second suspect could not snatch the victim's cell phone. The third suspect attempted to enter the victim's vehicle without success before all three suspects entered the getaway vehicle and fled from the scene west on Morrison Street, NW, in a dark-colored Volvo S-60. The three male suspects were described as black males wearing all-black clothing in their early 20s. The driver of the suspect vehicle was described as a black female. If anyone has information about this crime, please get in touch with the Department's tip line at 202-727-9099 or the Second District Detective's Office at 202-715-1903 .

From MPD:

Attempt Car Jacking While Armed - 5500 Block of Connecticut Avenue, NW At approximately 07:10 a.m., Second District Officers responded to the 5500 Block of Connecticut Ave, NW, for the report of an attempted carjacking while armed. Officers learned that our victim was rear-ended by the suspect vehicle. When the victim pulled over to exchange information with the suspect driver, three black males exited the striking vehicle and approached the victim. One suspect, armed with a handgun, demanded the victim's vehicle keys while another attempted to take the victim's cell phone. The armed suspect struck the victim in the head when the second suspect could not snatch the victim's cell phone. The third suspect attempted to enter the victim's vehicle without success before all three suspects entered the getaway vehicle and fled from the scene west on Morrison Street, NW, in a dark-colored Volvo S-60. The three male suspects were described as black males wearing all-black clothing in their early 20s. The driver of the suspect vehicle was described as a black female. If anyone has information about this crime, please get in touch with the Department's tip line at 202-727-9099 or the Second District Detective's Office at 202-715-1903 .

This was on the private Chevy chase list serv. Happened September 18 in daylight. Nothing in WaPo as usual. Find out from neighbors who push for info. That’s the only way now.