WASHINGTON — WUSA9 is taking a closer look at D.C.'s new drug-free zones and what happens to the community after the five-day enforcement.
On Minnesota Avenue Northeast, D.C. police say a man was shot just 24 hours after that drug-free zone expired.
WUSA9 caught up with Chief Pamela Smith Thursday as she was heading into an event with community faith leaders. We asked her about some concerns that the zones could lead to an abuse of power.
“I'm not concerned about heavy-handedness in those spaces,” said Chief Smith. “We have made sure our leadership team supervisors are very aware of what is supposed to happen once drug free zone is lifted.”
And what happened after a drug-free zone was lifted on Minnesota Avenue, NE has raised more concern. Cellphone video captured several law enforcement officers coming out of at least three unmarked cars Wednesday. D.C. Police say they arrested 20-year-old Traquon McCalip, of Northeast, after shooting another man just over 24 hours after the drug-free zone expired.
"They got out, accused the wrong person, and never apologized to the young lady they didn't even realize she was a female they grabbed her and picked her up trying to get her hands behind her back. They had the wrong person,” said ANC 7F04 Commissioner Ashley Renee Ruff. “They were checking in people's cars illegally.”
“That bill to be honest with you was never about public safety it was never about best interest of the community,” said Jay Brown of Community Shoulders.
Commissioner Ruff and Brown said there was no follow-up strategy once the drug-free zones expired. They are asking for mental health agencies to offer support.
“The addiction didn't go away in five days, the need to feed addiction didn't go away in five days, the mental health issues didn't go away in five days and none of those things addressed,” said Brown.
“I feel like it was a success only for that day and a half but after that, I didn't see that many officers out here, and I understand we're low in count and other drug-free zones but to see someone shot like a day later, something is not right here,” said Commissioner Ruff.
“We patrol all areas of the District of Columbia,” countered the Chief.
Before the Secure D.C. crime bill passed, Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White introduced an amendment to offer mental health services at the drug-free zones, but it was rejected.
RELATED: DC residents prepare for second set of drug free zones, 24 hours after first round of enforcements
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