WASHINGTON D.C., DC — D.C.'s Mayor is moving more resources to save Chinatown. On Monday, the District opened its first Safe Commercial Corridor Hub to increase police visibility and connect residents to resources.
The plan comes as MPD is reporting a 12% increase in robberies. Police Chief Pamela Smith told WUSA9 that many of the same people are committing those crimes. In fact, police said a security guard shot a serial robber at the Chinatown Walgreens - right next door to the new safety hub.
The accused serial robber is in critical condition after police say he took a security guard’s gun at the Walgreens at 7th and H Streets, NW, and was shot by a second special police officer also hired as security.
“He has been charged with seven robberies at that particular Walgreens and we anticipate additional arrests in this case,” said MPD Chief Pamela Smith.
Chief Smith said MPD and the FBI had been tracking the robberies since last July and were closing in on the suspect when he walked into the store Sunday around 7 p.m.
“We have to do our due diligence to drive crime down in those areas where people are beginning to feel afraid,” the Chief continued.
“My seniors wouldn't dare to come out during pandemic, now that they can come out, they don’t feel safe on the street,” said Rita Lee the director of Wah Luck Adult Day Care.
Lee said many of the three hundred residents do not feel safe in their community. She is hoping the creation of the new safety hub at 675 H Street will change that, even though she admits the effort comes too late for the many businesses who left Chinatown because of the crime.
“We want to be focused on the people who really need help getting help,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Mayor Bowser said the center will be open Monday through Friday and available for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Department of Behavioral Health and the Department of Human Services will be on hand to offer resources to the community.
“There’s a lot of people who are out here who want to be helped but not getting help,” said Jasmin Howard.
“People just hang out around here doing drugs and other (expletive) and it needs to stop,” added Deonte Donaldson.
The District plans to open these safety hubs on U Street and another in Anacostia.
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