WASHINGTON — There are rising safety concerns for several people and that’s why so many victims to recent crimes spoke up about their experiences in hopes for more urgency to find a solution.
People are outraged by the crime happening in this area and said enough is enough and the emergency community meeting on crime and public safety is a start to combatting crime.
"I have been robbed at gunpoint twice," one resident said.
“My car was stolen," one woman said.
People are opened up to a room with commissioners, and Metropolitan police officers during the meeting.
“Whether we have been victimized by crime or not we all suffer from fear,” Hillcrest community civic association president, Villareal Johnson said.
In hopes of changes to stop violent crimes, people like Eddie Baker have been a victim to.
“I was a victim of a carjacking incident last year,” resident, Eddie Baker said. “It’s an experience that’s left a mark on me.”
Baker has been in DC for 25 years. He said he hopes this gathering of more than 70 people will continue what's been started as far as building relationships within the neighborhoods and with MPD.
“One thing I do hope out of this meeting today is that there will be a resurgence of the community being engaged along with the support of police,” Baker said.
The list of crimes committed in Southeast D.C. is lengthy and more of it is recent.
“My neighbor, his house was broken into last week...during the day,” 50 year resident, Julie Rones said.
“There was a carjacking on my street, which is Erie street,” Former ANC Commissioner and resident, Robin Marlin said.
Several questions were posed to Jaron Hickman – a sixth district commander.
Some of the biggest concerns among people who live nearby: the lack of police presence, dim lighting in neighborhoods, and the youth.
“Being a previous ANC Commissioner for 14 years, we just had more communication with the police,” Marlin said. “We could just pick up the phone and asked what’s going on, we could pick up the phone and they could be there in seconds.”
One solution made; the Hillcrest community will partner with Naylor Gardens to use their security to increase its patrol. After Saturday’s meeting there is hope for better days.
“I think the meeting is excellent,” Marlin said. “We have several neighborhoods represented but I really wanted people to come out to talk about what we could do to stop this.”
“One thing I do hope out of this meeting today is that there will be a resurgence of the community being engaged along with the support of police,” Baker said.