September Meeting with Chief of Police

Public Safety Draws Interest
We had a nice crowd and some new faces at our September meeting. Not only were we impressed with the bench-strength that accompanied our Chief of Police to our meeting, but we had At-large Councilmember Phil Mendelson and three Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (Commissioners Doris Brooks, Mark Dixon, and Charley Docter.) This was at least the third time Councilmember Mendelson has joined us, so we invited him to return next month to be our discussion leader.

Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier
Our meeting had a full agenda with Chief Lanier and Commander Kamperin updating us on citywide and neighborhood activities. While teens on 7th street continue to be a challenge, the cooperation between MPD, Metro Transit Police, off-duty police and security personnel employed by the Theater, McDonald’s, and Gallery Place helped keep the neighborhood quieter this summer than it was in 2008. One critical change this year was the Chinatown Initiative that started in May. This put Sergeant Peter Sheldon and ten volunteers on the street at night. This group focussed on youth crime and challenges in Chinatown between 5th and 8th Streets, and F and I Streets though they made many adult arrests. Since the inception of the Chinatown unit made over 800 arrests and seized four guns.

There were a host of questions concerning robberies, bicycle and Segway usage, and noise. Overall it was a powerful briefing and discussion.

October Meeting
Our October meeting will be held at the District Chophouse instead of Calvary Baptist Church. Our two discussion leaders will be Attorney General Peter Nickels and At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson. Refreshments will be available.

Miles E. Groves
Downtown Neighborhood Association