Residents of Northwest DC express eagerness for more regular police presence on foot following the surge in summer violence
In recent months, the city of Washington D.C. has been grappling with a troubling trend - shootings at recreation centers. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has reported several incidents this summer, most notably the shooting at Brentwood Recreation Center in Northwest, D.C. on Labor Day, and the incident at Kennedy Recreation Center on July 15.
Following the shooting at Brentwood Recreation Center, Rachelle Nigro, the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) for 2G06, called for increased police presence. Nigro, along with concerned constituents, joined a safety walk on July 22, where MPD 3rd District Commander Sean Connors agreed to resident demands for a heavier MPD presence.
MPD has responded to Nigro's call, promising to start a foot patrol of officers in Nigro's area. This increased presence has brought a sense of relief to the community, with Nigro reporting that the neighbourhood has been quieter since the increased MPD presence.
One woman, who was present during the shooting at Kennedy Recreation Center, described hearing every shot. Fortunately, a woman found with gunshot wounds outside the Kennedy Recreation Center on July 15 survived the incident.
The shootings at recreation centers this summer have raised concerns about community safety. Neighbourhood leaders, including Nigro, are questioning how to keep recreation centers safe. MPD, however, has not provided details about the motive behind the shootings at the recreation centers.
In a tragic incident on June 20, a 21-year-old Congressional intern, Eric Tarpyinian-Jachym, was killed by a stray bullet. A new glass at a bus stop that was shattered from gunshots has finally been replaced following this incident. MPD has offered a $40,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Tarpyinian-Jachym's case.
Since July 2021, Councilman John Smith has demanded more MPD resources in his residential district. Constituents in Nigro's area want to see MPD officers walking around on their bikes and out of their cars, rather than just driving through the neighbourhood.
Despite the ongoing concerns, there is currently no information available about any arrests or suspects in connection with the shootings at the recreation centers. The community hopes that with the increased police presence and the offered reward, justice will be served and the shootings will cease.
