The DC Traveler

Comments on Controversy — Police Checkpoints in NE

by Jon on June 11th, 2008

Time again for Comments on Controversy, the ongoing series where Starked DC’s J-Michael and I look at controversial news-making issues in Washington, DC.  This time, the new police checkpoints that were set up in NE, after a recent slew of murders last weekend.

The checkpoints established over the weekend in Washington DC’s Trinidad neighborhood 5th Police District, near the National Arboretum, accomplished their goal.  DC Police stated no violent crimes or murders were committed in the area being targeted. 

Six shooting murders in just 7 hours, and eight shooting deaths, plus three others wounded in 8 unrelated incidents, all within a two-mile radius, during the previous weekend, caused DC police to react.  Police roadblocks were set up starting Saturday night, limiting access to the neighborhood and will operate at random hours for the 5 to 10 days. The check points  are designed to screen drivers and allow only people that can can show a legitimate reason to enter the neighborhood in, such as being a resident, visiting church, or having other legitimate business in the neighborhood.

Residents are split on the controversial action; some, including a couple civil rights groups, (and the ACLU), believe the roadblocks may violate civil rights. Others are applauding police for taking much needed action to curb random gun violence in the area.  There was talk of legal action against the plan, but none has been reported to date.

Considering that the Trinidad police district has already had 22 murders this year, one more killing than in all of last year; one has to wonder why a little inconvenience is considered so controversial.  

First, since 9/11, there have been roadblocks all over the District, on Capitol Hill and around the Mall, as well as regular sobriety and traffic-safety checkpoints around the city, so DC residents should be used to these types of security “inconvenience”.  Police have also been specially trained to ensure they don’t use racial profiling, so checks are being applied equally to all drivers.

Second, and most importantly, the checkpoints appear to be working. 

So let’s applaud DC’s Mayor Adrian Fenty and the DC Police for their efforts to try to improve law enforcement and reduce violence. 

All I know, is that if there were a slew of murders in my neighborhood, I’d want roadblocks, video surveillance, helicopter patrols, swat teams and a cop on every corner.

Check out J-Michael’s view at Starked DC and ADD YOUR OPINION OR COMMENT to this DC “controversy”.

Images - crime scene, police car,

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POSTED IN: Local News, Sound Like a Local