Decrease in crime boosts community spirit at annual H Street Festival

Washington, DC (7News) — Tens of thousands of people flooded H Street in D.C. on Saturday for the H Street Festival, which started nearly 20 years ago.

Last year when 7News covered the festival, some local business owners were concerned about their daily operating hours. 7News reported on a string of burglaries in the area and a 25 percent jump in violent crime.

7News spoke to Deonte Gaines on H Street, as he attended his first H Street Festival.

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“It’s great to see a bunch of different cultures out here a bunch of different vendors promoting their businesses,” Gaines said.

The thousands of people and lines of vendors told 7News that the H Street Festival is a reflection of the growth and changes in the area.

Neb Daniel opened the Focus Social Club on H Street three years ago.

“I think overall in D.C. it has been a lot better than last year, “ Daniel said. “But specifically on H Street none of my employee’s cars have been broken into. Customers have not really been complaining.”

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Daniel said he chose to open the focus social club on H Street because of the corridor’s history. He said the business had concerns last year.

This year, the Metropolitan Police Department’s crime map shows a safer H Street. From the start of the year to date, it shows there have been 136 fewer incidents compared to the same time last year.

“I feel very comfortable. It feels good to be with my friends and family exploring everything that the vendors have to offer,” Gaines said.