Even earlier than a person at a homeless encampment was fatally shot on Monday, there had been issues on the small tent metropolis situated close to a busy thoroughfare in downtown D.C. Police had responded to quite a few calls about medicine, thefts, vandalism and threatening habits. Close by residents complained concerning the blighted situations and what they noticed as a rising public security hazard. Inside hours of Monday’s occasions — police are nonetheless checking out precisely what occurred — officers cleared out the encampment, eradicating tents, a transportable rest room and a procuring cart, and providing housing to the individuals who had stayed there.
Washington, D.C
Opinion | Encampments are not the way to help D.C.’s homeless
Ought to the town have acted sooner? Why did somebody should die earlier than motion was taken? The scenario on the Thomas Circle encampment brings into focus the fraught questions D.C. — and different American cities — faces in making an attempt to take care of a homeless inhabitants that has ended up residing in tents on metropolis streets.
As of April, there have been 97 encampment websites throughout D.C. with at the very least one tent; 255 individuals had been estimated to be linked to the websites. The rise of encampments — some 40 % from 2020 to 2021 — has been tied to the pandemic and the recommendation from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention that cities not crack down on them due to the extraordinary challenges posed by the coronavirus. So although D.C. this yr reported the bottom variety of individuals residing on the road or in a shelter in 17 years, based on the annual point-in-time rely, the websites gave heightened visibility to the difficulty of individuals with out shelter.
Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) final yr initiated a pilot program aimed toward clearing out the encampments which have sprouted throughout the town. 4 had been chosen for clearance, primarily based on dimension, well being and security danger, and competing use of public areas. Individuals camped out at them got discover, supplied housing choices in the best way of shelter, lodges or vouchers for residences, plus wraparound providers to take care of different points reminiscent of drug dependency or psychological sickness. There was pushback and criticism. Some advocates stated the town wasn’t doing sufficient and referred to as for these residing in encampments to face their floor. Some members of the D.C. Council, together with two members difficult Ms. Bowser in subsequent month’s Democratic major, sought to dam implementation of the hassle. The administration was not deterred. To make sure, there have been missteps, together with the clumsy use of a bulldozer to clear a web site, however this system had the help of a majority of D.C. residents. And, extra importantly, officers report there was some promising success in getting residents of the encampments into various housing.
A report on the pilot program is now within the works. That ought to assist information D.C. in deciding whether or not changes in this system are wanted and what steps to take relating to the remaining encampments. What ought to be clear is that situations typically related to these encampments — rodent infestations, fetid environment, hazardous housing — are unacceptable. They don’t assist the homeless, and they need to haven’t any place in America.
Washington, D.C
FBI seeks additional victims after former DC teacher arrested on child sexual abuse material charge
WASHINGTON – A former Washington, D.C. teacher has been arrested for allegedly soliciting explicit images from a minor online, according to the FBI. Investigators are now seeking information to determine whether there are additional victims.
Federal agents arrested 56-year-old Devonne Keith Brown, who they say used social media and payment apps, including CashApp, to send money to an underage girl in exchange for nude photos. Authorities allege Brown operated under the alias “Joseph,” offering payments between $10 and $35.
Brown previously worked as a health teacher at IDEA Public Charter School in Northeast D.C., though the school confirms he is no longer employed there and that no current students appear to be involved in the case.
READ MORE: Former DC school worker arrested on child sexual assault material charges
Former teacher arrested
What we know:
Investigators also say Brown was affiliated with Project Impact Sports, a youth track club, and are looking into whether he had inappropriate contact with minors through that program.
According to court document, a victim reportedly told the FBI she met Brown at a grocery store before feeling uncomfortable when he messaged her that he was near her home and wanted to meet.
FBI seeks more victims
Steven Jensen, assistant director of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, condemned the alleged crimes, saying in a statement, “Those who prey on minors to solicit the production of CSAM are morally reprehensible and will be held accountable for their heinous crimes.”
“The FBI remains committed to protecting our children and ridding our communities of this grievous scourge,” the statement continued.
Authorities have reached out to Project Impact Sports for comment but have yet to receive a response.
IDEA Public Charter School released the following statement:
“IDEA Public Charter School is deeply concerned by the serious allegations involving a former employee. This individual is no longer employed by the school. The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and supporting their ongoing investigation. Based on the information currently available to us, there is no indication that any IDEA student was directly involved.”
The FBI urges anyone with information regarding Brown to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted at DBVictims@fbi.gov or www.fbi.gov/DBVictims and fill out the form.
Tips can also be made anonymously by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
The Source: Information in this article comes from The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia and FBI Washington.
Washington, D.C
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A man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a fire in his Southeast D.C. apartment Sunday afternoon.
(Courtesy D.C. Fire and EMS)
Courtesy D.C. Fire and EMS
(Courtesy D.C. Fire and EMS)
Courtesy D.C. Fire and EMS
(Courtesy D.C. Fire and EMS)
Courtesy D.C. Fire and EMS
(Courtesy D.C. Fire and EMS)
Courtesy D.C. Fire and EMS
A man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a fire in his Southeast D.C. apartment Sunday afternoon.
Just before 2:30 p.m., D.C. Fire and EMS responded to the 1900 block of 23rd Street SE, where they found a second-floor unit on fire and a man in the apartment.
“Our firefighters gained entry to the building apartment, began to fight the fire,” D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Vito Maggiolo said. “The victim was quickly removed to the outside where we started advanced life-support measures.”
He added that the man was taken to a local hospital “with critical life-threatening injuries.”
Fire officials said the fire was contained to the one unit, but they’re still investigating whether any other residents will need to move out.
A cause for the fire is still to be determined.
Below is a map of where the apartment fire took place:
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