Norton Presses NPS, U.S. Park Police to Address Public Safety in Sherman Circle
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter sent yesterday from Norton to National Park Service (NPS) Director Jonathan B. Jarvis and U.S. Park Police (USPP) Acting Chief Robert D. MacLean concerning a dangerous increase in crime in Sherman Circle and the intersection at Crittenden Street.
In her letter, Norton asks Jarvis and MacLean to increase policing near Sherman Circle. The Congresswoman wrote that she was especially concerned with the safety of Sherman Circle following the murders of a Catholic University student in August 2010 and a 23-year- old man in June 2012 near the park, along with a rash of robberies in the area this month.
She wrote, "This month, there were a trio of crimes—two attempted robberies and one successful robbery—near Sherman Circle. One of the robberies occurred just after 7 a.m. while some residents were heading to work or school. These types of violent crimes are occurring so frequently that the safety of residents near Sherman Circle and near the intersection of Crittenden Street has become a matter of public safety. This is an issue that must be addressed immediately before more residents are affected by violent crime."
In 2010, Norton met with NPS and USPP representatives to walk through Sherman Circle after hearing resident concerns. The Congresswoman then urged NPS to allocate funds in its budget for the placement of the interior lights in Sherman Circle. Eventually, the city was able to find the funds to pay for the installation of the permanent lights in Sherman Circle.
Norton's full letter follows:
June 30, 2014
Jonathan B. Jarvis
Director
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
1845 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Robert D. MacLean
Acting Chief
United States Park Police
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
Dear Director Jarvis and Acting Chief MacLean:
I write to ask you to increase the amount of policing in Sherman Circle and at the intersection of Crittenden Street in Northwest Washington, D.C. I have learned from constituents that there has been an increase in violent crime in the Sherman Circle area. In August 2010, a Catholic University student was killed near Sherman Circle while riding his bicycle. In June 2012, a 23-year-old man was fatally shot in the area at the 500 block of Crittenden Street. This month, there were a trio of crimes—two attempted robberies and one successful robbery—near Sherman Circle. One of the robberies occurred just after 7 a.m. while some residents were heading to work or school. These types of violent crimes are occurring so frequently that the safety of residents near Sherman Circle and near the intersection of Crittenden Street has become a matter of public safety. This is an issue that must be addressed immediately before more residents are affected by violent crime.
In 2010, after hearing from constituents about the lack of adequate lighting in Sherman Circle, interior lighting was placed in the park when I brought the matter to your attention. Please respond within 10 days regarding what action you intend to take or call me in my office at (202) 225-8050. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton