MPD Crime Camera placed at 14th & Rittenhouse, DC Crime Lab regains partial accreditation, and Crime Awareness & Preparedness Training in Petworth.

Kim Patterson
Jan 8, 2024
2 min read

Hi Brightwood:

I am sharing a few crime-related updates that will hopefully help reduce crime in Brightwood and DC. I realize there is much more to resolve and improve in DC's fight against crime, but below are 2 wins!

MPD Closed Circuit TV Camera (CCTV) in Brightwood:

When I took office in Jan 2023, one of the first things I did was request a police crime camera in Brightwood. After numerous emails, phone calls, and personal requests, a CCTV MPD Crime Camera has been placed in Brightwood at the corner of 14th & Rittenhouse! I thank Mayor Bowser, MPD 4D Commander Lavenhouse, and CM Lewis George for the funding for the camera, and the placement of it in Ward 4 in Brightwood. I am hopeful the camera will deter crime and capture images of those committing crimes in our neighborhood.

GOOD NEWS, DC's Crime Lab Reaccredited!:

(WTOP) - D.C. has been unable to fully utilize its crime lab since 2021, when, after months of scrutiny and evidence errors, the city’s Department of Forensic Sciences lost its accreditation to perform forensic testing. However, that problem appears to be entering the embattled agency’s rearview mirror.

The ANSI National Accreditation Board has returned accreditation to the department’s Forensic Biology Unit, which conducts DNA testing, and its Forensic Chemistry Unit, which performs drug testing, according to certificates posted by the board this week. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released a statement Tuesday in reference to the approval of the lab’s reaccreditation application: “Responsible for testing and analyzing biological substances, including DNA, controlled substances and drugs, these reaccredited units will support MPD investigations and will add to our existing network of outside labs as well as those accessible by the U.S. Attorney. We remain focused on reducing crime, ensuring all parts of our public safety and justice ecosystem are working at full capacity. Reaccreditation is a critical step in supporting case closure and affording us another tool to advance justice for victims.”

Crime Awareness & Preparedness Training:

On Sat, Jan 6, I attended the Petworth Get Wise Coalition Crime (PGWCC) Awareness & Preparedness Training in collaboration with the FBI. There, I learned the best ways to protect oneself in an Active Shooter situation, how to protect yourself from physical harm while in a violent situation, and how to fight back and survive if attacked. It was outstanding training, and the FBI agents were incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and engaging. Thank you, PGWCC, for organizing this informative event.