DC multiagency task force walks historic Anacostia neighborhood to address residents' concerns

WASHINGTON — The DC Multiagency Public Safety Task Force was back in action in the historic Anacostia neighborhood on Wednesday talking to residents and addressing their concerns.

The task force is made up of dozens of agencies, focused on reducing violent crime and address reoccurring concerns.

“We’ve built relationships with them. That’s what it boils down to. When you create that circle of trust. They share anything with you.” DC Police Officer Jason Medina said. 

Medina said residents in the Anacostia neighborhood have expressed several concerns. Including, illegal dumping, mold, abandoned vehicles and rodent issues. 

He said these community walks allow the agencies to work together to quickly address the issues before they gets worse.

“Most of the time, it’s nuisances ─ quality of life issues, and if we can get ahead of that before it stems out, it curtails the larger issues,” Medina said. 

On Thursday, the city was able to check out an apartment complex on 19th Street in Southeast with mold issues and popular illegal dumping sites.

The Department of Public Works was able to clean up trash along the 1800 block of Q Street to document illegal dumping piles and abandoned vehicles.

“What it does is give visibility to the neighborhoods, and it allows them to see DC Government agencies in action." Steve Smith with the Department of Public Works said. 

The DC Rodent Control Department was also able to treat several rodent burrows on the spot.

DC EMS was on-site as well, distributing Narcan and fentanyl test strips to residents.

“Not only those who are suffering ─ but their families and friends who may be there when they have their attacks,” Vito Maggiolo, with DC Fire and EMS said. 

The task force meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

If you’d like to request the task force to come to your neighborhood, you can email the taskforce at dmpsj@dc.gov.