Southeast DC community gathers for public safety meeting following mass shooting

WASHINGTON — Since WUSA9 first covered the mass shooting in the 900 block of Varney Street in Southeast, we’ve heard from neighbors about the concern for their lives. People in the community have pushed officials to do more. On Thursday, they presented local officials with a list of what they want done moving forward to prevent more crime.

“[I'm] definitely concerned because I live on the ground floor, and I’ve never had any problems but it’s really bad,” said Thelma Evans.

Evans has been in this building for 21 years and as she looks forward to her 87th birthday, she has one main wish.

“More security for the seniors in here,” Evans said.

Evans is one of the many who was curious about the possibility of having security for inside their apartment complex, but in previous conversations and meetings with the property management that could mean people would pay more for rent to cover the cost.

A woman who attended the meeting on behalf of the management company for the senior living facility also asked DC Police questions about how they should respond and when to call 911. She went on to explain that their biggest issue is that they continue to change and fix door locks but people bring in guests and keep doors unlocked or propped open after hours. Those efforts bring more uninvited guests into the building.

All of these concerns align with the wishes of several other people who live in the senior facility and other neighbors off Varney Street in Southeast.

“More police presence in the community, especially during the evenings and weekends, because that’s mainly when things happen,” Lashawn Hubbard said.

Hubbard was one of the five people shot during a mass shooting on the same street at the beginning of September. Thankfully, she’s recovering but the trauma she and her family endured inspired her to get more involved.

“I’m going to be more involved when it comes to crime, and just trying to prevent things like this in the future,” Hubbard said.

More than 50 people with that same mindset gathered for a meeting to talk about preventative measures with DC Police and neighborhood commissioners. Many of the people attending are older people who live in the senior living facility on Varney Street. Others either live in nearby homes and apartments or frequent the area. All of them have the same safety concerns. 

Police who were present in the meeting pointed out that overall crime is down in the area except for burglaries, which are up compared to last year. However, officers said they understand that it may not feel like there’s a change here.

The Wheeler Creek Community Association created a wish list including more cameras throughout alleyways, houses, and apartments, better street lights, speed bumps, patrols, and violence interrupter programs.

“The fact that they actually have a list of actions that they want to take and have something to work on over the next 90 days before the next follow-up meeting I think is progress,” DC Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Salim Adofo said.

“I think it went well, especially for the homeowners but I got a little bit for the seniors out of it too,” Evans said.

Adofo said the key here is consistency, with having these meetings and following up with local elected officials about all of these things. The next meeting is set for January.