Since Oct. 1, 2007 there have been several shootings in Ward One. Well over 100 shots have been fired. MPD believes that the shootings are linked to feuds between neighborhood crews. Included below are some of my most recent messages to community list serves about these crimes. Clearly, we need new strategies and I have listed a few of the things we are working on, below.

Message Sent February 5, 2008

Dear Friends:

There were two unrelated shootings in Ward One last night. Thankfully, both victims are expected to make a full recovery.

Shooting on 1400blk of Columbia Rd, NW

At around 6:00 pm a young man was shot outside 1475 Columbia Rd, NW. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. He went through multiple surgeries. I am pleased to report he is alive and it looks like he is making good progress. Our prayers are with his friends and family.

More information to follow.

Shooting on 2000blk of Georgia Ave, NW

The report from high level MPD officials indicates a girl was shot in the leg during an argument over money at 2016 Georgia Ave, NW last night around 11:20 pm. The victim may have known the assailants. There are solid leads, and the police expect to close this case soon.

I will provide more information when it is available.

Bests,
Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent January 5, 2008

Dear Friends:

Yes, MPD now reports that there is a victim in the shooting An adult male from the 2500 block of Ontario was shot in the leg and then apparently drove himself to Holy Cross Hospital (now receiving medical treatment).

Further news: MPD reports that the Crime Camera at 17 and Euclid apparently shows the victim (and one other man) and the shooting. The extent of the clarity will be determined shortly.

More to come,

Bests Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent January 5, 2008

Here is the Update from MPD:

The now secured vehicle is a white Expedition (which was stolen), used at 17 and Euclid and abandoned at 14 and Girard.

MPD has a lead on a young male who was seen running from the van, and they are proceeding to find him.

All the impacted gang feud areas will have extra MPD coverage tonight to guard against possible retaliatory actions.

Please pass on.

Bests, CM Jim Graham

Message Sent January 5, 2008

Dear Friends,

Right in front of an MPD crime camera, and in the middle of the afternoon, shots were fired at 17th and Euclid from what has been described as a grey or silver van. It all happened about an hour ago. The vehicle itself might be the same vehicle that was abandoned about the same time at 14th and Girard.

No one was hurt.

I have just returned form the scene, where I was joined by ANC Member Wilson Reynolds.

With this shooting, the relative calm in the last few weeks in feuding between several crews---17th and Euclid; CTU/Girard; Hobart Stars---seems to have come to an end.

Reports vary on the number of shots fired, from 6-9. Police told me that most of the shots appear to have hit the pavement going west on Euclid. Target is unclear, but some reports are that several people (who fled) were standing in front of 1701 Euclid at the time.

We have also been enjoying relative calm on that very corner, compared to what it was like a year or so ago. The crew that gathered there for many years has been largely dispersed to points elsewhere in the city.

Police are examining the silver van at 1432 Girard, and of course, hopefully, the findings of the crime camera.

More information as it is revealed. Please pass this along.

Bests Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent December 11, 2007

Dear Friends:

Last night a several week period of relative calm was shattered by shots on both ether 1400 block of Girard and the 1300 block of Columbia. Cars were crashed by the vehicle as it was speeding by, and about 10 shell casings were recovered. It occurred all about 11 PM.

There is no question but this is probably related to the ongoing gang/crew feuding that we have been tragically experiencing since October 1.

The intended victims appear to be the crew in the area of 14th and Girard.

Work is ongoing to secure a cease fire in the feuds between these rivals.

No was injured, and there is reason to believe that the police have suspect(s). A badly damaged vehicle apparently sued in the shootings was recovered.

I will provide more as the facts are released.

Let me add a commendation for the Chief and MPD for the fine work over the weekend with All Hands On Deck. It was great seeing all of the officers, and the cadets, in our neighborhoods! I am sure it made a huge difference.

Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent November 29, 2007

Dear Friends:

Today I joined Mayor Fenty and Chief Lanier for a press conference at the intersection of Georgia and Harvard to announce new initiatives to combat crew violence in Ward One / 3D.

We have a big problem right now with gang violence. There are currently seven active crews involved in a cycle of shootings. Since October 1 there has been more than 100 shots fired and 11 people wounded.

I have worked closely with Mayor Fenty and Chief Lanier to develop a comprehensive strategy, which we announced today.

First, we have secured $1.8 million to expand ShotSpotters into 3D. This technology will help MPD respond to the exact location of gun shots. It will enable MPD to collect evidence and know when and where shots were fired. It will also help law enforcement in the overall prosecution of these cases.

Second, MPD is strengthening its Gang Intelligence Unit. We should see concrete results of this soon in 3D.

Third, the Mayor has identified $1.2 million dollars to address gang intervention and mediation. This will coordinate the delivery of Human Services to young people and their families who are most vulnerable to recent violence.

While good progress is being made in establishing a truce among the crews in 3D, a lot of work remains to be done.

Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent November 26, 2007

Dear Friends,

In our tragic ongoing gang feuding (see messages below), we witnessed more excellent police work this very evening.

A 20 year old was shot twice in the back at 6 PM in the rear of the south side of the 1300 block of Columbia. About 7 shots fired. He is reportedly in serious but stable condition. I have just returned from the crime scene.

This victim (Lonell Morgan) was one of four persons shot on Halloween night at Harvard and 14th Street. So he has been shot twice in just a few week period.

He was at the time of this most recent shooting wearing an leg bracelet since he is on conditional release on a charge of burglary.

Through fast and effective response, the police blocked a van (connected to this crime) in the alley behind the northern side of the 1300 block of Columbia. The driver escaped, but one of the passengers was arrested and a firearm confiscated. The driver fled into Trinity Towers Apts, where at last report police were searching for him.

This vehicle, however, might be actually filled with the friends of the victim who were intent on getting the shooters. It is not 100% clear, but that is one present theory.

So that would have meant that two vehicles were involved. The other vehicle was silver in color.

We continue our efforts to have a truce between these crews. If anyone reading this message has information or intelligence on all of this, please call.

Sincerely, Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent November 26, 2007

Dear Friends,

Here is some fine police work for us all to appreciate and commend:

A 17 year old was arrested with a gun this morning at 7:33 AM on the 1300 block of Belmont. A foot beat patrol officer happened to approach the youth, and he went off running. The officer gave chase, the kid threw a gun in the back of 1321 Belmont, but the officer caught him. And also recovered the weapon. His name cannot be released because he is a juvenile.

Great police work!

The youth reportedly stated that he had been suspended from school. His crime record is being checked. MPD is considering him to be a "person of interest" in the shooting on Harvard last weekend (see messages below).

This may constitute a good solid break through in all of this crew violence we have been enduring as of late.

It is simply appalling to think that a 17 year old would be armed at 7:30 on a Monday morning. It surely indicates the magnitude of what we are dealing with right now.

Sincerely, Councilmember Jim Graham.

Message Sent November 25, 2007

Dear Friends,

I want to give you further some information on this very disturbing shooting (see my original email below). 11 youth or young adults have now been wounded since October 1, as a result of this crew violence.

The youngest (16 years of age) is still in the hospital but I am told will be released tomorrow. The other two (17 and 18 near olds) were treated and released. We are grateful for that.

I am reliably advised that MPD does have a suspect in this case.

And that further this shooting is related to the reoccurring gang violence we have been experiencing involving the Clifton Terrace University (CTU), Hobart Stars and 17 and Euclid crews.

Apparently also, the shooting of the youth on Harvard bears a relationship, not only to the prior string of shootings since October 1, but also to violence at the Tunnel nightclub early Saturday morning.

ABRA gives this report that: "ABRA responded to a shooting outside of DC Tunnel early this morning approximately 4:10 am. MPD and ABRA were on the scene working jointly together. 2 individuals were shot. Initially it has been reported by MPD officer that there were several shots fired by unknown individuals who exited the club shooting hitting the 2 victims and vehicles. Gunshots were exchanges between these individuals and MPD officers. NO OFFICERS were shot or injured."

Cornell "Osaya" Swagin (sp?) has been arrested in connection with the Tunnel shootings.

There are efforts ongoing to attempt to obtain a truce between the crews at this time. I hope we can report favorably on this very soon.

Sincerely, Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent November 23, 2007

Dear Friends,

Sadly I must inform you of more violence off Georgia Avenue.

About one half hour ago, three young people were shot in a drive by shooting on the 700 block of Harvard.

Police are looking for a customized green colored van.

A 17 year female was shot in the leg; a 16 male was shot in the back, and is in critical but stable condition; and an 18 year old male was shot in the back, and is reportedly going to be okay.

Three shell casings have so far been found, but there may be more.

They were walking on Harvard east to Georgia Avenue.

One shot entered a house on the street but no was one hurt. Thank God.

There was an officer on Hobart, the very next block north.

But the recent violence and frequent gunshots in the adjacent blocks of Harvard, Hobart and Columbia (four youths wounded there on Oct. 1) clearly warrants sustained blanketing by police. we have called for that repeatedly. And the presence of the crew known as the Hobart Stars also merits serious gang intervention strategies.

More as the situation develops, Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent November 9, 2007

Dear Friends:

On Wednesday night (10 PM), and then again on Thursday afternoon (4PM), drive by shootings occurred in the alley/parking lot behind the south side of the 1300 block of Columbia. According to 3D Commander McCoy, there were "numerous" shots fired on each of the two occasions. Empty vehicles were hit, but fortunately no person was injured.

Police presence has reportedly been further increased. That is an absolute necessity until further notice. This immediate area is under siege with this gang warfare. I have previously described the crews involved in this feuding.

We need to get our gang/crew intervention program into place ASAP. WE have had two successful meeting on this, and we need to nail down the final details with Chief Groomes.

(If you would like to receive my prior very recent emails on the details of the gang intervention program and other related crime issues, please go to my website www.grahamwone.com or email Jason at )

Please pass this along to others who may be interested and concerned.

Bests, CM Jim Graham

Message Sent November 5, 2007

Dear Friends:

Since October 1, we have experienced an unprecedented cycle of violence in various parts of the Ward , the likes of which I have not seen in my nine years in office. Well over a 100 shots have been recorded. Others have been heard, but not recorded.

I am writing this message because, up until now, the gang nature of much of this violence has not been made clear beyond a limited number of people. To be sure, we have had tragic accidents, shootings over drug deals of one kind or another, and even a very tragic car jacking.

But the lion's share of the shots fired in these past few weeks come from a spiraling incidence of violence among African American crews in Ward One. There has been an uninterrupted series of retaliatory shootings among several different crews. At various points, three crews have been fighting each other. "17th and Euclid", "CTU--Clifton Terrace University" (operating around the 1400 block of Girard) and "Hobart Stars" (off Georgia Avenue on the 700 blocks) have been variously involved.

To date, about ten people have been shot and wounded as a result of this gang violence.

So, we must be very clear about the cause of this violence.

Last Friday, MPD executed search warrants on the 700 block of Harvard, which is probably gang related. Two hand guns were obtained from that search. We have also seen a major increase in police presence and efforts by detectives. We also need better technology such as shotspotters and more effective cameras.

More police actions are also anticipated.

However, due to the unique structure of crews, we need longer term solutions as well. Chief Lanier is currently considering my proposal to establish a unit exclusively dedicated to monitoring and engaging African American crews in Ward One.

There are an estimated 10 crews in Ward One. It is recognized that young people have a need to associate themselves with a larger group with similar interests and needs. Many of the realities facing a young person who becomes active in a crew stem from a broken, ineffective educational system and the lack of jobs and training. For this reason, I am continuing to work closely with the Mayor, the City Administrator and Chancellor Rhee in addressing the root causes of crime and I support programs that will engage young people in more meaningful ways.

Ward One is experiencing a stunning economic revitalization. We have worked hard to preserve our diversity. I am committed to making sure all of our residents have an opportunity to participate and share in the prosperity coming to our neighborhoods. For everyone's sake, this violence has got to be brought to an end.

Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham

Message Sent November 1, 2007

Dear Friends: Last night was a tough night for our neighborhoods...with armed car jacking, one homicide, four wounded two critically, another wounding on Sherman Avenue, robberies ... more robberies.

Cleary we need additional solutions to the crime problems we are facing. What is being done now is not as successful as we need.

But we are at work on other solutions. Briefly, here they are:

1) GANG INTERVENTION: Following my suggestion 10 days ago, we have had two very positive meetings on taking the successful model on gang interventions that we have for Latinos, and extending it to African American crews. We have some preliminary commitments from MPD leadership.

2) BETTER TECHNOLOGY; I have asked Mayor Fenty to provide 3D with Shotspotters, so we can have better technology to fight crime by identifying the area from which shots are being fired. We have also got to replace the current cameras with others that are more versatile, and more effective. What we have now is very high tech but also very rigid and of limited utility. Better--though not necessarily more expensive cameras--can be a helpful crime fighting tool.

3) MORE POLICE, GREATER POLICE PRESENCE: Steps have recently been taken to improve foot patrols. But Chief Lanier now has from the Council the authority for 350 additional officers. They should be hired as soon as possible while keeping quality standards high. In eth meantime, police have got to be assigned where they are needed. Right now, the escalating level of violence in our Ward calls for a significant increase in police presence.

4) TOUGH ACTION ON BARS THAT HAVE A PATTERN OF ATTRACTING CRIME AND VIOLENCE. I respectfully disagree with the decision that Chief Lanier made over the weekend. I had called upon her to use her emergency powers to shut down El Salvadoreno, on 14th Street at Parkwood, after still another stabbing. We must continue to send a clear message that we mean business in this regard...not on an single event of serious crime, but when there is present a clear pattern of a bar that draws violence to its premises. Such is the case with El Salvadoreno. As recently as about a year ago, its license was suspended for 60 days (30 days stayed) as a result of 12 crimes over a prior 18 month period.

In all of this, we are not by any means overlooking the root causes of crime, and need to engage our young people in meaningful ways...especially when they are very young. And also, in providing job and training opportunity for a better life.

But right now, we are facing a very serious set of challenges. One shooting tends to give rise to more, as revenge is sought.

Chief, we need these new approaches right away.

Bests CM Jim Graham

Message Sent October 9, 2007

Chief Lanier,

In 2003 I helped convene with then Chief Charles Ramsey, the Gang Intervention Partnership GIP), in response to the escalating Latino gang violence in Ward One. Four years ago today, October 9, 2003, I remember with horror the shoot out between two gangs across 16th Street. The shooting left one young man killed and a bus driver shot while driving his bus. I remember Chief Ramsey's quick and decisive action.

Since October 9, 2003, there has been only one Latino gang related homicide in the District of Columbia which occurred this April, 2007. The GIP model has proven more effective than any other MPD initiative I am aware in my nine years on the Council. It is MPD led with a strong enforcement component and at the same time relies heavily on street intelligence obtained through strategic partnerships with community organizations. It has proven to be a partnership that works and has been modeled throughout the country.

As you know, we have a crisis on our hands in dealing with up to six or ten different crews in Ward One. We have young people killing, shooting, stabbing each other almost on a daily basis all within a few blocks of each other.

I am calling on you and Mayor Fenty to expand the current GIP unit so it can begin to apply the same level of coordinated enforcement and prevention / intervention strategies to African American gangs that has been so successful in reducing Latino gang violence. I understand the crews operate differently from the Latino gangs. However, I am confident the GIP and its community partners are well versed in those differences and will make requests for the appropriate resources as they did in GIP.

We need to expand the current GIP Unit to include at least one detective and three MPD officers identified by the GIP and its community partners. Please advise what steps might be taken here and soon.

Fresh in my mind is the vigil I attended just last night at Boys and Girls Club #10 for a 14 year boy who was shot dead a few days ago at Colorado and 14th, and whose grieving mother lives on Clifton Street.

I stand ready to do all I can to make this happen.

Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham