CafeChatNoir

Yes, it’s time to really get in gear about moving elsewhere.

A controversial new program announced today that would create so-called “Neighborhood Safety Zones” which would serve to partially seal off certain parts of the city. D.C. Police would set-up checkpoints in targeted areas, demand to see ID and refuse admittance to people who don’t live there, work there or have a “legitimate reason” to be there.

It’s quite one thing to have an increased and visible police presence in neighborhoods that are having crime problems.  It is quite another to be impeding the flow of travel of a supposedly free citizenry.

Don’t get me wrong - I’ve been in this area for over 20 years and yes, DC does have a crime problem and in some neighborhoods things have improved, and in others, it’s gotten worse.  But just closing off areas isn’t the answer.

And yes, there are situations where controlled access to an area is appropriate.  Aftermath of a tornado, hurricane, flood, building collapse or other disaster.  But while the crime problem isn’t trivial, it isn’t the same.