Overheard at the Farmer’s Market

anaon 49.. id like to kiss you!! thank you… i think you nailed it… eloquently..
xoxo

I have worked in the GP/Chinatown/PQ area for 6 years now, and have lived here off and on throughout that time as well. This area is A LOT better and A LOT safer than it used to be. I can’t say that I have seen a real change in the number of panhandlers in the neighborhood, or their aggressiveness (they have always been aggressive), and I doubt that you ever will, due to the fact that there are at least four large homeless shelters within a five block radius, and that is not even taking into account the DC Public Housing and other low income housing in the neighborhood. You also need to keep in mind that many of these people have been here a lot longer than any of you have, and have been doing the same thing the whole time. This was not a particularly nice neighborhood before all of the development.

I also cannot fault the panhandlers and homeless for staying in this area. It has become, for better or worse, a “target rich environment”. Before there were very few people who lived in this area, very few people who would go out in this area because there was nothing to do, and even fewer tourists. Now with an influx of literally thousands of affluent residents, and a nightly influx of thousands more affluent dinner/bar/game/theater goers, it has literally become a gold mine for them. These people may be homeless, but they aren’t dumb. We all wanted this area to improve, and it has by leaps and bounds, but this unfortunately is a side affect of incredibly rapid development. For better or worse, we are reaping what we have sown.

That being said, most of these panhandlers are not bad people. In the 6 years I have been here, and dealing with them every day, I can say that I have only felt physically threatened twice. Maybe three times. There are others, who, even though I never gave them any money, would say “hi” to me everyday, and were nothing if not cordial. There are some bad apples, yes, and those need to be dealt with, but for the vast majority, they are harmless.

While I am disturbed by the content/tone of a few of these comments, I think it’s good for us to have this discussion. The trick will be taking the comments, stories and possible solutions suggested here out of “the internets” and into real life.

Like most people in the neighborhood, I get annoyed with the large crowds of teenagers hanging out by the Verizon. I also get really tired of being cussed at by the homeless people sleeping in doorways on 7th.

But it is only when the usual trappings of city life cross the level of tolerability that I complain.

When I see homeless men urinating in the street in full view of morning commuters. When a homeless woman throws a full cup of liquid at my mother. And when the teenagers antics endangers others. Back in June, a shoving match between two boys in front of the mickey d’s turned into a full scale brawl and a neighbor of mine was actually injured trying to avoid the melee.

But I think several of the posters are right in that we need to speak up about these problems to the proper authorities AND we also need to do our part as well. Donate to local shelters, youth centers and the like.

It’s not race it’s economics. My building is very diverse and it’s great. The street folk are not the same socio-ecoomic as the condo owners.

I agree that it has gotten worse. The area around McDonald’s on 7th Street seems to be a dumping ground for young teens with no parental supervision.
I love the downtown feel of Chinatown/Penn Quarter, but if police don’t step up their patrols of the area, I agree, the area will lose its momentum and fewer people will feel safe walking through our neighborhood at night.

From the incidents mentioned here, there clearly is a problem. Ranting about it, calling people names, arguing whether it is better or worse here or there, positing vague sociological
theories, or suggesting one just live with the problem will not solve it. It seems like a matter for the appropriate authorities. Isn’t there a forum where residents, businesses, and the police come together to discuss issues? Why not make this a major item on that agenda. Why not do something other than blog?

“Isn’t there a forum where residents, businesses, and the police come together to discuss issues? ”

Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA)
http://www.dcdna.org

There is a place where people can go to tackle issues like these. It’s called the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the website is http://www.dcdna.org. The DNA is already tackling some tricky problems and some of these seem like good issues to bring up them. There’s a place on their website to report problems.

I love when the race card is so easily thrown down in this city because a certain segment of the population is not willing to take responsibility for itself. It’s a bunch of *&(!, and I think most responsible people are sick of it. You can have a city where sketchiness is the exception and not the rule. Responsible people know this, and we are taking the city back like it or not.

People are asking what can they do to make city life better…if you don’t like the way “it” (whatever you choose “it” to be) is, then civic participation is how “it” changes.

For some issues, you need the neighbors to join in mass which is why the newly formed Downtown Neighborhood Association has monthly meetings at the Navy Memorial (701 Penn Ave) and is getting engaged on issues like these. You can’t sit on your duff and expect someone to read your mind. Go to the meetings! Join the organization! Meet your neighbors!

The DNA has already taken a formal position on two community issues including the Chinatown CVS and the Chinatown bus services. Media coverage on the Chinatown CVS resulted in two stories on WJLA, Channel 7. PQ Living has covered these issues also.

Next DNA meeting: Tuesday, October 9

The DNA website is: http://www.dcdna.org

I agree the DNA is a great way to get involved. I plan to attend one of their meetings in the near future.

I also have to agree with breggaio. Unfortunately, most of the crime and rowdiness in our neighborhood is young African American men such as those hanging out in front of the McDs. I actually find them worse than the vagrants. Most vagrants will thank you or “bless you” if you acknowledge them. The kids on the other hand are pretty disgusting. They’ve harassed me, my wife and many of my neighbors (and i’m a pretty large guy) on occasion. Though a nice kick in the groin by my wife alleviated one of the problems a few weeks ago.

Solving the kid problem will be a lot of work since it stems from huge societal problems that plague DC, though a little help from the police and retailers that their bad behavior is not welcome here would help.

Ten years ago, the same amount of panhandlers existed in this neighboorhood. I would also put money on the fact the same people that complain about the “rise” in homeless people would have never steped foot in PQ back then, before PQ had a nice yuppie name to go with it. You want to get rid of the panhandlers? Get rid of the homeless shelters. But you don’t really want to say that, you want them to quietly go away.

Oh, and by the way, I grew up in The Bronx. I saw Times Square change from drug and sex sesspool to a yuppie paradise to a juvinlle dilinquent hang out. It goes with the territory. The homeless people throughout the whole transition stood firm, even with the cops harassing them at every corner. Chinatown’s just about on the same path, like any other city catering its renovated neighborhoods to potential upper-middle class residents.

This used to be a nice neighborhood?? What timespan are we talking about? Like 6 months?

Hon, this neighborhood used to be a decrepit, dangerous ghost town that looked like a set from Blade Runner only about 10 years ago. Its renaissance from slum to yuppieville is but a recent phenomenon. And for the person who’s complaining about the Chinatown movie theaters, I doubt if its the homeless giving away the plot. People, this is the real city – not the city as conceived on a TV Sitcom. You’re going to find homeless people on the streets, and rowdy teens at the cinema. Call the cops if they’re a real nuisance. DC cops tend to be pretty good about showing up and dealing with any bonafide public menace.

Smith MBA..How is is racism when people are pointing out the obvious here? These kids in PQ and ELSEWHERE in DC are menacing, rude and do not make things enjoyable for a lot of people.

It’s one thing to act like a rowdy teenager and not impose upon others. But when groups of kids behave like out of control maniacs, then it’s a huge problem, and one I and others don’t have to tolerate. These kids have NO home training, class or decency about them. Is that wrong to say that?

I hate to see what kind of parents these teens will make. Scary.

I lived in Manahattan during the Giuliani era and became a bigger Giuliani fan when he got rid of the squeegee men. I don’t really care whose sensitivities get hurt, as long as results happen.

It’s hard for me to not think about racism when I walk by the mob of young African Americans in front of McDonalds and get called every derogatory Asian name in the book.

I will give an unsolicited plug for the DNA (I am not a part of the organization).

I believe they are funded solely by donations from local individuals who are interested in their mission. Financial contributions will help them grown and improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.

I see people opining that the number of homeless is the same, but I am recognizing the same people who have been around for the past three years, and a lot of new ones. I dont’ know if they come on the busses, the metro or if they are getting out of jail, but there is no doubt in my mind that the number is going up and will continue to do so while the city, the police and the tourists make this such a great neighborhood for panhandling and drug use.

This is actually an amazing discussion and one I am really happy to see happening within the district. During my 5 years of living in this dysfunctional city, I’ve seen many intelligent people say really stupidly racist and classist statements when it comes to the state of the district.

I want to agree with some of the commenters and say you can not discuss economics in this city without discussing race. Everything that happens in this city has some racism involved. Pump money into a failing school system, find ways to deal with food security, and pay for the health care of the uninsured instead of arresting peaceful anti-war protesters and motorcades and you will see aggressive panhandling go away. It’s not that complicated, as in it is super complicated. Some of the smartest, most well connected and wealthy people live in a very small city, so Why can’t we solve these problems?

I actually think the homeless/panhandling situation has gotten better than it was 2 years ago.

When I first moved here, I couldn’t run 1 errand without a request for money. But now, I can’t remember the last time I’ve been hustled for money.

We have seen a lot of change over the past 15 years in this neighborhood; it is much better than it was when I moved into PQ in 1995. Challenges remain and there are opportunities to garner improvements.

If interested in helping improve our quality of life or learn more about the different influences impacting our neighborhood, come to a DNA meeting and get involved in one of its action oriented committees.

The next neighborhood meeting is on October 9th and the discussion leaders will be Dan Tangherlini, City Administrator and Chapman Todd with Catholic Charities who manages the Franklin School Shelter. Both of these public servants can speak to change in our neighborhood. Check out its site at http://www.dcdna.org.

Thanks DCDNA. I look forward to an interesting, informative and engaging October meeting. I heard Dan Tangherlini speak when he was the Interim Manager of Metro and he is definitely a crowd engagement kind of guy.

We’re going to have to wrap comments now so thanks for everyone’s thoughts.