Newly installed police camera moves crime down one block

WASHINGTON (WJLA) - When gunfire erupted in a northeast DC playground last month, residents in the neighborhoods of Woodridge and Brookland said they had, had enough.

Metropolitan police responded with stepped up patrols and moved a closed circuit surveillance camera to the corner of 18th and Otis street NE.

Now residents who live one block away at 17th and Newton street in northeast are claiming the newly installed camera just pushed the problems their way.

John Walker who is working to renovate of the houses on 17th street and said, "It's a congregation here pretty much every evening late at night."

He and others residents said a crowd gathers almost nightly now at the corner of 17th and Newton street northeast.

"All types of liquor bottles, beer bottles are in the street," Walker said.

One resident wrote directly to ABC 7 news with concerns the group gathered at 17th and Newton Street was allegedly "drinking and selling drugs."

Resident Raymond Richardson said the noise in front of his home keeps up him up at night.

"They are shooting bottle rockets up and down the street," he said.

7 On Your Side Fighting Back spoke with DC police this afternoon said officers will be stepping up patrols on the block.

Ward 5 city councilman Kenyan McDuffie also sent this statement to ABC 7 about residents concerns.

“My office has been working with the Metropolitan Police Department to address concerns raised by residents in the area. MPD has assured my office that they are instituting a special patrol for the area. All residents should be able to enjoy themselves, and feel safe and comfortable whether they are in or outside of their homes.”