The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Opinion D.C. shoved Black neighborhoods aside. It’s still paying the price.

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Columnist|
January 19, 2024 at 3:46 p.m. EST
D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto speaks as Police Chief Pamela A. Smith listens in July. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post)
5 min

Two days of crime alerts in the Fourth Police District in Ward 4, the northernmost portion of D.C., where I live:

Jan. 17:

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  • 12:52 p.m. Robbery investigation on the 6000 block of 14th Street NW.
  • 1:37 p.m. Shooting investigation on the 200 block of Upshur Street NW.
  • 3:13 p.m. Robbery investigation in the 7300 block of Georgia Avenue NW.

Jan. 18:

  • 5:43 a.m. Robbery investigation in the 500 block of Longfellow Street NW.
  • 5:55 a.m. Attempted robbery investigation in the 500 block of Missouri Avenue NW.
  • 9:17 a.m. Robbery investigation in the 4400 block of Iowa Avenue NW.
  • 4:26 p.m. Armed robbery investigation in the 3400 block of Holmead Place NW.

In addition to robberies and police lookouts for masked and armed suspects, Ward 4 is experiencing a drumbeat of assaults, shoplifting, car break-ins and carjackings.