Another assault on the Met Branch Trail

[jrenaut]

Yeah, I know it’s anecdotal, but it seems like almost all of this type of assault in the city are on this trail, and it’s not even a long trail.

[PotomacCyclist]

There were at least three attacks this past June.

http://dcist.com/2014/06/another_attack_on_the_metropolitan.php#.

[DaveK]

Almost all the problems are in the same area north of R St. It’s kids in the summer, and it’s kids in the dark of winter. It’s always kids that are doing these things. There have been more incidents than that article points out.

[Crickey7]

@DaveK 99017 wrote:

Almost all the problems are in the same area north of R St. It’s kids in the summer, and it’s kids in the dark of winter. It’s always kids that are doing these things. There have been more incidents than that article points out.

Totally concur. Before there was a Met Branch trail, I commuted a parallel path. I never had any safety issues anywhere else in the City, but I frequently did in that area. And it was always groups of between 3 and 10 kids. Since I wasn’t on a trail, I could just take off in any direction. On the trail, it’s more difficult.

[bobco85]

@Crickey7 99019 wrote:

Totally concur. Before there was a Met Branch trail, I commuted a parallel path. I never had any safety issues anywhere else in the City, but I frequently did in that area. And it was always groups of between 3 and 10 kids. Since I wasn’t on a trail, I could just take off in any direction. On the trail, it’s more difficult.

If I see a group of more than 3 people in the distance (I don’t get close enough to tell if they’re teens or senior citizens) especially at night (I ride on the MBT probably a few times per month), I will turn off the trail and go a parallel route around them due to these types of incidents.

The scariest place in my opinion is the zig-zag that one must make at R St NW because of the blind corners and its proximity to many of the incidents. Someone could be waiting just around the corner for you.

Other than that concern, I really enjoy riding on the MBT when I get the chance. It’s a shame that the reputation of this great trail is being sullied by some criminals.

[jrenaut]

@bobco85 99022 wrote:

It’s a shame that the reputation of this great trail is being sullied by some criminals.

I don’t think at this point it’s the reputation being sullied – it’s the safety of the trail that’s being sullied. The reputation is unfortunately deserved.

I’m not sure what to do about it, other than near-constant patrolling. It’s secluded, and most of it is stuck between walls or fences so there are rarely extra eyes on the trail.

[PotomacCyclist]

Can any of the adjacent properties be redeveloped to include residential and retail? That would bring a lot more foot traffic and natural deterrence against criminals. Or maybe there should be a police substation there.

[ronwalf]

Uhg – this is my route home when it’s dark. It’s either this, or one of the 4-6 lane arterials. Hopefully the future completed ART won’t build quite the same reputation.

[lordofthemark]

@PotomacCyclist 99029 wrote:

Can any of the adjacent properties be redeveloped to include residential and retail? That would bring a lot more foot traffic and natural deterrence against criminals. Or maybe there should be a police substation there.

Thats happening in NoMa, and there is Monroe Street Market up in Brookland. I think the new development in Eckington and on RI avenue is going more slowly.

Would a police camera on that part of the trail be a feasible improvement?

ISTR hearing about commuters riding in convoys at some point? Also WABA patrols (but that means more need for volunteers)

[ronwalf]

WaPo has more. The new metro access bridge should put some more eyes on the tail – I hope that’s enough the cut back on this nonsense.

[mstone]

If they don’t fix it soon they’ll have to just write it off

[PotomacCyclist]

It looks like there are new residential buildings on Q Street and Harry Thomas Way, just a block away from R St.

At 101 Harry Thomas Way, there’s a secret-looking building and then an open field filled with various construction equipment, between Q St. and R St. If that were to be developed, that would help solve one of the dangerous sections of the trail (the blind turns at R St.).

This week’s attack occurred between S St. and T St. where the trail runs alongside another bleak-looking building. I don’t know if the Google Maps Street View photo is up to date. If it is, that building has all of its windows sealed up. The building is named for the “Sanitary Grocery Company.” Apparently that was the original name of what is now Safeway. Maybe it’s still a Safeway warehouse.

Can Safeway do something to add to security behind its warehouse? Should cyclists and pedestrians avoid that section of the trail and head over to the nearby streets? They could turn off the trail at S or T and use 4th St. as an alternative route. Is that street normally busy with traffic? I’ve never ridden over there, so I wouldn’t know.

The Art and Drama Therapy Institute is located to the south of the warehouse, on S St. Seems like that would provide some activity on the trail, but I recall that a woman who worked there was assaulted on the trail over the summer, as she walked to the Metro station. She managed to scream and draw the attention of a co-worked who helped to scare off the attacker.

Are these the two hotspots, at R St. and along the Safeway warehouse (between S and T)?

[skins_brew]

If DC would just start issuing CCW permits, the problem would correct itself….

[Crickey7]

@skins_brew 99127 wrote:

If DC would just start issuing CCW permits, the problem would correct itself….

DC is a may-issue jurisdiction. MPD said applicants would need a specific reason for issuance, and they cited living in a dangerous neighborhood or being a cab driver as not being good enough reasons. So it’s unlikely riding the MBT would qualify.

[skins_brew]

@Crickey7 99132 wrote:

DC is a may-issue jurisdiction. MPD said applicants would need a specific reason for issuance, and they cited living in a dangerous neighborhood or being a cab driver as not being good enough reasons. So it’s unlikely riding the MBT would qualify.

May issue for now, anyway. Several things could change that. From how I follow it, the court can still say that DC’s “May issue” legislation is still in violation of the ruling (which it is, IMO).

If DC’s may issue infrastructure passes muster, expect a multiyear lawsuit against DC.

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