APPENDIX 1: COMMENTS CORRESPONDING TO SURVEY ITEMS

PART I.  Please describe how you visualize this community in the next five years:

·        A safe place w/ decent schools & activities for the youth of our neighborhood. A clean area to play.

·        Could either be real nice or pretty scary? It will depend on how crime and affordable housing issues are handled.

·        I see Bloomingdale as an increasingly mixed race and income community hopefully many small businesses including cafes and bakeries opened.

·        A safe clean well-maintained community with coffee shops, restaurants, bakeries and other amenities, devoid of crime and clean.

·        Clean Nor Cap - Remove loiterers, new business services - grocery, shopping restaurants, dry cleaning, no more bulletproof stores

·        Gentrified. Upper middle class. Limited parking across zones. High risk of getting tickets when parked out of zone for more than 2 hours with no options/alternative parking.

·        Exactly as it is now, except more restaurants and less crime.

·        Pedestrian friendly, cultural mixed commercially revitalized community that serves as home for old, new, and recent homeowners. A community that works along w. the churches and businesses in the area.

·        While Bloomingdale’s immediate future will clearly involve transitioning toward a white-collar bedroom community, it will become increasingly important to attract a broader variety of ages and incomes in new residents to deter daytime crimes.

·        A place where I can walk.

·        No abandoned or derelict properties, no crime, better schools, better stores, heal broken/dysfunctional homes, promote youth opportunities

·        All people have economic security.

·        We need options to locking up black males.

·        Drug and crime free. With more community gatherings.

·        A fun, vibrant community that is a safe place to live.

·        Fewer crimes and more restaurants in walking distance. More brick side walk.

·        Increased “mom & pop” businesses, more neighborhood-like feel.

·        With more gentrified/improved houses. Hopefully with some restaurants and other businesses on N. Capitol.

·        Less crime & more attractive than at present which is very nice.

·        Safe, residential neighborhood with a few businesses offering limited services (restaurants, markets, maybe a bar).

·        Safe, vibrant & diverse neighborhood. Friendly, committed neighbors.

·        This community will continue to advance; the community will become richer, beautiful and loving and praise God more.

·        A diverse community of families (not rooming houses or half-way houses) who have the same values for a clean crime free and limited economic development environment.

·        My desire is that the community be diverse, vibrant (responsible economic development, variety of services) and safe (reduced crime!!!)

·        A lively, diverse mix of residents from all races and age groups. Streets safe for pedestrians, small children & the elderly. Lively enjoyable retail options that offer convenience and good quality of life. No liquor corners.

·        I would love to see this community develop into something similar to the U Street revitalization or Georgetown in terms of the type of housing, income level and mixed ethnic groups living in the neighborhood.

·        I visualize a thriving community with many small businesses, including restaurants. I would like to improve the sidewalks, get rid of trash & reduce the number of abandoned homes & buildings and most importantly reduce crime!

·        A safer, diverse community that has a strong, diversified base of local businesses.

PART II. Please share your opinions about each of the following community issues.

1.  Crime (enforcement, deterrence, police relations):

·        Loitering on streets – people who do not live in area.

·        Stop the drug from coming in from the white man!

·        Very important – must collectively (personal/home security seminar (by neighborhood)) address and deter crime spike. Also – traffic – speed enforcement. Would be nice to put electronic monitor on  2^nd Street – people speed south heading toward Rhode Island Ave.

·        This is central to all other aspects listed here. If we are not safe, we cannot accomplish anything.

·        See above.

·        Unit block of  T Street is bad.

·        More policing. A lot of drug activity.

·        I am so disappointed in our police department and apparent disregard for the safety of law abiding citizens of our community. Crime seems to be getting worse in the 2 yrs I’ve been here and nothing is being done about it.

·        The unacceptable high crime rate MUST be brought under control with additional police patrols and discouraging loitering.

·        Have police patrol First St & N St by foot and keep the recreation center clear at night & have more lights.

·        No problems w/ crime noted over the past several years.

·        We need true community policing. Many cops have no respect for citizenry.

·        Increase foot patrol and monitor activities in alleys and behind the homes.

·        The hanging out of males @ Seaton & North Cap NW – Is getting worse, many gunshots weekly.

·        We need a more visible police force.

·        While police presence is good, it is clear that violent crime continues to deter economic development.

·        Need to get better service from dispatchers so we don’t need to by-pass 911.

·        Single most important issue to me.

·        Intervention and prevention. “Crew” “gang” relations between neighborhoods.

·        More often patrolling to prevent gatherings @ night – especially at corners & convenience stores.

·        A continuing problem & one likely to worsen this summer.

·        We NEED more police patrols.

·        We need to stop the crime wave in Bloomingdale or else not businesses will come to our neighborhood.

·        We’ve seen a spike recently in crime. I’m concerned that businesses will leave & other businesses won’t come.

·        Very, very important.

·        Curtailing crime problems is essential.

·        Recent robberies in the area, particularly Windows Café. Neighbor’s young nephew was beat up walking home from bus stop. Seems kids are out of control doing random acts of violence.

·        Very concerned that Windows keeps getting held up. Also 1^st and O area.

·        Patrolling alleys.

·        Graffiti, groups hanging out at night in the alleys/streets.

·        I was robbed at gunpoint after 3 days in the city. So, I’m a bit jaded.

·        A safe neighborhood street to walk and children to play without worrying about shooting or abduction.

·        The recent brazen criminal acts – 10:00am and 12:00pm robberies of Windows, for example – have me EXTREMELY concerned. Crime seems to be on the rise and I’d like a stronger police presence on a constant basis.

·        Would like to see more foot patrol police officers.

·        Seems to be improving!

·        Need stronger police presence, motorcycles running stop signs, on sidewalks - cars running stop signs down 1^st/2^nd Streets. There is too much random crime. Windows robberies are very concerning.

·        Windows has been robbed 5+ times this year. Graffiti clean up needs to be swifter.

·        Burglaries & robberies of local stores – very disturbing. Need to work better with police.

·        Protect local business owners/workers (i.e. Windows Café). Move out drug dealers. More vigilance on burglary.

·        This is most high since I am a parent.

·        Too many muggings.

·        I see a lot of police enforcement, feel save at church day and night. I don’t fear at all.

·        Would like to have a police presence not only during the day but also in the evening hours.

·        Every other positive advance in our community will fall into place if the crime fear disappears.

·        We need strong attention to crime prevention with an effort to achieve reduced crime (all kinds).

·        Police AND residents need to be unforgiving of the proto-criminals assaulting pedestrians, robbing stores, and killing time before they graduate to grow-up jail.

·        Windows has been robbed too many times. It is someone in the area because they adjust their mo with store changes. Someone knows who this person is!

·        It seems as though some more well-off low life people have moved into a renovated house near me and brought with them the loud friends, cursing and general noise that I thought was finally beginning to leave the neighborhood. Some of these people huddle together as if they are dealing drugs…I’d like to see more police surveillance on 2nd Street and T Streets.

·        I am concerned about young men hanging out on corners doing or selling DRUGS. Also on street thefts.

·        Get rid of the loitering and find help for the people hanging out on the streets.

·        Very important for all residents.

·        Without safety, nothing else can be achieved.

·        Always at the top of the list.

2.  Economic Development (type and size business, etc.):

·        Econ dev ties in with crime enforcement – deterrence – econ dev will improve once crime is under control.

·        Diversity – less Chinese take outs and liquor stores more of everything else.

·        More green business, earth friendly.

·        Statistics show that economic development reduces crime so we should be encouraging businesses to come into Bloomingdale.

·        VERY important as ED increase crime will decrease. No need for big box retail, but need service industry.

·        Satisfied with economic developments. Condos are dominating area.

·        Restaurants of varying scale (casual to more up scale) and grocery

·        Dry cleaners, food stores (well stocked) SAVEMORE is for sale if there is someone interested.

·        Small businesses ex. small restaurants, coffee/tea shops, cleaners, and etc. NO MORE LIQUOR STORES.

·        More local cafes.

·        Catch 22. Economic development will do wonders toward deterring crime, yet high crime is a significant hindrance to economic development.

·        Small businesses that serve the people who are normally in the community (residents, workers). Please not a lot of “destination” places that attracts more car traffic.

·        People need jobs and businesses should hire the unemployed.

·        If crime is not an issue businesses will want to come to our neighborhood.

·        Neighborhood drastically underserved. Restaurant coffee shops, clothing & hardware stores & quality food stores would make a huge difference. Type of businesses is particularly important to me.

·        The area needs walkable quality businesses. This would help people get out into the neighborhood.

·        We need more small businesses and restaurants in our area.

·        Want businesses that I typically patronize in VA and other parts of DC closer to Bloomingdale.

·        Small non-chain businesses. Delis, coffee shops, 5 and dime.

·        Neighborhood businesses in stead of big box stores. Perhaps a tax incentive to encourage small businesses.

·        On first going down to Florida there are a lot of abandoned stores that could support restaurants & shops.

·        Would like to see more commerce in our area. I’d like to be able to WALK to restaurant shops.

·        More businesses that are safer for residents & owners.

·        Small, independent businesses.

·        We need to fill in the empty store fronts in Bloomingdale.

·        It would be nice to attract some more diverse stores.

·        Give grants to help poor and needy.

·        If there is a need for economic development – there should be a variety of commercial establishments and a very limited number of liquor stores or liquor license granted.

·        Will take care of itself when the crime problem is eliminated.

·        We need more diversity in small number of businesses in neighborhoods (reduce liquor stores, attract more services) *NORTH CAPITOL NEEDS BUSINESS TENANTS!!!

·        Restaurants/coffee shops/bakeries/boutiques/flower shops/vets/etc. - ALL GOOD. Corner stores that sell beer singles & lottery tickets? BAD!!

·        Need retail locations – neighborhood restaurants, retail shops to revitalize area.

·        It seems to be progressing well.

·        Seek small & family-owned businesses - not big boxes or strip malls.

·        I would like to see small businesses along the Rhode Island corridor, NW.

·        Our number one priority should be getting rid of the liquor stores and bringing in good small businesses!

·        We must encourage new businesses & help maintain small businesses in the area.

·        There is a need for different types of local businesses beyond liquor stores (restaurants, banks, etc.).

·        No. Capitol and others are working in this area. 

3.  Education and Youth Development:

·        More recreation and education for these young kids in this area…

·        Busy kids = happy kids. More constructive programs – or more importantly getting the info out (I thing there are programs out there).

·        - Year-round school option. - Youth summer jobs better marketed in the area.

·        A recreation center for the kids would be nice.

·        From my perspective a lot of the crime occurring is coming from teenage kids whose parents have no idea how to teach them. Since the people who brought them into this world can’t control them then we need to provide them with something to do.

·        This must be worked on in tandem w/ crime. We have to offer better alternatives to the young people of our community.

·        Strengthen schools and afterschool programming.

·        More recreation centers/youth based programs.

·        If we don't fix the children, all the enforcement in the world won't reduce crime and deepen community roots.

·        We have many talented people here - we need more mentors and volunteers in the schools. Enhance programs for youth, but also create programs that involve youth/adults.

·        I see this as more of a DC issue than a Bloomingdale issue.

·        Adult education opportunities,

·        This is the most important issue for security.

·        Unfixable.

·        Need to improve youth services so that they have other things to do and are not idle.

·        More community/charter schools.

·        Not really sure.

·        Give children opportunities for mental and physical growth.

·        Ways for community members to participate in education. Youth development – volunteer.

·        Currently there are no desirable schools in the neighborhood.

·        Recreation center gone down.

·        Looking out for the youth. A mind is a terrible thing to be waste.

·        No more of a priority for us than for the rest of the city.

·        Provide a means for a fulfilling future and an incentive to help them avoid crime.

·        That’s a bigger job than a neighborhood association can or should do. It’s for parents, schools, and churches to do. And, if necessary, the police to deal with.

·        Idle minds are the devil’s playground. These kids need activities.

·        No thoughts other than the need for parents to parent and stop pushing their kids off on the school system to raise and discipline.

·        I hope the new Chancellor can make a difference! So many of our local problems are due to a deficient school system.

·        Need to brainstorm and do outreach to alleviate the juvenile crime activities. Job and vocational programs are needed. 

4.   Community Beautification & Streetscape:

·        Perhaps all can chip in – I myself built a tree box for a tree outside my house.

·        Simple things – like planting tree boxes – create nicer space for everyone. I planted 4 tree boxes near my house and the amount of garbage dropped around my property dropped considerably. People realize we care – and they also begin to care.

·        Free trees and shrubs, only for the asking – if already available – market it better.

·        There are several plots of land that need to be kept clean. For example, the plot in front of the cleaners at Rhode Island and T Street NW.

·        I live on T Street NW.  Too much trash on sidewalks.

·        Our community is fairly beautiful already. I would rather see crime taken care of.

·        We need brick sidewalks on Randolph Place NW as well as other streets and more tree planting, owners should be encouraged to do landscaping of some degree on their front yards.

·        Keep the homeless from destroying the grass by sitting on it & trashing the area at the recreation center and Dunbar side on N St NW, stop the vans from bringing them everyday.

·        Make sure the sidewalks are wide enough for wheelchair users - many times they have to be in the street.

·        Implement brick paver project along R Street NE.

·        Integral with economic development and crime deterrence in my mind.

·        Litter prevention & education programs & need something like “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute.”

·        Brentwood Road is not attractive and people friendly.

·        A clean neighborhood deters crime. It is so easy to pick up trash. And no one does it!!!

·        If everyone maintains their yards, streetscapes are just extra. I’d rather have resources going elsewhere.

·        Continuing improving the overall look of the main streets and side streets.

·        Do something about the old McMillan property!

·        Green space!

·        It’s already pretty nice – people take good care of own lawns.

·        Bike lanes.

·        I see more beautification, scenery and efforts. The street are being repaired, flowers planted.

·        It is very important to maintain the areas upon completion of any beautification.

·        As crime dissipates and the criminals are displaced, the new arrivals will accomplish this.

·        In an effort to reduce crime and provide pride in community.

·        Historic neighborhood designation!!! Brick sidewalks, decorative banners, traffic calming bumps on residential streets.

·        What happened to the flower and mulch deliveries?

·        Goes without saying that this is important.

·        Need a coherent plan that helps to define neighborhood.

·        Not only will this help the neighborhood, but it will encourage new people to move in.

·        Bloomingdale is already strong in this category.

·        This is being addressed already.

 

5. Animal Welfare and Control (companion animals, rodents):

·        Rodents (DEAD rodents) are always seen in ‘T’ Street alley…street cleaner doesn’t clean alley.

·        Stray cats and rodents a problem. Neighbors need to work together to get on pest management control programs.

·        Trap feral cats and re-locate to high-rodent infested neighborhoods (alley between Bryant and Channing on the unit block has dozens of cats.

·        Too many rats in alley.

·        We have a lot of cats and not any rats in my alley and I want to keep it that. A free spade-neuter program that provides food would be great.

·        Rat infestation must be eradicated.

·        Enforce clean up after pets (owners).

·        Fixing abandoned buildings such as those on North Capital and along First Street fill addresses much of the rodent problem.

·        Enforcement of "scoop" your dog's "poop." Neighbors respecting other neighbors in not letting dogs poop on other people's easement property.

·        More feral cat spay & release, more low cost/free spay neuter.

·        Gets a control of residents breeding cats in the unit block of R Street NE. STOP IT!

·        Cleaning up after dogs.

·        Have not found this to be a problem.

·        Rodents are an issue in alleys.

·        Would love a dog park.

·        DC government does a satisfactory job.

·        Stray cats?

·        Seems to be doing ok.

·        Rats are down considerably.

·        Dog Park.

·        Children are in the neighborhood.

·        Rats, possums, raccoons walk the street like humans.

·        I don’t see dogs and cats running wild on the street, there is animal control, no bugs.

·        There are still owners in the area who will not collect droppings of their pets.

·        There continues to be boarded up housings that are not being maintained (i.e., 2105 1^st Street, NW).

·        This is a city-wide issue.

·        I’m pretty tired of my neighbor’s cats defecating on my plants, but other than “clean up after your pets” signs, I don’t see a big need for action.

·        There are too many pet owners that do not curb their dogs!  We need to enforce this law.

·        No thoughts at this time.

·        Too many dogs - Too many rats.

 

6. Health and Wellness (youth, seniors, recreation, disabled persons, community health facilities, dietary options):

·        Would like programs and workshops and events publicized to community.

·        Local Health clinic

·        No comment.

·        Safe injection room for IVDU's, drug/alcohol tax on demand - using treatments that are science based to work.

·        Facilitate community events that concentrate on issues relating to H/W.

·        Again, more of a DC issue.

·        More doctors offices.

·        Dietary options for residents without cars are severely limited. See “Economic Dev” above. Need for produce store(s) is high.

·        Not really sure.

·        Medical facilities are close.

·        OK – more programs, recreation center doesn’t take seniors over 54.

·        Helps the poor, needy and the addicted.

·        This is a city-wide issue.

·        A decent park for children to play in: something better than the drunken indigent hangout Florida Ave. Park.

·        No specific thoughts.

·        I would concentrate on youth because seniors have a lot at their disposal.