Liberation Day, Finally…Straight From the Mike

Having grown up in the Nation’s capital, I was completely elated and gratified that a monumental decision and commitment had finally been made to address the long overdue public safety challenges of the District of Columbia. For me, Liberation Day represents a time of reckoning for the DC residents and visitors.

In my subsequent travels to DC over the years, I would recall the different prestigious areas such the ‘Gold Coast’, upper 14 th Street and the home of several international Embassies and very close to Rock Creek Park and the Carter Barron Amphitheatre.
There was Dupont Circle, Lafayette Square come to mind. I saw the conversion of Southeast Washington to the upper crust. I saw the steady decline of once vibrant areas along U Street. Sure, gentrification over recent years has helped stem the decline of other areas in the inner city.

Conversely, I saw no positive change in the Anacostia area over the years. It is particularly disheartening when you remember the historical significance of such auspicious events in the city – The March on Washington and the Million Man March come to mind without hesitation. The euphoric and uplifting optimism that followed these two events gave Washington, and the nation, a ray of hope.

Similarly, the election of its first mayor in 1974, Walter Washington, gave the residents the feeling that finally our voices would be heard and not be drowned out by federal government’s tendency to respond to needs at a snail’s pace. I can only imagine how the late Mayor Washington must feel as he looks down at the morass that has evolved since his legacy. I will spare you the litany of the other mayors that occupied the seat, each with their own notoriety, not to mention the ongoing drama of the late Mayor Marion Berry.

Moreover, it is utterly amazing to realize that there are key elected officials that obviously believe that Washington, DC and other major urban areas are OK. Despite the fact that statistics was hardly a favorite subject of mine in college, I respect the web it can weave, especially when one wants to deceive. Without fail, every public safety meeting usually starts out with what is called ‘Good News’, crime stats are down. I often wonder, here and in locations like DC why the real question is seldom asked, ‘Do you feel safe?’ I agree with the saying, ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies. Consider doing an interesting exercise. Obtain the crime stats of your precinct and compare them with an outside resource called the CAP Index.

You are likely to be surprised. You are not only likely to see different stats but you will get a 5-year projection for your specific area.

Moreover, when a major business considers an area for expansion or investment, you can rest assured they check and compare the CAP

Index stats with those available locally. Thankfully, I was able to see and experience real community policing in my neighborhood of Northeast Washington. I can remember police on foot. Walking two abreast and throwing out and recoiling their batons to show their coolness to the young folks.

Oh, and by the way, for those who think like some do on the Atlanta City Council, that the more salary paid to elected  officials gets you better quality representation, one only needs to look at the DC Council’s salary, which has been in the high six figures for many years.

It is my fervent hope that the positive safety trend since ‘Liberation Day’ in DC will continue. The residents need to make their voices heard to the mayor and council and let them know that it is a good feeling to know that you no longer have to creep up to a red light and move your head like an owl, hope it will soon turn green so as not to miss a stealth approach or invader into your comfort space. You can go to your neighborhood convenience store and not be concerned

about who is loitering outside, on the prowl for a victim. I maintain that freedom, safety and security can coalesce in their respective space as long as one does upset the balance and prudent public policy prevails.

Thank goodness, I believe better days are ahead.

I am Michael Murphy, and this is straight from the Mike.