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Controversy still lingers in the Trinidad neighborhood as police stand gaurd at roadblock checkpoints and the ACLU keeps watch.
Since last Saturday, when the checkpoints began, police said they refused entry to about half the drivers who tried to enter because they didn't beleive the reason was legitimate. It raised questions for civil liberties groups and at a protest outside City Hall on police activities. The checkpoints were the issue at the protest.
"This is what happens when we become decensitized to these actions, they could start launching helicopters tomorrow and flying them low over our neighborhood," said resident Naji Mujahid.
The ACLU made it clear, it didn't like the plan. "In this country you don't need to give police a reason for wanting to go down a public street," said Arthur Spitzer.
Mayor Adrian Fenty and the council member for the Trinidad community, Harry Thomas, held a news conference Friday morning where they insisted that everything would be legal. Thomas added, "Rights will not be violated but lawlessness will not be tolerated."
As part of the "Neighborhood Safety Zones" program police began stopping all cars on Montello Avenue near Gallaudet University last weekend. Drivers had to show identification to prove that they lived in the neighborhood or explained why they were in the area. Police said pedestrians wouldn't be affected.
Police said recent drive-bys and other violence wa so bad that they were going to stop and question all motorists who drove through and if they didn't like their reason, they'd be refused entry.
"I'm darned if I do and darned if I don't, and I'd much rather be darned for doing. I've got 22 people that have been murdered in the 5th district this year and i'm going to do everything I can to keep that number from going any higher," said Police Chief Cathy Lanier (web|news|bio) .
"I think nobody should be getting turned around just because they want to come into a neighborhood," said resident Anthony Hinckle.
Marie Branch was glad the checkpoints were up, "You don't have to worry about gunshots all night long. You can actually get some peace and quiet and sleep in your home and feel safe."
ANC Commissioner, Wilhelmina Lawson, said police should have thought it out better, "Wasn't it smart to tell them what day they're gonna start and what time they're gonna start and how long they gonna do it for five days. These people aren't stupid."
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