[Lincolnparkdc] DC Security--East of Capitol

[Deborah Hurtt]

To Lincoln Park neighbors,

Here is a copy of an email I just sent to Charles Allen, Steve Holtzmann,
and the two ANC reps immediately north of the park (Amber Gove and Ruth
Anne Hudson) where I live. It stems from a very tiny thing, which I am
surprised it has impacted me so much, but I finally thought it was worth
action.  You know --the "If you see something, say something" approach.

If you share similar concerns, please join me in saying something.

Thank you,

Deb Hurtt

*Copy of Email*:
Dear Capitol HIll representatives,

First off, thank you for your hard work on residents'  behalf.

This message expresses concern for the security of Lincoln Park, East
Capitol St, and  surrounding neighborhoods over the next several days.
I am not generally one to be afraid in my surroundings, but I want to call
to your attention a strange experience on Monday.  It has made me wonder
how much security attention is being given to areas East of the Capitol. It
is SO easy to come off of 295 and head west, through the park, and I am
seeing no evident protections here.

My strange encounter:  I was taking my regular walk from C ST NE to Lincoln
Park and then on to East Capitol on Monday.  All was lovely until my return
through the park.  I approached the Lincoln statue from 11th street and saw
a man standing, looking at it.  Fair enough, but then as I got closer and
began to head toward Tennessee, I noticed that he had a megaphone. I know
this may seem small, but it made me ask--who would be carrying a megaphone
in the park--and why?  The person also had a suspicious air.  I kept
walking--a little faster--as I did not want to stare, take a photo, or
otherwise draw attention to myself.  As I was walking along the 100-block
of Tennessee I then encountered another person in dark and ragged clothing
who was walking unhurriedly toward the park.  Were they connected?  Were
they planning something?  That was what I felt.

As I was alone (it was maybe 3:00 in the afternoon, broad daylight), it was
the first time I have felt afraid in my neighborhood.  I wish I had called
someone right away, but it took a while to sink in and consider that this
small thing might be connected to the larger picture.

The question this encounter prompted was "What is being planned by
alt-right factions to approach the Capitol and city from the East--and what
protections are being taken?"  It seems like an awfully vulnerable flank to
me. I hope my suspicions of both figures are unfounded, but they were
enough to prompt the question.

I ask that you and fellow respresentatives  reach out to various parties
working on security protocols and urge for serious protection on the city's
the East flank.  I also ask that you reach out to your constituencies--I
think many of us have hightened antennae right now--to provide any guidance
and alerts so we may protect ourselves.

Thank you,
Deborah Hurtt
1317 C ST NE
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