D.C. police create MVP list to fight gang violence
washingtonexaminer.com | Feb 23, 2011
Police have long been pushing to quell the violent exchanges between the two Petworth gangs that roam Georgia Avenue. Among the highest-profile shootings was the August slaying of Neil Godleski, a 31-year-old Catholic University student who was gunned down in Sherman Circle. His killing led to a community outcry. Since then, Police Chief Cathy Lanier has been meeting with community members to inform them of the department’s efforts to stem the tide of daytime gunfire exchanges and robberies. On Wednesday morning, she took that presentation to Mayor Vince Gray and the D.C. Council, presenting the department’s gang-fighting efforts during the elected officials’ monthly breakfast meeting.
“In Ward 4 we have a list of 39 people most likely to be shot or shoot,” Lanier said. She added, “Between 65 and 70 percent are under some sort of court-ordered supervision.” Many of the gang members have had 13 or 14 arrests for robbery and carjacking, the chief said.
