Bates Area Community Association News
Vol. 2 -- May, 2004

In this edition:

• Flower Power
  An idea blooms
• Police Boost Presence
  "But we can't do it alone"
• Summer Job Project Launched
  Aims to meet a major need
• Announcements and Services

The Bates Area Community Association meets on the 1st Monday of each month at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 3rd & Q NW

1. Flower Power

   The Bates Area Civic Association is sponsoring a program to encourage and recognize neighborhood beautification. “Flower Power” awards will go to the best projects at homes and institutional and commercial establishments. Entire blocks are eligible!

   Judges will focus on front yards, back yards, tree boxes and common areas.

   Nominations can be made on flyers that have been distributed in the neighborhood. For additional entry forms, call 287-8520.

   Filled-out entry forms can be sent to 74 Bates St. NW, or 140 Bates St. NW.

2. Police Boost Presence 

   Residents have noticed a stepped-up and more aggressive law enforcement presence since Police Service Areas were reorganized.

   The Bates area is now in PSA 501 (312 was the old designation). A new strategy came into play with the shift. Among the changes: some officers are on permanent foot patrol, with alleys part of their beats; homes long suspected by residents as havens of illegal activity (ranging from drug sales to harboring truants) are getting investigative attention; protection of students on their way to and from school is a top-priority mission.

   Capt. Melvin Scott, the top officer in the 501, vowed to residents at a meeting May 20 to keep up this aggressive approach. But he added, speaking of neighborhood improvement, “We can’t accomplish this with police only.”

   The top officers serving under Scott in the 501 are: Lts. George Caldwell and Juanita Mitchell.

   The Fifth District Station is located at 1805 Bladensburg Rd. NE, Washington DC 20002. Main phone number: 202-727-4510.

3. Summertime blues cure

   Ward Five Council Member Vincent B. Orange has started his Second Annual "Hire-One-Save-One" Summer Job Initiative

   Orange is accepting resumes from Ward Five residents between the ages of 15 and 21 years for a "variety of jobs" this summer. Resumes should be faxed to (202) 724-8076. The deadline for submitting resumes is June 11, 2004. All applicants must be Ward Five residents.

   BACA President Jim Berry invites neighbors who could help young job applicants prepare resumes to contact him. A resident who is not in a position to help with a resume, but knows of a young person who would like to apply, should contact Berry as well.

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4. Announcements and Services:
   • The DC Fatherhood Initiative is a project of North Capitol Collaborative. Meetings are held every Friday. For more information: Tony Dugger, 202-898-1800, or 202- 438-2241
   • Parenting Support Group, another North Capitol Collaborative project, holds meetings every Saturday, Noon-2 p.m., 113 Q St. NW. Lunch provided.
   • The Community Prosecution Office of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District will e-mail copies of its monthly report on arrests and prosecutions in the neighborhood. E-mail dc.outreach@usdoj.gov for more information.

Important phone numbers:

D.C. Department of Health (for information about blood tests for lead) – 202- 671-0733
WASA Lead Hotline – 202-787-2732
DC Government – general questions – 202-727-1000