ANTHONY LORENZO GREEN

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER

SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT 7C04

July 27, 2018

The Honorable Muriel E. Bowser

Mayor, District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004

Re: Body-Worn Camera Footage of June 13th and June 25th MPD Actions on Sheriff
Rd NE in ANC Single Member District 7C04

Dear Mayor Bowser,

On June 24, 2018, you were copied on a letter I sent to the chief of police, Peter
Newsham, expressing my dismay with the conduct of MPD police officers in the Gun
Recovery Unit when they conducted a stop-and-frisk on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 on
the 5200 block of Sheriff Rd NE. Several of those officers got out of an unmarked car
and confronted a group of young men who were sitting outside Nook’s Barber Shop
and Salon. Videos of the incident was recorded by several people on their cell phones,
then posted on social media on Friday, June 22, 2018. The actions of those officers has
resulted in more tension and great damage to any efforts to improve police relations in
the Deanwood community.

Unfortunately, on the evening of Monday, June 25, 2018, MPD officers from the 6th
District returned to the same block, claiming they were doing a “business check” and
proceeded to have a violent confrontation with young men and women from the
community that resulted in MPD police officers pepper-spraying residents, including a
small child, and several young men arrested for defending themselves. I was just leaving
a meeting with the Deanwood Citizens Association (DCA), where I also serve as the 2nd
Vice President, when we received a call for help against out-of-control officers. This
action by MPD is unforgiveable and completely broken any speck of trust that could
have been salvaged.

On Monday, July 23, 2018, Chief Newsham attended DCA’s monthly meeting and used
it as an opportunity to continue presenting a narrative that was dismissive of my
community, and disrespectful to me as a person. Chief Newsham doesn’t seem to care
to understand the community’s pain and has not publicly taken a strong stand against
misconduct by his officers. The chief states the public must have all of the facts, but has
denied requests for Body-Worn Camera (BWC) footage to be released. A complete
failure of transparency has contributed to the widespread public outrage in this matter.
The actions by Chief Newsham has made it clear that he is not fit to continue to serve
as the chief of police.

920 49th St NE, Washington, DC 20019 | (202) 600-9834 | 7c04@anc.dc.gov

 ANTHONY LORENZO GREEN
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER
SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT 7C04

As mayor, you have the unique power to order the release of BWC footage of incidents
that are of "significant public interest" regardless of the status of any particular Freedom
of Information Act request. I ask that you exercise that power to provide the
transparency you claim to champion and help rebuild trust between your law
enforcement agency and the community it is meant to serve.

As a D.C. resident, and Deanwood native proudly representing the community that
blessed me with the values of standing tall in our truth, I'm calling on you to
demonstrate your commitment to transparency and accountability by directing MPD
to release the BWC footage of the June 13th and June 25th incidents on Sheriff Road
NE in my single member district.

It is time that we match the rhetoric with actions. We will not tolerate the violation of the
fundamental right against unreasonable search and seizure, and the right to be free of
cruel and unusual treatment. If you truly believe that transparency and accountability
strengthens our community, then you will answer the public’s call to release the BWC
footage in the June 13th and June 25th incidents on Sheriff Rd NE.

Sincerely,

Anthony Lorenzo Green

ANC Commissioner 7C04

920 49th St NE, Washington, DC 20019 | (202) 600-9834 | 7c04@anc.dc.gov