Latest news with #UnitedStatesParkPolice
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Dupont Circle Park will officially close for DC's WorldPride weekend
WASHINGTON () — After days of uncertainty and unanswered questions, the National Park Service has officially announced that Dupont Circle Park will close for WorldPride weekend. This announcement came after the United States Park Police (USPP) requested the closure over safety concerns. Park police said closing the circle was necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety and protection of natural and cultural resources in the park. Park police added the temporary closure throughout the weekend will 'secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences.' PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Uncertainty lingers over Dupont Circle's status ahead of WorldPride Parade The decision stemmed from previous Pride weekends, when D.C. police said groups of people damaged property, looted and participated in underage drinking. The historic fountain at the center of the circle was reportedly damaged, and there were reports of gunfire. Significant road closures for WorldPride Parade, Block Party In a letter to park police on April 22, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith wrote, 'Every year, the situation has strained our personnel as the large crowds continued to linger around the park and spill into the nearby roadway causing further disturbances.' Days later, D.C. police rescinded their request to install anti-scale fencing around the perimeter of Dupont Circle after pushback from the community. However, the final decision was up to the United States Park Police. Around 5 a.m. on Friday, officers surrounded Dupont Circle with police tape, and fencing began going up around the park. USPP said the park will remain closed through Sunday, June 8, around 6 p.m. Richard Lewis, who lived in the community for nearly two decades, said he is truly disappointed. 'Very disappointed in the agencies that were involved in this lack of decision making, the back and forth. The public outcry apparently doesn't seem to matter. There are ways of doing and protecting the property without closing it,' said Lewis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced in DC after selling drugs near school
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A man was sentenced in D.C. after selling narcotics near schools and possessing a gun as a felon, according to a release. 23-year-old John Parker, of the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty on March 5, to one count of unlawful possession with intent to distribute N, N-Dimethylpentylone near schools and to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. The designer synthetic stimulant was known as 'boot'. Former University Park Mayor faces charges after sexually exploiting children for over a decade, authorities say According to court documents, on Aug. 24, 2023, around 8:30 p.m., United States Park Police officers saw a person approach Parker near 7th and H Streets, about 400 feet from a school, and hand Parker cash. Parker then handed the person white powder. Officers followed Parker into a nearby drug store, where he was arrested. During a search, officers recovered a loaded Ruger LCP semi-automatic pistol that was tucked in his pants. Parker was previously convicted in D.C. Superior Court of carrying a pistol without a license. In addition, police recovered a clear-knotted plastic bag which contained a white rock-like substance weighing 54.6 grams, a plastic bag that contained 75 clear capsules filled with a white rock-like substance, six purple capsules each containing a white rock-like substance and $211 in cash. The bag was tested and confirmed to contain N, N-Dimethylpentylone, a Schedule I controlled substance. Parker was sentenced to 27 months, or just over two years, for the crimes. In addition, Parker was ordered to serve six years of supervised release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Dirt bikes, ATVs driven around World War II memorial in Washington, DC: video
People on dirt bikes and ATVs were seen driving inside the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., over the weekend. Video posted on X showed at least three people driving around the outdoor memorial late Saturday night. The United States Park Police is aware of the video, according to Fox 5 Dc. Nyc Vandals Who Defaced Wwi Statue, Burned American Flag Should 'Learn Their History,' Veterans Group Says "We are currently reviewing security footage to identify potential suspects. The National Park Service strongly condemns activities like the ones seen in the video that disrespect the solemnity of the National Mall's memorials," said National Park Service's Mike Litterst. Veteran David Fields told FOX 5 that the acts seen in the video were "disgraceful." Read On The Fox News App Portland Memorial Dedicated To City's Fallen Police Officers Vandalized: 'Startling And Ugly' "This is just as sacred as Arlington National Cemetery. And to have people riding motorcycles around there, was just a lack of respect," Fields said. Laws in D.C. prohibit the use of ATVs on public streets and in the National Mall area, but the Metropolitan Police Department said officers won't pursue the vehicles because of the department's chase policy. Earlier this month in the nation's capital, two Metro police officers were hit by an ATV rider in northeast D.C. That driver fled the scene. Fox News Digital has reached out to the National Park Service for article source: Dirt bikes, ATVs driven around World War II memorial in Washington, DC: video
Fox News
02-04-2025
- Fox News
Dirt bikes, ATVs driven around World War II memorial in Washington, DC: video
People on dirt bikes and ATVs were seen driving inside the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., over the weekend. Video posted on X showed at least three people driving around the outdoor memorial late Saturday night. The United States Park Police is aware of the video, according to FOX 5 DC. "We are currently reviewing security footage to identify potential suspects. The National Park Service strongly condemns activities like the ones seen in the video that disrespect the solemnity of the National Mall's memorials," said National Park Service's Mike Litterst. Veteran David Fields told FOX 5 that the acts seen in the video were "disgraceful." "This is just as sacred as Arlington National Cemetery. And to have people riding motorcycles around there, was just a lack of respect," Fields said. Laws in D.C. prohibit the use of ATVs on public streets and in the National Mall area, but the Metropolitan Police Department said officers won't pursue the vehicles because of the department's chase policy. Earlier this month in the nation's capital, two Metro police officers were hit by an ATV rider in northeast D.C. That driver fled the scene. Fox News Digital has reached out to the National Park Service for comment.
The Hill
20-02-2025
- The Hill
Officials investigating bomb threat at Kennedy Center, police say
WASHINGTON (WDCW) – The Kennedy Center was evacuated on Thursday after a bomb threat was reported at the venue, according to officials. The Metropolitan Police Department said the threat was reported just before 10:45 a.m. EST. The bomb threat, specifically, was targeted at the 'Shen Yun performances,' the Kennedy Center said. Shen Yun 2025, presented by the Falun Dafa Association of DC, opens its scheduled run at the Kennedy Center on Thursday. Performances run through March 2, according to the Kennedy Center's official site. United States Park Police and D.C. police were on scene at the Kennedy Center Thursday morning. In response to the threat, the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination said Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway between Virginia Avenue and Parkway Drive had been shut down in both directions due to police activity. Also on Thursday, the United States Capitol Police said its officers were investigating a suspicious package at the U.S. Supreme Court. However, police confirmed that 'nothing hazardous' was found and the scene was cleared. Currently, it is unknown if these investigations are connected. The public is encouraged to avoid the Kennedy Center area and follow police directions.
