The MPD released updated crime maps today charting gunshots and drug related calls. It's interesting to note where councilmembers live in relation to how they respond to the crime problem.

It's not terribly surprising that council members Mendleson and Michael Brown voted against the anti-gang provisions in the latest crime legislation. They don't experience crime frequently in the genteel communities they call home. It is surprising, though, that Chairman Gray and CM Kwame Brown voted against the provisions. Both council members live in Ward 7. They should be sensitive to the need to combat gang activity. That they are oblivious to the problem is more than disappointing.

CM Evans supported the anti-gang legislation, though he lives in the relatively safe confines of Georgetown. I attribute his support to the activism of Shaw residents (Evans' "other" constituents) who know the crime problem all too well.

You can view the full breakdown of calls for gunshots and drug related crime, otherwise known as the "big red clouds", for Wards 2, 3, 4 and 7 here. Cary has a breakdown for shots fired this year in Shaw as of Aug. 10 here.

Councilmember Evans asked that the CCCA invite the key Councilmembers who voted against his and CM Bowser's and Graham's anti-gang provisions to our upcoming meetings to get their spin on things. Happily, CM Mendleson and Michael A Brown will be our guests for Tuesday's meeting. We'll try to have Chairman Gray and Kwame Brown attend in the next few months to see if they might be convinced to include provisions that might be more effective in eliminated gang problems in troubled areas of the District according to Mayor Fenty's expressed goals.

Councilmember Evans lives in Georgetown in Ward 2 while most gun and drug crime occurs in Shaw.

Councilmember Mendleson lives in McLean Gardens in Ward 3

Councilmember Michael Brown lives in upper Chevy Chase in Ward 4

Council Chair Gray and Councilmember Kwame Brown live in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Ward 7