Learning Experience

Release Date: Friday, November 11th 2011

The SAM of the Month meeting recognizes individual SAMs for their stellar performance and informs all SAMs of new developments in the DowntownDC BID area by enhancing their understanding of Downtown institutions. This, in turn, enables them to better assist visitors, workers and residents. In this edition of the Downtown Update, we present two SAM of the Month meetings because of a brief summer hiatus in August that set us back a bit. 

Thus, we begin with the National Museum of Crime & Punishment (575 7th Street), which hosted the October SAM of the Month meeting and invited the SAMs to explore the 28,000-square-foot facility which provides memorable insights into crime issues, crime fighting, and the consequences of committing a crime in America through an interactive, educational and entertaining experience. During the visit, a grand time was had by all, particularly when touring the America’s Most Wanted filming studio. Located in the Museum, the studio is where host John Walsh airs programs about missing persons and hard-to-catch fugitives.

The privately-owned Museum’s attractions include crime scene investigation (CSI) lab experiences, audio tours, a comprehensive curriculum for students in 5th through 12th grades, and temporary exhibits. Catch the Bonnie & Clyde, Jewish Gangsters and Art Crimes exhibits? Heard they were pretty cool. The Museum even selects a favorite Canine Cop of the Month, a contest held in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States and the Washington Humane Society and inspired by McGruff the Crime Dog.

During the meeting, Maintenance Team Member Ernest Johns and Safety/Hospitality Team Member Sandra Tapscott, both hired this year, were acknowledged as the September SAMs of the Month.

Ernest Johns was eager to join the SAM Program after an existing employee sang the operation’s praises, noting that hard workers could excel there. Johns, a DC native and former Pepco (701 9th Street) electrician, looks back with no regrets. “It’s been very good, a real learning experience,” he said. “The SAM Program gets you in touch with a lot of things. You’re always helping people and you’re much more aware of things, such as jaywalking” and maintaining an inviting environment. Outside of work, Johns’ 9-year-old son keeps him busy and “young.” Johns also plays pool and swims.

Sandra Tapscott is a vivacious and inquisitive newcomer. Being a SAM has taught her how to rattle off a list of five star restaurants for any visitor who asks; shoot back with her own questions to better ascertain and respond to a request; and independently learn more about Downtown attractions, restaurants and entertainment. “You can’t recommend what you don’t know. You have to visit museums and watch the news to be up on everything happening in the city,” said the longtime DC native, who obviously takes her job seriously! As a former Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue) visitor center supervisor, Tapscott knows more than a thing or two about excellent customer service. Even sign language skills acquired working 17 years at Gallaudet University have come in handy while working on Downtown streets.  In her spare time, Tapscott enjoys crafts such as sewing and jewelry and doll making and simply resting.

	Safety/Hospitality Team Member Stephanie Haygan receives the October SAM of the Month from Wally Mlyniec, Georgetown’s Lupo-Rici Professor of Clinical Legal Justice and director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic

Retired BID and SAM Program director Hiram Brewton receives a certificate of appreciation from BID Director of Operations Everett D. E. Scruggs

In November, the Georgetown University Law Center (600 New Jersey Avenue) graciously welcomed the SAMs and other BID staff for a special SAM of the Month meeting which included a celebratory salute to Hiram Brewton, a retired BID and SAM Program director. First, however, Wally Mlyniec, Georgetown’s Lupo-Rici Professor of Clinical Legal Justice and director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic, informed all assembled that the law school has been in Downtown since its inception in 1870 to be near the courts but has relocated numerous times before settling in at its existing campus in 1971.

Georgetown is one of the nation’s top 10 most selective law schools. Mlyniec recalls how the law school was a development pioneer in the East End, moving to an area with no hotels and few residences, restaurants and retailers. He urged the SAMs to expand their presence in the area, which has become increasingly more robust over the years.

Also at the meeting, Safety/Hospitality Team Member Stephanie Haygan and Maintenance Team Member Bernard Bond, both hired this year, were recognized as the October SAMs of the Month.

Stephanie Haygan, a former receptionist, bank teller and hostess, aspires to become a police officer. Meanwhile, she’s enjoys her stint as a SAM and has excelled just months into her new position, proffering excellent customer service.  “The camaraderie with my co-workers and helping people on a daily basis is rewarding,” said Haygan. During her spare time, she works out at the gym, reads, watches movies, and takes online classes to earn a bachelor’s degree in forensics.  Haygan is single.

Bernard Bond told the BID’s director of operations that he wants to “own” his job as a SAMs Maintenance Team member, meaning he didn’t just want to do his job, but he wanted to stand out doing it. Obviously, people have taken notice. Bond said making the transition from his former job as a maintenance crew chief to becoming a SAM has been easy because similar skills are required for each job. But the former boxer and basketball player doesn’t take anything for granted. “I was laid off for two weeks before I got this job, so it’s a blessing,” said Bond, a former Wilson High School graduate, college student, and father of four children aged 15 to 22.

Let's give Johns, Tapscott, Haygan and Bond a big round of applause!