Wed. October 12, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC – In light of the Stop the Machine and Occupy DC demonstrations taking place in Downtown’s Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square, the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) has deployed additional members of its Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance team, known as SAMs, to remove litter and trash and help keep the visitor experience in the heart of the Nation’s Capital pleasurable.
“DC and Downtown are accustomed to crowds gathering for celebrations and even protest rallies,” said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the DowntownDC BID. “In every instance, we work to monitor accessibility and cleanliness and keep property managers, businesses, workers, visitors and residents apprised of relevant information so that everyone has a safe and memorable experience.”
Demonstrators, frustrated with the economy and other issues, set up camp last Thursday at Freedom Plaza, along Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets, and McPherson Square, along K Street between 15th and 16th Streets NW. An estimated 30 to 50 tents and large cardboard boxes are in each location.
The DowntownDC BID is working with the District Department of Public Works (DPW) and the National Park Service (NPS) to ensure cleanliness. The number of Maintenance SAMs has doubled at the protest sites, where they are collecting and removing a steady stream of litter and trash, some bagged and conveniently placed for pickup by the demonstrators. In addition, Safety/Hospitality team members assigned to the locations will continue to help visitors find their way and notify police should trouble arise.
The DowntownDC BID is also coordinating with the NPS and city agencies to ensure they will continue to monitor and address any safety and/or health concerns due to the unprecedented time frame allotted the protestors. In an email to property managers, the BID noted it is urging NPS to closely monitor activities and has expressed concerns over the use of flammable cooking materials and structures erected in the parks. In addition, the BID has requested that Park Police be assigned to secure the parks 24/7, park maintenance crews be deployed regularly, and park funding be secured to repair any damage.
So far, the peaceful protests have not interrupted area business operations and have caused only minor traffic disruptions. Outdoor farmers’ markets near both sites —FreshFarm Market, by the White House and Capital Harvest on the Plaza—will remain open every Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Businesses with questions or concerns can contact the NPS at 202.485.9880. Although the NPS has extended the protesters’ permit for using Freedom Plaza until December 30, no immediate end to the sit-ins is currently in sight.