Motel Update and Action Item
For those of you unable to attend the meeting on the Days Inn & Travelodge motels, let me give a quick recap and explain what the next steps are.
Assistant State's Attorney Maura Lynch and MCPD's 3rd District Lt Eric Burnett explained to us that they have been gathering evidence against the motels in an attempt to get management to significantly improve their business practices, with possible legal action down the road if they do not comply. They have compiled a long list of crimes that have either occurred inside the buildings or have been linked to criminals using the motels as safe havens.
In order for the motels to improve, either on their own accord or by court order, we as individuals in the community need to send an email highlighting our own accounts in dealing with the motels: whether it is seeing prostitutes enter/exit the buildings; drug paraphernalia on or around the perimeter; being harassed by hotel guests; or simply any emotion/reaction you feel when you walk near them.
I have personally been told stories by members of our community that are shocking and sad. The only way to improve the situation for all of us is to convey your thoughts and experiences to the local authorities.
Lt Eric Burnett has asked that all complaints be sent to him: Eric...@montgomerycountymd.gov . Please put "Days Inn Motel" in the subject line.
The only way we can fix this problem is by publicly voicing our outrage with the poor and dangerous business practices at the Days Inn & Travelodge motels. This affects everyone in South Silver Spring (Eastern Village Cohousing, 8045 Newell, the Aurora, the Silverton, the Gramax, the Mica), East Silver Spring, Shepherd Park and the greater community.
Please take a few minutes to send an email to Lt Burnett. Your email is the easiest and most efficient way to make our neighborhood safer.
Comments
A question and a comment -
Was there any notification about the motels meetings? I didn't get an e-mail about the meeting, which I surely would have attended.
Has anyone discussed the problem with the 7-11 store on Georgia Avenue & King Street? I jave never had a pleasant experience involving that store because before you can get in the door there is always a panhandler asking for anything from "spare change" to a "couple of dollars." Store management doesn't enfoce its own anti-vagrancy law and I find myself going to either the 7-11 opposite the Takoma Metro station or the one in Spring Center on 16th Street to avoid hassles.
Yes, two emails were sent to the SSSNA yahoo group and posted on this website notifying the community about the meeting. If you have not signed up to the SSSNA yahoo group, you can so here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sssna/
You can also get email notifications of new posts on the SSSNA website by following the "subscribe" link in the navigation bar at the top of this page. Not all comments, but just main posts.
Thanks Evan:
I have sent letters to Lt. Burnett on this issue. I hope others will do the same.
Thanks,
Brian
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