At PSA 511 Community Get-Together: Ping-Pong and Ribs

There was music and friendly conversation. There were Ping-Pong matches and balloon volleyball games. There was even a police canine demonstration. And yes, there were hot dogs and barbecue ribs.

It was the 2003 community day celebration.

Children and grandparents, neighbors and guests, and community activities and policemen in uniform and civilian clothes, got together for the Police Service Area (PSA) 511 community get-together on the 300 block of 12th Street NE on Monday afternoon, July 28.

Police Lt. Renato Caldwell, who was one of the main organizers of the event, had an official term for it: the 40-Day Peace. He said the event started three years ago and goes around all the PSAs in D.C. in 40 days, promoting peace in the neighborhoods.

"It is also an opportunity to bring neighbors and policemen closer, to help them know each other better," said the chief police officer for PSA 511, citing the fact that many policemen wore less intimidating, civilian clothes at the event.

Many local residents agreed.

"This is great. I wish we could have this once a month," said Tina Pray, a resident on the 1000 block of E Street NE.

Alice Wilson, a resident in the neighborhood for 49 years, said she was encouraged by the improved interaction between the police and the neighbors over the last few years. She even started going to the PSA meetings this year. But she hoped the police could do more patrolling on foot, as they did years ago.

Lt. Caldwell had a wish too. Although encouraged by the larger crowd than last year, he wished the event had drawn more donations, because the 40-Day Peace is not funded by the city at all.

Steady rain halfway into the event forced the party to come to an end at about 8 p.m., one hour before this year's 40-day Peace at PSA 511 was scheduled to end.

You can't blame anyone for that, can you? §