Post Prints Mr. Olinger's Letter On Police, 13th Street Drug Market

The Washington Post on Feb. 20 printed a "letter to the editor" written by John Olinger, 1200 block of Duncan Place NE, and referred to it in one of its editorials.

In his letter, Mr. Olinger responded to an article that had reported on inadequate policing elsewhere in the city. Mr. Olinger wrote that police "should come over to the open-air drug market in the 400 block of 13th Street NE."

"Residents of that area are all too familiar with police officers who never venture from the safety of their cars," Mr. Olinger wrote. "As we move into the second decade of this thriving drug market, it is not uncommon to see an officer in his or her car facing the intersection, while drug dealers move around to the alley behind and continue their business. In front of the police car, people double-park, block the intersection and park in front of a hydrant with impunity."

In its editorial "When Cops Won't Police," the Post cited Mr. Olinger's letter as an example of the many residents' complaints about the city's policing. Residents, the Post wrote, are "tired of putting up with violence and drug markets. ... They want the thugs — and bad cops — out of their community and crime brought under control. That is not too much to ask, expect or demand." §