Sarah's Circle
2551 17th Street, NW
(PSA 303)(Ward 1)

Sarah's Circle is an apartment building located at 2551 17th Street, NW, Washington DC, which offers fixed, low income housing for seniors. In April, 2005, complaints about excessive foot traffic during all hours of the day and night filtered into the Community Prosecution Office in the Third District. The Community Prosecutor, accompanied by Third District narcotics officers, visited the property in early April, 2005. Upon viewing video-taped footage of the area, it was determined that indeed drug activity was on-going at one particular apartment. The narcotics officers promptly visited the apartment and spoke with the tenant. He gave the officers written consent to search the apartment. Numerous items of drug paraphernalia were recovered as well as other evidence that the apartment was being used as a smoke house wherein others would come to use drugs and then leave. The tenant is now the subject of eviction proceedings. The persons responsible for overseeing Sarah's Circle stated that they were happy with the excellent police work and service to our senior community afforded by the officers and the community prosecution staff. In addition, the staff maintained that the seniors in the building now feel safer knowing this type of community nuisance abatement effort is available.