Police use controversial checkpoints in Trinidad

WASHINGTON-- D.C. police set up new checkpoints in the troubled Trinidad neighborhood after a series of shootings occurred this weekend.

In a press conference Saturday, police chief Cathy Lanier says the department will do everything to keep residents safe. The new checkpoints began at 7p.m. Saturday and will run through Thursday.

The checkpoints have been controversial because some critics have called it "police profiling". But Lanier says she will continue to use the checkpoints unless a judge tells her otherwise.

Police have been trying to crack down on violence in the Trinidad neighborhood located in northeast D.C.

A 13-year-old boy was gunned down, six other people shot, and one stabbed within minutes of each other shortly after midnight Saturday.

In June, a similar spike in violence happened in Trinidad causing police to start the checkpoints. During a checkpoint, police officers stop cars, check driver's identification, and ask if drivers have a legitimate reason to be in the area, such as going to a doctor's appointment or visiting a relative. If not, drivers are turned away.

The checkpoints are now the subject of a class action lawsuit.

Robert Brannum, serves on a neighborhood advisory council in Trinidad, and says residents are sick of the crime and support the police.

"We have to let these individuals know that they are not going to take our neighborhoods from us," he says. "We are going to live our lives, walk our neighborhoods and they are not going to run us out of our community."

The most recent Trinidad shootings may be connected to three robbery attempts, says D.C. Police Inspector Rodney Parks.

Police are looking for three black males who were riding in a 2002 gold Dodge Intrepid, spotted at each crime scene. Police say the car has temporary tags from Maryland.

This weekend's youngest shooting victim was 13-year-old Alonzo Robinson. He was killed in the 1400 block of Holbrook Street around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Police also say a juvenile was shot in the 1200 block of 16th St., a male was shot on Trinidad Avenue and Mount Olive Road, and a person was shot on Staples Street.

Jewel Hall, a resident of the Trinidad community, says crime is a problem in the area. "I really can't distinguish 'em (gun fire) from fireworks or whatever," Hall said. And it's like, little kids, they don't even get scared. They're used to it."

Violence broke out in other parts of D.C. early Saturday morning.

A man was shot and killed in the 900 block of Allison St. in northwest. Another person was stabbed on 1400 Morris Road in southeast.

Both incidents happened between midnight and 4 a.m., the same time as the Trinidad incidents. However, Parks says the incidents aren't related.

Police are offering a $50,000 reward to anyone who has information on any of the crimes to call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099.

Or call the anonymous tip line at 1-818-919-2476 or text police at 50411.

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