New security system at 7-Eleven in Northwest DC causes headache for neighbors

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — A new security measure at a 7-Eleven in Adams Morgan caught some neighbors by surprise this week, as loud automated messages blared from the sound system overnight.

“Throughout the night starting around midnight we heard a blaring, I’m talking about a one to 10, level 12 volume loud announcement,” said David Yarus. “The speaker screaming ‘Welcome to the 7-Eleven parking lot. You are being video recorded’ from this [security] tower over here.”

Yarus lives next door to the 7-Eleven on Columbia Road and Wyoming Avenue NW.

He said the announcement went off every 15 minutes Monday night into Tuesday morning.

“Honestly, I don’t mind this contraption. It feels like it could make this little corner a bit safer, but the noise is unacceptable,” Yarus said.

The security system, which was installed on Monday, is part of an effort to reduce loitering and violent crime outside the 7-Eleven. It has flashing lights, cameras and speakers mounted on top of a mast.

It was placed out front of the store following months of discussions between the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), community members, Councilmember Brianne Nadeau’s office, the Metropolitan Police Department and 7-Eleven itself.

“[Crime has] been an ongoing problem with the 7-Eleven. There is usually, at least a few times a week, someone standing outside screaming curse words,” said Lee Dixon, a commissioner with the ANC. “Someone died on the street this past spring and we’ve had people defecating outside the store.”

Dixon said he contacted 7-Eleven after receiving noise complaints about the overnight speakers. Since then, the speaker has been shut off.

He explained that 7-Eleven management said they’ve had success deterring loitering and crime by using the security system in the past. However, Dixon is not convinced it’s the right answer to the problem.

“I don’t think this is a measure that will stick,” he said. “We really want a guard stationed outside the store. 7-Eleven said that’s too expensive.”

Other neighbors remain optimistic.

“I think it’s positive, I think it’s needed,” said Matt Miller, a neighbor who’s experienced his own issues outside of the store.

“I have been accosted here just walking by – and I walk by here several times a week,” said Miller. “I’ve been spit on. I have called the police more than once and they have come but it’s always been very reactionary.”

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