Department of Public Works staff was aware of a report issued by the District’s protective services regarding serious security flaws at a DPW facility where a worker was shot and killed last week in an assault-style attack last week.
A DPW spokeswoman says the agency’s director was not aware of the report, but the report shows his staff was. Listed among the participants in developing the 18-page security-assessment is Cassandra Boyd, area chief for DPW.
It was also DPW that invited protective services to conduct the analysis.
“Members of the D.C. Protective Services Police Department were invited by the District of Columbia Department of Public Works to perform a security assessment of the site at W Street NE,” the report says.
It also goes so far as to thank DPW and the District Department of Transportation for “the execeptional support provided to the team in the completion of this project.”
The report found serious security flaws at the facility just six months before the shooting. The gate through which the gunman entered at 6:15 a.m. is guarded only from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The security assessment strongly advised that the gate be immediately and permanently shut to the public.
It listed closing the gate and fixing and adding security cameras as “critical items” that should be accomplished as soon as possible.
“If not budgeted for, should be funded by reprogramming of available funds. No cost items, such as policies and procedures, should be drafted and implemented immediately.”
Clearly, the gate was still open six months later.
Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham said he plans to hold a hearing on Friday to find out from DPW officials why the assessment wasn’t implemented.
