What's with this singular mindset? There's a whole host of different sorts of people who float through the area and some of them are rather sleazy. Obviously, not as many as at one time but to deny that a few at some point don't venture through, or might even live there, is just total denial or stupidity. Take your pick. I guess all those smash and grabs were just drunken accidents. People falling towards cars and their elbows catch the windows on a bad angle.
You've got all kinds of dynamics going on all within one area and a few of those aren't to the majority of locals and visitors' best interest. In fact, the multi-dynamic social environment is why so many people love major international cities such as DC but most people know that you have to put up with, at least, a little bad along with the good. And then there's the crappy economy which is definitly going to bring grief to any neighborhood. Not everyone in DC has some gravy government job. There's a lot of people hurting all over. That's going to bring the worst out in a few. Plus you've got a few gangs who float through the area. Might even live there for all I know. What about that girl gang who stabbed someone, I don't know, maybe a year ago? Just face it, it's not all hipsters and buppies populating the U St. corridor. The sooner you realize that, the safer you will be. Maybe not enough to avoid the area but definitely enough to always bring your street smarts along with you.
Doomie, I suspect that you and Ardamus are much more in the same camp than is apparent in this thread. Kind of think that you just got off on the wrong foot. Hope you two kiss and make up. Well, at least start over and toast a virtual pint or something.
