Cassey, who is running uncontested as a write-in candidate for single-member district 2E04 in the Nov. 6 election, addressed the importance of improving communication between students and neighbors and stressed the construction of the New South Student Center at Georgetown as a tool for improving the relationship between the university and surrounding community.

“There are issues that both the university and the community share, and there is no better time to address them than now,” he said.

Commissioner Tom Birch echoed the idea that Georgetown community members have the ability to work together and find common ground, citing the recent agreement on the 2010 Campus Plan as evidence of this potential for compromise.

“The community is often criticized for not being able to come together and agree on anything. I would like to say that our progress this year shows that we actually can,” Birch said.

Peter Prindiville (SFS ’14), who is running uncontested to represent SMD 2E08 in the same election, will attend the next meeting on Oct. 29 for a formal introduction.

Later at Monday’s meeting, Commissioners Ron Lewis and Jake Sticka (SFS ’13) commended the early completion of the rehabilitation of O and P Streets on Sept. 18, three months before the intended date in December. According to Lewis, neighborhood reviews have been positive thus far.

John Hedgecock, lieutenant for the Metropolitan Police Department’s police service area 206, which includes Georgetown, said that assault and property crimes have declined in the past year. Robbery and aggravated assaults dropped 37 percent, and incidents involving firearms declined by 40 percent. Traffic incidents remain the most common form of crime in the area.

Nonetheless, Hedgecock said that there is an increase in theft around the university and business districts, as pickpockets have begun to target restaurants, bars, hotels and public transportation.

“There is still a lot of suspicious activity in the District,” Hedgecock said.