Mark Allen Shuts Down

I had not heard from Mr. Allen, so I called him again.

He informed me that he would no longer be involved, and his security manager would be handling the problem, and had alerted the police. However, he would not provide me with a name or phone number of this security manager, and could not provide me with a police case number.

He suggested that I follow up with the police where I filed the initial report. I assured him that I would, and that I'd be calling again if there was no indication of contact with his security manager.

Mark Allen

I called 202-832-2001, and reached an automated employee directory. There was no option to reach an attendant; the only options were to enter an extension, or spell an employee name using the keypad. I began entering random extension numbers until I got a person: Mark Allen, VP & General Manager. Score!

Note to self: Mark Allen's direct line is 202-832-2001 x-5501

I explained my view of the situation:
- I don't have a plate number.
- A Comcast service vehicle was returned with damage by an employee.
- That person is a criminal (hit and run), working for Comcast, which should concern him as VP & General Manager.
- SOMEONE at Comcast knows who was driving that vehicle on Friday night.
- They should show an appropriate level of concern, investigate, find and interview the employee, and generally be an upstanding member of the community by resolving the situation, with or without the police.

I also shared the details of my prior conversation with Marlene, including the Comcast damage claim number.

He seemed genuinely concerned, and promised to look into it.

Marlene

202-635-5100

I called and worked my way through their customer service menu to an operator, "Marlene".

Marlene was not helpful, and had a tremendous attitude:

• Since I'm not a customer, she can't help me
• Would not provide a supervisor name or number
• Would not transfer me to a supervisor

I insisted that she enter some record of the call, so finally she opened a "damage claim", and said someone would get in touch with me within 48 hours. I provided my cell phone number for the call back.

Comcast Damage Ticket #1158320

Calling Comcast

Not optimistic about the police investigation, and not wanting a claim on my insurance, I began pursuing a solution directly with Comcast. I figured my best shot at reaching a person who cares is through a local number, not a general Comcast toll-free number. Through Google, the phone book, Comcast's website, etc., I found these various local numbers:

4528 Benning Rd SE
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 584-4430 -- seems to be a fax number

2001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 466-8222

N PR Georges Cnty
Hyattsville, MD 20781
(301) 731-4260

900 Michigan Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202)-635-5100 -- automated menu for customers

No address:
(202) 832-2001 -- automated phone directory

Police Report

I called 911 to report the hit-and-run. DC Police (First District) arrived quickly and took my report and witness contact information.

Report #: 040557

DC Police
First District Substation
500 E Street, SE
Washington, DC
Phone: (202) 698-0068
Fax: (202) 727-4028

Hit and Run

Neighbors and a passerby knocked on my door and alerted me to the incident. Two people in the car behind the Comcast van saw the incident and stopped to provide their names and phone number. (Thank you so much for stopping!)

Unfortunately, they could not get the license number in the darkness as the van sped away.