Dear Ward 8 Residents,

Living in Ward 8, we face tremendous challenges in violent crimes. We need to balance our long-term goal of addressing the root causes of crime while finding a way to hold young people and adults accountable in the short-term.

Since my time on the Council, I have tried to ring the alarm about safety in our city. I have sought ways to support legislation that would create a comprehensive approach to addressing crime in the District and treat it as a public health emergency.

Yesterday, I supported emergency legislation introduced by Councilmember Brooke Pinto because we cannot maintain our current levels of violent crime.

Some of the measures included in this bill would:
* Create a new offense of "Endangerment with a Firearm," which makes it a felony for someone to fire a gun in public.
* Increase police access to camera footage to close cases by expanding the private security camera rebate program.
* Make misdemeanor arrest warrants extraditable outside of DC – meaning that if a judge finds good cause, a warrant for a DC misdemeanor can be executed for these offenses even if the accused person is outside the District.
* Allow GPS-monitored ankle bracelets owned by DC's Pretrial Services Agency to be used in court to be admissible in court.
* Allow District judges more flexibility to hold people with past violent offenses in jail pending any trial for new violent crimes, including juveniles. This change responds to the data showing several repeat offenders rearrested for a violent crime while on pretrial.

I want to thank Councilmember Pinto for leaving out the Mayor's proposed changes to IRAA and a significant expansion of youth detention.

We must continue supporting programs like Pathways and Peace Academy because we know they are working to solve the root issue. Another program making significant strides is the Oasis program at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Oasis is a 16-week enrichment program for youth ages 10-14 that offers yearly mentorship. The program works with youth preemptively, enrolling young people who are the siblings of DYRS-committed youth and/or who are demonstrating at-risk behaviors but have never been involved directly with the juvenile system.

We must continue to do more to increase safety in our city while working to address the root causes of gun violence and violent crimes.

It is a pleasure to serve as your Councilmember for Ward 8. I will continue to work with my team throughout summer recess to develop more ways to combat violence in our city.

Stay safe,

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8
RSVP to attend: [link removed]
2023 FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back on the Yards Park boardwalk! Every Friday night this summer, come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.
Take advantage of these family-style events and activities and get involved this summer. To view to calendar, visit: [link removed] ([link removed]) .
Councilmember White supports 100-student athletes for training at FedEx Field with Washington Commanders.

July 1, 2023

Councilmember White joined Red Grant and several community based organizations to support 100 student-athletes from across the DMV to have a chance to obtain life skills and agility training at FedEx Field with the Washington Commanders.

"We have to do everything we can to support young people navigate a life path to ensure they have the tools to maximize their potential," stated CM White in a social media post.

"I want to thank @redgrant ([link removed][0]=AT3f_BZcxk0iFEFtIDS1semdABF93iBuoyMWUyaKAWmiMOkoqf4ZxSQfktpgd6kDjzSGsFSlqFh1meIU1qW9qycmvWauf_QF0CQtYMg41MdrbMNZipGv7thLZAMAozWBud9ssJr-L_e1s9Got00tpooekb3eS8gGFbuQnmTs9X2hm1vmdtfGSuXgRyTJ2IWDsrCHXSCvDL2Mkt8) for his leadership and the partnership organizations that support 100 student-athletes from across the DMV to have a chance to obtain life skills and agility training at FedEx Field. To @beyondyourblockdmv @thehustlersguild
([link removed][0]=AT3f_BZcxk0iFEFtIDS1semdABF93iBuoyMWUyaKAWmiMOkoqf4ZxSQfktpgd6kDjzSGsFSlqFh1meIU1qW9qycmvWauf_QF0CQtYMg41MdrbMNZipGv7thLZAMAozWBud9ssJr-L_e1s9Got00tpooekb3eS8gGFbuQnmTs9X2hm1vmdtfGSuXgRyTJ2IWDsrCHXSCvDL2Mkt8) @gunsdownfriday @hey_mipoh
([link removed][0]=AT3f_BZcxk0iFEFtIDS1semdABF93iBuoyMWUyaKAWmiMOkoqf4ZxSQfktpgd6kDjzSGsFSlqFh1meIU1qW9qycmvWauf_QF0CQtYMg41MdrbMNZipGv7thLZAMAozWBud9ssJr-L_e1s9Got00tpooekb3eS8gGFbuQnmTs9X2hm1vmdtfGSuXgRyTJ2IWDsrCHXSCvDL2Mkt8) and the @commanders
([link removed][0]=AT3f_BZcxk0iFEFtIDS1semdABF93iBuoyMWUyaKAWmiMOkoqf4ZxSQfktpgd6kDjzSGsFSlqFh1meIU1qW9qycmvWauf_QF0CQtYMg41MdrbMNZipGv7thLZAMAozWBud9ssJr-L_e1s9Got00tpooekb3eS8gGFbuQnmTs9X2hm1vmdtfGSuXgRyTJ2IWDsrCHXSCvDL2Mkt8) thank you for your service and dedication. We must continue to fight for our young people and help them navigate a path to unlock their full potential, " CM White posted on social media.

During the Legislative Meeting on Tuesday, July 11, Councilmember White praised the District for creating programs that have been proactive in creating programs for at-risk, or now known as "at-potential", youth, such as Pathways and Peace Academy.

However, he took the time to highlight one program in particular: the Oasis program with the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), which falls under the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs.

The Oasis program takes a cohort of 10 boys and 10 girls between the ages of 10 and 14 years old and places them in a 16-week enrichment program and gives them a mentor for an entire year. These students are either the siblings of committed DYRS youth or are students who have had behavioral issues in school. None of the students selected have ever been involved directly with the juvenile system, but due to these factors, are students who could potentially be. Fortunately, Oasis grabs them preemptively. Thus far, the program is at Kramer Middle School, one of our Ward 8 schools, and Kelly Miller Middle School in Ward 7, both of which have a sizable population of at-potential youth.

Councilmember White was able to speak to the first cohort of students for this program at Kramer and was impressed with the program. There has already been an uptick seen in academic performance and attendance by the students and this is just the beginning. Councilmember White believes that it is imperative that we increase our investment and attention into maintaining and expanding programs like this.
Councilmembers Conduct Walk Through for Ward 8 School Repairs.

June 29, 2023

Councilmembers Trayon White, Lewis-George, and Henderson conducted a walkthrough of several Ward 8 schools in preparation for the upcoming school year and renovations.

During the site visit, Councilmembers and Department of General Services (DGS) representatives discovered bullet holes in school windows, showing that gun violence affects even elementary school students.

[link removed]
"Since I’ve been on Council I’ve been trying to ring the alarm and find way to support Councilmember McDuffie's N.E.A.R. Act ([link removed]) which calls for a comprehensive approach to crime as a public health crisis. It’s just recently that we’re putting some teeth in the game in the last three to four years," added Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White.


** Quick Links
------------------------------------------------------------
* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2021 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2022 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Visit our website w ([link removed]) ww.trayonwhite8.com ([link removed])
* CM White's Social Media Facebook ([link removed]) | Instagram ([link removed]) | Twitter ([link removed])

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Council of the District of Columbia . 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW . Suite 400 . Washington, DC 20004 . USA