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Friend,
Happy November! I hope you had a fun and safe
Halloween and that you got out to enjoy the last few warmer days in
the District -- the photo to the right is from the beautiful day we
had last week for community office hours in Southwest at James Creek.
We've got a lot of important updates to get into below, but first, I
want to share two big events every Ward 6 neighbor should have on
their calendar:
First, it's officially Brickies season! That’s right;
nominations are now open, and my annual Ward 6 Brickie Awards
Celebration is right around the corner on December 6. More details
below, and let the nominating begin!
Second, the 150th
anniversary of the opening of Eastern Market is coming up in two
weeks (the official celebration is Nov. 12, but the whole weekend will
be packed). Everything you need to celebrate the 150th anniversary of
the opening is at the end of this newsletter.
Finally, a quick scheduling note: I'm waiting still
for a negative test for my current case of COVID, so I won't be able
to make this afternoon's office hours at as you are. on
Barracks Row. My team will still be there, but in the
interest of keeping everyone safe and healthy, I won't be able to
join. I have more office hours coming up this month, including at
Prost in Mt. Vernon Triangle on Nov 17 at 4 pm if you want to
put it on your calendar now.
Quick Links: Public
Safety | Digital Trackers for Cars | MPD and ANC Community Walks | WMATA
Funding Update | 2023 Brickie Awards | Dangerous Driving Enforcement | Bus Lane Enforcement Update | Seizure-Safe Schools Bill | DC BOE Data Breach | DC
Suing Landlords for Price Fixing | GGW
Transit Diary | DPR Winter Programs | | Leaf Collection
Reminder | Curbside Composting | DC Health Link Open Enrollment | Provide Input on Tax Policy | Get Reduced Metro Fares | 150
Years of Eastern Market
Public Safety Update
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Last week, the Mayor introduced a bill focused on policing
and crime. As with all of District government, the Council and Mayor
agree that public safety is our shared top priority. As the bill makes
its way through the legislative process, I'm open to considering what
tools or changes need to be made. To evaluate each proposal, I'll be
asking a few important questions. Is it a smart, equitable, and most
importantly, effective way to prevent and reduce crime? Does it fill a
gap in the law that needs to be filled? And does it help require
strategy and coordination across government and with the community
that is so needed? These are what I believe a successful violent crime
reduction effort absolutely needs to be effective. This bill and
others need to reduce the serious violent crimes we're seeing
persistently in Ward 6, specifically homicides, armed robbery, and
carjacking. I expect there will be a public hearing scheduled by the
Judiciary Committee, so I'll look forward to learning more and hearing
from the public -- and I'll keep you posted, should you want to weigh
in.
Last week, I also met neighbors and MPD for a Community Walk and
Talk to discuss concerns along Barracks Row and Eastern Market Metro
Park - thank you to the many neighbors who attended and raised issues
ranging from enforcement against so-called "gifting shops" to illegal
drug distribution, from park maintenance to traffic safety. At the
walk, MPD announced they're going to have additional uniformed and
plain clothes presence in the metro plaza, which is much-needed. And
just this week, MPD was able to make three arrests of people on
charges of illegal drug possession and distribution, including crack
cocaine and PCP. I've been asking MPD to focus their efforts on the
metro plaza to disrupt and break up these illegal drug sales and
distribution, which is driving much of the negative behavior we've
seen on the site. Disruption will also give more space for efforts by
behavioral health workers to get people with substance use disorders
help.
I'm encouraging MPD to maintain their focus here because I think
it's going to take a sustained effort to root out the illegal
activities. But this is a big improvement from a meeting this summer
where MPD officials told us they didn't see anything illegal taking
place in the plaza. Commander Hall and I have talked frequently about
the plaza and the impact it's having overall on the surrounding
neighbors. It's got to be a safe space for everyone, so I'm grateful
for the Commander's attention to this and the officers' actions. We'll
keep at it.
There are more joint MPD and ANC walks coming up this month
(see the list below), and my team and I will be at all of them to
problem solve with residents. No one is satisfied with where we are,
but I've been encouraged to see more targeted policing where we need
it and community building through these walks.
Ward 6 Public Safety Updates: I received a
thorough summary of recent arrests made in the First District from
Commander Hall and want to share them here. I know too often we hear
about the crime when it's committed, but we don't always know what
happens next.
-
Assault at 905
6th St.,
SW: A woman stabbed the victim before fleeing,
she was observed in the 500 block of K St. NW, and the
adult female was arrested thereafter. The victim is in
stable condition.
-
Armed Robbery at 1412 A St., SE: A
resident was robbed at gunpoint by two juvenile suspects. After she
screamed, they fled, and an apprehension was made by responding
officers on 8th St., SE.
Arrested was a 14 y-o juvenile
male.
-
Robbery (Fear) at 500 E St., NE:
Two suspects exited a vehicle being driven by a
third suspect, who approached a victim demanding his belongings, and
displayed an object he believed to be a gun. (Case closed
with arrest connected to the below robbery).
-
Robbery (Force and Violence) at 1520 A St.,
SE: Three suspects threatened to shoot the
victim as she was walking. They then went into her pockets stealing
her property and fled in a vehicle. MPD officers located the suspects.
After a foot pursuit, all three suspects (15
y-r-o juveniles) were apprehended and arrested for the
robbery. The investigation also tied them to the previous
robbery at 500 E St., NE. They were charged with both robberies, and
the cases were papered (charged) by the Office of the Attorney
General. The vehicle they were driving was a stolen auto which was
recovered.
-
Theft 2 (Package Theft) at 1226 Maryland Avenue,
NE: H Street Bike Unit Officers observed a
subject with a bag containing packages. They continued to investigate
and found the subject had stolen an Amazon box from the front door of
a resident. He was placed under arrest for Theft
2. The bike unit is relatively new, and I
wanted to be sure to highlight their work recovering a stolen package,
something far too common.
-
Possession with Intent to Distribute While Armed at 1000
14th St, SE: MPD conducted a traffic stop at the
location for No Front Tag and Tint Violation. A subject within the
vehicle was found to be in possession of a black Smith & Wesson
.40cal handgun. The firearm was loaded with one round in the chamber,
and thirty-one additional rounds of ammunition in the high-capacity
magazine. Additionally, a second subject was found to be in possession
of cocaine, heroin, and oxycodone, while also being wanted out of
Maryland for vehicle theft. Both were placed under
arrest.
-
Armed Carjacking at 1365 F St. NE:
Two juvenile suspects armed with
handguns demanded the victim's property and vehicle. The vehicle was
later observed by officers, and Air Support tracked them to 2700
Bladensburg Road, where the suspects fled from the vehicle. A
perimeter was set up around the flight path, but MPD was unable to
locate the suspects. However, the vehicle was recovered quickly after
the carjacking, which likely prevented further robberies and allowed
for quick collection of forensic evidence. MPD is still investigating
this case.
Related: Pilot Program Providing Digital Trackers for
Cars: Yesterday, the Mayor and MPD announced a pilot
program to provide District drivers in selected police service areas
(PSAs) with free digital tracking tags for their vehicles. Installing
tracking tags in vehicles can assist MPD in locating and recovering
stolen vehicles and holding those responsible accountable. Two of the
selected PSAs are in Ward 6 (find
your PSA here), and residents can attend distribution events next
week at the times listed below. From working with several victims,
these tags can help MPD solve the crime and locate your car quickly.
If you feel comfortable, I wanted to be sure you had the
information:
- Tuesday, November 7 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at 100 I Street,
SE (PSA 106)
- Wednesday, November 8 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at 1309 5th Street, NE (PSAs 501 &
502)
Related: Upcoming Ward 6 MPD and ANC Community Walks:
My office will be joining officers from MPD’s
First District and Ward 6 ANC Commissioners for several community
walks in November. I encourage folks in the neighborhoods below with
any concerns or questions to join if you can:
-
Wednesday, November 9th, at 6pm;
Meeting at 4th & M SW in the open lot -
with ANC 6D04 Commissioner Pawley
-
Tuesday, November 14th, at 6pm;
Meeting at 8th & Independence SE - with
ANC 6B05 Commissioner Durkit
-
Tuesday, November 28th, at 5pm;
Meeting at 5th & K NW (Mount Vernon
Triangle) - with ANC 6E01 Commissioner Hart
Update on WMATA's Funding
Shortfall
This Tuesday, Councilmembers convened for a Mayor-Council
Breakfast to discuss the future of WMATA and its funding. WMATA CEO
Randy Clarke presented some great news on ridership, as well some
concerning updates on funding. We've got to find $650
million for the next year between us, Maryland, and Virginia, in
addition to a longer-term solution to keep Metro funded without major
service cuts. It's worth keeping in mind two points as we head into
this effort: 1) WMATA hasn't ever truly been set up for long-term
financial success with the right funding (fares were never intended to
come close to paying for the system), and 2) WMATA needs to be more
transparent about its operations and budgeting decisions.
As I've said consistently, every crisis is also an
opportunity. And this is the moment to be bold and set WMATA up for
success with the right funding moving forward. I don't want to keep
facing annual funding shortfalls. I don't want to debate cutting
service or raising fares in drastic terms because that ultimately
leads to less ridership, not more. I want a system ready for the 21st
century, and I want a solution that recognizes the central role WMATA
plays in our success as a region. Ridership is on its way back.
Service has vastly improved. We're investing millions in improving bus
reliability with the Clear Lanes Program and more and more bus lanes
to improve performance. We can't take our eye off the ball now. This
will be difficult because we're partners with Maryland and Virginia in
this, and any funding compact needs to be agreed upon among all three.
I have been in regular meetings with my regional counterparts and DC
leadership, and I think we all agree: we aren't going to entertain
significant cuts to service, which do very little to solve the issue
in the first place.
Save the Date and Now Accepting Nominations for the
2023 Brickie Awards!
The Brickies are back! The 17th
annual Ward 6 community celebration will take place on December 6 from
6-8pm, with a location to be confirmed in the coming days. And the
nominations
page is now open! Send me your recommendations for
which Ward 6 residents, businesses, and organizations should be
recognized with the Neighbor Award, Community Organization Award,
Business Award, Public Service Award, and Civic Pride Award until
Friday, November 17, at 5pm.
Second Hearing on Dangerous Driving
Fixes
Yesterday, I chaired the Committee on
Transportation and the Environment's second joint hearing with the
Committee on Public Works and Operations to consider legislative
solutions to curb dangerous driving in the District, including on
drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking.
There are four bills before the Council taking on many
aspects where the District seems to be falling short in the areas of
enforcement and accountability. And check out the chart to the right
to get a sense of just how widespread and common it is for people to
drive 10-30 miles per hour OVER the speed limit!
The bills before the Committee included my STEER
Act, which takes several steps to get at dangerous driving,
including prioritizing repeat offenders (regardless of whether you pay
your fine) and empowering the District's Attorney General to bring a
civil suit against the worst offenders from DC or elsewhere. This was
part two of the first
hearing we held last month for public witnesses, this time to hear
from government witnesses. Before yesterday's hearing, we got answers
to our pre-hearing questions from the Executive agencies that revealed
a disturbing lack of progress in making our streets safer. Here were
some takeaways (WTOP
has a good summary here):
-
Only eight people are enrolled in the
mandatory ignition intervention device program (aka a breathalyzer
that requires a driver to pass before starting the car) required when
someone is arrested for, or convicted of, driving under the influence,
and it appears that the DMV has only just started notifying an
additional 335 drivers that they must enroll. That's 335 people with a
history of drunk driving who have fallen through the cracks of a
system meant to hold them accountable. These devices are yet another
tool in keeping our roads safe, as they prevent someone from turning
on their car if they have been drinking.
- Approximately 50,000 tickets per year are issued
for driving 20-30 mph over the posted speed limit - or on average,
nearly 150 times per day, confirming what many DC residents experience
daily.
- There is a single Maryland-registered vehicle with more than
$100,000 in accumulated unpaid violations, and 42 vehicles with more
than $50,000 in unpaid violations. The STEER Act would give the
District’s Attorney General the power to go after these drivers in
civil court, which could help target these most egregious offenders.
Getting just a small number of drivers to either change their behavior
or lose their driving privileges would have a significant impact on
road safety.
The responses we received show that there appears to be very little
information-sharing between agencies to identify drivers who have
shown repeated dangerous or reckless driving behavior. This limits the
District’s ability to prioritize its enforcement efforts. I'm
committed to making sure we improve coordination across government to
ensure we're holding dangerous drivers accountable and putting systems
in place that prevent dangerous driving in the first place.
Now that we've completed our public hearings, look for legislation
to advance to a Committee vote shortly. More coverage on the hearing
from CBS
9, WTOP,
Fox
5.
Update on Bus Lane Ticketing Program
During yesterday's hearing, I also asked the Acting DDOT Director
why the city had suddenly delayed the launch of the Clear Lanes
Enforcement program, which mounts cameras on buses and automatically
tickets cars parked in bus lanes and at bus stops. The goal is to
ensure our buses can move faster and stay on schedule. DC has invested
in bus priority lanes so that we can keep DC students getting to
school on time, make sure that workers can clock in to their shift
downtown, and get residents to where they need to go quickly. But that
can't happen without enforcement. I wrote a letter to DDOT last month
seeking answers, and they finally responded yesterday. Here's the
latest:
- DDOT will begin enforcing ticketing for anyone parking in a bus
loading zone on November 15.
- DDOT is now raising new concerns about the ticket proposed for
people who park in a bus lane, which DDOT itself set at $200. I'm fine
with lowering the fine and plan to move legislation to try and achieve
that faster. For me, the important part is to begin to have some
accountability, not that it has to be so steep. But I am frustrated
that after the Council moved emergency legislation to speed up this
process, and after DDOT and WMATA jointly designed the entire program,
we're just now hearing these concerns about ticket cost at the last
minute. Residents (and bus riders) are tired of the inaction. If this
is the latest barrier cited in the delay, then I'll remove it for
them, but let's get enforcement of DC's bus priority lanes on track
and get these busses moving now.
As I said, these stop-and-start delays are extremely frustrating,
so I'm going to be moving emergency legislation at the Council next
week to speed up enforcement.
New Legislation to Ensure Safe Schools for Students with
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
I’m proud to be co-introducing
legislation with my colleague Councilmember Robert White that
would make sure every DC student with a seizure disorder
can access the care they need while at school and that our schools are
safe, well-equipped places for our students with epilepsy.
The Seizure-Safe Schools Amendment Act of
2023 would require that at least two
teachers or administrators at DCPS, public charter, and private
schools be trained in seizure recognition and administering emergency
seizure medication, ensure students have individualized
Seizure Action Plans, require schools provide
age-appropriate epilepsy and seizure awareness education for all
students, and more. Thanks to Ward 6 student Oliver Tineo Coppola and
his mom Maria who have been dedicated advocates of this legislation,
in addition to the other parents who've reached out and Ward 6 State
Board of Education Representative Brandon Best. I hope to see the bill
move forward this fall at the Council and will keep you updated on its
progress.
DC Board of Elections Data
Breach
I've heard from many of you with concerns about the DC
Board of Elections data breach that was reported a few weeks ago
and want to provide an update on the latest information. In early
October, a group claimed to have hacked BOE's records and supposedly
accessed 600,000 lines of voter data. After becoming aware of the
breach, BOE shut down its website and swiftly conducted network
vulnerability scans. The initial investigation found that the breach
contained fewer than 4,000 voter records only from voters who
participated in the agency's canvassing process between August 9, 2019
and January 25, 2022, but the hackers may have had access to the full
voter roll. The investigation is ongoing, and BOE will be reaching out
directly to voters who were impacted. They've also assured that no
internal BOE databases or servers were directly compromised, as the
records were accessed through a breach of the web server of DataNet
Systems, BOE’s website hosting provider. BOE has hired a cybersecurity
firm to assist with next steps.
DC Suing Tech Company and Landlords for Alleged
Price-Fixing of Rental Units
This week, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced that
his office is suing RealPage, a tech company whose software is used to
determine rental prices, and fourteen District landlords for engaging
in illegal price fixing by sharing data to drive up rental prices for
more than 40,000 apartments across DC -- that's a significant portion
of our housing supply! At a time when rents are drastically rising,
and we're facing a housing affordability crisis, these are very
serious claims of collusion to take advantage of District residents.
Good on AG Schwalb for his work to hold housing providers accountable
and protect DC renters. More from DCist
and Washington
City Paper.
Greater Greater Washington Transit
Diary
Last month, I participated in DC's first National
Week Without Driving and documented my journey getting around without
a car for Greater Greater Washington's "Transit
Diary" series. As I mention in the diary, I live in a very
transit-rich part of the city, with plenty of car alternative options
to get around, yet I still found this to be a challenge at times.
Notably, I had a meeting with a Ward 8 ANC about some transportation
issues, and my trip there (via Metrorail, bus, and
bike) highlighted the vast differences in the quality of
transportation infrastructure across the city and the need to provide
all areas of DC with access to high-quality transit choices. Thanks to
GGW for inviting me to participate, and I encourage you to check out
their other
transit diaries to gain insight about how other folks get around
our region.
DPR Winter Program Registration is
Open!
Registration for DPR’s winter
aquatic programs opened yesterday, and all other program registration
opened up yesterday at noon! While some of the high demand programs
are already full, there are still openings available. Winter program
offerings include:
-
Aquatics programs, including learn-to-swim, aquatic fitness,
water polo, and lifeguard training.
-
Team and individual sports programs, including basketball,
soccer, cheer, gymnastics, tennis, pickleball, and
more.
- Out-of-school time programs for young people like Fun Day,
Winter Wondercamp, Young Ladies on the Rise, and Supreme
Teens.
- DPR Roving Leaders programs like Girls Who Code!, Little
Chefs University, and Art Escape.
- Arts programs, including ballet, piano, drawing &
painting, and sewing.
-
Senior-centered programs like cardio, aquatics, and overall
fitness.
And just another reminder that eligible residents who qualify
for reduced rates can get up to 75% off registration. Learn
more, and apply here.
Reminder about Leaf Collection
Changes
I wrote about this in my last newsletter, but just in case
you missed it, there are some significant changes to the way DPW is
doing leaf
collection this year – and it's a big enough deal
that DCist
even wrote about the change. Instead of a set
schedule planned out in advance for the whole season, DPW will assess
where collection is needed in the city and provide residents with a
notice at least a week in advance if their section is going to be
collected. A weekly notice with the sections for the next week is
supposed to be going on all DPW’s communications channels every
Friday, as well. Residents can check the latest schedule
every Friday through the online
leaf tracker or by calling the DPW Leaf Line at (202)
671-LEAF (5323). And if you’re notified of collection and DPW misses
it, remember report it to 311.
Related: Starter kits for DPW’s Curbside
Composting Pilot Program have been delivered to
approximately 9,000 participating households in all eight wards, and
food waste collection has started. For missed collections, residents
can file a 311 service request for "Missed Curbside Compost
Collection" by calling or visiting 311.dc.gov.
If your bin is lost, stolen, or broken, please file a service request
for "Lost/Stolen Compost Bin, Broken Compost Bin, or Opt-Out of
Curbside Composting Pilot Program."
DC Health Link Open Enrollment is
Open!
If you get your health insurance coverage through a
plan from the DC
Health Link online marketplace, open enrollment is
now open until January 31, 2024! This Saturday, DC Health Link is
putting on an Open
Enrollment Kickoff & Health Fair with fun
activities and helpful resources like people to help residents
navigate the web portal and to answer questions about benefits and the
enrollment process. The event is taking place this Saturday at 11am at
the MLK Library.
Provide Your Input About the Future of the DC Tax
Code
Join the DC Tax Revision Commission for a public town hall on
Monday, November 6, at the MLK Library. This is your opportunity to
shape the city's future tax code. Every ten years, the DC Tax Revision
Commission provides recommendations to the DC Council about how to
improve the DC tax system. The Commission has been considering
roughly
80 tax reform proposals. Registered participants who
attend in person will have an opportunity to speak briefly to the
Commission. You can provide feedback on a specific proposal, or you
can speak more generally about what you think is wrong with the DC tax
system. Register
here.
Reduced Metro Fare for Eligible Residents
I want to remind you about Metro’s reduced fare
program, Metro Lift, which offers 50% off Metrobus and Metrorail trips
for local customers enrolled in SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program). The program is designed to expand access,
increase affordability, and advance equity for people across the
region.
Customers who qualify will need their SmarTrip card, an active SNAP
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card issued by DC, Maryland, and
Virginia, a current government-issued photo ID card, and a phone
number. Residents can enroll
online or sign up for an in-person enrollment appointment
here.
Celebrate 150 Years of Eastern
Market!
I want to make a special ask that you circle the
weekend of Nov 10-12 on your calendar to celebrate the 150th
anniversary of the opening of historic Eastern Market.
Founded on November 12, 1873, Eastern Market is a cultural
and economic hub and a central part of life in Ward 6 and the
District. Everyone has a favorite Eastern Market memory,
and I'm sure many of us have a home full of special items from the
amazing vendors inside and outside who make it such a destination.
There's a whole weekend of fun activities to celebrate the
past, present, and future of Eastern Market, the oldest continually
operating public market in the United States. Come celebrate the 150th
Anniversary Weekend on Friday, November 10 - Sunday, November 12.
Check out
easternmarketmainstreet.org/150 for a full rundown of the
weekends' activities, including ghost tours, a kids scavenger hunt,
games, classes and cooking demos, and more! I hope you and your
neighbors can join me for as much of the fun and history as you can,
because this will be a special celebration not to be missed. 150
Cheers for 150 Years!
Thanks for reading along again this week. Hope to see you at office
hours, Eastern Market's 150th celebration, and around the Ward!
Charles Allen
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