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My family and I were able to take a couple of days at the beach recently, where I enjoyed reading Inclusive Transportation, a book written by a DC friend and transportation expert Veronica O. Davis, that helps rethink how we can build better for our communities. And then with a little summer Olympic inspiration, I next turned to The Boys in the Boat (I haven't watched the Netflix version yet!). What's been on your summer reading list? And don't forget the National Book Festival on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Convention Center! And of course, however you get around this summer, many of you are using Capital Bikeshare (especially the fantastic e-bikes) to get there. CaBi just broke another record with 589,464 rides in July, despite the heat! So whether you're catching up from the beach, the Metro, or your kitchen with coffee in hand, let's dive into the latest updates for Ward 6 below.
Public SafetyBig picture, we keep seeing significant reductions in crime across DC (violent crime down 35%, robberies down 41%, property crime down 16%) and Ward 6. But like I've said before, those overall reductions don't mean much if crime or violence just happened on your block or to someone you know. I'd like to spend a few minutes sharing information on a couple of recent incidents and highlight areas where the District needs to improve its response. This Axios piece does a good job capturing where we are, though it skips any discussion of the District's high rate of no-papering MPD arrests, likely because data isn't readily available and there are many reasons an arrest might not move forward. Two weeks ago, there was a horrific shooting in NoMa that hit four people, killing two. I've been in close contact with MPD, the NoMa BID, local ANC representatives, and neighbors in the aftermath of this senseless and reckless violence. My team has attended multiple community meetings, including one with MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith. What I can share from MPD: This was a targeted shooting related to ongoing neighborhood conflicts. MPD had been at the site of the shooting just 19 minutes before it took place but had left to patrol other nearby areas. Following the shooting, MPD exercised their emergency powers to shut down the restaurant where people had gathered outside after hours, and they're actively working with the owners to improve those outdoor conditions there. Fifth District Commander Sylvan Altieri confirms they are regularly focused on this area as one of their hot spots, and MPD has both clearly visible and unseen efforts underway to disrupt illegal activity while maintaining and working to build relationships with multiple buildings in the immediate area. 911 Call Center Needs Urgent Fixes: The Office of Unified Communications is in crisis. This is the agency that maintains our 911 call center and dispatching for FEMS and MPD, and there have been a number of public and serious failures resulting in tragedy. Not a week goes by that I don't hear from a neighbor left sitting on hold, waits too long for an answer, or gets a bad response when connected. Let's be clear: being a call taker or dispatcher isn't an easy job. But news broke this week that OUC is having to offer employees $800 bonuses to just show up for their already scheduled shifts. While I support paying our call-takers and dispatchers well (and I funded hiring and retention incentives for the agency in last year's budget), this tells me OUC continues to be in a staffing crisis. This isn't new - the DC Auditor found similar problems with management and leadership before. But this failure plays out with EMTs and paramedics being sent to the wrong address in a medical emergency, or a delayed dispatch of an emergency response, or first responders not having the information they need to take action and save a life. I haven't seen the Executive branch even acknowledge there's a problem, let alone take the challenges seriously. I will continue to make strong oversight here a focus, and if you want to learn more about the latest problems, NBC 4 and WTOP have more. In Case You Missed It
Last week, I shared a video recapping some summer news items you won’t want to miss, including:
I also hope you were able to join me for a fantastic Ward 6 Week! We marked a decade of this week-long celebration of all things Ward 6, and this year was one to remember! Check out the recap The US Is Falling Behind the World in Building Transit. Let's Turn It Around.
We should also recognize that WMATA's service has significantly improved. Trains arrive on time more often than not and run more frequently. Buses are adhering to schedules, happening in partnership with better bus lanes and enforcement by DDOT. WMATA's long-overdue fare gate upgrades are pummeling fare evasion rates, with drops around 70% or higher at some stations where they've been installed. And safety on the system is improving with increased visibility and responsiveness from Metro Transit Police and crisis response teams. We have a clean and historic system that we should be proud of, even with the challenges we need to tackle. This Fast Company article has stayed with me since I read it, and I want to expound a little bit from my tweet on the subject about why we should be prioritizing WMATA expansion more than we are. WMATA serves different roles across the District, but its impact is undeniable. It’s the backbone of our thriving commercial corridors — every major bustling area in the city has a centrally-located Metrorail station. WMATA was also a key factor in DC securing a new lease with Monumental Sports; few arenas in America are as accessible as Capital One Arena. On the flip side, commercial areas without easy Metro access struggle to draw enough foot traffic. People want the option to ride. For communities in underinvested areas with some of the lowest household incomes in the District, WMATA's services are essential. They make it possible for residents to stay in the District and get to work without the burden of car ownership. In both scenarios, WMATA is a critical factor in the city’s success — a narrative we aren't used to hearing. While WMATA’s issues get plenty of news coverage (and rightly so), it's interesting we don’t see the same level of concern over daily traffic jams on the Beltway, 295, and our major roads. The bottom line: I want to see us build more and be more aspirational. That's a tall order, but it isn't impossible. At every step of its creation, WMATA's construction faced hurdles and concerns. Opening the New York Avenue-Gallaudet stop (now NoMa) was tough, but now it's one of the busiest stations in the system! And as far as construction goes, it's certainly doable. The District (under a federal consent decree to clean up the Anacostia River) has built massive tunnels under our city to handle increased water and sewage output safely. It's been a significant effort, but it's also going to pay off for everyone for many years to come. WMATA is considering Blue and Orange line expansions that could put more stations in the District and provide more opportunities to build transit-accessible housing. But for the first time in a long time, there are no planned major expansions. In part that's due to the looming fiscal constraints, but it's also true because we've stopped dreaming about what we could be building and how it would benefit the entire region. Let's get back to it. Reminder for Students' Required ImmunizationsWe’re officially in back-to-school season. Along with gathering supplies and clothes (why don't shoes ever make it to the end of the school year?), don’t forget to make sure your children are up to date on all required immunizations to protect against preventable diseases. DC Health emphasizes the importance of vaccinations in preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough. The required vaccinations for school entry in the District include DTap, MMR, Varicella, Polio, and Hepatitis B, among others. DC Health and its partners have developed multiple opportunities to support the vaccination of children:
I'm a firm believer in a good crossing guard. The people who work outside our schools helping families walk, roll, or bike that final block or two to school (and stop that impatient commuter trying to find a shortcut) are often held up as neighborhood heroes. That's why I've pushed at the Council to ensure these positions are funded in the budget and that DDOT is prioritizing their placements. At the beginning of last school year, DDOT was down a significant number of crossing guards, and I was hearing from schools all over Ward 6 and our city that they needed help. As we prepare for a new school year, I've met with DDOT leadership to find out if they're ready. They seem to be in a better position this year compared to last year but still have about 20 vacancies. These are fully funded positions, but DDOT has not been able to hire people for the job yet. I'm told that no school will go without a crossing guard, but there will be some schools that may begin the year with one fewer than they're used to. DDOT recruited a large group for hiring and training this spring, but given the background checks and training required, only about 25% of the initial hires made it all the way through. More groups are being recruited and, over the first few months of the school year, they hope to fill those 20 vacancies. I'll be keeping a close eye on this, and please let me know what you see and experience as you're taking your little ones to school, as well.
Back to School Carnival: Saturday in SouthwestThe SW Resident Council Leadership will present a Back to School Carnival this Saturday, Aug. 17 from noon to 3 pm. The Southwest BID, Department of Parks and Recreation, GOODProjects, and more come together for this community day at King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N St. SW. Back to School Day: Aug. 23 at RFKTake the family to celebrate the season at Back to School Day at RFK. Activations include book bags and school supplies giveaways, haircuts, food, music, an arcade, a game truck, haircuts, immunizations, food trucks and more. The event is from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Fields at RFK Campus, 401 Oklahoma Ave. NE.
Youth Sports Day: Aug. 24 at RFKThis free community event showcases sports-based youth development organizations and informs families about affordable, after-school programs that focus on mental and physical health, educational achievements, and mentoring. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fields at RFK Campus, you’ll find games, prizes, DJ music, special guests, food trucks, haircuts, physicals, eye exams, wellness checks, and more. Back-to-school supplies are provided by the Washington Commanders, and the first 500 kids will receive a backpack for school, courtesy of Under Armour. Register for the event. Comment on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program State Plan DraftFor anyone behind on their utility bills, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)'s LIHEAP program can be an important source of help. And right now, DOEE is accepting comments on the Draft State Plan for LIHEAP. Residents can attend and speak at the virtual hearing at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, or submit written testimony by email to [email protected] with the subject “FY25 Draft LIHEAP State Plan.” Find more information. This is a great opportunity to share how the program has helped, or how it has been limited, in meeting a need you might have or someone you know might have experienced.
Celebrating National Black Business MonthAugust is National Black Business Month — a time to uplift and support Black-owned businesses (a practice we should embrace year-round!). Nationally, Black-owned businesses account for just 3% of all firms, despite Black people comprising 14% of the population. DC stands a bit higher, according to the Department of Small and Local Business Development. Here, 15% of classifiable firms are Black-owned — one of the highest percentages in the country, though we know we can do a lot better - and 35% of all businesses in the city are Black-owned, with Black women leading the charge in entrepreneurial growth. Supporting Black-owned businesses drives revenue and creates jobs within our community. Here’s how you can get involved:
Beware of Jury Duty Warrant ScamsJury duty warrant scams are on the rise, where fraudsters pose as law enforcement officials to steal money. Typically, the scam begins with a call from someone claiming to be a deputy sheriff or police officer, who warns that a warrant has been issued for failing to appear for jury duty. The victim is threatened with immediate arrest unless they pay a bond in cash or cryptocurrency. Scammers may even send someone to the victim's home to collect the money, leaving them with a fake document. If you believe you’re a victim of this scam, contact the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division at 202-727-8000 or the Metropolitan Police Department Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or [email protected]. And as a reminder, you can verify your status as a juror (at the Superior Court) with the DC Superior Court's Jury Services office.
Water Conservation Tips for Your HomeAs the DC region drought watch continues, it's important to remember that 70% of your annual water usage takes place indoors. Take note of the areas in your home that use the most water, and explore ways you can reduce unnecessary water use:
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Councilmember Charles Allen · 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Suite 110, Washington, DC 20004, United States
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We've got a few weeks left of summer,
and I hope you're enjoying time together with a much more reasonable
temperature! If you're in town this weekend, don't miss 
Amid last week's worrying (and
familiar) 
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