July 28, 2021

Ward 3 Update: School Readiness & Public Safety

Dear Neighbors,

The Council recently held an extensive public roundtable on the proposed
plans for in-person instruction within DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the
Charter School network. At the hearing, we learned that the mask mandate
will remain in place for all students and staff and that teacher/school
staff vaccination statuses will not be disclosed to parents. When pressed
further on the DCPS staff vaccination data available during our weekly
Council-Executive coronavirus response call, the Council learned that 44%
of the school workforce had responded to a survey on their vaccination
status and, of those who responded, 93% were fully vaccinated. As was the
case during the public roundtable, Chancellor Ferebee committed to
providing additional school safety guidance and information on additional
student/staff vaccination opportunities (and incentives) by early August.

While that hearing left many questions unanswered, I hope to gain a better
understanding of what students and parents can expect upon returning to
in-person learning during my annual school readiness tours, which will
begin next week. For those who are unfamiliar, each year I conduct a
walk-through inspection of every Ward 3 school to identify those areas
where a school needs additional support, identify building maintenance
needs, and to assess the general readiness for the upcoming school year. I
will share what I learn about our schools' in-person safety protocols with
parents and community members through this newsletter and on social media
(via [1]Twitter and [2]Facebook).

Remarkably, DC Health's data shows that 55.96% of minors aged 12-17 in Ward
3 have already been fully vaccinated. This is actually slightly higher than
the vaccination rate for all Ward 3 adults and District adults. Our kids
are leading the way, let's follow their example. Make a plan to get
vaccinated today: [3][link removed].

Regards,

Mary

Please see [4]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

Get vaccinated TODAY at any of the District's [5]walk-up vaccination sites

Public Safety Briefing by Mayor Bowser & MPD

Crime Response Plan - Mayor Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
Chief Contee provided an extensive presentation this morning to share the
news that [6]an arrest has been made in the shooting death of Nyiah
Courtney and to share the efforts underway to intervene in and respond to
violent crime in the District.

According to the data presented, compared to this time last year:

* Homicides* are up 3%
* Robberies are up 3%
* Motor Vehicle Theft is up 25% (Theft from Auto is up 2%)
* Sexual Abuse is down 6%

* Burglaries are down 15%
* Theft is down 6%
* Arson is down 73%
* Assault w/a Dangerous Weapon is down 5%

MPD has noted that, overall, violent crime is down 1%. As a whole, the
District has experienced fewer gunshot wound victims, but their injuries
have proven more fatal. In-person services are returning at the Office of
Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (which houses the [7]Pathways Program
and the critical work of [8]Violence Interrupters) and [9]Building Blocks
DC is working with over 15 targeted communities to reduce gun violence
across the District.

Importantly, those areas that are the focus of the District's [10]Summer
Crime Initiative are already witnessing a significant decrease in violent
crime, property crime, and homicides.

[11]

To review the full slide presentation, please click: [12]here.

To watch today's presentation, please click [13]here or on the video above.

July 29th: Tune in at 9:30 am for the Council's [14]Roundtable on Gun
Violence Prevention and Reduction Initiatives in the District.

*Please Note: When compared to 2019 data, homicides in 2021 are up 19%.

Coming Soon: New "Protect Local Wildlife" Specialty License Plates

From DCist - New Specialty License Plates Will Support Local D.C. Wildlife

D.C. drivers will soon get the option to show off their love of wild
animals with a new “protect local wildlife” specialty license plate,
pending a final vote by the D.C. Council.

“People like to have something that they’re interested in reflected on
their vehicle,” said Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, who introduced the new
specialty plates as an amendment to next year’s budget. The council passed
the [15]the budget legislation on a preliminary vote this week.

Cheh said the idea behind the new plates is twofold: to raise money for
organizations that aid local wild animals; and to raise awareness about our
non-human neighbors...

[16]Read the Full Story

Summer Heat Emergency Resources

Numbers to Keep on Hand – We’ve entered the season where extreme heat will
pose a danger to seniors, those in our community who are vulnerable, and
our neighbors experiencing homelessness. This also a time where leaving a
domestic animal unattended outdoors or in a locked car can have disastrous
consequences.

If you haven’t done so already, please add the District’s 24/hour
[17]Shelter Hotline and [18]Humane Rescue Alliance numbers to your phone so
that you are prepared to respond if or when you see a neighbor or an animal
in need of immediate assistance:
* Shelter Hotline – 202.399.7093
* Humane Rescue Alliance – 202.576.6664

Cooling Sites – Cooling sites at select libraries, recreation centers,
spray parks, and public buildings will open to residents when a heat
emergency is declared in the District. Heat emergencies are declared when
the District’s heat index reaches 92 degrees.
* The District’s Cooling Center Map is available: [19]here.

Support Our Cleveland & Woodley Park Seniors

[20]

[21]Click Here for More Info

Attention Homeowners: Help Phase-Out Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

Transition to Better Options - This is the last year that gas-powered leaf
blowers will be permitted for use in the District. Following unanimously
passed legislation spearheaded by Councilmember Cheh and [22]Quiet Clean
DC, lawn maintenance companies were provided with a three-year phase-in
period to transition from old gas equipment to new electric or
battery-powered equipment. This is the last year to make the switch.

Yard maintenance workers using gas-powered blowers risk serious,
non-reversible hearing loss in addition to exposure to high concentrations
of lung-penetrating smoke particles and toxic gases. Not only are new
battery-operated leaf blowers non-polluting and safer for the user, but
they are much quieter and easier on our neighbors' ears.

Let’s do our part in protecting workers and our neighborhoods by
encouraging those lawn maintenance companies who provide us with this
valuable service to phase-out dangerous machinery and switch over to the
quieter, non-polluting battery-powered equipment. December 31st is the
legal deadline, but wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a quieter,
less polluted Fall this year in D.C.?

Thank you for your help in ushering in more modern and
environmentally-friendly equipment!

In the News:

From WTOP - DC firefighters put out long-running fire at Benning Road
Transfer Station

More than 100 firefighters battled the fire inside a five-story building
located in the 3200 block of Benning Road NE, using large streams of water,
including an aerial tower, according to officials...

Council member Mary Cheh, who has been [23]vocal about past problems at the
Benning Road transfer station, said while the investigation is ongoing,
batteries have caused similar fires when mixed with trash or recycling. She
is proposing an amendment to the District’s zero waste law focusing on
battery companies to limit future fires.

“This highlights the importance of my new requirement in the Zero Waste
Omnibus Act requiring battery companies to take back their products, just
as we already require paint companies to take back theirs,” Cheh said.
“It’s called producer responsibility requirements.”

[24]Read the Full Story

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

The Fort Reno Concert Series Returns this August!

[25]

Band Schedule Released - The popular (and free) summer concert series held
at Fort Reno Park in Tenleytown will return on August 2nd with evening
shows being held every Monday and Thursday night through August 19th.

[26]Click here for the full Fort Reno Concert Series Schedule

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202)
724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services
requests.

[27]Facebook [28]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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