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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 Twitter and 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: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/get-vaccinated.
Regards,
Mary
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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 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:
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- 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%
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- Burglaries are down 15%
- Theft is down 6%
- Arson is down 73%
- Assault w/a Dangerous Weapon is down 5%
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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 Pathways Program and the critical work of Violence Interrupters) and 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 Summer Crime Initiative are already witnessing a significant decrease in violent crime, property crime, and homicides.
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Coming Soon: New "Protect Local Wildlife" Specialty License Plates |
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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 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...
Read the Full Story
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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 Shelter Hotline and 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.
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The District’s Cooling Center Map is available: here.
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Support Our Cleveland & Woodley Park Seniors |
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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 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!
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From WTOP - DC firefighters put out long-running fire at Benning Road Transfer Station |
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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 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.”
Read the Full Story
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
The Fort Reno Concert Series Returns this August!
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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.
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