Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, joined by all twelve of her fellow Councilmembers, introduced sweeping legislation to improve traffic safety at every District school by installing extensive traffic safety infrastructure, expanding school zones, stepping up enforcement, and injecting accountability and equity in DC government’s plans to improve road safety near schools. “It’s been a year of heartbreaking loss on our streets, and those lost include our most vulnerable road users: children. Policy is a love language, and we show our children that we love them by passing, funding, and implementing the traffic safety policies we know are needed to protect them. Our young people deserve to be safe before, during,

Dear Neighbors, This Friday I’m bringing you a whole host of updates from the DC Council, touching on redistricting, encampments, rent relief, a new name for Wilson High School, legislation I passed to promote safe driving, and more. I also have an updated schedule for leaf collection in Ward 4, which has been significantly delayed. This week we’re also celebrating a new walk-up vaccine site at Petworth Library, where our Ward 4 adults and children can get their first shot, second dose, booster, or flu shot. We have some exciting holiday events coming up in our area. I want to

Dear Neighbors, I hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones! My newsletter this week includes an important update on our community’s efforts to stem gun violence. I also have updates on vaccines and masks, community resources, and plenty of neighborhood events. We’re now officially in holiday season so don’t miss out on the Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting at the Parks on Saturday, Santa coming to Upshur Street this Sunday, and the Pajamarama Holiday Market in Takoma on Sunday too. Cure the Streets Comes to Ward 4 New Cure Team to Be Based in Petworth and Brightwood Park For years

The vast majority of gun violence we see in our community stems from personal disputes and conflicts between neighboring crews. Thankfully, we will soon have a dedicated Cure the Streets team working day in and day out in Petworth and Brightwood Park to forge trust, resolve conflict, prevent retaliation, and build lasting peace in our neighborhoods. Cure the Streets uses an evidence-based, community-led model with a track record of success. As a former Assistant Attorney General in the Public Safety Division, I know first-hand the positive impact that violence interrupters have on a community and in preventing gun violence. Cure

Dear Neighbors, Before we make our way to turkey trots, football games, and homes of family and friends, I wanted to share how thankful I am for our community. The most common characteristic of Ward 4 residents is that they’re always finding ways to help others. Looking out for their neighbor and volunteering to help their community. Getting involved with their congregation, their child’s school, or their local Main Street association. Planting flowers at local parks, cleaning up their block, or helping sustain Rock Creek Park as an urban oasis. Planning community events and bringing the arts and music to our neighborhoods. Devoting countless hours

Dear Neighbors, I’m excited to update you on all that’s happening in our community. There’s no shortage of events, giveaways, legislative updates, resources, and celebrations leading up to Thanksgiving – including our Turkey giveaway at Riggs LaSalle Rec Center tomorrow for Ward 4 families in need. I had an early start to the Thanksgiving festivities this week since I got to host a Thanksgiving luncheon with our Ward 4 seniors at Hattie Holmes. Thank you to all of the seniors who came to be in community with us and enjoy a hearty meal and live music! I hope you all

Dear Neighbors, I’m writing to you at the end of the week to update you about what’s going on in our community and at the DC Council. I have some big news to share on the long-awaited opening of Roosevelt Pool to the public. I also report back on a traffic safety walkthrough we had in Sixteenth Street Heights and DC’s ongoing efforts to help children ages 5-11 be vaccinated. In addition, we have some important Council hearings coming up next week on automated camera enforcement and a bill that would establish ranked-choice voting in DC. And don’t forget to

Dear Neighbors, I hope you’re well and enjoying the cool fall weather we’ve had this week. My update this week includes a breakdown of how you can request traffic safety improvements in your neighborhood. I also share all of the information we have about accessing the COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11 (which will become much easier next week), as well as key updates from the DC Council this week. Did you know that the Subcommittee on Redistricting released three proposed maps? Scroll down to learn more and to see what community resources and events we have coming up in

Dear Neighbors, I hope you’re feeling as excited as I am for Halloween! Although the weather is sour today, Saturday and Sunday are looking a lot better for all of the festivities and community events happening in our community. Below I shared a breakdown of Ward 4 Halloween events to keep on your radar as you plan out your weekend. I also have important updates about DC’s plans to provide access to the vaccine to children ages 5-11 once the CDC gives its final approval next week, as well as DC’s schedule for leaf collection this year and sustainable ways

This article originally appeared as a column in Petworth News. No one goes all in on Halloween quite like Ward 4! I’m excited to see our community joyfully and safely celebrating this weekend, and for our youngest Ward 4 residents to stock up on delicious treats. Look out for me around Ward 4 in a very topical Halloween costume! There are so many events to keep track of this weekend so I thought it’d be helpful to compile them for you here, roughly broken down by neighborhood. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and that it doesn’t