This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
Like many of you, I am dismayed over a number of shootings in recent weeks in Ward 4 – and especially saddened that teens and young adults have been injured by these acts of violence.
Public safety requires a whole-of-government response, and I have been working in partnership with MPD and various agencies to identify what community resources are needed to prevent gun violence and protect families.
It’s also important to keep you informed about what’s happening and community efforts to promote safety. Below you’ll find more information about the upcoming MPD Public Safety Meeting where you can hear from MPD leadership about what they’re seeing and ways they’re working to stop the violence.
Council News/Legislative Updates
Priorities for a People-First Budget
This week the Council met during a budget work session to discuss vital funding priorities in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. As a Council we discussed the importance of investing in our social safety net, in the Access to Justice program, school-based behavioral health, and more. Here’s some of the other key focus areas I flagged area as priorities we must fund as a Council:
Investing in School Facilities: Students can’t learn and succeed if their schools lack adequate heating and air conditioning. I have asked for the Mayor’s $11 million cut to DCPS’ HVAC preventative maintenance program to be restored. Without this funding to test, inspect, and maintain old and new HVAC systems, academic performance will be negatively impacted, and schools’ HVAC’s will fail even more frequently and require expensive repairs and replacements that will cost much more than the Mayor’s cut.
Childcare: Early childhood is economic infrastructure. We must close the Childcare Subsidy gap and restore the Pay Equity Fund. Without this funding, families will lose access to care, providers will lose classroom staff, and early educators will experience major pay cuts. These programs keep parents working, children learning, and the childcare sector stable.
Housing: Finding funds to support housing vouchers is a must-do priority. We know that without this vital resource, the District will experience more homelessness, more displacement, and more economic insecurity. That’s why I’m requesting the Council dedicate approximately $27 million to support permanent housing vouchers.
Paid Family Leave: The DC Paid Family Leave program has been a lifeline for families. It’s had a tremendously positive impact on health outcomes, family economic stability, and small businesses – especially for Black and Brown families in the District. We cannot turn our backs on DC families after they have contributed into this fully solvent fund with their sweat and labor – especially not when so many households are struggling to get by. Rolling back the Mayor’s cuts to private sector workers and DC government employees must be a top priority in a people-first budget.
Climate Resiliency & Affordability: Raiding all of the money in the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund only hurts District residents – it shows up in higher bills, higher rates of asthma, and less climate-resilient homes. Investment in SETF is critical if we are going to help homeowners access healthy homes and clean energy generation through programs like Solar for All, the Affordable Home Electrification Program, and the Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator Program. We can’t see these investments as optional – we must see them as critical investments in a healthier, more affordable, and more secure future for our residents.
Community News
Protecting Youth and Promoting Safety in Ward 4
In recent weeks, there have been at least five incidents of teens and youth adults affected by gun violence in Ward 4. I have been deeply alarmed by these developments – especially as a Ward 4 parent like many of you.
In each of these instances, our team has been on the ground or in communication with MPD and impacted communities within 24 hours, including knocking on doors to check on affected neighbors and share community resources. And last night I was on the scene on Emerson St. NW where two teens were shot, speaking with neighbors and police.
It’s not clear what is behind this recent increase in violence, but what is clear is more must be done to protect our community.
This morning, I met with MPD 4th District Commander David Hong to discuss this increase and ensure that our community is receiving the public safety and behavioral health resources our residents need.
MPD 4D leadership will be hold a public safety meeting next Tuesday, June 2 from 6-7:30pm at the 4th District Community Room (6001 Georgia Ave NW) as well as online. The meeting will focus on recent crime trends, deployment adjustments, and opportunities for strengthened community partnerships. I want to thank Commander Hong for his leadership and open communication with our office and with residents about these concerns.
Pop-Up Next Week at Georgia Ave. & Sheridan St. NW
Join us on Thursday, June 4 from 3pm-5pm, at Georgia Ave. & Sheridan St. NW to meet with agency representatives and get help with constituent services. For the next two Thursdays, we’ll be in Ward 4 neighborhoods supporting residents and troubleshooting community concerns. Check out the full schedule here.
Petworth Porchfest Next Saturday!
2026 Petworth Porchfest is scheduled for Saturday, May 30th! There will be music on porches from 2 to 7pm and on the main stage from 5 to 8pm. Already, over 150 hosts and over 400 bands have signed up, with a variety of music genres and hosts across the Greater Petworth area. Check out the map to find where music is happening throughout the day, and the updated schedule! New this year is the Porchfinder tool, to help you plan out your day. The rain date will be May 31st. Can’t wait to see you all at Porchfest!
Riggs Park Day is Back on May 30th!
On Saturday, May 30th from 12 to 4pm, Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center is hosting its first Riggs Park Day since 2018, featuring local vendors, agencies, neighborhood schools and businesses, entertainment, food, giveaways, and more. My team will also be there to meet with neighbors and support with constituent services. Hope to see you there!
Community Resources
Apply for a Grant from ANC 4D by June 1st
ANC 4D has over $10,000 available this round for projects that benefit Advisory Neighborhood Commission area 4D. Local nonprofits, community organizations, and block parties (with a fiscal agent) can apply for grants from $100–$2,000 by June 1st. To apply, visit anc4d.org/community-grants for guidelines, an FAQ, and a how-to webinar. Questions? Email 4Dgrants@anc.dc.gov (include “grant” in the subject line).
Act Now to Protect Your Home from a Tax Sale
If property taxes on your home are past due, the lien to your home might be sold at the annual DC Property Tax Sale in July. This puts your home at major risk for foreclosure—which means you could lose your home. Legal Aid DC and Legal Counsel for the Elderly can help check if you should get property tax benefits or exemptions, apply for a payment plan or tax relief, and/or file an application for forbearance to stop a sale from happening. If you need legal help: please call Legal Aid DC at 202-628-1161 ext. 7 if you are younger than 60 years old or Legal Counsel for the Elderly at 202-434-2120 if you are 60 years old or older by June 10, 2026. Please do not delay. Calling now could help save your home.
DDOT Notice of Intent for North Portal Estates
This week, DDOT issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to begin installing a sidewalk on the north side of North Portal Drive, NW between Birch Drive, NW and 16th St, NW to enhance pedestrian visibility, reduce crossing distances, and create a safer intersection for all users. To view the full NOI and submit comments, visit DDOT’s website.
Important Update from DC Health Link
Right now, over 2,000 District residents are in jeopardy of losing health coverage under the Healthy DC Plan unless they take action by June 3rd. If you are covered by DC Health Link, look out for mail, phone calls, and emails from DC Health Link as you may need to verify some information to keep your health insurance coverage. Emails will come from healthydcplan@dc.gov.
Emergency Readiness Session in Takoma
What would you do if an emergency happened tomorrow like a fire, power outage, severe storm, or flooding? Would you be ready? Start building your emergency readiness with this hands-on session on Saturday, May 30th from 10 to 11:30am focused on go bags, home emergency kits, and basic first response skills. Featuring interactive presentations from Neighbor 4 Neighbor, DC’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, and Hands on Hearts, this session will cover how to build and use go bags and home emergency kits, what to expect in the first hours of an emergency, and how to respond in critical moments. Coffee and continental breakfast provided. Thank you to Takoma neighbors Erin Palmer and Paul Schwartz for hosting. RSVP here for the exact location (close to Takoma Metro).
Important Reminders
Office Hours in the Community
Ward 4 office hours are happening every Wednesday afternoon at Fort Stevens Rec Center from 12 to 1pm, followed by office hours at Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Community members can stop by and speak one-on-one with a member of our team about DC government services or our work in the Ward 4 community.
Support for Federal Workers
As many in our community face unprecedented challenges, I’m grateful to everyone who is stepping up to support neighbors. The Office of the Mayor has rolled out fedsupport.dc.gov, sharing resources for federal workers who have been laid off or impacted by recent cuts. I also want to remind neighbors of resources on my website for federal workers impacted by recent actions and neighbors facing the threat of immigration enforcement, compiled with the help of Councilmember Nadeau. DC government and the DC Council are also hiring for a range of positions, and I encourage community members to take a look at the open positions and share with a neighbor.
Ward 4 in the News
Washington City Paper: The Ultimate Petworth Porchfest Guide
Next Stop…Riggs Park: Complete Main Street Retail Survey by May 31
Next Stop…Riggs Park: Submit Comments on Proposed Traffic Safety Changes Around Fort Totten Drive & Hamilton Street NE by June 29, 2026
Chevy Chase News & Notes: May Issue
Ward 4 Dispatch: Investing in DC Youth, Protecting Paid Family Leave, and Memorial Day
These are news articles that mention Ward 4 or pertain to events in our community. Councilmember Lewis George does not write or endorse their content but shares them for community awareness.
Petworth Porchfest is an event I look forward to each year because it brings together so many of the things that make Ward 4 great: it’s about opening our hearts (and porches!) to neighbors, celebrating local music, and most of all, creating joy in our community.
That’s why last year I introduced a the Porchfest Permitting Amendment Act to make it even easier to apply for a block party permit for porch performances that are hosted as part of Porchfest. While the permanent version is still awaiting passage, the Council passed the temporary version of this bill.
The weather will be beautiful on Saturday, so be sure to find a porch performance or head down to the main stage. There’s no better way to welcome summer!
Wishing you a joyful weekend!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
CM Janeese Lewis George discusses why she introduced the Porchfest Permitting Amendment Act of 2025 while Ward 4’s own TSS Band plays behind her.