This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
The Fourth of July is always one of the busiest times in our community, and I’m excited to celebrate with all of you! Ahead of an action-packed few days, I’m sharing some updates on where to celebrate, what to know about city services, and how to enjoy the festivities safely. Plus, I’m sharing details on tonight’s public safety meeting, constituent services pop-ups beginning next week, updates from Tuesday’s legislative meetings, and details on Ward 4 Night at Nats Park later this month!
Community News
Summer Public Safety Meeting Tonight
Tonight from 6:30 to 8:30pm, I am hosting a Ward 4 Summer Public Safety Meeting at Emery Heights Community Center (5701 Georgia Ave NW) to discuss specific actions being taken to address crime this summer and how community members can support. We’ll be joined by Chief Smith, Commander Lavenhouse, and other agency leadership to answer questions from the community. For neighbors who are unable to attend in person, we will also offer a virtual option via Zoom. I encourage neighbors to join us!
Ward 4 Pop-Ups Begin Next Week!
Ward 4 Pop-Ups are back starting next week! Throughout the month of July, we’ll be visiting neighborhoods across our community to bring agency resources and support residents with constituent services. The goal of these pop-ups is to take up positive space – especially in areas where neighbors have voiced concerns about harmful activity happening – to build safer, stronger communities together. Last year, I was grateful to see so many neighbors join us, including over a dozen agency partners. I’m looking forward to kicking them off next week!
Get Ready for Fourth of July Weekend!
As we look ahead to the Fourth of July this week, our community is getting ready to be a hub for celebrations, with major events like the 136th Annual Takoma Park 4th of July Parade and Evening Street Party, and the annual Friends of the Soldiers Home celebration all taking place on Friday. As we come together to celebrate over the coming days, let’s all be mindful of one another by reducing noise after 10pm and being considerate of neighbors to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday. Remember, neighbors can report use of illegal fireworks to FEMS by calling 202-673-2776 and find resources on firework safety on FEMS’ website. I’m looking forward to celebrating with you all — have a safe and joyful Fourth!
Council News/Legislative Updates
Council Action on Peace DC Plan
On Tuesday, the Council unanimously passed Councilmember Pinto’s Peace DC plan, which is made up of nearly a dozen individual bills guiding the District’s public safety strategy. While I am grateful for several of the actions the bill takes to keep our communities safe, leading up to Tuesday’s hearing, one of the biggest concerns I had was the proposal’s pretrial detention provision and ensuring the policy and our city’s resources are focused on the population most at-risk. If enacted, these provisions would have permanently expanded the rebuttable presumption for certain crimes, increasing the likelihood of individuals being detained without being convicted of a crime. In addition to the threats to civil liberties, DC’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council found that 1% or less of released defendants recorded subsequent arrests for violent or dangerous crimes. When individuals are detained in this way, families are strained, jobs are lost, and lives are interrupted. Even if charges are ultimately dropped, detainment can have a long-lasting harmful impact on the lives of residents. This does not make us any safer.
During Tuesday’s hearing, I introduced an amendment narrowing the application of the pretrial detention presumption to those most at-risk for re-arrest. I was ultimately grateful to see the provision was made temporary and set to expire at the end of next year. While this outcome is not perfect, I am grateful this solution will allow us to generate more data on the impact of pretrial detention and reduce harm to our communities. I am also grateful my previous amendment to Peace DC passed, which struck a harmful provision broadening arrest and citation powers for officers on our public transit system who lack the training standards and oversight mechanisms of sworn officers. As we look towards getting more data in the coming months, it is essential that we consider the potential impacts and harm that a permanent expansion of this provision would create for DC residents, especially Black and Brown residents, and that pretrial detentions are the carefully limited exception based on evidence.
New Revenue Estimates and DC Budget Updates
This week, the DC Chief Financial Officer released the latest revenue estimates for the District, which project $244 million more than was expected. As the District continues to face the impact of federal layoffs and economic uncertainty, this is good news for our fiscal outlook. However, according to the CFO, a large portion of these funds will likely be needed to account for agency overspending, particularly by MPD, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Human Services, as well as ongoing bond payments and reserve requirements. As the District faces an extremely tight budget year with many cuts made in the Mayor’s budget, I am working with my colleagues and the Council Budget Office to navigate these competing demands and hope to use some of this surplus to fill the gaps in critical programs for Ward 4 and District residents.
Community Resources
DPW Roll-Off Day at Fort Stevens
Roll-Off Day is coming to Ward 4 on Saturday, July 12th from 10am to 2pm at Fort Stevens Rec Center (1328 Van Buren St NW). Neighbors will have the opportunity to dispose of bulk trash and large items, including furniture, rugs, tables, and chairs. You can learn more about what is and is not accepted at cleancity.dc.gov.
Fare-Free Fourth on Metro!
To mark the Fourth of July, fares will be FREE on Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess from 5pm until close on Friday, July 4th. During the afternoon, Metro is also ramping up service to rush hour levels on rail to get customers to events across the region. Make sure to ring in the Fourth of July with Metro!
Preparing for the Mubadala Citi DC Open
With the annual Mubadala Citi Open Tennis Tournament at Rock Creek Tennis Center just a few weeks away, I want to share some important information about the event logistics and where neighbors can go for support, particularly for nearby 16th Street Heights and Crestwood neighbors:
- I am also asking DPW to respond immediately to any issues that come up during the event, particularly idling trucks, which has been of particular concern in recent years.
- As with the past several years, the Citi Open will be coordinated by the Mayor’s office with the support of our Ward 4 MOCRs, Yamileth Escobar (Yamileth.escobar2@dc.gov) and Leticia Acosta (leticia.acosta1@dc.gov).
- If any issues arise, neighbors should submit a 311 request and email my team alongside our Ward 4 MOCRs and the relevant ANC commissioner. Your ANC commissioner will then respond with an update. To avoid confusion and have issues addressed as quickly as possible, please share concerns only through this channel.
DC Water Updates
DC Water has shared several updates on work taking place in Ward 4 neighborhoods. Keep in mind that construction activities are highly dependent upon favorable weather conditions. Here are some of this week’s updates:
- There will be no construction activities performed on Friday, July 4th in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
- As part of the ongoing Piney Branch Sewer Rehabilitation Project, DC Water is scheduled to perform sewer lining and manhole installation activities on 5th St and Nicholson St NW for the duration of next week.
- As part of the ongoing Chevy Chase Sanitary Sewer Project, DC Water is scheduled to perform sewer cleaning activities at the following locations for the duration of next week: 3600 block of Jocelyn St NW, 5300 block of Chevy Chase Pkwy NW, 3700 – 3900 blocks of Ingomar St NW, 5300 block of Nevada Ave NW, 3900 block of Jenifer St NW, 5200 block of 41st St NW, Belt Rd NW.
- For the duration of next week, DC Water is scheduled to perform final walk-through activities on 8th St NW and Quintana Pl NW
- For the duration of next week, DC Water is scheduled to perform roadway restoration and line striping activities on 7th St NW and Rittenhouse St NW.
Neighborhood Events
Takoma Community Clean-Up
On Saturday, July 5th at 10am, join the next Takoma Community Clean-Up starting at Van Buren Street and Piney Branch Road NW! In addition to picking up litter, there will be information on how to submit 311 requests for city services, plus information about upcoming protests, how to share your protest art, and find out how to get involved in a neighborhood talent show celebrating creativity, resistance, and pride. Supplies and snacks will be provided!
City Blossoms Summer Saturdays
Over the coming weeks, City Blossoms is inviting neighbors to a series of events at their studio garden (516 Kennedy St NW) with gardening, art, cooking, music, and more. Check out the flyer below for more details on the events and find more details at www.cityblossoms.org!
Late Night Hype at Riggs LaSalle
On Friday, July 11th from 7 to 11pm, DPR and MPD are bringing you a carnival-style Late Night Hype at Riggs LaSalle Rec Center, with food, music, games, dancing, and more! RSVP here.
RSVP for Ward 4 Night at Nats Park!
Friday, July 18th is Ward 4 Night at Nats Park! Bring a friend, meet neighbors, and enjoy the game as the Nationals face off against the Padres. Tickets are first come, first served, and neighbors can RSVP here to pick up tickets at the stadium box office on gameday.
Summertime Jazz Concerts in Ward 4
Wednesday Jazz Series on Kennedy Street: Uptown Main Street hosts a free weekly jazz concert on Wednesdays on the 700 block of Kennedy St NW. Listen to jazz while you grab a bite from a local spot, and let the music carry you into the evening.
For more local events, check out DPR, DC Public Library, and NPS.
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
Washingtonian: Local Fourth of July Fireworks, Parades, and Celebrations Away From the National Mall
Petworth News: Enjoy July 4th at the AFRH with the neighborhood!
The Washington Post: The complete guide to July Fourth celebrations in the D.C. area
WAMU: Get Out There: Learn to repair your own bike at one of the D.C. region’s many local clinics
The 51st: Do D.C. renters have a right to air conditioning?
The Infatuation: The Best Breakfast Spots In DC
Ward 4 Dispatch: Committee Markups, New Metrobus Routes, and Housing with Integrity Act
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.
Over the weekend, I was grateful to host Ward 4 Office Hours at the Chevy Chase Farmer’s Market, and meet with dozens of neighbors to hear their ideas for our community and help resolve constituent services issues. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our tent, and stay tuned for more details on our next office hours!
Whether you’re celebrating here in Ward 4 or heading out of town, I hope you’re able to have a safe and relaxing Fourth of July with loved ones.
Enjoy the holiday and check back next week for more updates!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
