Dear Neighbors,
This week I’m sharing updates on community safety, DPR winter programs, leaf collection, pumpkin and gourd composting, the start of early voting, the end of street sweeping, neighborhood events, and two dozen Halloween events across Ward 4. Check it all out!
Community Safety Updates
This week we had our first Mayor-Council breakfast since before the pandemic. The discussion focused on public safety given our citywide gun violence crisis. I made several requests to strengthen our ongoing efforts to prevent gun violence on Kennedy Street. I asked Mayor Bowser and her administration to collaborate with me to purchase or use eminent domain to take over the troubled plaza on 5th and Kennedy Street NW so that it can better serve as a public interest as a public library, jobs center, or affordable housing. I also reiterated my request for the art structure on that corner to be removed given that it has been graffitied and is exacerbating public safety issues. And I urged the Mayor to strengthen enforcement against vacant and blighted properties on Kennedy Street. These properties could bring much-need housing, retail, and foot traffic to the Kennedy Street corridor, but instead they have sat vacant for years and contributed to our gun violence crisis.
This week I also held a multiagency safety walkthrough at Petworth Metro alongside Councilmember Nadeau to plan strategic interventions that make the station safer for everyone. Additional steps that will be taken include frequent patrols and officer placements by Metro Transit Police and MPD; improved lighting and camera monitoring around the station’s entrances and elevator; infrastructure changes to discourage crowding in the area; consistent engagement by our two violence interruption teams to divert at-risk individuals from dangerous environments; intensive case management to connect at-risk individuals with needed resources; greater coordination with nearby schools and the Safe Passage program to ensure students get to and from school safely; traffic safety improvements to slow cars as they approach the station on Georgia Avenue or New Hampshire Avenue; and visits by the Department of Behavior Health to help address substance abuse issues.
While the focus of this update is on Kennedy Street and Petworth Metro, there are several other areas in Ward 4 that my team and I are focused on. And beyond area-specific interventions like the ones described above, I will keep fighting for the long-term investments and broader strategies that make our community safe for the long haul.
Community Resources
New Link! Leaf Collection Schedule and Pumpkin/Gourd Composting
The schedule for leaf collection in Ward 4 has now been released and is being mailed to DC households serviced by DPW. Collection in Ward 4 will start the week of November 7-12 in Brightwood, Shepherd Park, Colonial Village, North Portal, Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, Chevy Chase, and other nearby areas (Area A in the map). Rake your leaves onto the tree box or the curb of your street the Sunday before your collection week. If your leaves aren’t collected as planned, please submit a 311 request for “Leaf Collection Missed.” Check out DPW’s full brochure with more information. Also, pumpkins and gourds without paint or glitter can be dropped off for composting at the Uptown Farmers Market (14th and Kennedy NW) on Saturdays from 9am-1pm until November 20.
End of Street Sweeping for the Season
Friendly reminder that Monday, October 31 is the final day of street sweeping for the season, so after Monday neighbors will no longer need to move their cars on street sweeping day!
Early Voting Centers Open This Monday
Earlier this month, the DC Board of Elections mailed out ballots for the 2022 DC General Election to all registered voters in DC. 55 mail ballot drop boxes across the District are currently open, and residents can also return their completed ballot by mail or in person at any voting center. Early voting will start this Monday, October 31 and go until November 6. Our three early voting centers in Ward 4 will be at Takoma Community Center, Raymond Rec Center, and Emery Heights Community Center. General Election Day is November 8, 2022. Here is a guide with all the information you need on voting this fall!
Updated Links: Draft Concepts for the 14th Street Bus Priority Project
DDOT released its draft concepts for a new Bus Priority Project on 14th Street to improve bus speeds, operations, and reliability — as well as boost pedestrian safety — along the 14th Street corridor from Newton Street up to Arkansas Avenue. The first design features shared bus and bike stops, the second design features red-painted bus stops, and the third design includes protected bike lanes. Residents can weigh in on the three proposed designs by filling out the online survey, emailing Brent.Irving@dc.gov, or leaving a voicemail at 202-671-2376.
Ward 4 Mutual Aid Grocery Distribution Update
Ward 4 Mutual Aid is updating our community that their grocery distributions are now taking place one per month. You can find them at Brightwood Park United Methodist Church (744 Jefferson Street NW) providing gift cards, diapers, food, and other items to the first 100 families on the following dates: Wednesday, Nov 16 at 5pm, Saturday, November 19 at noon, Wednesday, December 14 at 5pm, and Saturday, December 17 at noon. They also offer a limited number of home deliveries on Saturdays. If you physically cannot make it to the church, please call or text the Ward 4 Mutual Aid Hotline at 202-681-3098 to sign up for delivery.
Piney Branch Parkway and Trail Back Open
Piney Branch Parkway and the adjacent multiuse trail are now back open. Reopening the Parkway will help ease the traffic congestion that our community has been experiencing these past few weeks. Meanwhile, the new trail next to the Parkway is a big improvement over the narrow, part-dirt, and often-muddy path that existed there before. It should provide residents a much safer and more accessible way to walk, roll, run, or bike in the park. There will be some additional construction done on the Parkway over two weeks in November, but this time at least one lane will remain open and traffic flaggers will be on site to direct traffic.
Take the WMATA Better Bus Survey
WMATA’s Better Bus initiative seeks to create to create an improved MetroBus network that is fast, frequent, reliable, and easier to understand. Residents are encouraged to take the Better Bus survey to provide the information that WMATA needs to improve its bus operations. Anyone who participates by November 11 will have a chance to win a $50 SmarTrip card!
Join the Office of Caribbean Community Affairs Advisory Committee
The Office of Caribbean Community Affairs is searching for inaugural appointees for its new advisory committee. The committee will advise the office on how to best inform and engage DC’s Caribbean community. Advisory committee members must be DC residents. Apply here!
DPR Winter Program Registrations Start This Week
DPR is launching registration for its winter programs this week starting at noon on Tuesday, November 1 for aquatic programs only and noon on Wednesday, November 2 for all other winter programs. DPR will utilize a virtual “waiting room” on both registration days in order to manage the high demand for programs. Programs this year include youth basketball, youth and adult tennis, combat sports fitness, ballet dance, candle-making, learn-to-swim, aquatic fitness, senior aquatics, senior bootcamp, senior cardio, senior yoga, lifeguard training, winter break camp (December 27-30), DCPS fun day (January 25), and mid-winter break camp (February 21-24). Check out the full catalog of DPR winter programs at DPRPrograms.com.
Neighborhood Events
More than 20 Halloween Events Across Ward 4!
From Friday, October 28 through Wednesday, November 2 Ward 4 will have nearly two dozen Halloween events and a wave of trick-or-treating taking place. Events span many Ward 4 neighborhoods and include treats, haunted houses, parties, music, and more. Check out the full list I compiled for Ward 4 neighbors so you don’t miss out!
“Embracing the Storm” Meet-the-Artist Receptions at Zenith
On Friday October 28 from 4pm-8pm and Saturday, October 29 from 2pm-6pm Zenith Gallery (1429 Iris Street NW) will host Meet-the-Artist receptions with mixed-media artist Gavin Sewell, who specializes in contemplative, large-scale collages and intricate wall-sculptures that primarily explore themes of history and time. RSVP to join them either on Friday or Saturday.
E-Cycling Events near Lafayette Pointer and Petworth Library
On Saturday, October 29 from 10am-2pm Ward 4 will benefit from two simultaneous free e-cycling events at Petworth Neighborhood Library (near 4200 Kansas Ave NW) and near Lafayette Pointer Rec Center (collection vehicle expected to be on 33rd Street NW between Quesada and Patterson). Check out the list of electronics that will be accepted at the events.
Emory Beacon of Light Walkathon
On Sunday, October 30 at 1pm Emory Beacon of Light will lead a community walkathon as part of its longtime efforts to address food insecurity and housing insecurity in Brightwood and surrounding areas. Neighbors will gather in the park space behind the church (off Quackenbos Street) after Sunday’s service. Thank you to Emory BOL for their service to our community.
North Portal Estates Block Party
On Sunday, October 30 from 3pm-6pm the Civic League of North Portal Estates and North Portal Families will be jointly hosting their Fall block party on Spruce Drive (between Sycamore & Tulip Streets). If you live in the area, join your neighbors for a joyful dose of community!
Rock Creek Golf Course: Morning Work Hour
On Tuesday, November 1 from 7:30am-10am the Rock Creek Weed Warriors Restoration Team will be removing invasive plants from natural areas around the Rock Creek Golf Course (6100 16th Street NW). Meet them at the golf course parking lot and be sure to bring long pants and sleeves, sturdy shoes, water bottle, and a hat. Gloves and tools will be provided.
Local Links
DC Public Library: DCPL “Evil Laugh” Contest Video Reel
Government Technology: New Law Mandates School IT Planning in Washington, DC
Greater Greater Washington: DC Council’s transportation committee advances legislation to improve safety for students
DCist: Historic Trial Begins For Police Officer Charged With Murder In The Death Of Karon Hylton-Brown
DCPS: Federal funds to electrify DC school buses announced at John Lewis Elementary
Petworth News: Spooky local theatre and storytelling at a Petworth neighbor’s house
Last Ward 4 Dispatch: Jubilee Recap, Council News, Leaf Collection, and Piney Branch
DCist: Vanilla Beane, DC’s ‘Hat Lady,’ Passes Away At 103
One of the many things that happened this week is that we wrapped up our CARE Days for the year with our CARE Day at Brightwood Park on Thursday. Brightwood Park is where I grew up, so it felt special to end our year of community-building there. We visited sixteen neighborhoods in Ward 4, brought more than a dozen agencies out to address community issues, and knocked on more than five thousand doors to connect with neighbors. I cannot express just how grateful I am to my team, our great volunteers, DC agencies, community groups, and every neighbor who made time to participate in our CARE Days.
I hope you enjoy the weekend, including all of the Halloween festivities. Don’t forget that the leaves are in beautiful fall colors, so consider a walk in your local park to take it all in!
Yours in Service,
—Janeese
