COUNCIL UPDATES
Violence Prevention Expansion
Earlier this week, the Office of the Attorney General announced four new Cure the Street program sites. One of the coverage sites will service part of Columbia Heights in Ward 1. This past budget cycle, I fully supported and voted in favor of funding the expansion of the Cure the Streets program, and I’m grateful that the Office of the Attorney General is directing additional, targeted resources to our ward.
Cure the Streets is a community-driven and evidence-based model that seeks to reduce violence. It includes hiring violence interrupters who engage with the community to learn about conflicts and resolve them before they result in violence. They provide outreach workers to identify those at high risk for involvement with violence and connect those participants with needed services (housing, counseling, employment assistance) and develop action plans for a positive future. The program also mobilizes the community through programs to engage with residents, community leaders, local businesses, faith leaders, service providers, and high-risk individuals to build coalitions and develop strategies to reduce violence. More here.
Encampments
I wanted to provide another update on what’s been going on with encampments since my last newsletter. I expressed my concerns around the new CARE pilot program then, and I’m still fighting to change how the program is being executed.
On November 26, joined by Councilmembers Robert White and Elissa Silverman, I called on Mayor Bowser to pause encampment clearings until the end of hypothermia season, while continuing to offer housing and support to unhoused residents. While we do believe the program is well-intentioned, we continue to have significant concerns about its execution. The letter followed prior requests to the Deputy Mayor and a public roundtable where we heard a resounding rejection of the approach the pilot program is taking. Encampment residents, organizers, and service providers made clear the difficulties residents are facing to obtain housing.
The letter went unanswered, so yesterday, I introduced emergency legislation to pause the clearings of encampments until at least the end of hypothermia season - separating the housing and support services element of the program from the clearings and evictions element. Many people will accept housing, but it doesn’t work when we force them to do it on an arbitrary timeline.
 [Photo Credit: Héctor Alejandro Arzate / DCist/WAMU]
I visited the New Jersey & O St encampment site yesterday as it was being cleared. There were a number of case workers, advocates and community members helping several residents who had not been housed pack up their belongings. There was confusion among encampment residents - some did not know if they were receiving a housing resource, hotel, or if they need to pack up and find a new location to sleep. Some were feeling uncertain about their future, not knowing exactly how long the resources offered, if any, would last.
There was one resident there who was eligible for housing but had not been able to get an ID in order to finish the process to secure housing. Many times it is not a matter of whether encampment residents will accept housing, it is that they have been experiencing homelessness and there are real challenges that can’t be resolved before 10:30AM on a date that someone else chose. We need to house our neighbors in a way that builds trust and honors their autonomy. The emergency legislation will be voted on at the next legislative meeting on Tuesday, December 7th.
Friendly reminder: please take a moment to save the number for the shelter hotline. If you see someone in need of shelter, you can call 202-399-7093 or 311.
Traffic Safety
Last month, 24-year-old Nina Larson was struck and killed by a car in Adams Morgan. I attended the vigil for Nina and offered my deepest condolences to her family and friends. I recognize that there are no words that can do justice to how tragic it is to lose a young person so senselessly, but there are actions that government leaders can take to ensure that her death was not in vain.
I’ve tried to lead on pedestrian safety issues on the Council because I know that our residents want action, not words. I immediately called for flexipost daylighting of all the crosswalks on Columbia Road, and for a speed camera to be installed on the 1800 block. I also provided neighbors an update on some of my plans on how to improve traffic safety in Ward 1 and the District. You can read more about those plans on my website.
I received a letter from DDOT about the anticipated planning process for Columbia Road, but I’m still waiting for an update on the improvements I called for. Yesterday, my team was out identifying and filing 311 requests for additional improvements, including tree pruning, additional signage, and lighting. Parking enforcement has been out on Columbia Road over the past couple weeks issuing tickets for unsafe/illegal parking and educating drivers. However, it's clear that ticketing alone won't solve the issue, especially for delivery drivers with a lack of clear loading zones. I'm looking forward to working with the ANC and community partners to make the critical improvements we know are needed.
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