Dear Neighbor,
I am proud to have announced my Secure DC Plan earlier this week, a comprehensive package of laws, initiatives, and strategies to take urgent, targeted action to prevent and respond to the rise in crime in the District. The Secure DC Plan builds on the substantial budget investments passed by the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety and the successful passage of my emergency legislation earlier this year to address crime.
My common-sense Secure DC Plan addresses all aspects of public safety by increasing accountability for perpetrators of violence crimes, preventing crime and ending cycles of violence, and increasing government supports and oversight. The Secure DC Plan will drive the Committee’s agenda this fall.
I want to highlight just a few of the many initiatives in my Secure DC Plan that will practically and tangibly improve safety for residents across the District. My Secure DC will:
- Expand the legal tools we have to hold perpetrators of crime accountable by expanding gun and carjacking charges and pretrial detention for those who commit dangerous or violent crimes. Secure DC also establishes a taskforce to develop a new plan around pre-arrest diversion for low-level offenses in order to ensure accountability while providing access to mental health and financial resources that are often lacking and needed in these cases.
- Establish security patrols, lighting, and cameras for our bus and transit stations, recreation spaces and schools, and commercial corridors to deter crime from occurring in all eight wards.
- Provide hiring and retention incentives to fill critical positions at our public safety, human services, and health agencies to ensure speedy and accurate response to resident needs. These incentives will increase the hiring of excellent staff and fill vacancies at the Departments of Behavioral Health, Human Services, Corrections, Youth Rehabilitation Services, and Office of Unified Communications – agencies that must provide reliable, accurate, and quick responses to keep residents safe.
I hear from residents every day about how desperately they want to feel and be secure in their communities, which is why I shared my Secure DC Plan to improve public safety with the public to ensure residents, stakeholders, and my colleagues at the Council have the opportunity to weigh in and improve safety for all residents. I encourage everyone to be involved and make your voice heard.
With the Council Fall legislative session officially underway as of Monday, I invite you to join and testify at upcoming hearings, including at a public roundtable next Wednesday, September 27th on the nomination of Pamela Smith as Chief of the Metroplitan police Department. Make sure to check out the Council calendar to stay up to date on upcoming hearings.
Yours in service,
Brooke
In the last few weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have been out and about in Ward 2 and across the city, including to:
Speak with business leaders at the Dupont Circle BID Annual Meeting about the supports to commercial corridors and small business in my Secure DC Plan
Attend a Downtown Action Plan Steering Committee meeting to discuss the coordinated public-private efforts to strengthen the vitality of our downtown core
Attend a performance by returning citizens and hosted by Attorney General Schwalb to increase empathy and understanding between District officials and people who have been justice-involved
Held the first hearing of my Secure DC Plan on measures to enhance accountability for offenders and protections for victims
Meet with the Alliance of Concerned Men to hear about the transformative work to bring conflict resolution programs to schools and support our young people
Meet with the DC Association of Realtors to discuss housing initiatives in the District to ensure fair and equal housing standards for all residents
Meet with the new CEO of Catholic Charities Jim Malloy to discuss partnership around our shared priority to help move unhoused neighbors into dignified housing
Meet with Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah to discuss our continued collaboration to reduce violence and ensure the effective functioning of our public safety apparatus
Welcome new President of the University of the District of Columbia, Maurice D. Edington, Ph.D.
Meet with Shaw leaders, including 2G03 Commissioner Sranda Watkins, to discuss priorities for a vibrant, safe, and thriving neighborhood
Celebrate 90 years of Martin’s Tavern, the oldest family-owned and operated restaurant in DC
Speak at the Ward 2 Jobs Not Guns Youth Career Workshop to build up our young people’s toolkits to create an abundant and successful future
Visit Chinatown Park for Parking Day, an initiative to reimagine the use of public spaces, with the Department of Transportation, Downtown DC Business Improvement District, and neighbors
Attend the Right Direction Awards to honor District youth for their resilience and leadership to positively impact their communities
Hosted the annual 9/11 memorial and remembrance event at Engine 13 in ANC 2C on behalf of the Council with Mayor Bowser to honor the sacrifice and dedication of our first responders
Swear in Ward 2’s newest ANC Commissioner, Daniel Chao, representing 2E07 in Georgetown
Attend the Department of Parks and Recreation’s community meeting to discuss the Duke Ellington Field renovations that will be finalized this Fall
Join ANC 6B to share my plans to improve public safety and discuss my emergency bill to improve transparency and accuracy at the Office of United Communications
Meet with DC Department of Buildings to discuss the Vacant Property process and potential improvements for interagency collaboration
Georgetowner: Pinto Launches ‘Secure DC Plan.’ “’My comprehensive package of legislative initiatives is a compilation of common-sense, targeted interventions that will urgently and practically improve safety for D.C. residents,’” Pinto said.
WATCH: FOX5: Councilmember introduces crime bill to address DC's rise in violent crime. “‘I hear from residents in all eight wards every day that public safety is the number one issue on their minds. People shouldn’t have to deal with the level of violence we’re experiencing. I think it is fundamentally important that all of us across government work together,’ Councilmember Brooke Pinto said.”
Washington Post: Pinto releases plans to tackle crime as violent summer ends. “‘This package certainly does not solve all of the inequities and challenges that we’re experiencing in our city, many of which play a major role in leading to more crime,’ Pinto said. ‘What I will say is that this bill and package has a number of initiatives that will prevent crime,’ such as setting up a hospitality industry program at the D.C. jail and increasing emergency communications and surveillance along public transit.”
WATCH: NBC4: New public safety bill introduced in DC Council. “‘Ensuring accountability when folks commit violent crimes in our city, doing a better job to prevent crime from happening and end cycles of violence, and strengthening our government coordination and supports for our agencies,’ said Pinto. ‘We’ve seen a 25 percent reduction in violent crime in the months since that [emergency] bill passed as compared to the previous month.’”
WJLA: DC councilmember launches plan to address violence ‘crisis’ in the District. “‘We must address the gaps in our legal system in order to prevent the proliferation of violence in our communities. My comprehensive package of legislative initiatives is a compilation of common-sense, targeted interventions that will urgently and practically improve safety for D.C. resident,’ Pinto said.”
DCist: D.C. Councilmember Focuses On Increased Penalties And Policing In Slate Of Public Safety Bills. “'I invite the public and anybody with ideas or interest to be a part of it; it’s also another reason why we broke them up into various different parts … So that people can really participate in pieces that are of most interest to them, or that they have the expertise or lived experience in, to make sure this package is as strong, effective, fair, and responsive as we can.’”
WATCH: WUSA9: ‘Neighbors shouldn't have to live in fear’: Councilmember Pinto introduces legislation to address public safety. “‘I go to all eight wards in the District and speak to residents, visitors, and businesses every day who are suffering,’ said Councilmember Brooke Pinto.”
WJLA: DC mayor, councilmembers host 9/11 remembrance ceremony. “‘Our first responders do everything they can every single day to keep our residents safe when we experience crisis and greater risk,’ Councilmember Pinto said. ‘As I've come to know more and more first responders each day, I'm so moved by the dedication, grit, and courage you all provide to all of us.’”
Washington Post: 40% of D.C. 911 center shifts understaffed last month, data shows. “‘Launching the dashboard is an important step toward transparency and accuracy at OUC, our 911 call center,’ council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), who chairs the public safety and judiciary committee, said in a statement. ‘I and my team are reviewing all the data to identify patterns and areas in need of improvement not only in operations but also in the data posted.’”
Washington Post: 97 D.C. neighborhood leaders urge change in city response to 911 calls. “‘I take very seriously any time that our community is calling for change, and I think it is very indicative that so many ANC commissioners have signed on to this letter,’ Pinto said.”
Team Pinto is going on neighborhood walks with each of our amazing Ward 2 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners! This week, we are highlighting ANC 2F02 Commissioner Neil Rocklin. Brian from Team Pinto met with Commissioner Rocklin to walk ANC 2F02 in the Logan Circle neighborhood. Some of the topics they discussed included ensuring a healthy relationship between residents and local small businesses along 14th Street, in addition to public safety and keeping the neighborhood clean. If you live in ANC 2F02, you can reach Commissioner Rocklin at 2F02@anc.dc.gov.
Did you know? ANC 2F02 is home to Zalmon Richards House, which was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. Zalmon Richards was an educator from Washington, D.C. who founded the National Education Association.
- The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has initiated a transportation study for the Georgetown neighborhood with support from the Georgetown Business Improvement District (GTBID). The study public survey went live on August 31st on the project website. Fill out the survey about your transportation experience in Georgetown!
- The West End Library will be closed beginning Friday, September 22nd – Friday, September 29th in order to replace the lighting in the library. You can find information about other library locations here.
- The Washington English Center is recruiting online and in-person volunteers! The Washington English Center (WEC) is a community-based program that offers English and literacy training to low-income adult immigrants in the greater Washington area using volunteer teachers and tutors. Volunteers meet once a week online or in person in downtown DC for 1-3 hours a week for 11 weeks. Volunteers follow a provided syllabus and textbook and are given ongoing training. No teaching experience is required! Learn more at washingtonenglish.org/volunteers.
- Yard Waste Collection is now year-round. Residents must call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to make an appointment for yard waste collection. DPW only collects yard waste in paper bags and will collect up to 20 paper bags of yard waste from residences that receive DPW’s trash and recycling collection services. Residents are still able to leave their paper yard waste bags at the point of trash collection. Residents who wish to can drop off their yard waste at the Fort Totten Transfer Station during normal residential business hours.
- DC Public Library is gathering input on how it can best serve District residents. Your needs may have changed the last three years and the library would like to know how they can help meet them. Please consider taking this survey (only about 10 minutes of your time). Your feedback will help shape their strategic framework plan. The survey is available in English and Spanish and will be live through September 25th. Access it here.
- WMATA launched Metro Lift, an income-qualified fare program, that provides a 50% discount on Metrorail and Metrobus fares. The discount will reduce the cost of a bus trip to just $1 and rail fare to as little as $1 and no more than $3 depending on how far you travel. Customers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Maryland, Virginia, and DC qualify for Metro Lift and can enroll at wmata.com/MetroLift. Customers may make appointments online or by calling 1-888-762-7874.
- Special Waste Collection Events (i.e., Household Hazardous Waste, electronics recycling, and document shredding) have been relocated to RFK Lot 3, 2400 E Capitol St NE (across from the DC Armory), due to the temporary closure of the Benning Road Transfer Station. Special Waste Collection Events will take place on one Thursday and one Saturday each month through March 2024. View the current schedule here.
- Grab a movie and some light refreshments this summer with Friends of Mitchell Park for their 2023 Summer Films in the Park! The last showing of the summer will be shown at sunset in the park on September 22. The event is generously sponsored by the Paul Pike Group of the Sotheby’s International Realty. View the schedule here.
- Red Line service will be unavailable at Farragut North, Metro Center, and Gallery Place stations with free shuttle buses replacing trains from December 18-December 30 in order for WMATA to perform critical safety repairs. While the Red Line is closed, service will continue to be available on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines on the lower level at Metro Center and Green and Yellow line service on the lower level at Gallery Place. In addition, Judiciary Square Station will be closed from Friday, December 22, through Sunday, December 24. Sign up for MetroAlerts here.