Dear Neighbor,

The DC Council has kicked off the fall legislative session with several key votes that I am excited to share with you that will continue to improve the lives of District residents and visitors and continue to make our city safer.

On September 17, the DC Council approved 13 percent pay increases for our local police officers at the Metropolitan Police Department. Recruiting and retaining more local police officers is a top priority for me as Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. We must continue to support our local law enforcement to protect our city, and these raises will help with that goal. The Council also advanced my legislation to extend the 11 pm juvenile curfew on weekends and extend the MPD Chief’s ability to designate earlier Juvenile Curfew Zones in certain areas for large groups of kids. The recent curfew emergency legislation passed by the Council has proven to be effective in reducing juvenile crime without increasing arrests, which is why I moved to extend the juvenile curfew in our city.

Additionally, I am thrilled the Council passed a groundbreaking deal to transform the RFK campus and bring the Washington Commanders football team home to DC! I am so grateful to all the District residents and stakeholders who made their voices heard throughout this process, and I am proud of the major wins I helped secure in the deal for District residents including new affordable housing, recreation space, and training and job opportunities for returning citizens.

Lastly, I share in the ongoing concerns of many District residents over the federal interference in our city. The House recently passed four counter productive and rushed bills that harm our public safety ecosystem and our autonomy. I will continue to meet with members of Congress to urge them to allow our locally elected officials who are accountable to the residents to govern our own city, and I will never stop fighting on your and our city’s behalf. DC is best positioned to advance policies that are in the best interests of our residents and our city.

Yours in Service,

Brooke

Legislative Updates

Juvenile Curfew Extension

On October 7, the DC Council will hold a final vote on Councilmember Pinto’s legislation to extend the 11pm juvenile curfew on weekends and extend the Chief of Police’s ability to announce earlier curfews for large groups in Juvenile Curfew Zones.

In the Community

Over the last two weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have met with residents, advocacy groups, and local and federal partners across the District, including:

• Joining events for the Congressional Black Caucus legislative week where lawmakers, advocates, and community leaders come together to identify strategies to create opportunities that empower Black Americans to thrive

• Meeting with community members at the Ward 2 Senior Wellness Center Town Hall held by the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) to discuss where the new Ward 2 center should be located

• Attending the House Oversight Hearing where the DC mayor, Attorney General, and Council Chairman testified about our ongoing efforts to enhance public safety in the District

• Speaking at the Foggy Bottom West End Main Street inaugural dinner to discuss efforts to support small businesses and local entrepreneurs, residents, and visitors in the neighborhood  

• Joining the welcoming reception for the Congressional Black Caucus legislative week with DC government officials and members of Congress

• Speaking at the Toast to Downtown DC to discuss efforts to ensure businesses can open, people can come to work, and more families can live and come to play

• Meeting with the first pre-apprenticeship cohort for the Eastern Atlantic States (EAS) Carpenter’s Union who just completed their comprehensive 10-week training program as they prepare to join the Union

• Meeting with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director to get updates on major projects like the Pennsylvania Avenue West Streetscape, Connecticut Avenue Streetscape and Dupont Deckover Project, and the Mt. Zion stormwater and trail connector projects

• Speaking at the grand opening of the Holt Building in Georgetown, which will house several Black-owned businesses that provide support for our local economy and job opportunities for residents

• Celebrating at Fiesta DC to honor the rich culture and contributions of our Latino communities  

• Attending “Hacks and Flacks” to honor Colby King’s retirement from the Washington Post after a long and distinguished career in the District  

• Attending the opening of the Community College Preparatory Academy's new permanent home in Ward 8

In the News

WATCH DC News Now, Sunrise on the Hill: Councilmember Pinto joined Sunrise on the Hill on DC News Now to discuss the House votes on a series of dangerous and rushed bills that harm the District’s public safety ecosystem and our autonomy.  

WATCH FOX 5 DC’s On the Hill: Councilmember Pinto joined On the Hill with FOX 5’s Tom Fitzgerald to discuss the DC Council passing the transformative RFK deal and the House Oversight hearing on DC government operations.  

READ Washington Blade: “Marker honoring gay former slave installed near Dupont Circle”

“D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), who introduced the William Dorsey Swann Street Designation Act in early 2023, released information at the time on William Dorsey Swann’s life and his historic role as an early pioneer in LGBTQ rights in the late 19th century. Pinto’s information was based on research on Swann conducted by Princeton University Professor Channing Joseph, who played a role in preparing the marker’s written text.”

Announcements

Connecticut Ave Streetscape & Deckover Project

Construction began on the Connecticut Ave Streetscape and Deckover Project on September 23. Service lanes between Q St NW & Dupont Circle are closed. Plan your routes accordingly, as detours will be in place via Q St NW & 19th St NW.

You can learn more by clicking here.

‍