Dear Neighbor,
This week I will be sharing updates regarding school readiness, as well as continuing my effort to share updates this summer on a couple of key Ward 2 projects that may not get as much media attention but are incredibly important to Ward 2 residents. These deep dives are intended to serve as progress reports on projects, an insight into how our local government operates, and a way to get a better sense of how my office is advocating on behalf of Ward 2 residents. If there's a Ward 2 project you are interested in learning more about, please email my Constituent Services Coordinator, Pablo Velasco Rodriguez, at pvelascorodriguez@dccouncil.gov.
School Readiness
To prepare for the upcoming school year, I have spent the last few weeks meeting with DCPS, charter, and private school principals, as well as conducting site visits, to ensure our faculty, facilities, students, and families have what they need to hit the ground running for School Year 2023-2024. My team is working closely with DCPS and DGS to expedite progress on many of the issues that were raised, such as lighting, HVAC, teacher parking, and classroom improvements. Thank you to the teachers, staff, and agencies for their partnership to address facilities issues and to create a safe, engaging environment for our students this school year!
S Street Dog Park
The Department of General Services (DGS) will soon begin work to returf the S Street Dog Park, a project for which I was able to expedite and secure funding to Fiscal Year 2023. I am pleased to share that DGS confirmed that the project is slated to begin on September 5, 2023. The park will be closed throughout the entire length of the project, which I know will be difficult for the many canine and neighbor friends who use the space.
The project will replace the current turf, address drainage issues, and replace damaged sections of the fence. I will keep you updated as we learn more, and my team and I will closely monitor the progress to ensure the project remains on schedule. I am excited for the community to benefit from this fully resurfaced park!
7th and T Street
My team and I have been consistently engaged with neighbors, businesses, and agency partners to improve the multitude of challenges we see around 7th and T Street NW, including around gun violence, illicit drug use, and narcotic sales. My team and I also participate in a task force specifically created to bring partners to the table to address these complex and intersectional issues.
The public safety and health concerns at 7th and T St require a collaborative, multi-agency response, which is why this week, MPD joined several agencies to engage with folks on the ground to not only curb the frequent violence we see but also to connect folks with the housing and health resources they may need. In partnership with Councilmember Nadeau and district agencies, we are working urgently to improve the safety and health concerns in the area. The current status quo on this block is not acceptable, and I will continue working to ensure that the surrounding neighborhood can be kept safe.
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:
Host a community forum on Public Safety solutions for Chinatown with Acting MPD Chief Pamela Smith, Assistant Chief Tasha Bryant, Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah, US Attorney Matt Graves, Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Weiser, Metro Transit Police, and over 100 neighbors at MLK Library
Join National Night Out at Rosendale Community Center with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Parks and Recreation to bolster community-police relations
Swear in lifelong Shaw resident Sranda Watkins to serve 2G03 as Ward 2’s newest Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner
Join the Concerned Residents Against Violence’s 1st Friday meeting to discuss public safety and solutions to ensure residents in all 8 wards are safe from violence
Attend the Mikva DC Challenge's Leadership Café to listen to and connect with DC students (including our very own fellow) about their experiences at DC Housing Authority, the Office of the Attorney General, and other Council offices this summer
WUSA9: City leaders address crime concerns in DC's Chinatown. “‘To really facilitate a conversation about what solutions immediately can look like in this area, because we need Chinatown to be clean and safe,’ Councilmember Pinto said. ‘The residents and businesses here deserve that, and I hope that today moves us in the right direction.’”
WJLA: Will DC Mayor Bowser's emergency crime bill work? Experts weigh in. “‘The Prioritizing Public Safety Amendment Act addresses concerns that judges were unable to hold people who posed a threat to the community pre-trial by taking common-sense steps to give judges increased discretion so they can prevent continued harm. Pre-trial detention continues to be used only in situations when judges believe it is necessary when no conditions of release can ensure the safety of our community. Our city is experiencing an emergency of violent crime and I will continue to explore all avenues to drive down these numbers and improve public safety,’ said Pinto.”
WUSA9: National Night Out held by DC Police while violent crime rates increase. “DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) hopes her crime bills can have some effect on rising violent crime rates: ‘Working to prevent violence, working to support our first responder and our police. Working to end cycles of violence, improve data sharing and collaboration and to ensure accountability. Because we have to work together collaboratively to drive down this violence we’re seeing right now.’”
Washington Post: Residents, business owners confront D.C. officials over Chinatown crime. “‘Absent immediate action by the District to address this rise in crime,’ Pinto said, ‘I worry that this issue may get worse, and downtown and Chinatown, the economic engine of our city, will see more and more vacant residential units and more boarded up storefronts, which will allow the vicious cycle of violent crime to perpetuate.’”
Team Pinto is going on neighborhood walks with each of our amazing Ward 2 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners! This week, we are highlighting ANC 2A07 Commissioner Dasia Bandy. Pablo from Team Pinto met with Commissioner Bandy to walk ANC 2A07 in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Some of the topics they discussed include transportation issues and George Washington University student concerns. If you live in ANC 2A07, you can reach Commissioner Bandy at 2A07@anc.dc.gov.
Did you know? ANC 2A07 is home to George Washington University, the largest research university in Washington, DC. Commissioner Bandy is one of Ward 2’s George Washington University’s student commissioners!
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia has announced this year’s approaching Right Direction Awards (RDA)! The RDA is an annual celebration to honor District youth who have overcome significant challenges and are positively affecting the community. OAG is asking for nominations to help to identify District youth (ages 14-24) who should be recognized at the upcoming awards ceremony on September 13th. More information about the award and the nominations submission form can be found here. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, August 25th.
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) is hosting their fourth community meeting where they will review the concept designs for the Duke Ellington Field improvement project. The meeting will be hosting virtually and in-person on Thursday September 7th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The in-person meeting will be held at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library (3260 R Street NW). More information about the meeting and the virtual link can be found here.
Improvements are coming to the Kennedy Recreation Center! The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Department of General Services (DGS) closed the Kennedy Recreation Center for modernization on Saturday, August 12th. Improvements include: a new kitchen, flexible multipurpose gathering space, and new computer work space. The work is anticipated to conclude in Winter 2024 and reopen shortly after. You can visit the project page 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.
Join Events DC at their Summer Movie Series at the Carnegie Library Lawn (located directly in front of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center) on Thursday, August 17th. This free event will feature "Disney’s Turning Red" (2022), favorite movie snacks and light fare, fun activities, a DJ, and community resources. It is encouraged to bring a lawn blanket or chair to sit on during the movie. All food and giveaways are on a first come-first served basis. Register here for free tickets.
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Washington, DC on September 7-8, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines. Online reservations are necessary. Complete event details including cost, online registration, learning objectives, class location, and graduate testimonials are available here.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a public meeting on Tuesday, September 19th at 6 p.m. to provide updates on the U Street NW Bus Priority Project. This project will propose multi-modal improvements for the U Street corridor and expand the project limits to include 18th Street NW from 9th Street NW to enhance transit service and reliability and improve the overall traffic safety in the area. Learn more about the project here.
Grab a movie and some light refreshments this summer with Friends of Mitchell Park for their 2023 Summer Films in the Park! Movies will be shown at sunset in the park on August 17 and September 22. The event is generously sponsored by the Paul Pike Group of the Sotheby’s International Realty. View the full film schedule here.