From: Councilmember Kenyan R.
McDuffie <kmcduffie@dccouncil.us>
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 4:32 PM
Subject: W5 Report - Public Safety Through Accountability &
Opportunity
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Neighbor,
In the past few weeks, I have visited crime scenes, heard concerns
from residents and consoled families whose lives have been forever
changed by another heinous act of gun violence. There is a gun
violence epidemic in our city, and instead of dealing with it in
any meaningful way that prioritizes accountability and opportunity,
District government is recycling failed tactics and pointing
fingers, none of which keeps the public safe. Instead of taking
strategic steps to fix this crisis, I fear that many people are
simply becoming numb to trauma. The keys to solving the District's
gun violence problems are accountability and opportunity.
Perpetrators of gun violence must be held accountable for their
actions to ensure justice for victims and consequences for
offenders. However, accountability alone won’t prevent gun
violence from happening in the first place, nor will it address the
culture of gun violence that is too prevalent in some communities.
It’s a culture that exists because in some neighborhoods, people
are simply too scared to dream…too tired to hope…and too sick to
love. To change this culture, we must make community
investments that create real economic pathways and futures for
residents instead of allowing the cycle of poverty and despondency
to continue.
I authored The Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR)
Act and passed it with unanimous Councill support over 5 years ago
because I knew that a pure law and order approach wasn't keeping
residents safe or addressing structural inequities like access to
essential services and resources. Unfortunately, the NEAR Act,
which remains one of the most comprehensive public safety and
police reform laws passed anywhere in the nation, has never been
faithfully implemented by executive agencies. At today's public
safety hearing, I questioned executive agencies about their failure
to implement this legislation and was frustrated to see that many
of the NEAR Act's core provisions are still not being complied with
as required by law. As a third-generation Washingtonian and someone
who grew up here when DC was the murder capital of the country, I
cannot support pursuing the same solutions to generational problems
regarding public safety. That is insanity - we can and must do
better. That starts with fully implementing the legislation we
passed over 5 years ago.
In service,
Kenyan
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In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:
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COVID-19 Vaccine
& Mask Guidance Updates
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Today,
District government announced that starting on Saturday, July 31st,
all people 2 years and older will be required to wear masks
indoors. This updated guidance is in response to a significant
increase in the daily COVID case rate.
The Mayor also announced new incentive programs to help vaccinate
District youths. Starting Saturday, August 7th, on-site prizes will
be available for youth at Brookland Middle Schoo, Sousa Middle
School and Johnson Middle School. More details on vaccine
incentives and prizes for youths can be found below.
You can find a full list of places to get vaccinated at vaccines.gov
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Back to School
Guidelines
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This week,
District government announced that all children 2 years and older
will be required to wear a mask during in-person education at
schools. There are also a number of pediatric immunization
requirements for incoming students as well as some updated
guidances for schools based on DC Health and CDC guidelines. See
more info below:
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McDuffie Speaks
At Voting Rights Protest
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On Monday,
Councilmember McDuffie joined local faith leaders and members of the
Texas Black Legislative Caucus to demand national voting protections
from Congress amid ongoing efforts of Republican-led legislatures to
limit access to the ballot box. Councilmember McDuffie spoke about
the history of voting rights and the need to circumvent the
filibuster to ensure every American can vote without fear of
intimidation or unfair hurdles. You can watch his full remarks here.
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Eviction
Moratorium & Utilities Changes
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The DC
Council recently passed emergency legislation that phases out the
eviction moratorium while maintaining numerous protections for
tenants. Landlords cannot file evictions for tenants behind on
their rent unless the landlord has already completed a STAY DC
rental application on behalf of the tenant.
Councilmember McDuffie added an amendment to the eviction
moratorium emergency bill that ensures residents struggling with
bills get extended protection from having their utilities being
shut off. You can find more information on the timeline of eviction
and utility protections below.
If you have back rent or have difficulty paying utility bills
(including wifi), visit stay.dc.gov to start an
application to get financial relief. Our team is available to assist
residents with the application process. If you need support, please
fill out the help request form for our office here
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After shootings, D.C. residents ask what
city will do. 'What's in place isn't working' (Washington Post)
Two Men Shot, Killed in Northwest DC (NBC4)
Police: Northwest DC triple shooting leaves 2 men dead, 1
person injured (WUSA9)
Proposed D.C. Council budget would fully fund trust
accounts for low-income children (Washington Post)
Mendelson Funds Baby Bonds Program As Part Of D.C. Budget,
But Broader Tax-Hike Fight Expected (DCist)
DC Council to consider creating ‘baby bonds’ for families
making under $132K (WTOP)
Texas Lawmakers Dodging Voting-Reform Bill Welcomed in
D.C. (Washington Informer)
Ahead of DC Council’s first 2022 budget vote, a look at
some of the changes sought by committee chairs (The DC Line)
D.C. Regulated Third-Party Delivery Apps During the
Pandemic. What Happens Now? (Washington City Paper
D.C. Council votes to raise taxes on the rich (Washington Post)
New D.C. Councilmembers Help Pass Tax Increase on Wealthy (Washington City Paper)
Bowser wants D.C. Council to 'reconsider' tax increase on
the rich (Washington Post)
Evictions will restart soon in DC. Here’s what you need to
know about the protections and resources available to tenants. (The DC Line)
DC mayor signs law banning sale of flavored tobacco
products and menthol cigarettes (Jonetta Rose Barras)
DC mayor signs law banning sale of flavored tobacco
products and menthol cigarettes (WTOP)
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Councilmember
McDuffie was in Ivy City last week to hear concerns from residents
about ongoing construction in the area.
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On
Saturday, Councilmember McDuffie attended the Brookland Manor
Block Party in Brentwood.
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Crummell School
Victory Party
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Join Ivy
City residents for a victory party at the Crummell School to
celebrate the new basketball courts, playground and budget dollars
to fund a new recreation center. The event will take place at
Crummell (1900 Gallaudet St NE) from 5-8 PM.
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1st Annual Roving
Leaders Day
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Join DPR
for the 1st annual Roving Leaders Day on Saturday, July 31st from
noon to 5 PM at Langdon Park - 2901 20th St NE.
There will be a moon bounce, rock wall, jumbo games, and more. Team
McDuffie will be present to celebrate Roving Leaders Day with the
Ward 5 community.
*NOTE that the date of Roving Leaders Day was changed from July
17th to July 31st due to weather concerns*
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August 19th
marks the return of restaurant week! Make sure to
support Ward 5 restaurants during the week like Ivy City Smokehouse
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The Deputy
Mayor for Planning and Economic Development has two funding
opportunities for grants.
The purpose of the FY21 Food Access Fund Grant is
to increase equitable access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.
The FAF Grant will support qualified businesses with capital for
tenant improvements related to the expansion of operations into a new
location in an area identified as having low food access (as set
forth in the Act), with priority given to locations in Ward 7 or Ward
8. The program will accept applications until August 18th.
The purpose of the Great Streets Initiative and the Legacy Small
Business Recovery Grant is to transform certain designated
emerging commercial corridors into thriving, walkable, shoppable and
inviting neighborhood experiences. The Great Streets Initiative does
this by supporting existing businesses, attracting new businesses,
increasing the District’s tax base, and creating new job
opportunities for District residents. The application deadline
for this grant is Wednesday, August 18th at 4:00 pm.
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DMV Updates on Hours & Expired Credentials
Extension
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In-person
services at all DC DMV facilities have resumed. Now, all expired
driver licenses and ID cards must be renewed by September
9th.
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