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Dear Residents, Every year in May, law enforcement officers from around the world gather in Washington, D.C., to commemorate National Police Week, which is observed this year from May 15-21, 2016. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Today, in the United States, more than 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 146 officers each year have been killed in the line of…

Today, the Council is voting to approve and fund a new plan for closing DC general. In February the administration proposed a plan to close DC general. As initially proposed the plan called for locating the Ward 5 temporary shelter at 2266 25th Place, NE.  The 25th Place site presented serious challenges including its proximity to a trash transfer station, bus lots, a strip club, a night club, and freight rail tracks.  Additionally, its distance from public transportation and grocery stores presented more problems.  “From day one I indicated that I could not support the proposed Ward 5 site because…

For Immediate Release: May 5, 2016 Contact: Dionne Calhoun, 202-297-0152, dcalhoun@dccouncil.us (Washington, DC) – Today, the Committee on the Judiciary chaired by Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2017 (FY 2017) budget. The Committee’s budget was developed after months of public and stakeholder engagement and research. At its core, the budget reflects a community- and victim-centered public health approach to the provision of public safety and social services. It supports evidence-based programs for District residents, and, importantly, it maintains or enhances current funding for our core public safety agencies and programs. The Committee’s recommended budget includes the…

Dear Residents, Earlier this morning a CSX freight train travelling from Cumberland, MD to Hamlet, NC derailed near Rhode Island Avenue NE and 9th Street.  The DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department was dispatched to the scene because one of the derailed cars was leaking sodium hydroxide, a hazardous material.  At approximately 9:00am, I arrived on the scene and engaged with Chief Dean of DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and emergency first responders who responded.  As of 11:00am the leaking car has been contained and sealed. Please note that Rhode Island Avenue is closed from 4th to…

(Washington, DC) – Today, the Committee on the Judiciary voted B21-0326, the “Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults and the Elderly Amendment Act of 2016,” affectionately known as the “Hilda Mason Act.” This bill aims to protect senior citizens in the District from financial exploitation, hold accountable those who take advantage of them, and allow the Attorney General and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia to take quick, decisive steps to move forward with a civil or criminal action against the perpetrator. Financial abuse of vulnerable populations, including our seniors, has been identified as a growing problem throughout the country.…

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D - Ward 5) released the following statement today regarding the “Fair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Act of 2016.” “The ‘Fair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Act of 2016’ is much like the cornerstone legislation that came before it, commonly known as “Ban the Box.” At the heart of this proposed legislation is the prohibition of a housing provider’s preemptive and unnecessary inquiry into personal and private information. More specifically, this bill will assist in the successful reintegration of our returning citizens into the community by removing barriers to securing adequate housing. Accordingly, under the…