DC Government

Thanks to a reader for passing on the press release from CM Bonds’ office:

“Rightfully, there has been significant media attention paid to apartment buildings and rental units throughout the District that have landlords who appear to have purposefully neglected their properties, putting the health, security, and well-being of tenants in jeopardy. These unscrupulous owners are commonly known as “Slumlords.”

Today, May 3, At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds, Chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Community Development introduced legislation that will strengthen the District’s ability to combat this neglect and provide the legal tools to efficiently and quickly go after slumlords.

The “The Rental Housing Accommodation Nuisance Abatement Amendment Act of 2016” allows the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, the DC Attorney General, or any community-based organization to file an action in the DC Superior Court to terminate, instruct, or prevent any rental housing accommodation that has operated in a pattern of neglect for a period of 30 consecutive days that constitutes a health, safety, or security hazard to the tenants. Additionally, the bill authorizes the DC Attorney General to issue subpoenas related to nuisance properties.

“Tenants deserve a quality place to live and we must use every available mechanism to protect housing accommodations to ensure safe and quality living conditions for all DC residents,” stated Councilmember Bonds at the bill’s introduction.

Many problems of these substandard living conditions include unsecured doors, broken heating and air conditioning, infestation, vermin and trash, dim lighting, faulty plumbing, and vacant units that were being used by outsiders for illicit activity.

The legislation was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Evans, Cheh, Todd, May, Orange and Grosso.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoPville,

Wondering if anyone has received a bogus ticket for failure to stop in Petworth/Columbia Heights and how you resolved the issue. I drive the same route Monday through the Friday, part of which includes crossing Georgia Avenue at Park, Morton, or Lamont going eastbound. Many of you that live and drive in the neighborhood know that 1) the police substation is on Park between Sherman and Georgia; 2) the officers that cannot find parking on Park, park their cruisers on Morton; and 3) 95% of the time there is cruiser parked by the post office during morning and afternoon school hours to ensure children walking to school are given the right of way to cross in the numerous cross walks between Lamont and Park. Last many of you know that where Morton and Lamont intersects with Geogia are “blind intersections” because there are usually several cars parked along the southbound lane of Georgia. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From DPR:

“Today, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) released the 2016 outdoor pools summer schedule. Changes to the schedule include:

all outdoor pools will open at 11 am, 2 hours earlier than in the past;

Ed. Note: Monday – Friday will be 11 am. The weekend hours will remain the same. (12pm-6pm)

3 children’s pools will be closed for the season due to capital construction. Only Park View children’s pool will operate during the 2016 summer season; and
the Southwest Duck Pond (6 & I Street, SW), which is currently closed for construction, will re-open on July 4.

All outdoor pools and Park View children’s pool will open for the summer on Memorial Day weekend (May 28, 29 and 30) from 12 pm to 6 pm; and will operate on a weekends-only schedule (Saturday and Sunday) through June 12. Starting June 18, all outdoor pools will operate on their individual summer schedules.

All spray parks will open for the summer on Saturday, May 28 and will operate daily, from 10 am to 7 pm, for the entire summer season. Spray parks will close on Monday, September 5.

In addition to the schedule changes, two outdoor pools will feature brand new concession stands, located on the pool deck area. Patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy drinks and snacks purchased at the pool. The Banneker and Ridge Road outdoor pool locations will offer concession stands. Please note that the stands will accept cash or credit cards.

For a complete listing of DPR’s outdoor, children’s and spray park pool sites, please see below: (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

From MPD:

“To combat robberies in the District, Chief Cathy L. Lanier and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) have designated three Exchange Zone areas. These areas will serve as a safe place for residents and visitors to exchange and complete transactions of online purchases.

Several individuals in the District have been targeted after using mobile marketplace applications to buy or sell items. Suspects have used these online platforms to lure victims to meet them at locations to purchase or sell an item and when the victim arrives, a pre-staged robbery occurs.

“The Exchange Zone will deter many of these robberies by providing well-lit areas that are near police stations, giving Washingtonians a safe place to purchase or exchange property,” said Chief Cathy Lanier. “The community can do their part by safely buying, selling and trading online goods at our designated locations.”

The three Exchange Zone locations include:

Special Operations Division’s Harbor Patrol/ 550 Water Street, Southwest,
Third District/ 1620 V Street, Northwest,
Sixth District/ 5002 Hayes Street, Northeast

MPD would also like to remind the public of these safety tips when selling or purchasing items from strangers: (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

UPDATE (8/3/2017) from the law offices of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP:

“After a full investigation, the US Attorney’s Office determined that no felony charges were warranted. After multiple meetings with witnesses, the US Attorney’s Office properly assessed that no crime had been committed and all charges were dismissed without any finding of wrongdoing.”

From MPD:

“Agents from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division have announced that an arrest has been made in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon offense that occurred on the 295 interstate on Saturday, February 20, 2016.

At approximately 3:45 pm, a complainant and an off-duty police officer in his personal vehicle were involved in an altercation while driving on the interstate. Both parties stopped their vehicles, exited, and the officer drew his service weapon. The complainant drove off and stopped a second time before dialing 911. After being confronted by the officer, a physical altercation ensued where the complainant sustained minor injuries.

On Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 46-year-old Michael Minor of Temple Hills, MD, was arrested and charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

“The ability to wear the MPD badge and serve in the District is an honor and something we hold sacred,” said Chief of Police Cathy Lanier. “To learn that incidents like this have occurred is nothing short of disturbing and only fractures the relationships that we have built in our communities. In light of this officer’s actions, we will continue to hold our members to the highest of standards and remain focused on service, integrity and fairness.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Victoria Pickering

“Dear PoPville,

My fiance and I were walking home around 9:30 Saturday night and while waiting to cross 16th St NW on Columbia Rd we heard a metal tinkling- then a nail landed at my feet! There was a mangled box of nails right in the middle of the intersection and nails were flying everywhere. I called 311 and immediately got a lovely person on the other end (Jessica I think). She said “Oh, wow!” and put in a street cleaning request but those usually take two weeks so she put me over to the department that clears large items from roadways. I immediately got another great person and after a short conversation he also said “Oh, wow!”. They sent someone out and when I passed the intersection again Sunday it was all good! I feel for the folks who got punctured tires- but happy 311 was so understanding and responsive! I felt like a good citizen for reporting, too!”