DC Government

“Dear PoPville,

I moved to North Petworth last year and happen to live right on Georgia Avenue. Much talk has been discussed about making this area and the more northern parts of Ward 4 more attractive to development – especially by our Ward 4 council member candidates. My suggestion is this: Can we push the city to investigate the feasibility of putting a landscaped median along the northern stretch of Georgia Avenue, starting at the Georgia Avenue and New Hampshire intersection and extending to the border of Silver Spring? Much like the thoroughfares of Sherman Avenue, 16th Street, etc, the landscaped median would be a great way to beautify the space, slow down traffic, make the area more safe, and eventually attract local businesses.

I know there are plans for the Streetcar but those plans look like that will never come to fruition. This can be less expensive and time-consuming and have a more immediate impact on the area and really help it grow. Anybody think this is an idea worth pursuing? If so, let’s get together and figure it out!”

From MPD Chief Cathy Lanier:

“Good morning everyone, as you may be aware MPD is in the process of deploying body worn cameras throughout the Metropolitan Police Department. I have received numerous inquiries regarding this endeavor. To help answer these questions, and to provide a better understanding of our program, we have created a fact sheet. Please see the fact sheet below. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

Chose wisely and God help us. You can find your polling place here.

From the Mayor’s office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a corrective action plan for the District’s Department of Forensic Science (DFS). DFS has halted all DNA testing and the District is in the process of identifying third party labs to support DFS’ mission while the corrective action plan is carried out. The corrective actions come after the completion of two audits of DFS’ DNA mixture interpretation results.

Last year, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO) first raised issues concerning the lab’s DNA mixture interpretation protocols. As a result in January, USAO stopped sending new DNA cases to the lab. The USAO commissioned an audit and Mayor Bowser commissioned a separate audit by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to provide a third party independent review of the work produced by the lab.

Both audits were finalized last week and found similar deficiencies in training and review at DFS. Currently, DFS risks losing its accreditation as a result of problematic practices and procedures.

Following the USAO and ANAB reports, Mayor Bowser has initiated a 30-day corrective action plan for all of DFS’ work.

“I am troubled by the longstanding issues at DFS as identified in the audits,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “District residents spent $200 million to build a state-of-the-art facility and expect its work to be beyond reproach. Deputy City Administrator Kevin Donahue will oversee a thorough review of all forensic and scientific practices performed at DFS and implement a corrective action plan that addresses the USAO and ANAB’s concerns.”

The corrective action plan will include a root cause analysis of the deficiencies identified in the audits, specifically with the DNA mixture interpretation protocols. This root cause analysis will include reviews of training, management and complaint handling. Simultaneously, a similar third party independent review will commence focusing on each one of the other forensic disciplines within the agency, including fingerprints and firearms. DFS scientific staff is currently engaged in a thorough, all hands assessment and are working to remediate the nonconformities identified in the audit.

Additionally, DNA analyses performed by DFS using the protocols in question have been or are in the process of being reviewed to ensure that there are no errors in those cases. The review will not stop the investigation or prosecution of crimes in the District.

Mayor Bowser continued, “We will continue to work with residents, the Council, the Office of Attorney General and our criminal justice partners, including the Scientific Advisory Board and Stakeholder Council, to make sure the lab operates at a level consistent with accepted scientific and forensic standards.”

They are so tone deaf they apparently don’t care. If it’s ok for them to park in these spots then why are they restricted in the first place?

Of course if these fine folks are in some way working on slowing down the various shootings/shots fired that are sadly far too common these days then power to them. Park at will. If they’re attending a sporting event or gala…

@ep_jhu tweets us the photo above over the weekend:

“#DC At Large Councilmember plates = Park Wherever Plates, apparently. Seen at 6th & E St. NW”

Photo by PoPville flickr user number7cloud

From the Office of Tax and Revenue Real Property Tax Administration:

“The Real Property Tax Administration (RPTA) strives to assess property at 100% of estimated market value. Estimated market value is generally defined as the most probable price that a buyer would pay a willing seller on the open market. As the property owner, you are given the opportunity to dispute the assessment of your real property through a formal appeal process. The process involves three levels of appeal, beginning with the First Level Administrative Review(First Level). Subsequent steps include appealing before the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission and DC Superior Court. You must, however, start at the First Level before proceeding to the next levels of appeal. Please complete the following information in order to file the First Level appeal of your property.

YOU MUST FILE YOUR APPEAL ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1, 2015”

File online here/