DC Government

MPD Conducting Pedestrian Safety Effort This Week

By Prince Of Petworth


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From DDOT:

In order to spotlight pedestrian safety in the District, The Metropolitan Police Department announced that, from January 15 to 17, officers will be focusing on the intersection of 17th and K Streets with high visibility enforcement of safety laws.

In conjunction with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the initiative is the beginning of a quarterly campaign of specific, high visibility attention to pedestrian safety.

“We had more than 900 pedestrian crashes last year. The average is 653 people hit by a car every year,” said the Metropolitan Police Department’s Commander James Crane. “But no matter what the numbers are, it’s too many.” Crane said the number of citations for failure to yield to a pedestrian has gone up 87% in recent years, and citations for blocking bike lanes have quadrupled. With this high visibility enforcement, pedestrians will be a major focus for awareness and education. Police will be stopping pedestrians for infractions, citing some of those stopped, and handing out educational “tip” cards.

But, the responsibility does not only fall on pedestrians. Drivers need to be aware when turning to look for pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections. Drivers should always stop and give right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

In addition, with the impending Inauguration, when so many out-of-towners are not used to driving and walking around the city, the District has more pedestrian challenges than the suburbs. Data show one of every 10 DC residents walks to work every day. DC is ranked the 7th most walkable city by Walk Score. In fact, last year the number of pedestrians killed tied with 2002 for the lowest number on record since at least 1931. But, despite the decrease in pedestrian deaths, one death is still too many. Pedestrians need to be reminded to cross only in crosswalks, cross with the signals, avoid distractions while crossing roads, and to pay attention to drivers at all times, said Crane. And, drivers need to make sure they are aware of pedestrians at all times.

“We’re out there because we want to help save your life. Every death is preventable,” Crane said. “This isn’t about writing tickets. It’s about saving lives.”

Second Question Posted for DC At-Large Council Candidates

By Prince Of Petworth

This week, Let’s Choose DC —a partnership of PoPville, Greater Greater Washington, and DCist—asked candidates for the April 23 at-large special election about crime.

We asked the candidates:

Chief Lanier and Mayor Gray have made a lot of the drop in homicides, but other crimes—assaults, robberies—remain stubbornly high. How should DC police deal with those challenges, and do you have an opinion on how many officers MPD needs?

Read and vote on candidate responses here. Let’s Choose DC gives you one candidate response at a time, selected randomly. Your vote will count toward the results once you vote on 5 responses.

We posed the question on January 8 to all of the candidates who had taken out petitions by that point. Nine candidates replied: Diallo Brooks, AJ Cooper, Matt Frumin, Jon Gann, Patrick Mara, Pedro Rubio, John Settles, Elissa Silverman, and Paul Zukerberg.

Voting on the first question, about candidates’ vision for the future, has ended; we will tally the results and post them later this week.

Dear PoPville – Any Tips on Rat Abatement?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I live in the U Street area, and have had problems with rats getting into my basement. The rats have created a fly problem (yuck), and nothing that I do seems to have any effect. Has anyone had good experiences with rat/pest abatement professionals in the area?

Living in DC, I don’t think that the standard kill-them-all approach is going to solve the problem — once these are gone, there are _always_ more.

Thanks for any advice!

You can learn about the Department of Health’s rat abatement program here. Has anyone gone the private route?

Anyone Else Notice New Talking Crosswalk Signals?

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending in video of the one above at 7th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW. Another reader finds one in Woodley Park and wishes they would turn the volume down:

I live near Woodley Road and Connecticut Ave and have noticed that all of the crosswalk signals now have a speaker that says when the signal has changed, etc. Is there any way the volume on these things can be turned down at certain hours? I seriously hear these 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. Don’t want to sound insensitive but I doubt there are any blind people out in the middle of the night who need to be told when it is safe to cross. I will write/call/do whatever! Can’t go to sleep and wake to the automated voice any more!! There is no need for the volume to be so high at all hours of the day. I’m used to the traffic and all of the other noises on Connecticut Ave but I don’t want to be able to hear the signal when I’m trying to sleep!! Please help!!

Learn About DC At-Large Council Candidates at Let’s Choose DC

By Prince Of Petworth

Cross posted at Greater Greater Washington and DCist

I’m pleased to announce a new site to help DC voters get to know the candidates for the upcoming April 23 special election for DC council at-large: Let’s Choose DC, presented by Greater Greater Washington, DCist, and PoPville.

Let’s Choose DC’s goal is to dig into the candidates, and their stances on the issues that matter most. It will help you decide, and also help you better understand how other people view the candidates.

Each week we’ll send each of the declared candidates a question on an issue of importance to DC, like education, crime, affordable housing, and so on. We’ll post their responses on the site. You’ll not only get to read them, but also vote on them. If you think a candidate is too vague, say so! If there answer is detailed and precise, even if you don’t agree with it, you’ll get to tell them—and other readers—as much.

As the weeks go by, we hope to build more detailed profiles on each of the candidates, and challenge them all to think beyond traditional sound bites and talking points. And by the time the election rolls around, you’ll have a single place to come to see where the candidates stand.

We asked all of the candidates the first question during the holiday break, and almost all of them have responded to the question:

The District has changed a lot since 1993, and will likely change much more by 2033. What are 2-3 changes you hope to see by 2033, and how will electing you to the DC Council help bring them about?

See their responses and give your votes at Let’s Choose DC.

DC Vote Petitions White House to Place DC’s Taxation Without Representation License Plates on Limo Before Inaugural Parade

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

From a press release:

DC Vote has filed a petition on the White House website asking that the Taxation Without Representation license plate be placed on the presidential limousine prior to Inauguration Day.

The presidential limousine currently displays DC plates that do not carry the Taxation Without Representation message. District residents pay federal taxes and serve and die in wars, but have no vote in Congress. The District adopted Taxation Without Representation as its official license plate motto in 2000 to give the country a visible demonstration of the political reality in the nation’s capital.

“With the help of thousands of Americans who believe in equal rights, we expect to see the Taxation Without Representation plates rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue during the inaugural parade,” said DC Vote Communications Director James Jones.

The early response to the petition has been strong. So far, nearly 3,000 people have signed it on the White House on-line petition site. If 25,000 people sign by January 18th, the administration will provide a response.

“We are beginning a major new, nationwide social media push to reach our goal prior to the inauguration,” Jones said. “The support we have received from people across the nation sends a strong message to the White House, but we need to maintain the momentum.”

The petition provides an opportunity for the people of DC and for supporters of our fight for full democracy everywhere to elevate the struggle for full democracy to a new level. DC Vote is very grateful for President Obama’s support for our struggle for equal rights. He has stated publicly that we should have the same voting rights as all other Americans. Displaying the Taxation Without Representation plate is simply an expression of the truth about DC’s political status.

Mayor Gray and MPD Chief Cathy L. Lanier Announce Historic Low for 2012 Homicides

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From a press release:

Mayor Vincent. C. Gray and Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced today that the District’s official number of homicides for 2012 represents the lowest number on record since 1961, with 88 murders for the calendar year.

The District’s homicide total dropped well below 100 – representing a benchmark not reached in half a century and a longtime goal of city leaders. The 2012 total highlights a significant four-year drop in homicides.

“This represents a tremendous milestone for public safety in the District. I want to commend Chief Lanier and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Paul Quander along with all of the members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for their efforts to reduce homicides,” said Mayor Gray. “However, one murder is always going to be one too many. It does not matter where it occurs in the city; we must continue to work together as a city to reduce violence and crime in all four quadrants.”

No longer the nation’s “murder capital,” D.C.’s number of homicides is dropping at a faster pace than the national average. The figure stands in stark contrast to the number of homicides during the crack-cocaine epidemic of the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the District’s annual murder total topped 400 for several years in a row.

In 2012, MPD’s case-closure rate for homicides was 82 percent, which is well above the national average.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

“DC Snow Team Initiates First Full Deployment Of 2012-2013 Winter Season”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

From DDOT:

In anticipation of a winter storm predicted for this weekend, the DC Snow Team (Departments of Public Works and Transportation) will deploy 200 snow plows by 4 am on Saturday, December 29 and will pre-treat bridges, overpasses and other elevated structures with a brine and beet juice solution to reduce the possibility of freezing. The weather services predict about 1 inch of snow to accumulate in the District during the pre-dawn hours and then mix with rain after 9-10AM.

“The 200 plows will begin spreading salt on DC streets, including 82 residential routes once snow begins to fall,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “The system is fast moving and is expected to leave the area by 3-4PM Saturday. We will monitor storm conditions to determine what, if any, changes should be made in our deployment plan. The temperature is expected to be just above freezing during the day on Saturday, but will drop below freezing Saturday night; therefore, motorists and pedestrians should be very cautious as they travel because refreezing may occur.”

To track the plows, go to snow.dc.gov and click here.

Snow Safety and Preparedness Tips: People driving, walking or bicycling around the District should travel cautiously. Property owners are asked to pre-treat their sidewalks with abrasives and remove snow within 24 hours of the end of the storm, and assist their elderly or disabled neighbors with clearing their sidewalks. Also, for our drivers’ safety and yours, “Don’t crowd the plow.” Residents are encouraged to go to snow.dc.gov for updates before, during and after snowstorms, and for tips to get one’s home and family prepared for inclement weather. Residents also may sign up at alert.dc.gov to receive emergency alerts and notifications from Alert DC.

Trash/Recycling Collections: DPW trash and recycling collections will be made Saturday, December 29. “We did not collect trash and recycling on Christmas, so our collections schedule ‘slides’ to the next day and Friday’s collections will be made Saturday,” said Director Howland. He added that next week normal collections will be made Monday, December 31, collections will not be made Tuesday, January 1 and collections through the rest of the week “slide” to the next day.

Christmas Tree Curbside Pick Up Info

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Brandon Kopp

From DC311:

“Holiday trees collected “curbside” Dec 31st-Jan12th. After the 12th, please place where trash/recycling are collected.”

How long do you guys usually keep your tree up after Christmas?

Update on DC Holiday Closures including Parking Enforcement and Metro Hours

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

Yesterday we learned that the DC government would be closed on Monday Dec. 24th. Still no word on the feds yet. A couple of updates – DPW Will Make Trash, Recycling and Bulk Collections:

The Department of Public Works announced today that while DC government will be closed Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, trash, recycling and bulk collections will be made that day.

Trash, Recycling and Bulk Collections: For the weeks of December 24 and December 31, 2012, DPW will make its regular Monday trash and recycling collections and Tuesday’s collections will be suspended in both once-a-week and twice-a-week collection neighborhoods. Trash and recycling collections will resume Wednesday. In both once-a-week and twice-a-week neighborhoods, collections will slide one day. In once-a-week neighborhoods Tuesday’s collections will be made Wednesday and so on through Saturday when Friday’s collections will be made. In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Thursday’s collections will be made Friday and Tuesday/Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday. Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on the collection day. Appointments scheduled December 24 for bulk collections to be kept.

Leaf Collections: Between December 17 and 29, leaf collections will be made from most “Area B” neighborhoods, except December 24 and 25. In Ward 5, Area B is scheduled for collections to be made between December 26 and January 5. Residents can use DPW’s Web site – www.dpw.dc.gov – to view the 2012-2013 leaf collection schedule by selecting Leaf Collection and clicking on “Check Leaf Collection Status in Your Neighborhood” (http://leaf.dcgis.dc.gov/) and enter your address.

Holiday Tree Collections: Holiday trees and wreaths will be picked up curbside from December 31 to January 12. Remove all decorations and place the greenery in the treebox space in front of your home. Please do not put the trees in plastic or cloth bags. Trees collected between December 31 and January 12 will be recycled. Any trees not collected by January 12 should be set out with your trash to be picked up as space in the trash trucks allows over the following weeks.

Ft. Totten Transfer Station: Ft. Totten will be closed December 24 and 25. It reopens December 26.

Parking Enforcement: Since DC government will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25, DPW will not enforce parking regulations either day. Normal enforcement activities will resume Wednesday, December 26.

But the DMV will be closed:

In observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day, all District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) locations will be closed on Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25, 2012, as well as Tuesday, January 1, 2013. All DC DMV service centers, adjudication services, and inspection station will resume regular business hours on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 and Wednesday, January 2, 2013.

From WMATA:

Metrorail will remain open until 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve (early New Year’s Day) for the benefit of holiday revelers. Below is a summary of Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess service during the holiday season.

Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
• Regular weekday service.
• Metrorail system open 5 a.m. until midnight.

Tuesday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
• Metrorail and Metrobus operate on Sunday schedule.
• Metrorail system open 7 a.m. until midnight.
• MetroAccess subscription trips cancelled.

Monday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
• Regular weekday service.
• Metrorail system open two hours later than normal (2 a.m.). Last train times vary by station; add two hours to weekday last train times.

Tuesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day)
• Metrorail and Metrobus operate on Sunday schedule.
• Metrorail system open 7 a.m. until midnight.
• MetroAccess subscription trips cancelled.

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