DC Government

“Apparently the row-house I bought 3 years ago and have lived in ever since is now “class 3/vacant” and I owe over $20k in property taxes”

By Prince Of Petworth

DCd wrote earlier in the week:

“Today I received a “corrected” tax bill from the District of Columbia. Apparently the row-house I bought 3 years ago and have lived in ever since is now “class 3/vacant” and I owe over $20k in property taxes for the second half of the year.

Why does this classification just randomly change? Do they notify owners in any other way other than a corrected tax bill? FWIW, the property next door HAS been vacant over 2 years now in process of a horrible renovation.

Anyway, I called DCRA and they are sending an inspector to my home. I pay monthly utilities and yes, there is wine in my fridge which I plan to drink soon.

Despite the random (and expensive) classification error, I’m happy to report they’re still giving me the HOMESTEAD deduction for my primary residence.“

“The 911 Crisis” by Dave Statter

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by fromcaliw/love

Dave Statter covered public safety in the District of Columbia and the region as a reporter for WTOP Radio & WUSA-TV. His website, STATter911.com, focuses on fire, EMS and 911 issues and videos. Dave currently runs STATter911 Communications in Arlington, VA.

PoP-Ed. posts may be written about anything related to the District and submitted via email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com please include PoP-Ed. in the subject line.

Between the pandemic and the wave of violence in the District of Columbia, no one wants another reason to fear for their health and safety or for the well-being of their family. But there’s another crisis. One that’s mostly being ignored by political leaders and the news media. DC 911 is in desperate shape.

Handling almost two million calls each year, there’s no other local public safety agency in the region with more impact on our health and safety than DC’s Office of Unified Communications (OUC). Right now, the person in charge of OUC is struggling to get staff to show up for work and making sure those who do, put in a full shift. And with Covid cases rising among the unvaccinated, this 911 staffing problem may soon get much worse. OUC is the DC agency with the lowest percentage of vaccinated workers – less than 35%. (more…)

“DC Health Statement on Updated Mask Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, in response to the updated guidance for fully vaccinated people regarding mask wearingfrom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Director of DC Health, released the following statement:

“DC Health is reviewing the updated CDC guidance related to mask wearing. Similar to trends across the nation, the District of Columbia has experienced a four-fold increase in its daily case rate since the beginning of July. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Issues Mayor’s Order Extending Public Emergency, Ending the Public Health Emergency”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Diane Krauthamer

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2021-096 to update and extend the District’s Public Emergency and end the Public Health Emergency that has been in effect since March 11, 2020. After signing the order, the Mayor released the following statement: (more…)

“Residents can pick up yard signs that encourage drivers to slow down on their neighborhood streets”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“As more Washingtonians hit the streets this summer, Mayor Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) are planning a virtual summer road trip for residents as part of the District’s Vision Zero summer safety campaign. The goal: To highlight infrastructure improvements designed to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers by lowering speeds. The Mayor’s $10 million investment in smarter road design and safety interventions is a key part of her Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. (more…)

“Car Sharing Company, Getaround, to Pay Nearly $1 Million in Unpaid Taxes & for Misrepresenting Benefits and Features of Platform”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of the DC Attorney General:

“Today, Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced that Getaround, Inc., a car sharing company that operates in numerous cities throughout the United States will be required to pay $950,000 to the District; restitution to car owners that experienced theft or damage to their vehicles while listed on the platform; and revise its business practices after allegedly misrepresenting the benefits and nature of its car sharing services, operating without a license in the District, and failing to pay District sales tax. (more…)

“Regarding the Godawful Visitor Parking System (ParkDC)”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Having followed my fellow readers’ shared frustration with the awful new ParkDC system, I thought I’d contribute my experience.

After two and a half weeks calling and emailing the ParkDC help line about adding the address of my Connecticut Avenue condo building to their system so I could create a guest parking pass, I finally went straight to the source today and called DDOT directly.

On the phone with a rep, I was told that because it is zoned as a commercial rather than a residential street, any and all Connecticut Ave. addresses are not included in their system and are thus ineligible for visitor parking passes. (more…)

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