The Ward 5 Report
Dear Resident,
We braved the historic snow blizzard and pulled together as
a community to look out for our most vulnerable residents. I thank you for
stepping up and helping out your neighbor. I often speak at great length about
“community,” as it relates to quality of life issues and public safety. We are
really in this together. Just a few days
after the record snow storm, the Committee on Judiciary passed my comprehensive
crime bill (referred to as the NEAR Act), which was also passed on first
reading by the full Council on February 2, and will go before the Council for a
final vote on Tuesday, March 1.
I want to thank you for your valuable input which helped
shape this landmark legislation. We relied heavily on community engagement,
experts from the District, and across the country, and data to develop a
legislative package that addresses the underlying issues that impact crime. As
a result the NEAR Act takes an innovative public health approach to crime
prevention. Using a public health approach ensures that the District will
implement a sustainable proactive solution to crime.
Many residents have expressed an interest of having the NEAR
Act placed on the agenda at community meetings. My team and I are happy to
discuss the bill, take your questions and comments and address any concerns
that you may have.
In Service,
Kenyan
Message from Team McDuffie
We regret to inform you that Councilmember McDuffie’s father
Mr. Gregory McDuffie, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.
We ask that you keep the McDuffie family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their loved one.
The home-going celebration is Wednesday, February 10, 2016
at Reid Temple AME Church located at 11400 Glenn Dale Blvd, Glenn Dale, Maryland
20769. The viewing begins at 10:00 a.m. followed by a service at 11:00am.
Condolences may be sent to Councilmember McDuffie at 1350
Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20004.
Ronan Gulstone Chief of Staff
Legislative & Committee Updates
McDuffie’s
Criminal Justice Reform Bill Moves to Final Vote
On Tuesday, February 2, the Council voted unanimously in
support of Councilmember McDuffie’s “Neighborhood
Engagement Achieves Results Amendment Act of 2016 (NEAR Act)”, a comprehensive bill that re-calibrates how the
District approaches public safety, by not just addressing crime after it
occurs, but rather working to prevent crime by treating its root causes in a
long-term, sustainable way. The NEAR Act addresses crime in several ways,
including using a public health approach that requires the collaboration of the
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and health and human services agencies.
The NEAR Act will establish an Office of Violence
Prevention and Health Equity (OVPHE). The OVPHE is a recognition of the
years of research that show that violence is a public health problem. OVPHE
will require the city to develop and implement a public health strategy using
risk assessment tools, cognitive and family based therapy, and service
coordination to combat the spread of violence, including placing clinicians in
every hospital’s emergency department to respond to victims of crime
immediately and prevent violence from escalating the minute they are brought
in.
The NEAR Act also creates an Office of Neighborhood
Safety and Engagement (ONSE). Based on the successful Richmond, CA model, the
goal of the office will be to identify our teenagers and young adults at the highest
risk for committing or being a victim of violent crimes, for participation in a
stipend-based program involving life planning, trauma informed therapy, and
mentorship. The program will require its participants to create and execute a
successful life plan, moving them away from the pitfalls of violent crime.
Evidencing the potential success of ONSE, between 2007 and 2014, Richmond
experienced a 76% reduction in firearm related homicides.
We also know that those impacted by homelessness, mental
health disorders, and substance abuse are often in regular contact with the
police due to unmet healthcare and housing needs. The NEAR Act establishes a
Community Crime Prevention Team Program to pair mental health clinicians and
housing outreach specialists from the Departments of Behavioral Health and
Human Services with police officers to identify individuals in need of
assistance and to connect them with wrap-around services.
Finally, the legislation requires MPD to provide annual
training on preventing biased-based profiling; community policing; and the use
of force. MPD is also required to collect stop and frisk and use of force data
in an effort to promote transparency and improve police-community relations.
McDuffie Holds
Hearing on Employment Discrimination Measures
On
January 26, the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Business,
Consumer, and Regulatory affairs held a hearing on two employment
discrimination measures. The first, authored by Councilmember McDuffie – the “Fair Credit
History Screening Amendment Act of 2015” – would remove barriers to gainful
employment by prohibiting an employer from considering a job applicant’s credit
history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. Prospective
employees would be able to file complaints with the Office of Human Rights for
violations of the act. The Council passed similar
legislation
in 2014 – co-introduced by Councilmember McDuffie –to “ban the box” by
prohibiting the consideration of an applicant’s criminal record pre-offer.
The
second measure – the “Employment
Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence Amendment Act of 2015” – would require
employers to make reasonable accommodations in the workplace for survivors of
domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Survivors often face a variety
of challenges finding and retaining employment because of the ongoing actions
of perpetrators or biases they may encounter. Under the bill, employers would
be prohibited from discriminating or otherwise retaliating against survivors.
Annual Agency
Performance and Budget Oversight Hearings
On
February 4, the Council began its annual agency performance and budget
oversight season. Residents are encouraged to testify in person on agency
programs or constituent issues. The oversight calendar can be found here.
On Tuesday, February 2, Councilmember McDuffie was
joined by the D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Break the Cycle, as
well as students from Friendship Collegiate Academy and Men of Code to present
a resolution to recognize February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness
and Prevention Month (Teen DV Month).
Studies show that 67% of teens in abusive
relationships never report the abuse to anyone. We encourage you to start
conversations about the importance of healthy relationships and join the DC
Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV) for Respect Week DC February 8-12.
Respect Week DC was created by LoveisRespect’s
National Youth Advisory Board as a unique way to engage young people, community
leaders and advocates on raising awareness during Teen DV Month.
DCCADV has also planned a number of interactive
events during February to foster conversations about healthy relationships,
support youth leadership in ending dating violence, and provide educational
materials for parents, educators, and community members. Please see Respect Week DC Toolkit for the Dating Violence Awareness Month calendar.
Community Bulletin Board
Calling our young professionals! You don’t want to miss
this! Mark your calendars for the Ward 5 Young Professionals Networking Mixer
on Thursday, February 25, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Union Social located at
100 Florida Avenue N.E.
Join in on the fun, connect with new people. See you there!
Scholarship Opportunity
The Lamond-Riggs Citizen Association is calling neighborhood high school seniors to apply for their “Academic Excellence”
scholarships. Applications are due March 22, 2016. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $1000. Eligibility
requirements include D.C. permanent residency, graduating senior from a
traditional DC public or public charter school, minimum GPA of 2.5, and proof
that shows acceptance to accredited four-year college or university of fall
2016 in which the application is made. Learn more here: http://lrcadc.org/scholarships
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