September 15, 2016 | Vol. 2, Issue 35
Dear Washingtonians,
As
your Mayor, I understand that there is no greater
responsibility of government than that of keeping residents and
visitors safe. Overall crime is down 5% year-to-date with homicides down 11% and
violent crime down 2%, but still there is
more we can and must do together for a safer, stronger DC.
Today,
we introduced three pieces of public safety
legislation that will expand the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
cadet program, allow retired police officers to extend their service, and close
a loophole in GPS monitoring laws. We will ask the
Council to move the MPD recruitment and retention bills, introduced in July, as emergencies. The other legislation will enable the
courts to hold accountable those who are ordered to wear a GPS device by a
supervision agency, yet fail to properly maintain it. The premise is simple: if
you are granted release, you will be accountable for staying within the terms
of that release.
Accountability is essential for all parties. We started this week with a significant concern around our Body-Worn Camera (BWC) program. That is why we are
putting in place four new protocols for MPD officers with body-worn cameras. As of this week, 911 dispatchers
now remind officers to turn on their cameras when they are being dispatched to
calls for service. In addition, BWC-equipped officers will be required to
acknowledge over the radio that they have activated their camera when responding
to a call for service or having a resident interaction. The reminder on BWC
activation is being included in Dispatch newsletters this week that are emailed
to all officers. And, within the next 30 days, training procedures at MPD's Tactical Village will be modified to include BWC activation in the
live-scenario training. The last measure was a suggestion from the leadership of the Fraternal Order of Police.
I am committed to creating a safer, stronger DC, and working with you and all of our partners to achieve it.
Sincerely,
ICYMI: On Sunday, we dedicated the Emergency Operations Center in honor of former Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) Deputy Operations Chief Kerry A. Payne. You can watch the dedication HERE.
 Download the "Stat of the Week" and share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #globalcityCIOs.
On Monday, September 19, the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is kicking off Child Passenger
Safety Week by hosting a child car seat safety check and install. During the event, representatives will be on-site to demonstrate how to correctly install a child safety seat. While
supplies last, free booster seats will be provided to children who are least
4 years old. The booster seats are only available to District residents, and
the child must be present.
The event will take place at the DMV's Inspection Station at 1001 Half Street, SW. For more information, go to dmv.dc.gov.
Throughout September, we are celebrating the diversity of the District's creative economy and the many people who make DC such a great place to live, work and play.
Upcoming Events:
September 15: Unlikely Allies: Gentrification and the Creative Class, UDC Van Ness Campus tour with Chef Spike Mendelsohn, Open Studios At Arts Walk at Monroe Street, Tech Noir Innovator's Classic, All Stars in DC Collaboration Part 3
September 16: Truckeroo Food Truck Festival
September 17: Jazz in the Hood Jam, H Street Festival, Snallygaster, Fiesta DC, AT&T Nations HBCU Football Game, 11th Street Bridge Lantern Walk
September 19 - 25: DC Chinese Film Festival
September 20: Walking Town DC: Art on the Move, The Beauty Diary: Editorial Edition Book Signing Launch
September 21: DC Fashion Week's Opening Night at the Capitol Riverfront
September 21 - 23: Made in DC Creative Economy Takeover
Go to 202Creates.com to see a list of all the events we have lined up.
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Technology impacts every person on the planet. The question is: how do we harness technological opportunity to make our lives better? This week, Mayor Bowser and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee launched a new collaboration with some of the greatest cities in Europe, North America and the Middle East called the Council of Global City CIOs.
Co-led by DC's Chief Technology Officer Archana Vemulapalli along with technology leaders in San Francisco, New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Austin, Dubai and The Hague, the new Council will work on finding solutions to technology problems that can benefit as many citizens of the world as possible. Together, they will build a smart cities model, focus on broadband for all and emphasize using open source technologies.
You can read Mayor Bowser's Medium post about the Council of Global City CIOs HERE.
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On Tuesday, September 27, as part of DC's African Heritage Month celebration, the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (MOAA) will host its 10th Anniversary Celebration: A Decade of Services to the African Community. The celebration will be held at the Lincoln Theatre and highlight MOAA’s decade of service to the District’s African community.
The celebration will include recognition of African leaders and changemakers and programs that impact the African community in DC. Performances will include KanKouran West African Dance Company, Comedic act by Anna Mwalagho, Emé and live band entertainment by Heteru, Feedel Band and Wondaboy.
RSVP for this event HERE.
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This Friday, be prepared to see the District's creativity on display. Between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., more than 30 pop-up parks will be built in curbside parking spaces throughout DC. These mini-parks, created by residents and businesses, are meant to make people re-think how we use public space.
PARK(ing) Day is celebrated around the world on the third Friday of September. The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to "call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat."
Use the hashtag #PARKingDay to follow this event on social media.
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Watch the most recent District Minute to learn more about what has been going on in DC. This week features stories about the National Action Network's Legislative and Policy Conference, the new Director of the DC Department on Disability Services and the DC State Fair.
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The DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is the leading authority on energy and environmental issues affecting the District of Columbia. DOEE's mission is to improve the quality of life for the residents and natural inhabitants of the nation’s capital by protecting and restoring the environment, conserving our natural resources, mitigating pollution, increasing access to clean and renewable energy, and educating the public on ways to secure a sustainable future.
DOEE has an opening for an Environmental Protection Specialist. This position will work on the ongoing implementation of the District’s ban on Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam take-out containers, the District’s Bag Law and the ban on Coal Tar pavement products. All
details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by
visiting the job announcement.
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