August 3, 2017 | Vol. 3, Issue 31
Dear Washingtonians,
This week, in neighborhoods across DC, we celebrated National Night Out, an annual event where the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and Washingtonians come together to promote public safety. In Washington, DC, we understand that in order to continue building a safer, stronger city, we must continue fostering strong relationships between our community and MPD.
Over the past two and a half years, my Administration has remained focused on making it easier for residents to work with MPD and building a police force that represents and reflects our community. To do this, we have created incentives to draw more Washingtonians into careers in law enforcement and put in place programs that give residents the resources they need to support our police officers. In 2016, we launched the Public Safety Academy at Anacostia High School to help DCPS students pursue careers in public safety. Earlier this year, MPD transitioned over to a sector policing model, a proactive community policing technique that improves accountability and ensures that younger officers can be mentored by more experienced colleagues. In March, we announced an investment that will allow us to double the number of young people enrolled in the MPD Police Cadet Training Program. Earlier this summer, we expanded our Private Security Camera Incentive Program, which has already funded nearly 6,000 private security cameras, making it easier for residents in all eight wards to keep their homes and neighborhoods safe by installing a camera system on their property. And, recently, I worked with the Council to create and pass a budget that includes $2.9 million for student loan forgiveness and housing programs that will help us recruit and retain a high-quality police force.
By working together as a community and by taking a holistic approach to crime and violence, we are building a safer city. Compared to this time last year, the District has seen a 32 percent decrease in robberies, a 23 percent decrease in assaults with a dangerous weapon, an eight percent decrease in homicides, and a 26 percent decrease in burglaries. Overall, violent crime in Washington, DC is down 26 percent. There is more work to do, but these numbers show real progress.
Thank you to all who celebrated National Night Out and to every Washingtonian who is committed to building a safer, stronger DC.
Sincerely,
ICYMI: Residents looking for a new way to learn more about MPD can sign up for the Ride-Along Program. The Ride-Along Program gives residents a better understanding of police operations by allowing them to accompany MPD officers during a tour of duty. Learn more and sign up HERE.
Time flies when you're busy being the greatest city in the world, and now Washingtonians can catch up on all the Bowser Administration has been doing over the past 30 months to spread inclusive prosperity while promoting and defending DC values.
Read the 30-Month Report HERE.
Looking for opportunities to volunteer? On Thursday, August 17, the Bowser Administration and EZ Street will host a one-day My
Brother's Keeper Volunteer Recruitment Fair at the National Press Club.
My Brother's Keeper is
a mentorship program created by former President Obama in 2014 to create
pathways to success for boys and young men of color. DC's recruitment fair will
feature 50 nonprofit and government agencies and provide opportunities for prospective volunteers to connect with community leaders and social innovators.
Learn more and RSVP HERE.
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Last week, the Department of Parks and Recreation launched a new interactive website that makes it easier for residents to stay up to date on the many fun activities happening around the District.
dpr.events makes it easy to find, sort, and RSVP for upcoming fitness and entertainment events in all eight wards. From Movie Nights and Chuck
Brown Day to Funky Fitness Fridays and Recreation Day, DPR truly has something for everyone.
Check out dpr.events, subscribe for updates, and register for an event near you!
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On Tuesday, Mayor Bowser celebrated the arrival of 26 New Flyer Xcelsior® model buses, the first wave of 40 new buses that will be added to the DC Circulator fleet. The New Flyer Xcelsior® model buses are manufactured in the United States, use clean diesel technology to drastically reduce harmful particulate emissions, and offer the greatest passenger economy.
The DC Circulator, a partnership between the District Department of Transportation and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, is a local transit resource that provides more than five million trips each year and transports riders on six routes throughout the District and Rosslyn, Virginia. The Circulator fare is only $1.00 and buses arrive every 10 minutes.
Learn more about the new buses HERE.
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Each year, the Citi Open helps Washington, DC stay fit by donating a portion of their proceeds to the Washington Tennis and
Education Foundation (WTEF). WTEF provides tennis-based educational
and community activities for youth that teach discipline, build self-esteem, and
improve academic performance.
The first Citi Open was held in 1969, and the
tournament continues to get better each year. Learn more and search for available tickets HERE.
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This
week's District Minute features stories about the unveiling of the 2018 All-Star Game logo, the awarding of more than 70 Opportunity Student Scholarships to selected Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program and Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute participants, and the Second Annual Great Streets Conference.
The
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is the primary law enforcement agency
for Washington, DC. MPD's mission is to protect DC's residents and
visitors through high-quality community policing, state-of
the-art information technology, and a commitment to innovation.
MPD
has an opening for a Legal Assistant. This position serves as the first point of contact for MPD in assisting the judicial systems by processing, inputting, and transcribing all requests for MPD officer services with the legal system. All details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement.
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