Newsroom

Tomorrow at 11:30am, Councilmember Charles Allen will join DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan to announce the official launch of the city’s Books From Birth early childhood literacy program.

Over the last many months, you and I have talked about improving public safety – whether in living rooms, community meetings, or over a cup of coffee around Ward 6. In those conversations, I’ve outlined the multiple factors I believe are at the root of the problem, as well as the steps we’re taking to make our communities safer. I’ve also talked about working on three main fronts – first, my work with Chief Lanier to ensure our local officers have the personnel and resources they need; second, the Council’s approval of a budget that puts millions of additional dollars into public safety initiatives; and third, the Council’s work on comprehensive public safety legislative reforms. I’ve sent previous updates on the first two efforts, and I want to send you another one regarding the newly passed legislative reforms.

It's a little more than 48 hours since the snow stopped falling, and yes, we're still digging out.

First, a big thank you to everyone who has helped shovel a sidewalk, an alley, an intersection, a fire hydrant, a bus stop, or just about anything else. Yesterday, I took a long walk around the neighborhood and was so proud to see neighbors lending a hand to one another. And, of course, it was nice to see folks enjoying the snow a bit as well! 

As the sun rises today, the storm is pulling off the East Coast. But with over 20 inches of snow around town, it's going to take some time to dig out. I hope you've been able to stay safe and stay warm, but if you're anything like me, you've got a little cabin fever and want to get outside today. Here are some snow updates I hope you'll find helpful.Over the last 48 hours, I've been staying in constant touch with the Mayor, City Administrator, and agency directors as the storm and the city's response is monitored. Please join me in thanking the men and women who have been working hard in our neighborhoods trying to respond to this storm. They're away from their own families and working 12-hour shifts to help us all out.

Today marks the one year anniversary of when I introduced my Books From Birth legislation. As my first big initiative, it was a thrill to see it all the way through to become law. And now, I'm excited to share that we will officially launch the Books From Birth program very soon. There will be an official kick-off in the coming weeks, but the DC Public Library has posted the program registration online and is encouraging families with young children to sign up for their free books!

At today’s legislative meeting of the DC Council, Councilmembers voted unanimously to pass Councilmember Charles Allen’s bill, the Private Security Camera System Incentive Program Emergency Act of 2016, to create an incentive program for residents and neighborhood establishments to purchase and install security camera systems.

Councilmember Allen said, “It is clear that security cameras deter crime and help MPD hold individuals accountable for criminal acts by adding extra eyes on the street. This program will put cameras where they’re needed most by targeting the highest crime areas in each Ward and nearly doubling the number of maximum rebates available.”

At tomorrow’s legislative meeting of the DC Council, Councilmember Charles Allen will move the Private Security Camera System Incentive Program Emergency Act of 2016.

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season with friends and family! As we ring out 2015 and welcome the New Year, I wanted to send our final Ward 6 Neighborhood Update for the year. I am very proud of the work we've accomplished together over the last year, and I thank you for the opportunity to serve and lead our community.

This evening Ward 6 DC Councilmember Charles Allen will announce the winners of the Ninth Annual Ward 6 Brickie Awards. Begun eight years ago by then-Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells as the Livable Walkable Awards, the awards became dubbed “The Brickies” by the local newspaper Hill Rag. The awards are an annual celebration of the people, places, and organizations that make the Ward 6 community great.