Newsroom

At today’s DC Council legislative meeting, Councilmember Charles Allen will introduce the Made in DC Program Establishment Act of 2015 to promote locally created, manufactured, and assembled products through brand certification via the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).

Happy Thanksgiving! The cold weather has snapped our attention to the changing season, but it’s still a little hard for me to believe the holidays are already upon us! I wanted to send a warm Thanksgiving greeting to everyone and hope that you’re able to spend the holiday with friends and family. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity you’ve provided me this year. This past Saturday, I joined hundreds of volunteers with Project Giveback to fill boxes with a Thanksgiving meal for several Ward 6 families in need. Two of my staff – Laura Marks and Jamaal Jordan – brought their families along as we loaded up supplies and then delivered the food in time for a Thanksgiving meal. Overall, it was a great day to spread a little cheer and help ensure others can celebrate, too.

Thank you very much for such a great turnout at last week's public safety meeting -- over 350 neighbors packed the room. Chief Lanier outlined many of the steps taken by MPD as well as several recent key arrests. I thought the conversation was productive, but it also raised several questions and issues that need more work. As I said that evening, the meeting can't be the end of the conversation. Since last week, I've talked with the Attorney General, the US Attorney's Office, DC Court's Pre-Trial Services Division, and others about what more is needed to keep our neighborhoods safe and am working on legislative reforms at Council. 

I've talked with neighbors almost non-stop for the last several weeks about the uptick in crime that has hit the 1st District. Like you, I'm frustrated with what I've seen and these crimes are unacceptable. I appreciate everyone who has reached out and is working toward solutions. I wanted to share a quick update on recent news and actions, and invite everyone to a community public safety meeting on Tuesday evening, 7pm, at Friendship Public Charter School - Chamberlain Campus (1345 Potomac Ave SE).

Today I introduced a Sense of the Council Resolution supporting a “Build First” model for reinvestment in Greenleaf Public Housing. Greenleaf is located in Southwest DC and makes up 455 essential units of public housing, much of which is dedicated to senior and disabled residents, as well as ever diminishing multiple bedroom family housing. Greenleaf Public Housing includes Greenleaf Gardens, Greenleaf Senior, Greenleaf Extension, and Greenleaf Addition, all in Ward 6.

We've discussed public safety and crime issues in Hill East in the past, and given the recent crimes in the neighborhood, I wanted to share an update with you. I’ve also heard from several neighbors directly over the last few days and I know it's a topic of conversation throughout the community.

At today’s DC Council legislative meeting, Councilmember Charles Allen introduced the Health Insurance Coverage for Autism and Other Special Needs Amendment Act of 2015 to increase mandatory coverage of medically necessary autism treatments.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the H Street Festival, Barracks Row Festival, or our Evening Office Hours over the last week or so! It's always a lot of fun to be able to talk with neighbors this way! As we head into the weekend, please stay tuned to weather updates and the latest information for the possible impact of Hurricane Joaquin. Here are several safety tips.

Councilmember Charles Allen offered his congratulations to Kalani Takamura, a 13-year old Ward 6 resident who has been selected to train with the US Soccer Boys National Team. Takamura is one of forty-eight players from across the country who received an invitation to train with the Under 15 Boys’ National Team in Carson, California. 

Dear Mr. Requa,

We write to share our concern and frustration with the deep and significant service cuts to the Stadium-Armory Metro station.

Following the recent transformer fire reducing available power for trains at the Stadium-Armory, we understand that WMATA is planning to make several service reductions. These cuts will have significant negative results for residents of Hill East, Rosedale, Kingman Park, and others that depend on this station. Further, this station is a lynchpin of transit for students traveling to Eastern High School, employees working at nearby facilities such as St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a school for persons with intellectual disabilities, and fans traveling to RFK Stadium and the DC Armory for special events.