- D.C.’s traffic safety strategy lacked funding, oversight, audit finds (The Washington Post, 3/16/2023)
- A recent audit by the D.C. Auditor shows that Washington D.C.’s Vision Zero initiative, aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities by 2024, has fallen short of its goals. Despite efforts, traffic deaths have increased since its launch in 2015, with issues such as insufficient funding, lack of proper infrastructure, and limited oversight hindering progress. The report highlights the challenges and gaps in the program, emphasizing the need for stronger measures to reduce fatalities on the city’s streets.
- After Delay, D.C. Council Conducts Hearing on Chronic Absenteeism (The Washington Informer, 12/13/2023)
- The D.C. Council’s Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on chronic absenteeism, a significant concern for parents, educators, and officials due to its link with juvenile crime. The hearing aimed to address the root causes of students’ absenteeism and to develop strategies to improve attendance. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that avoids criminalizing absenteeism while recognizing its correlation with juvenile delinquency. Witnesses, including educators and parents, testified about the importance of out-of-school programming, the need for better training for Safe Passage workers, and the detrimental effects of punitive measures on chronically absent students. They also highlighted successful strategies such as building community, assigning adult champions to monitor attendance, and providing transportation to improve attendance rates.
- DC Council committee holds oversight hearing on District’s troubled 911 center (ABC7, 2/8/2024)
- The D.C. Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety held an oversight hearing to scrutinize the performance of the District’s Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and its 911 call center, which has been plagued by persistent issues. The hearing revealed ongoing concerns such as delayed response times, incorrect addresses, unanswered calls, and a lack of transparency regarding mistakes. Committee Chair Brooke Pinto highlighted the trust issue between the public and OUC, while OUC Director Heather McGaffin expressed her commitment to transparency.
- D.C. reviewing violence-intervention contracts after Trayon White’s arrest (The Washington Post, 8/30/2024)
- D.C. Councilmember Trayon White is under both federal and D.C. Council investigations for alleged bribery. After his arrest, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson stripped White of his chairmanship and initiated anad hoc committee, which will examine White’s involvement in securing contracts for violence interruption services in exchange for cash payments. If convicted, White could face up to 15 years in prison.
