Dear Neighbor,
As we turn the corner into springtime blossoms and warmer days, I’m writing to remind neighbors about my Earth Day Cleanup tomorrow, April 20th, as well as to share updates on the Council’s ongoing budget oversight process.
Earth Day Cleanup
I will be hosting my annual Ward 2 Earth Day Cleanup tomorrow, April 20th in partnership with District Cleanups, Logan Circle Community Association, and Logan Circle Main Street! We will begin at Garrison Elementary School (1200 S St NW) and then spread throughout the neighborhood to beautify our community.
Though trash bags and grabbers will be provided, we encourage you to bring your own supplies, including bags, gloves, and water. Please contact Maddy White at mwhite@dccouncil.gov with any questions. RSVP here for more information - we hope to see you soon!
Hearings Recap
JPS Budget Oversight Hearing: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Department of Forensic Sciences
On April 4th, I held a budget oversight hearing with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS), two critical agencies in our public safety ecosystem. OCME reviews all deaths in the District that are unexpected, involve violence, or happen in custody. DFS analyzes forensic data that aids in proving the veracity of cases. A few of my takeaways:
OCME Takeaways:
- OCME’s critical work to review unexpected deaths requires a robust staff of investigators and medical professionals. I will work with Director Diaz to ensure this year’s budget can sufficiently support this breadth of work.
- I introduced a first-in-the-nation Transgender and Gender-Diverse Fatality and Mortality Review Board to inform strategies that can drive down disparate outcomes. Standing up this Board will require two new staff that I will fight to fund in this year’s budget.
DFS Takeaways:
- DFS recently had its Forensic Chemistry and Biology units reaccredited. Director Diaz shared that the reaccreditation process is underway for the Crime Scene and Latent Fingerprints units. Full reaccreditation of DFS is critical for closing cases and ensuring accurate prosecution.
- DFS’s prior loss of reaccreditation created a significant backlog of cases that the Department is working hard to clear. I spoke with Director Diaz about the importance of rebuilding the Science Advisory Board with a team of dedicated experts to advise the Department’s work.
JPS Public Hearing: Violence Intervention Efforts in DC
On April 5th, I held a hearing on violence intervention (VI) efforts in DC and about Councilmember McDuffie’s proposal to merge the District’s two primary VI programs: the “Cure the Streets” program under the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) under Mayor Bowser. Both programs manage grants with community organizations, among other violence intervention initiatives. A few of my takeaways:
- I am deeply committed to supporting VI work in the District. My conversations with leaders and VI specialists have made clear that a unified program with one leader would improve accountability, sustainability, and grant management of these programs and strengthen efforts to prevent crime before it occurs.
- In order to ensure our VI specialists can build a stable career that honors the challenging nature of their work, any potential merger of our programs must continue to support our VIs with consistent training, a secure salary and benefits, and agreed upon principles that guide and honor their critical work to improve safety in the District.
Thank you to DC Attorney General Schwalb and Deputy Mayor Appiah for testifying and to Councilmember McDuffie for introducing the Safe Neighborhoods bill to move us in an informed and deliberate direction.
JPS Budget Oversight Hearing: Office of Police Complaints and Metropolitan Police Department
On April 9th, I held a budget oversight hearing for the Office of Police Complaints (OPC) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The hearing demonstrated that the proposed budget for OPC could be bolstered by staffing and technological support, while the proposed budget for MPD aims to improve community relations, hiring and retention, and technology at the Department. A few of my takeaways:
OPC Takeaways:
- Transparency and accountability for MPD are crucial to building and sustaining community trust. When I asked about responsiveness, I was pleased Director Tobin shared that OPC reviews and responds to 100% of the complaints it receives.
- Since the passage of my Secure DC Omnibus Bill, OPC has not seen an increase in police complaints around Drug Free Zones. I will continue to closely monitor the safe and appropriate implementation of this tool to disrupt crime hotspots, as will OPC.
MPD Takeaways:
- As we work to increase additional safety supports and interventions, we are exploring funding for both the commercial corridor safety grants I established in Secure DC as well as a new proposal for Community Safety Ambassadors to assist MPD so that uniformed officer time can be freed up to handle police work and ambassadors can be readily available to assist the public.
- I have spoken with Chief Smith before about needed supports along our commercial corridors. I was pleased to discuss the “Business Beats” initiative, which aims to build stronger relationships through our business communities to ensure residents, visitors, and workers can be safe.
- MPD shared more about some critical investments, including for 400 new CCTV cameras that will be placed in the next few years in data-informed locations, as well as for a replacement helicopter that will greatly reduce maintenance costs, utilize improved technology, and facilitate safer vehicular pursuits.
I'll continue to advocate for initiatives that improve safety, trust, and accountability with the public and continue to improve morale for MPD hiring and retention. Thank you to Director Tobin and Chief Smith for testifying and to Councilmembers Parker, Lewis George, and Frumin for joining.
JPS Budget Oversight: Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, Fire and Emergency Management Services, Department of Corrections, Corrections Information Council, and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
On April 10th, I held a budget oversight hearing on the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ), Fire and Emergency Management Services (FEMS), Department of Corrections (DOC), Corrections Information Council (CIC), and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). A few of my takeaways:
- CJCC: CJCC provides critical analyses and high-quality reports for agencies and organizations across our public safety ecosystem. While I am very pleased that funding was included for the Prearrest Diversion Task Force I created in Secure DC, the agency will require more funding in order to fulfill the additional requirements placed on them – including for reports required by Secure DC on the criminal and juvenile justice systems, annual felony crime statistics, and monthly reporting on violent crime incidents.
- DMPSJ: I’m grateful to the dozen+ students who testified in support of our Safe Passage program and offered a number of suggestions to feel and be safer throughout their journey to and from school. I will continue to closely monitor the implementation of our Safe Passage program, as well as the Safe Commercial Corridors grants that DMPSJ has already gotten out the door.
- DOC: I was disappointed that the proposed budget did not include sufficient funding to implement improved nutrition standards and increased access to nutrient-dense foods at DC Jail. I pressed Director Faust on the clear nexus between health and public safety, and I will continue to monitor the food contracts at DOC facilities closely and work to improve the food options and outcomes at DC Jail.
COW Budget Oversight Hearing: DC Public Schools and Office of the State Superintendent of Education
On April 11th, I joined the Committee of the Whole’s budget oversight hearing on DC Public Schools (DCPS) and Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). I was particularly interested in the proposed literacy investments for our educators and implementation of safe recreation space, and I was very concerned about proposed funding cuts to Ward 2 schools. A few of my takeaways:
- I am deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to staff in Ward 2 schools, including for world language and performing arts educators. The proposed budget also shows potentially insufficient staff increases when considering the rate of student enrollment increases. I will be fighting to ensure that this year’s budget meets the needs of our students, educators, and families.
- I am grateful for the investment in high-quality literacy instructional materials made by OSSE. This investment is critical to help fulfill one of the recommendations made by the Early Literacy Education Task Force I funded in prior budgets. However, to make the most meaningful improvements in student literacy rates, all four of the Task Force’s recommendations must be implemented, which is why I am continuing to work with my colleagues to secure the necessary funding to implement these recommendations.
- Last year, I funded a pilot program to provide custodial and security services at Garrison Elementary and Banneker High School and expand community access to safe and clean recreation space. I pressed leadership to implement this important program.
I will continue to conduct rigorous oversight over our District agencies and advocate for pressing needs in order to secure a budget that reflects our values for a safe, vibrant, and opportunity-rich DC.
Yours in Service,
Brooke
As Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, I will be holding hearings on the budgets of District agencies that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee over the next several weeks. This will culminate in creating a committee report that makes adjustments to these agency budgets. The hearings will be held according to the below schedule, and you can find more information on how to sign-up to testify at these hearings here.
We hope to hear from many of you, as your input is critical to the budget process.
In the last few weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have been out and about in Ward 2 and across the city, including to:
- Celebrate the ribbon cutting for the re-opening of Kennedy Recreation Center in Shaw, complete with renovated facilities and new programming to directly serve and engage our communities.
- Join Georgetown Main Street’s “Coffee & Community” to share updates and discuss ways we can support our local and small businesses.
- Attend an Iftar dinner with other interfaith leaders at American Fazl Mosque, a meaningful opportunity to come together in reflection.
- Meet with the Central Shaw Neighborhood Association to discuss continued public safety concerns and the supports included in my Secure DC omnibus and this year’s proposed budget.
- Meet with University of the District of Columbia President Maurice Edington and discuss our shared value of expanding opportunities for higher education for District residents.
- Speak at the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Series about supporting a dynamic Downtown and improving public safety through my Secure DC omnibus bill.
- Join the Citizens Association of Georgetown in recognizing its Public Safety Block Captains, a citizen-centered initiative that empowers residents to engage and inform their communities on public safety.
- Attend the grand opening of MPD’s Real-Time Crime Center, which will enhance coordination between local and federal partners to prevent crime and ensure accountability across the District.
- Meet with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington to continue fostering partnerships and learn more about how we can support our Jewish community in the District.
- Attended MPD roll call for 2D with Commander Savoy and discussed initiatives in Secure DC and the upcoming budget that will support hiring and retention at MPD.
- Attend Mayor Bowser’s “Full Democracy Champions Luncheon” commemorating DC Emancipation Day and discussing with District leaders the importance of DC Statehood and full voting rights for DC residents.
The Washington Post: Opinion written by Councilmember Pinto | Secure D.C. is just a start. Here’s how to make D.C. safe and vibrant. “I heard the same message in living rooms, at houses of worship, on sidewalks and inside community centers. Everyone demanded safety and action. Collectively, we all wanted to send a clear message that we cannot, and will not, tolerate the gun violence or crime trends that have been devastating our communities. And we knew we needed a dynamic and multifaceted response to address all the factors that make residents feel unsafe.”
WATCH: WUSA9: Fines, arrests take effect for Metro fare evaders in DC.“Councilmember Brooke Pinto who sponsored the Secure DC bill that made this change a reality says the biggest misconception about this new policy, is how it applies to kids. ‘Metro Transit Police has a policy, they do not enforce fines against kids,’ she told WUSA9. Pinto also pushed families to take advantage of the program available for kids to get for free Metro rides...The new higher fare gates have decreased fare evasion by more than 70% at the stations that have them according to the transit system.”
Washington Blade: D.C. Council member proposes LGBTQ senior housing in Ward 2. “In a Feb. 27 letter to Bowser proposing specific amounts of city funding on a wide range of issues, including the Council’s recently passed crime bill, Pinto told Bowser the need for affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors is pressing. ‘Having faced decades of workplace and healthcare discrimination and been barred for most of their lives from marrying or having children, our LGBTQQIA+ seniors are more likely to face financial and health challenges and need housing and social supports as they age,’ Pinto states in her letter.”
WATCH: WJLA: DC Council unanimously approves $515M deal to fund Capital One Arena improvements. “The District's rapid movement to introduce today's financing proposal signifies and demonstrates D.C.'s commitment to revitalizing and supporting Capital One arena and our downtown,’ Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto said moments before the vote. ‘The agreement will breathe energy and opportunity into our downtown through these renovations to the arena, additional opportunities for our entertainment spaces and festivals."