Dear Neighbor,
I have been invigorated and inspired by the public input we have been receiving about Peace DC, my comprehensive plan to continue the progress we’ve made in reducing crime and promote sustainable peace in our city. After speaking with many in the community about Peace DC, including at my public safety forum in Ward 8 earlier this month, a community safety walk in Ward 7, and dozens of meetings with stakeholders from MPD, community based violence interruption workers and experts, and parents and students, I am holding a two-day hearing this week about Peace DC through the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. Wednesday, April 23rd will include testimony from public witnesses and Thursday, April 24th will include government witnesses. I want to hear from you about what you would like to see to promote sustainable peace in your community!
As this week marks Earth Day, I want to thank everyone who came out to join me and my team, Shaw Main Streets, District Cleanups, and the Logan Circle Community Association for a successful Earth Day cleanup!
Finally, there is still a great deal of uncertainty around our city’s budget following Congress’s unprecedented cuts to our budget in the middle of the year, causing us to find $1.1 billion immediately while yielding zero savings for local or federal taxpayers as this money has already been raised and secured and is all generated locally. I am calling on the House of Representatives to fix this mistake as soon as possible so our essential city services from public safety to education to transit are not undermined.
In the meantime, Mayor Bowser has issued a Mayor’s Order, which includes proposed furloughs and freezes on hiring and overtime. Once the Council receives the Mayor’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026, I will update you all on the Council’s new timeline to review the budget, hear from the public, and ensure our primary goals of safety, economic resilience and growth, and supporting our young people are met.
Yours in Service,
Brooke
Peace DC Plan Hearings
The Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety (JPS) will be holding public hearings on April 23 and April 24 to discuss Councilmember Pinto’s Peace DC plan.
The April 23rd hearing will include public witnesses. You can sign up to testify here.
The April 24th hearing will include government witnesses.
During these hearings, we will discuss the following proposal and bills:
- Councilmember Pinto’s proposed merger of the District’s violence interruption programs
- B26-188, “Pretrial Detention Amendment Act of 2025”
- B26-204 “Safe Passage Training and School Engagement Amendment Act of 2025”
- B26-186 “Justice-Involved Youth in Community Act of 2025”
- B26-027 “Case Closure and Witness Support Amendment Act of 2025”
- B26-187 “Metropolitan Police Department Training Academy College Credit Opportunity Amendment Act of 2025”
- B26-189 “Residential Tranquility Amendment Act of 2025”
- B26-203, “Kidnapping Amendment Act of 2025”
Over the last two weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have met with residents, advocacy groups, and District officials in Ward 2 and across the District, including:
- Holding Earth Day Cleanup with Shaw Main Streets, District Cleanups, and the Logan Circle Community Association to promote safe and healthy neighborhoods.
- Marching in the DC Emancipation Day Parade to honor when more than 3,000 enslaved people were freed in DC eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation liberated enslaved people in the South. While we celebrate this day in our history, we know we must recommit ourselves to the unfinished work for freedom and autonomy.
- Meeting with the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington as we work together to accomplish shared goals of fighting antisemitism, supporting affordable housing, and providing safe and secure spaces for Washingtonians to pray and gather.
- Celebrating Alexander Ovechkin breaking the NHL record for most goals with fellow Washingtonians at Capital One Arena! Go Caps!
- Attending annual meeting with Sheridan-Kalorama Neighborhood Organizations to discuss our shared work of preserving strong communities in DC and promoting neighborhood peace and harmony.
- Meeting with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to discuss ways to create pathways to economic resilience and ensure our young people have the tools to thrive.
- Honoring DC’s bravest at the DC Fire & EMS Department Annual Awards! Our firefighters and first responders work courageously everyday to provide rapid emergency response and vital medical care to District residents in need.
- Meeting with the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) to discuss shared priorities to build more affordable housing and invest in safety.
- Meeting with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to discuss their pressing priorities around Black maternal health and mental health supports for our youth.
- Meeting with the Hardy Middle School Student Council who shared their concerns about wanting more healthy food options in schools.
- Attending the French Street Earth Day Cleanup with the Mayor's Office to help keep Ward 2 clean and beautiful!
- Joining the Nightlife Taskforce U Street Walk to help ensure all government agencies are coordinating to manage our bustling nightlife in order to keep District residents and visitors safe.
- Attending ANC meetings for ANCs 2A, 2B, and 2G.
WTU Endorses Councilmember Pinto’s Bill
The Washington Teachers’ Union voted unanimously to endorse Councilmember Pinto’s bill to remove personal cell phones and other wireless communication devices from the classroom. The Heads Up! Distraction-Free Learning Amendment Act of 2025 would prohibit students from using these devices during the full school day to ensure students can focus on learning and interacting with each other. Thank you to WTU for your support.
OCME Accreditation
The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) has awarded continued full accreditation for the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). In its announcement, the association recognized OCME and its partners for their handling of the January 29th midair collision near DCA, which led to the recovery and identification of 67 people who were tragically killed. The process was smooth and efficient in the face of so much grief and loss.
Councilmember Brooke Pinto, Ward 2
• Chairwoman, Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety
• Committee on Business and Economic Development
• Committee on Housing
• Committee on Youth Affairs
Address: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 106 | Washington, DC 20004
Call: (202) 724-8058 | Contact Us: www.brookepintodc.com/help