Hello Neighbors:
Tomorrow marks one-year since President Trump announced a “crime emergency” in D.C., took charge of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for 30 days, and deployed the National Guard in the city. By this time, our District had already been subjected to ICE, HSI, DEA, and other federal agencies surging our streets and neighborhoods, and plucking immigrants from their vehicles, jobs and homes.
With no end in sight, this federal occupation has had a demoralizing effect on everyone.
Especially when we know that the Guard serve no real purpose here. Crime was declining significantly before they arrived. It’s clear that except for a small deterrent effect in a few locations, they’ve had little impact.
Meanwhile, their presence has caused issues of its own, including because the majority of the Guard deployed to DC are from out of state. There’s a recent lawsuit filed against the Idaho National Guard for allegedly assaulting a veteran who was sitting on her stoop, exercising her first amendment rights.
What we’re seeing is a stunning deviation from democratic norms, and straight from the totalitarian playbook. The longer the National Guard is here, the more normalized every encounter becomes. When the next escalation takes place, it’ll be seen as less significant because we’re already used to seeing the Guard hanging around Metro stations and public parks and walking through residential neighborhoods.
The Guard is not the only, or even the biggest, concern. Ward 1 has one of the largest immigrant communities in the District, and our residents feel especially vulnerable. Immigrants, most of whom are here legally, many of them U.S. citizens, should not be made afraid to leave their homes. Continued presence of federal law enforcement earlier this year, including ICE, Homeland Security, DEA, and others contributes even more deeply to that fear.
The aggressive actions of federal agents continue to endanger our residents. In April, federal agents fired into the car of an unarmed man during a traffic stop. (MPD did not initially disclose this fact and did not share body cam footage until the Council passed a law requiring them to do so.) In June, United States Park Police began a high-speed chase of a man in a stolen car that ended up killing an innocent moped rider. The Park Police had a no-chase policy until an executive order by President Trump lifted that last year.
Last October I held a roundtable on possible human rights violations stemming from this federal interference, the first opportunity for residents to speak up in a public forum about the demeaning federal imposition on the city. One of the things we heard repeatedly was that MPD was still collaborating with federal agencies on immigration enforcement – a violation of D.C. law which resulted in peoples’ loss of trust in law enforcement. Residents expected their mayor to protect their neighbors, not assist in harassing and detaining them and worse.
In January of this year, I released a committee report that called on the Mayor and police chief to rescind two orders that allow D.C. police to cooperate with federal law enforcement on immigration, including the Mayor’s order creating a “Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center.” Those orders are still in effect, even as the Mayor has continued to say that MPD does not collaborate on immigration enforcement because that’s not their job.
This collaboration with immigration enforcement is not OK. In the heart of Ward 1 we see out-of-state vehicles with tape over their license plates parked in front of the MPD 4th District substation doing roll call. These and other federal agents are collaborating. Via the Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center that was shamefully created by Mayor Bowser.
Still, there is reason to be hopeful. The people of D.C. are incredibly resilient. We have a long tradition of fighting back and protesting. The Free DC Project is a perfect example of that – fighting the fight, full of energy and hope and joy, playing the short and the long game.
The people of D.C. will always, always fight back.
Root for the home team with Ward 1!
Join your neighbors (and me!) to watch the Nationals take on the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, August 27 at 1:05pm as we celebrate Ward 1 Day at Nationals Park. Thanks to the generosity of the Nationals, our office has a limited number of free tickets for Ward 1 fans.
Tickets and are available on a first come, first served basis. You may request up to four tickets. We will keep a waitlist should there be cancellations or an opportunity to fulfill additional requests.
For more information or if you have questions about the tickets, please contact Niccole Rivero at nrivero@dccouncil.gov.
COUNCIL UPDATES
Summer and public safety
Research has shown a correlation between summer heat and crime spikes and we have seen some of that in Ward 1, with several recent incidents of shots being fired in several neighborhoods.
I have been in touch with the Fourth District police commander regarding recent gun violence in Park View and I’ve monitored incidents in LeDroit Park, Adams Morgan, and the area around 15th & Euclid. My team continues to attend community meetings every month with the Third District Citizens Advisory Council and attended last weekend’s ANC 1E public safety community meeting, where residents were able to share their concerns and ask questions of MPD, ANCs, and my office.
To create a safer Ward 1 and a safer District, we encourage neighbors to work together by sharing information with each other and with police. MPD’s Crime Suppression Teams respond to hot spots. This work requires a comprehensive approach of intervention and prevention with the community and MPD.
But we know that reducing crime takes more than just policing. In Ward 1 and across the District, community-based organizations are working every day in the community to keep our neighborhoods safe. Our Ward 1 violence prevention team, led by NAARC, is out on the streets every day to de-escalate internal conflict, get guns off the streets, and prevent retaliation.
Construction on 11th Street Bike Lanes – finally!
Construction has started on upgrades to the 11th Street bike lanes. The project will fill longstanding gaps in the bike network in this heavily used corridor, particularly in the U Street neighborhood. Residents have made clear with their voices and their biking patterns the importance of 11th street to their commutes. And for over 15 years, there have been plans to close this glaring bike transit gap. After previous efforts were shut down, I worked with DDOT and the ANC to get it done and move the project forward.
A heads up: there may be more jackhammering than you’d expect for a bike lane project. That’s actually good news! DDOT is taking this as an opportunity to pull out the old streetcar rails that were simply paved over when the line was decommissioned in 1961. Commuters rejoice: no more crazy potholes!
This phase of the project stops at Florida Ave, but the design of the next phase is already underway and will run all the way through Columbia Heights and connect with the crosstown cycle track. More good news: the design already includes space for streateries.
On a final note, I have asked DDOT to ensure that the uphill lane is wide enough for passing. This is an important consideration as e-bikes continue to grow in popularity.
This project will benefit many Ward 1 residents and people across the District, and I look forward to its completion.
D.C. bottle bill gets national attention
Construction has started on upgrades to the 11th Street bike lanes. The project will fill longstanding gaps in the bike network in this heavily used corridor, particularly in the U Street neighborhood. Residents have made clear with their voices and their biking patterns the importance of 11th street to their commutes. And for over 15 years, there have been plans to close this glaring bike transit gap. After previous efforts were shut down, I worked with DDOT and the ANC to get it done and move the project forward.
A heads up: there may be more jackhammering than you’d expect for a bike lane project. That’s actually good news! DDOT is taking this as an opportunity to pull out the old streetcar rails that were simply paved over when the line was decommissioned in 1961. Commuters rejoice: no more crazy potholes!
This phase of the project stops at Florida Ave, but the design of the next phase is already underway and will run all the way through Columbia Heights and connect with the crosstown cycle track. More good news: the design already includes space for streateries.
On a final note, I have asked DDOT to ensure that the uphill lane is wide enough for passing. This is an important consideration as e-bikes continue to grow in popularity.
This project will benefit many Ward 1 residents and people across the District, and I look forward to its completion.
Recess reminder
While the Council remains in recess until September 15, my office is open and ready to address constituent services issues and answer your questions as we prepare for legislative activity to resume.
During recess, our office is open 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
BRIANNE IN THE COMMUNITY
I’d like to thank the Loo Committee for this Flushy Award
I’m honored to be among the inaugural class of recipients of a Flushy Award, Throne Labs’ new award celebrating excellence in public restroom access. Even more, I’m thrilled to have worked with advocates, the company, and the Council to make bathrooms accessible across our District.
Bathrooms are essential to public health, disability access, community well-being, and equity. That’s why I’ve made access to public restrooms a policy priority for over a decade. Residents, tourists, parents, kids, people with medical conditions, unhoused neighbors – everybody’s gotta go and now they can more easily in nearly every ward in D.C.
It took many years of pushing and fighting and ultimately identifying the right partner to get this program operating. From the passage of the Public Restroom Access Act in 2018, to finally securing funding in the FY24 budget for the pilot program, we have persisted in our fight to make sure every resident has access to this basic human need.
It was a joy to join the “Loo Committee” – the original public restroom advocates, including Marcy Bernbaum – to celebrate the opening of the Throne in Columbia Heights in June 2024, complete with a toilet paper ribbon cutting.
Our pilot program, which logged 145,000 uses and 56,000 unique users with zero safety incidents, has since grown. I’m so proud that we will expand to 11 locations in the upcoming fiscal year. The District will also hire a restrooms coordinator to manage this program, thanks to funding I found in the FY26 budget.
Every delay and obstacle paved the way for a long overdue permanent public restrooms program here in D.C. The Throne locations – moveable, fully functional, clean restrooms – serve all of our residents and visitors, and I am proud to be a champion of this work.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Enjoy a free family craft night
We Make DC is transforming downtown Washington into a hands-on creative playground for families with the launch of Camp Create, a six-night series of free Family Maker Nights designed to inspire the next generation of creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Beginning August 11, families are invited to participate in free maker-led workshops at We Made DC in the Golden Triangle (1140 Connecticut Ave NW), where local artists and creative entrepreneurs share their skills, stories, and passion through immersive, hands-on experiences.
Become a student transportation safety advocate
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is offering a new paid internship opportunity for DC Public High School students in grades 9-12. The DC Vision Zero Youth Leadership Institute runs from October through May and pays $20 per hour for 3 hours of work each week.
The program empowers youth to become advocates for safer transportation in their communities. By partaking in meaningful professional development experiences, the student interns gain leadership skills, expand their knowledge of transportation safety and acquire the tools necessary to tackle one of the largest public health crises facing our nation today: traffic violence.
Applications are open through September 7
Pick up free school supplies
Enjoy free school supplies, haircuts, food, and more on August 15 from 11 am to 3 pm at Metro Transit Police Department’s annual back to school event at the Fort Totten station parking lot. There will be activities for kids of all ages, including face painting, moon bounces, and a petting zoo.
Enter the DC State Fair contests
Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions—growing and gardening, contests, and deep-fried foods—the DC State Fair honors the things that make the District of Columbia unique. Registration for the DC State Fair’s contests is now open, with more than 60 to choose from. Along with classics like best pie, best honey, and best crochet, there are also new categories like best hot pepper and best outfit. Check them all out and register by Friday, August 21. Winners will be announced at the fair on Sunday, September 6.
IN THE NEWS
REALTOR.COM
DC City Council Considers Esoteric Tax on Land Values in a Bid To Boost New Development
“A land-value or split-rate system would improve tax equity and affordability across the District, and—because new construction would not be immediately penalized with a higher tax burden—would incentivize growth and improvement to the District’s housing stock, and help to stabilize downtown and commercial real estate recovery,” Nadeau said.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Washington grapples with a National Guard deployment extended until 2029
“The fact that we still have the National Guard walking our streets a year later with no end in sight is really demoralizing,” city council member Brianne K. Nadeau said.
JUST ZERO
D.C. bottle bill: Why Washington could pass the first new bottle bill in decades
Rather than recreating bottle bills of the past, D.C. has an opportunity to build a program designed for today’s challenges.
CALENDAR
Council in recess
July 15 to Sept. 15
No legislative of committee meeetings but Councilmember Nadeau’s office is open and staff are available
CONTACT US
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | bnadeau@dccouncil.gov
Abigail Boshart | Deputy Committee Director | aboshart@dccouncil.gov
Nicole Bramstedt | Senior Legislative Assistant | nbramstedt@dccouncil.gov
Amanda Chulick | Senior Legislative Assistant | achulick@dccouncil.gov
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | dconnertymarin@dccouncil.gov
Sean Cuddihy | Committee Director | scuddihy@dccouncil.gov
Kara Dunford | Communications Manager | kdunford@dccouncil.gov
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | dmeni@dccouncil.gov
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | mnava@dccouncil.gov
Sabrin Qadi | Deputy Legislative Director | sqadi@dccouncil.gov
Norma Rivera | Constituent Services Specialist | nrivera@dccouncil.gov
Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | nrivero@dccouncil.gov
Eliza-Roche Robinson | Constituent Services Specialist | errobinson@dccouncil.gov