I hope you're enjoying the last few weeks of summer, and for teachers and parents, looking forward to the start of a great school year. While the Council is officially in recess, it has been a busy month around the Ward.  Here are some of the things we've been working on.

Public Safety

Public safety continues to be a concern in nearly every area of the city, including several neighborhoods in Ward 6 where we have seen troubling increases in crime. I speak with the local MPD Commanders on a daily basis to make sure they are responding to these trends.  I have requested increased deployments, and shifting those deployments to more foot and bike patrols. I've also joined neighbors for several public safety meetings over the summer, including in Hill East, NoMa, Shaw, H Street, and Rosedale. I've also been trying to get at this increase on the legislative front, including several measures I detailed in my last newsletter.  As Chief Lanier and the Mayor outlined yesterday, the increase in crime we're seeing in the District doesn't have any simple explanation nor any easy solutions. I will continue working closely with MPD and District agencies to ensure we're responding effectively and working hard to prevent crime and violence in all our neighborhoods.

Back To School

With summer nearly over, I've been working closely with Ward 6 principals and parents to make sure our buildings are going to be ready for the start of school. This morning Ward 6 State Board of Education Member Joe Weedon and I toured Van Ness Elementary, Payne Elementary, Watkins Elementary, Eliot-Hine Middle School, and Stuart-Hobson Middle School, to hear from DC Public Schools and the Department of General Services about the modernization work taking place at those sites this summer.  I've met with principals and parent leaders at many other schools to hear about their plans and goals for the new year.  With my own daughter starting PK-3 this fall, I'm looking forward to the new perspective that experience will bring as I continue working together with neighbors across the ward to build great public schools.  

Earlier this week, my staff was on hand to offer congratulations to the winners of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly's scholarship program.  These students -- all residents of Southwest -- are headed to some outstanding colleges and universities this fall.  I wish them all the best of luck with their studies!
 
Ward 6 Week

We have some great community events coming up the week of August 30.  All of them are free for Ward 6 residents, although there are some limits on tickets.  Please use the links below to learn more. Hope you're able to join me at one (or all) of them!  

Starting on Sunday, we'll have Ward 6 Day Out With The Nationals.  My office has a limited number of FREE tickets to share with Ward 6 residents.  You can request up to FOUR free tickets to see the Nationals take on the Marlins at 1:35pm on August 30. RSVP here or by calling Naomi Mitchell at 202-724-8072.  

On Tuesday, September 1, join me for Ward 6 Day at the National Building Museum Summer Block Party.  From 9am to 11am, Ward 6 residents can use a valid government-issued photo ID to receive free entry to the NBM's popular indoor "beach" exhibit.  More information and RSVP here, or contact Jamaal Jordan at 202-724-8072.

On Wednesday, September 2, the Shakespeare Theatre is providing reserved tickets for Ward 6 residents to see their Free For All performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street, NW).  Residents may request a maximum of FOUR tickets per household.  More information and RSVP here, or contact Jamaal Jordan at 202-724-8072.


Singing For Statehood

Did you see John Oliver's outstanding report on District statehood last week? Catch our own homegrown version, brought to you at the Capitol last Sunday by a distinctly Ward 6 cast.


As always, thank you for your support and please let me know if there’s anything I or my staff can do to help you or your neighborhood.

Charles Allen