Charles Allen DC Council

Friend –

I know I say this every year, but I honestly can't believe it's back to school time already. I'm excited for both my kids to start their school years - and wait, how do we have a high schooler now?!

As I've mentioned in the last couple of newsletters, my team and I have been visiting schools across the Ward this summer to make sure our teachers, educators, families, and students are ready to go on Day 1. Most recently, we stopped by Shirley Chisholm Elementary School, which will be navigating a campus swing as their exciting modernization begins, and Watkins Elementary School to focus on important maintenance needs at their co-located recreational facility.

For families returning this week and next, please check out the back to school events I've highlighted in the newsletter below. And there's an important checklist at backtoschool.dc.gov, with resources from DCPS like their full academic calendar and the DC Public Charter School Board one, as well. There are also some great events and reading recs on the DC Public Library's site, too.

It's an eventful next few weeks, for sure, with updates below on the first-ever PorchFest on Capitol Hill, the Capitol Hill Art Walk, "Camp Cobb Park," the Southeast Library reopening, a big milestone for a beloved community institution, and important opportunities to share your thoughts on transit planning for the RFK Campus. And we're returning to our active hearing schedule soon at the Wilson Building, so there are some legislative updates about the fall, too.

Let's get into it.

Miss the last newsletter recapping Sherwood Rec renovations, Ward 6 Week, the H Street NE BID, and more? Read it here.

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Public Safety Update

MPD Overtime Fraud Prosecution: I wanted to make sure you were aware of some recent concerning public integrity news from DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb's office.

NBC Washington reports that several sworn and civilian members of the Metropolitan Police Department have been charged with significant overtime fraud. "Five current or former officers and a civilian employee falsified overtime claims and received a total of $441,137 in pay they didn’t earn ... They are accused of forging approvals and altering official overtime records."

This was the result of an internal investigation by MPD and will be prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office, not the DC AG, as USAO handles most adult criminal prosecutions - even of local matters. Warrants have been issued for the individuals' arrests. I'm glad to see this misconduct rooted out by MPD itself and Attorney General Schwalb, particularly in the context of the serious budget pressures avoidable and unavoidable agency overtime use puts on DC's finances.

Homicide in SE: A little over a week ago, we tragically lost a young woman in Hill East near the Hopkins community to brazen gun violence. My team is working with MPD and the family to connect them with the resources they need after this devastating loss. MPD is also asking if any neighbors have information about the shooting on August 9 in the 1100 block of K St, SE, please share it with MPD here. You can do so anonymously.

Thefts from Auto: While down substantially overall, some parts of the Ward have seen an uptick in thefts from vehicles parked on the street. MPD is aware and working to put more patrols in those areas and identify a suspect. They've shared that it's often one person or one small group of people that will commit the vast majority of these types of crimes. MPD is reminding people not to leave valuables in their car or bags visible, and they're asking any victims or neighbors to ensure they report the crime (even if it happened the day before) and check security cameras to help with ID'ing suspects.

Can't Miss Back to School Events

In more back to school news, first, the Nationals are partnering with the Southwest Library on Thursday, August 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. for a Nats library takeover!

This means free food, music, prizes, and all things baseball.

The best part: all students will receive a backpack with school supplies (while supplies last). You can register for the event here and even use your library card to make it easier.

And we've got more! On Saturday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Capitol Hill BID is putting on a free family event featuring music and our local first responders right in Eastern Market Metro Plaza.

This event will also include a backpack giveaway for children 5-18, while supplies last.

It's Almost Time for the Southeast Library's Grand Reopening!

T-minus 19 days!!! One of the oldest libraries in DC is slated to make a beautiful return on September 10.

The Southeast Library was in deep need of renovations. It's been a long two years of construction, but we're finally just days away from the grand re-opening. You're going to love the thoughtful, expanded spaces and community amenities.

As I've outlined in previous newsletters, there will be a much larger, modern children’s area, dedicated adult reading spaces, and multiple community rooms. The redesign brings in far more natural light and creates flexible uses for everything from quiet reading to neighborhood gatherings.

Check out details on the renovations here, and I can't wait to celebrate with you at the reopening ceremony that morning at 11 a.m. and the evening block party in Eastern Market Metro Plaza.

We Welcomed Back Mott's Market With a Community Bash and a Sub-Cutting

I'm sure you've heard the news, but ICYMI, Mott's Market is back! What started out as a longtime store and neighborhood institution that closed in 2022 is now open once again. This really is a story of the power of what's possible. And I couldn't be happier about the wide community turnout for the grand re-opening!

A huge shoutout to members of the community who helped bring Mott's back, and not to mention the hundreds of neighborhood investors who contributed to the "Save Mott's Market" movement.

You can read more about their efforts in the HillRag, but one quote that stuck out to me was from Michael Skinner, president of the LLC that brought back the space:

“It’s a feeling of relief,” he said of the opening. “There were times when we just weren’t sure we were going to keep going forward with this thing, which has been volunteer run for over four years.”

I'm thankful for all of those involved and look forward to seeing you there as we celebrate this wonderful 'third space' in the community. And great breakfast burritos. ;)

Safer Streets, Block-by-Block: A New Stop Sign at 6th & A Sts, SE

That's right! After repeated requests from neighbors, the ANC, and my office, this intersection has been converted to an all-way stop sign on one-way 6th Street.

This is a long-overdue fix in a spot that’s seen too many crashes, as I previously highlighted. This change will make the intersection safer and more predictable for everyone, whether you’re walking, biking, or driving.

I appreciated the feedback I received in comments on our social media posts about this stop sign, especially from those of you who've requested other intersections for us to look at.

Our office's general guidance: Submit a 311 request and send us the request number so we can keep an eye out and escalate them. We work with our ANCs and DDOT every day to make our streets safer, and you can help by getting the word to us about problem spots on your block.

Get Involved in the First Capitol Hill PorchFest!

The first Capitol Hill PorchFest is coming up on October 10, and I'm so excited! Dozens and dozens of musical acts and hosts are registered so far, but the organizers still need your talent and your porch.

If you're interested in playing: Here's a link to the band application, and the deadline to fill it out is September 1. From there, acceptances will go out September 6, and you'll be assigned to a host by September 20.

Want to be a Porch Host? Here's a link to the application, and that's also due by September 1. Don't have an actual porch but still want to host? You can get creative a yard or alley space!

This has been a long time coming, and it's going to be incredible with your help!

Get Ready for Camp Cobb Park Next Week

A movie night, roller rink, and a carnival? Yep, that's all coming to Cobb Park next week for Camp Cobb Park. Organized by the Mount Vernon Triangle CID, I'm so excited to see so many engaging and fun events happening in this newly renovated public space.

Check out all the events here from August 27 to 29, and make sure to register for tickets.

A brief look at the festivities:

Thursday, August 27: The Roller Rink at Cobb Park
Friday, August 28: Movie Night
Saturday, August 29: Cobb Park Carnival

Folger Park's Reopening Gets Pushed Back, Again

I know this isn't great news, but I wanted to give you an update on Folger Park, as it's been closed by the National Park Service for more than a year, and it missed another scheduled reopening date.

The latest posted reopening is October 31, with an explanation from the National Park Service saying that 5 weeks of work are needed on even more corrections by their contractor like the sidewalks and brick plaza.

And I've heard more than a few suggestions that maybe this is the same team from the Reflecting Pool...

I've let the National Park Service know that these delays are unacceptable. It's kept a park used by our neighborhood shut down for two years for what should have taken more like two months. I've also encouraged that if they can't handle the maintenance or would like to transfer the park to DC ownership so that we can handle the work, I'd be more than willing. I hope this is the final move of the reopening date, but I'm not holding my breath.

Check back here for updates, or you can follow for more here on the NPS site.

Want An Update on DPR's Capital Projects? Here's Your Chance

Want to hear the latest about DPR capital projects in Ward 6? DPR leads capital project community meetings by ward, and now it's our turn. Join through the link below to get the latest on what's underway and coming soon to your neighborhood.

Here's a link to RSVP on September 10 at 6pm.

Capitol Hill Art Walk is Back and Bigger Than Ever!

This one's a record breaker, with more than 175 artists and crafters in 90 locations across the Hill!

The best part is that it's free, and all you have to do is stroll down your block.

It's coming up on September 12 and 13 from 12 - 4 p.m. each day, and you'll get to see local artists and crafters transform sidewalks, yards, and alleys into personal micro-galleries across Capitol Hill.

Check out the full list of artists and find more information here.

Two Congressmembers Are Trying to Repeal DC's Helmet Laws?

A quick recap on something that crossed my feed last week: Two Republican lawmakers introduced legislation in Congress that would prohibit DC from requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet.

It's an unserious and unsafe proposal.

These Congressmen from completely different parts of the country have nothing they can do to make life a little more affordable or a little bit better for their own constituents, so it seems to me that they're spending time making our streets less safe.

Here are the facts: Helmets save lives.

In states with no helmet laws, 51% of motorcycle riders killed in a crash weren’t wearing a helmet.
In states with helmet laws, that percentage drops to 10%. Again, this proposal is unsafe and unserious.

But let’s not pretend this is really about helmets and “freedom." If these Congressmembers want to be on the DC Council so badly, they're welcome to participate in our own local, lawful elections.

Council Letter to Governors to Withdraw National Guard Troops

Last month, I joined all my colleagues in signing onto letters to governors across the country requesting they withdraw their National Guard troops from DC streets.

Our letter noted two important data points:

"Analysis of the deployment has found only a modest decrease in property crime and no measurable reduction in violent crime attributable to the Guard’s presence since August 2025.The deployment has, however, cost American taxpayers more than $3 million per day, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office."

Well, here's an update on a response to our letter, from the U.S. Department of Justice.

A top deputy claims that the Council "has no power to demand that governors remove their brave men and women from serving in uniform in our Nation’s capital."

While we can't force a state's Governor to take any action, Ward 6 voters elected me to defend Home Rule, DC autonomy, and their rights to exist free from military occupation. I've shared several updates over the last year about the National Guard. Like many, I respect the service of the Guard members who've had to leave their families and jobs to spend months on end here mostly just walking around. But we cannot and should not normalize what this is, and the Council has an obligation to call it out at every opportunity.

Do You Have Thoughts on Metro's Plan for RFK Transit Improvements?

Please join me and Metro next Tuesday, August 25, from 6-8 p.m. for an open house at St. Coletta of Greater Washington if you want to share your thoughts on the RFK Campus and some of the transit improvements WMATA's putting forward.

As I noted in the last newsletter, DC and WMATA agreed to a plan for the $300 million expansion of the Stadium-Armory station and the Gold Line rapid transit bus line that would run from Union Station to Stadium-Armory. So it's important to get your thoughts in now, because the timeline is moving quickly.

Make sure to join me and register for the event here.

An Update on Ranked Choice Voting

In the last newsletter, I talked about the effectiveness of Ranked Choice Voting in DC's elections and how it ended up working.

Recently, the Democratic National Committee was considering rules governing their own delegate selection process that would have only considered first round votes from areas like DC and Maine, which also uses RCV in their elections. In other words, it would essentially be a proposed ban on the use of RCV in the Democratic presidential primary.

I signed an open letter with other DC leaders opposing this proposed change because DC leaders - accountable to DC voters - are the ones who should decide how our laws and elections work. I'll call it out if Congress tries to interfere with DC autonomy, and I'll do the same if the DNC does, as well.

I told Washingtonian exactly this, plus noted that RCV is ultimately good policy: even if it just brings a modicum of civility to our elections, that’s a good thing. Ultimately, the DNC backed down and didn't move their proposal forward. That's great news for DC.

A Final Reminder about Grand Prix Closings This Weekend, and Beyond

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is this weekend, and we're already in the thick of some major road closures and traffic headaches.

But it's not just the event itself I want you to be aware of, where we could be expecting about 140,000 people per day, but I also want residents prepared for traffic restrictions that could go into September as crews have to remove the course and viewing stands after the races this weekend. This is important... traffic will not be back to normal next week and folks should still consider WMATA as their best and fastest option. And with most kids headed back to school on Monday, you might need to factor in more travel time if your drop off takes you across town.

As WTOP notes, "The most extensive closures begin Aug. 21 at 3 a.m. and continue through Aug. 23 at 11:59 p.m. Another round of closures and restrictions will happen after the event, from Aug. 24, through Sept. 3."

The full list of road closures can be found here.

Mr. Henry's Celebrates 60 Years with a Gala!

It's the diamond anniversary of Mr. Henry's, and they're celebrating with a huge bash!

A big congratulations to this neighborhood staple. You probably have so many memories from over the years there: great meals with friends, hearing excellent jazz upstairs, their creative ways to keep Capitol Hill small businesses afloat during COVID, or just getting a good burger and fries with the family.

You can join the celebration with neighbors and friends on August 29 at 7pm, and let's all say congrats the next time we're in.

Why We Need Safety Standards for E-Bike and Scooter Batteries

Last year, I introduced legislation called the Micromobility Fire Safety Standards Act of 2025, a bill aimed at holding companies offering e-bike and e-scooter sales or rentals to a high standard for the batteries they use. We've seen an increase in e-bikes and scooters on the road in the past few years, and it's important that these are safe not just when being driven, but when they're turned off and charging at home, as well.

To bring it home and reinforce why rigorous battery standards are necessary, D.C. Fire and EMS responded to a fire last week in Southwest Ward 6 caused by a lithium ion battery malfunction in a mobility device (note that the video in the tweet linked above doesn't depict that incident itself).

My legislation will be up for a final vote this fall at the Council. And remember to follow Fire and EMS's guidance: "Charge larger devices (such as eBikes) away from your exit path and outside your home."

Support Our Small Businesses During Restaurant Week!

It's time to enjoy some of the best food Ward 6 has to offer!

The Metropolitan Washington Summer Restaurant Week, presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, is back from Monday, August 24, through Sunday, August 30.

A full list of restaurants can be found here, and you can even search by Ward 6 neighborhood. I hope to see you out on the town supporting our small and local restaurants!

Improving Equity at the Polls

The Board of Elections is hosting an in-house Voting Accessibility and Language Access Summit on September 19 from 12 to 3pm. The summit's focused on issues faced by voters with disabilities and limited or non-English speakers. You can find more information on the flyer below or DCBOE.org.

A Few Good Constituent Services Wins

I'm proud to have a hardworking and experienced constituent services team, and as I have in past newsletters, I want to take a moment to share some of the different kinds of problems they're helping Ward 6 neighbors solve every single day. As always, you can request help with a challenge through our website (please include your address or quadrant when you submit so we can respond faster).

Here are a few constituent services wins from the last couple of weeks:

After a constituent paid the fee to get their towed car back, they were given the wrong information on the car's location when it came time to pick it up. After speaking with the Department of Public Works, we were able to get the car personally delivered to the resident without any fees.
Helped a new Ward 6 resident change their address in ParkDC after they were unable to in order to get a visitor parking permit.
After a constituent's car was impounded and they were trying to get a hold placed on its sale, they reached out to our office for help. We were able to extend the hold so he had time to pay off the impoundment fees.
Helped a bed-bound constituent navigate an issue of bed bugs in her apartment that also complicated her home health care.
Followed up on constituent's concerns about an unpainted newly-raised crosswalk near an elementary school. We reached out to DDOT and escalated the repainting to make the street safer for the first week of school.

Ticket Giveaway

Thanks for reading to the end! The Nats are fighting for a playoff spot, and you can watch them play the Miami Marlins on August 31. Reply to this email if you'd like to be entered into a drawing for two tickets.

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Ward 6 Update: August 22, 2026