DCist.com yesterday picked up on a new website to report cars that illegally park in bicycle lanes. The site encourages you to send in pictures of the vehicle blocking the lane. It doesn’t really create any new enforcement of these violations, but it acts more along the lines of public shaming that other websites have tried. How does it work? Snap a picture of the violation, upload it to the site with a description, and vent away about the problems its creating.

The issue of cars double parking in bike lanes (and the lack of enforcement of these violations) was a line of questioning Tommy had for the Department of Transportation at a hearing last week on some legislation poised to increase fines for motorists that violate pedestrian laws, and then redirect that new revenue into new pedestrian safety initiatives. Tommy co-authored the bill with Mary Cheh and others. While the specific bill focused on motorist violations on pedestrians, Tommy is considering some amendments that would increase the scope to include bicycle concerns as well. As you’ve probably read, Tommy’s been working on several fronts to improve bicycling in the city.

Somewhat related, I caught a piece this morning on NPR on bicycling and energy concerns. Ari Shapiro caught up with Congressman Earl Blumenauer who, like Tommy, rides his bike to work almost every day. Congressman Blumenauer is head of the Congressional Bike Caucus. You can click here for the story.

Last week, DC Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Kelly facilitated our 3rd Friday night meeting.

Tonight, I hope to move us to a deeper dialogue with everyone to see what we can do about ending the delinquent activity through joint action.  It will be a solutions oriented discussion -- where we will break out into smaller, focused conversations -- and I look forward to increased participation from the neighborhood at the meeting.

Potluck Dinner and Discussion
Potomac Gardens (13th and G Street, SE)
Friday, June 20th
6:30 - 8:00 pm

On Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, between the hours of midnight and 3:30 am, I joined a team of volunteers under the guidance of the Department of Human Services to interview homeless individuals living on District streets.  While volunteers are canvassing the entire city, the area that we covered extended from 3rd and D Street N.W. to Union Station.   These interviews are part of the Housing First initiative that the District is undertaking to identify 400 chronically homeless individuals who will be selected for permanent scattered site housing by October 1st of this year. 

The Housing First initiative as discussed in a prior blog entry (Mayor Unveils "Housing First" Plan to End Homelessness) turns the traditional approach to providing homeless services on its head. Instead of offering homeless shelters and one meal a day to homeless individuals (trying to get them off of drugs or alcohol, or into counseling, and then back on their feet so they can find a job, and then possibly find some housing), the "Housing First" approach says, "let’s get people into housing first, especially the ones with the deepest emotional and physical obstacles to overcome – the so-called ‘chronically homeless’ individuals."   Chronically homeless individuals have a far better chance of being able to get on with their lives if the number one stress factor contributing to all their other problems is lifted – their homeless status. "Housing First" says, let’s give these people a roof over their heads first, and a support structure around them to keep them focused on moving forward with their lives, and not back out onto the streets.  During the recent consideration of the Fiscal Year 2009 budget Councilmember Wells fully supported the Mayor’s funding request for the Housing First initiative and lead its consideration and eventual support by the full Council 

The men and women I met earlier this week ranged in age from the mid-thirties to age 56, and the majority had spent over ten years living on the street.  One person had grown up as a foster child parented by the District of Columbia government.  Two named relative’s who no longer expressed concern related to their wellbeing, one seated in a wheelchair had lost his foot to hypothermia, one requested assistance in having his child returned to him by the Child and Family Services Agency, none spoke of having the support of a caring adult in their lives, three spoke passionately of their faith and surprisingly the majority did not turn away from being asked three pages of government questions but warmly welcomed the opportunity to respond to the questions that I was required to ask. 

Among the most difficult questions to ask were those related to being a victim of violent attacks since becoming homeless.  Those conversations quickly led into a discussion of the choice to live on the street rather than in a shelter.  All felt safer on the street.  They complained that CCNV, the largest shelter in the city, as night fell was controlled by those with drug and alcohol addictions.  The homeless who had heard of the Housing First initiative felt pleased that the government finally understood that what the homeless needed was a safe secure place to call home and the opportunity for support services to successfully confront the other challenges that they face including recovery from addictions, emotional and medical support, reuniting with family members, and searching for employment or suitable day programs.  I ended the night (or early morning actually), as I expect they did, with renewed hope for those who are homeless and for our government.  Understanding, opportunity and hope promised by a government agency no less, how refreshing. 

Exciting things are going on at our very own Turtle Park.  Thanks to the continuing efforts of Muriel Martin-Wein, who has pressed on for years, new turtles have been created and are ready for placement in their permanent home at the park.  Visitors to the park know well that the years have taken their toll on the original concrete turtles and that they have been in serious need of repair or replacement for some time.

Ms. Martin-Wein found and commissioned artist, Mr. John Giesecke a Hill resident to create the turtles.  With money raised at a “Save our Turtles” dance held at Market V Gallery and a generous grant from the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, Giesecke has finished the turtle,  are now ready for installation.  The mother turtle will remain and four new “little ones” will be added.  The new additions will also be made of concrete although their appearance will be more realistic and colorful than their predecessors.

Presentation to the District, with acceptance by Councilmember Tommy Wells, is scheduled for June 30, 2008 6:00pm at Turtle Park, 7th & North Carolina Ave., SE.  Open to all.