Metro's fare evasion plan is ... working?

What's CITY Talking About?

Thousands Lose Power in Arlington

A transformer exploded in Arlington, leaving approximately 10,000 customers without power for hours on Tuesday. A Dominion Energy employee also suffered burns from the explosion which has been attributed to a fault in an underground cable. [WTOP]

Fare Evasion Crackdown

Metro released data suggesting that its new fare gates are cutting down fare evasion by more than 70%. The saloon-style doors are at six different stations, with Mt Vernon Square seeing the greatest success (an 84% decrease in gate jumping). [DCist]

Dogs Die After Dispatcher Error

New details about the 911 call for District Dogs’ flooding last week indicate that a dispatcher error delayed the emergency response. Severe flooding at the dog daycare drowned 10 dogs. It has now been revealed that the 911 dispatcher told firefighters that the business simply had a water leak, creating a lack of urgency. [Washington Post 🔒]

• Related: This story combines two major problems plaguing the city: flooding infrastructure issues and a flawed 911 system. [City Cast DC 🎧]

First Ever Rec Center In Anacostia

D.C. broke ground on the first-ever rec center in Anacostia. It’s been in the works for over 15 years and will open in 2024. Officials and community members hope the center will help deter crime in the area by keeping young people off the streets with recreational opportunities. [WUSA9]

What To Do

🏠 Support Foggy Bottom Shelter | Wednesday | 5:30 p.m.

Join neighbors and advocates outside the Aston to show support for a new non-congregate homeless shelter coming to Foggy Bottom. [Free, Foggy Bottom]

• Related: We’re producing a podcast episode about this planned shelter, featuring neighbors with opinions. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts.

🌼 Veggie Harvesting | Thursday | 8:30 a.m.

Head to the Nationals Park Bridge Park Plot to help harvest late summer veggies for farmers markets and THEARC’s CSA. [Free, Navy Yard]

😋 Alexandria Restaurant Week | All week

Over 70 restaurants in Alexandria are offering $25, $35, or $45 prix-fixe dinner options through this Sunday. [Free, Alexandria]

🪩 Line Dancing & Silent Disco | Friday | 4 - 10 p.m.

This mini fall fair at Eastern Market will have food, local vendors, line dancing, and a silent disco. [Free, Eastern Market]

Today on City Cast

D.C. is Bringing Roller Skating Back

Roller skating became all the rage during the early days of the pandemic, but for D.C., this wasn’t really a new thing. Local skate enthusiast Saletta Coleman tells us why the District has always had a special connection to skating.