City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
New crime bill would reverse police reforms
October 24, 2023
Morning, neighbor! We’re wrapping up our City Cast 6 award nominations with the “business/development” category. What new local businesses do you love? Or, who is literally building D.C. to be better? If it were up to me, I'd choose whoever developed this sickkk apartment above the Watergate that’s for sale.
What's CITY Talking About?
Crime Bill Reverses Some Police Reforms
A new “Addressing Crime Trends Now Act” from Mayor Muriel Bowser would make “organized retail” crimes a new felony, and would give the police chief authority to establish “drug-free” zones in the city. The bill also makes it illegal to wear masks to commit crimes or intimidate people and amends several police reforms passed in 2020, like restrictions on car chases. [Washington Post 🔒]
- Related: Mass thefts, like at the CVS in Columbia Heights, have increased significantly this year, and social media plays a big role. [City Cast DC 🎧]
High School Bomb Threat
Bomb threats led to the evacuations of two Montgomery County high schools yesterday. Apparently, police have received several other threats against schools in the last few weeks, but none, including yesterday’s, were found credible. [Washington Post 🔒]
What Would a New Sports Stadium Mean for DC?
The D.C. government is sponsoring a study to research the impacts of sports stadiums on the local economy. This comes on the heels of a contentious community meeting with the mayor over how the RFK stadium site should be used. [City Cast 🎧]
Sponsored Content
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Currently offering a 2% builder credit! Only three homes remain at Seneca House, a brand new boutique condo community located one block from Meridian Hill Park. The exterior features a full façade mural by Hamilton Glass, while the interiors offer Calacatta Prado quartz countertops, white oak hardwood flooring, and outdoor private terraces. One bedroom and dens and two bedrooms from $549,900.
What To Do
👻 Trivia Night: Spooky Season | Tuesday | 5 p.m.
This trivia at the National Portrait Gallery will test your knowledge of urban legends and superstitions, inspired by the museum’s collection. [Free, Penn Quarter]
⭐ The Story of Starquakes | Wednesday | 6:30 p.m.
Learn about asteroseismic research (the study of starquakes) and how it’s helping scientists learn about the evolution of stars. [Free, Penn Quarter]
🎃 13 Nights of Halloween | Tuesday | 6 p.m.
Wunder Garten is hosting a two-week-long Halloween party with costume contests, drink specials, movie nights, and pumpkin-holding contests (!?). [Free, NoMa]
🧪 The Science of Frankenstein | Thursday | 6 p.m.
Bring Frankenstein to life at this Profs & Pints and discuss how it relates to current-day science. [$15, Eastern Market]
Today on City Cast
RFK Stadium Debate, Fake Headlines, and NaLa Debate
There was a HEATED community meeting last week about RFK stadium, and the City Cast team breaks it all down. Plus, we’re hearing directly from YOU, our listeners, about reactions to one of our previous episodes on the up-and-coming neighborhood National Landing.
Sponsored Content
Wait…What’s Wonk Week?
Every year, Quorum brings together over 1,000 public affairs professionals for 3 days of policy deep dives, case studies, and workshops to level up your advocacy work. Join the virtual event on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. Come for the trivia and prizes; stay for the strategy and insights.
🎩 Hats off to the genius who started this Reddit thread; “Say where you live in D.C. without saying the name.” Answers included, “gay republicans” (Navy Yard), “No relations to the actor” (Northwest), and “There’s no S at the end” (Silver Spring).
Today’s newsletter was edited by Priyanka Tilve. News was written by Susannah Broun.
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