🔐AdMo installs anti-shoplifting gates

What's CITY Talking About?

Public Safety Bill Passes First Vote

DC Council advanced a controversial crime bill after hours of debate, with 12 yays and one councilmember voting present. Some of the more contentious provisions were stripped from the latest version, including a proposed expansion of DNA collection from felony suspects and several police reform rollbacks. [Washington Post 🔒]

Anti-Shoplifting Gates at AdMo Safeway

The Safeway on Columbia Road NW has installed security gates to deter shoplifters. Self check-out customers will be required to scan a barcode on their receipt to open the gates on the way out. [WTOP]

Go Downtown, Get Free Coffee

Mayor Bowser’s newest downtown revitalization plan is … free coffee? Yep, her “Be Downtown” initiative includes a free coffee hour at 10 coffee shops downtown every Monday and deals at over 40 restaurants. Specials run until March 31. Honestly, this might be her best comeback plan yet. [Eater]

New Budget Aims to Keep Metro Running

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke has released a revised spending plan that is significantly less dire than the budget he’d laid out in December. With an additional $480 million in funding from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, the new proposal avoids severe service cuts and station closures, but it does call for a minimum 12.5% fare hike for buses and trains. [WTOP]

Black History Month Spotlight: Bars & Restaurants

Every day this week, we’re focusing on a different way to celebrate Black History Month in D.C.! Today, with the help of Cornelia Poku of @BlackGirlsExploreDC, we’re highlighting our favorite Black-owned and operated eateries serving everything from coffee to Caribbean food.

Georgia Brown's (Downtown):

This iconic upscale southern restaurant is famous for its live music nights, jazz brunch, and jumbo crab cakes.

Spicy Water African Grill (Shaw):

This authentic Ivorian restaurant serves up dishes inspired by the street foods of Abidjan, like grilled meats, oxtail stews, and jollaf rice.

Cher Cher (Shaw/Petworth):

It’s a classic for a reason. This is one of the best and most affordable Ethiopian spots in D.C. Make sure to go with friends so you can get one of their platters.

The Park at 14th:

This Black woman-owned club/restaurant is always packed with bottomless brunch goers or late-night dancers dressed to the nines.

Cane (H Street Corridor):

This small, modern Caribbean restaurant is one of my absolute favorites in D.C. Their curried chicken and geera pork belly bowls are the ultimate comfort food. Its sister restaurant, St. James on 14th Street NW, is a slightly more upscale version.

Hill Prince Bar (H Street):

A neighborhood cocktail bar in a former carriage house with a cozy courtyard attached. They keep the cocktails classic but affordable. They also have a great happy hour that runs weekends.

Heat Da Spot (Park View):

Honestly, forget Call Your Mother, I’ll choose this family-run Ethiopian spot across the street in Park View every time. They have every breakfast combo you can think of, but I recommend the Chechebsa.

What To Do

Today on City Cast

Fixing D.C.’s High Infant Mortality Rate

D.C. has one of the highest fetal mortality rates in the country, and the majority of the victims are Black. Journalist Candace Montague has been talking to parents who lost children about what it says about city resource planning and what can be done.