Be watchful, Washington — according to news published today by the Washington Times, girl gangs are on the rise throughout the District. A city official noted in the article that over the last three years gang activity among girls has risen, and that there are now some 270 girl gangs operating throughout the District. While male gangs are commonly involved in drugs and crime, girls gangs apparently clash over “anything from fashion styles to being snubbed at clubs.”

District Reconsiders Terms for Disabled Residents: Talk about politically incorrect — the words “crippled” and “feeble-minded” are still used in the D.C. Code to describe disabled residents. Council-member Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) wants that to change, notes the Post. Gray has introduced legislation would remove certain offensive terms from the code and convene a taskforce to consider how to best describe those with developmental disabilities. The legislation currently has seven co-sponsors, though no date has been set for a hearing. According to Gray, “lunatic” appears 29 times and “idiot” 13 times in the D.C. Code.

Pedestrian Crack Down Begins: Remember that jaywalking ticket we reported on yesterday? Well, it seems that it comes as part of a larger region-wide “Street Smart” campaign aimed at encouraging pedestrian safety, reports NBC 4. The campaign runs from March 20 to April 9, and urges pedestrians to obey crosswalk signal and wear reflective clothing at night.

District Unprepared for Terrorist Attack: Though Congress and the Federal Government have perfected their evacuation routines should all hell break loose in the District, the region at large has yet to develop a strategic plan to respond to any future attacks or serious incidents, writes the Post. In testimony before a oversight panel for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, officials from the District, Virginia and Maryland faced hard questions concerning the Capital Region Homeland Security Strategic Plan, which was expected last September but may not be ready until August of this year. Most concerning was the fact that the Washington area has yet to spend $120 million in anti-terrorism grants it received between 2002 and 2004.

Briefly Noted: Exotic animals die in zoo fire in Maryland … Mayor pushes funding for libraries … Washington sniper to defend himself … Opposition builds to toll road deal.

Picture snapped by budwies99.