Dec 10, 2007
Go Home Already: Easy Does It
>> Oh noes! The Ron Paul blimp launch was delayed, and rescheduled for its D.C. appearance on Wednesday at 3 p.m. [via Wonkette] >> D.C.’s Beacon House Falcons of Edgewood Terrace won Pop Warner Football’s Pee Wee Division I Super Bowl championship on Saturday. [Notions Capital] >> Former D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey no longer thinks handgun bans are such a good idea now that he works for a city that doesn’t have one….
Nov 15, 2007
Former Police Chief Ramsey Heads to Philadelphia
Former D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey has been named police commissioner of Philadelphia by Mayor-elect Michael Nutter, reports the Associated Press. Ramsey came to D.C. in 1998 after serving for 31 years in his hometown of Chicago, and became Washington’s longest-serving police chief in more than three decades, serving as top cop in the District until the end of 2006, when he was replaced by incoming Mayor Adrian Fenty. Since we’ve had a little bit…
Jun 08, 2007
Fenty, Lanier Unveil New Crime Strategy
Summer is fast approaching, and that means public pools, barbeques and the inevitable jump in crime. But unlike in years past, city officials are handling this one differently. In an announcement earlier today, Mayor Adrian Fenty and Police Chief Cathy Lanier announced that all 3,300 of the department’s officers would work this weekend, part of a larger plan called the All Hands on Deck Summer Crime Initiative aimed at more effectively deploying resources to prevent…
Dec 28, 2006
Go Home Already: Not You, Federal Employees
>> Yeah, you. You need to stay late tonight to make up for the crazy amount of time you’re about to have off. That’s right, those of us who do not work for the Federal Government are currently glaring up a storm at those of you who do, because the word from on high is now official: President Bush has declared January 2 as the official day of mourning for President Ford, which means Federal…
Nov 20, 2006
Morning Roundup: Babies on Beltways Edition
Morning, fair DCist readers. How was your weekend? Did you do any of the numerous activities in the area, like the homeless walkathon, or celebrating an elephant’s fifth birthday? Did you go on a fruitless hunt for the elusive Wii? Or perhaps you got married in a Roman castle? You could have signed with the Cubs for $136 million! Whatever you did, we hope it was excellent. The start of this week seems to…
Oct 03, 2006
Morning Roundup: Making Up For Macaca Edition
Good morning, D.C. How’re those new Metro express lanes treating you? We know it’s only five stations for now, but we’re pretty excited by the prospect of a nearly-50% speed-up through the turnstiles during rush hour. There’s nothing more infuriating than finding yourself stuck behind a perplexed tourist who’s fiddling with his farecard like a newly-tool-using ape at the beginning of 2001 — unless you count the encounter you just had with him on the…
Sep 08, 2006
Ramsey Starts Searching Craigslist for Jobs
D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey hasn’t had to worry about job security for eight years. But as NBC 4 reports today, a new job is something he might soon have to look for. Ramsey was brought on with D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams and has been credited for improving policing and overseeing a drop in violent crime, especially homicides. But among repeated cries for further reform after this summer’s crime spike, will Ramsey make it through…
Aug 11, 2006
District Responds to Terror Plot
As more and more details leak out concerning an ambitious terrorist plot to blow up U.S.-bound planes leaving London, District Police Chief Charles Ramsey isn’t taking any chances. Yesterday Ramsey announced a series of measures police would enact in response to the threat, among them the following: Activated its Joint Operations Command Center, including the network of 19 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the downtown area. Notified MPDC personnel of the situation and encouraged…
Aug 10, 2006
Morning Roundup: Code Red Edition
Travel Might Suck Today: A word to the wise — Amtrak and Greyhound might seem like mighty good options in the coming days. As you’ve no doubt heard, British officials report that they have broken up a plot to blow up airplanes flying from London to the U.S., sending both countries into a security frenzy, writes NBC 4. Things are so bad that passengers are now forbidden from carrying any liquids or gels onto…
Aug 09, 2006
Georgetown Requests Cameras — Many of Them
Three weeks ago the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation to deal with a spike in violent crime. Among the provisions endorsed by the council was the installation of 23 surveillance cameras throughout the District, at a cost of $2.3 million. But where would the cameras go? Police Chief Charles Ramsey indicated that he would allow Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) — local neighborhood representatives — to propose sites which the police would then review. Today the…