Just as Chuck Brown’s music defined D.C. for so many, his death evoked reactions of sadness from people across the city. In the hours after the news was announced, D.C. officials from Mayor Vince Gray on down expressed their sorrow for Brown’s passing and passed their condolences on to his family.

UPDATE: Looks like we might have helped to blow the service’s cover — we tried calling the service again later this morning and were greeted by a message stating that Verizon would no longer be maintaining the service. Those of you who still use the service will have to keep your fingers crossed that another organization picks up the contract to keep the hotline alive.