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I'm sending this earlier and shorter newsletter ahead of the long holiday weekend to share some timely updates before it's time to fire up the grill.

If you missed it, last week I sent out an update on the Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment's proposal for the budget.

If you weren't able to make it to Open Streets in Capitol Hill last weekend, you missed a great event! I spent time both at my office's pop-up tent at Lincoln Park as well as walking up and down the route, seeing so many friends and neighbors. Ward 6 was out and about, and I loved how active, colorful, and full the streets were. And kudos to DDOT and the team at Eastern Market for integrating our regular, long-running open streets event – otherwise known as Eastern Market every Saturday and Sunday.

Finally, it's time to save the date as Ward 6 Week returns July 27 through Aug. 2. We're lining up some fantastic events for you to enjoy life in Ward 6 during the dog days of summer. If you're going to be in town that week, make sure to keep an eye out for the full rollout next week.

QUICK LINKS: Fourth of July on the Hill | Public Safety Updates | Have Your Voice Heard on the NFL Stadium Deal | Some DPW Update | Events & Ward 6 Week Save-the-Date

Miss the last newsletter featuring updates on where things stand with the DC budget, new housing in Southwest, RFK Stadium news, and more? Read it here.

There's Still Time to Join Us for the Barracks Row Fourth of July Parade

Have you ever walked in a Fourth of July Parade? Now's your chance! Join me and my team for the best little parade in America! We'll meet at 9:30 a.m. under the freeway at the south end of Barracks Row before we kick off the parade at 10 a.m. If you're able to join us, RSVP here, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Public Safety Update

As we head into the holiday weekend, I've already been hearing fireworks. Those celebrations are fun for some but concerning for others. Every year around this time, I get a lot of questions about what the laws are in DC regarding fireworks. The short version is that if they explode or shoot up into the air, they're more likely than not not allowed. But traditionally, we see a lot of neighbors get together to put on a show on their block, or ahem, Lincoln Park. My advice to folks celebrating with legal fireworks in legal locations: 1) be safe, avoid injuries, and listen to our FEMS leaders, and 2) be considerate of your neighbors, as not everyone loves the rockets' red glare and fireworks after 10 p.m. (and for sure, clean up your discarded trash and debris). 

A few public safety notes as we head into the long weekend: 

1) Sticking with fireworks, here's how to report illegal fireworks: 

• To report illegal fireworks year-round, visit fmhotline.femsdc.com/HotlineForm or call 202-673-2776 and leave the requested information.
  
  
• To report illegal fireworks from July 4-6, visit the DC311 App and use the Illegal Fireworks Request or call 311 and choose option #1 for fireworks. OUC will have two dedicated call takers for fireworks calls and assign them to the fireworks units for each MPD district.

Again, if you're planning on setting off fireworks, please review the Fire and EMS fireworks safety page.

2) Council creates some new summer changes to DC's curfew law: After seeing several instances of large groups of young people (in some cases, hundreds) gathering in different parts of the city with large-scale disruptions, the Council vigorously debated and passed some changes to DC's juvenile curfew law that are in effect for the remainder of the summer. The new changes give the Mayor and MPD the ability to declare specific curfew zones beginning at 8 p.m. for up to four days in a set area where groups of unaccompanied kids 17 years old and younger can be dispersed by MPD.

Because of the Council's debate, the bill changed significantly from what the Mayor had proposed. In my opinion, the initial proposal was fairly draconian and short-sighted, such as saying a curfew violation could be as little as three young people outside after 7 p.m. Quick reminder that sunset today is 8:36 p.m... I supported the work of my colleague, Councilmember Parker, on his amendment to make several sensible changes. Curfews are a tool that can give the city a way to act before a gathering gets too large and no longer is a manageable size. But it's also a tool with limits – for example, there are no good answers if a child doesn't have a safe home to return to or a parent can't be reached, and it can occupy MPD officers who would otherwise be needed elsewhere.

Overall, I think the Council landed in a better place with a time-limited tool. We also pushed DPR to hold their enormously successful Late Night Hype pool parties for kids more often – every weekend would be ideal. These are fantastic events that provide a safe and fun place on weekend evenings for young people. I've heard we've had more than 1,000 young people attend in recent weeks.

Hearings Scheduled to Weigh in on the Commanders Deal

In my last newsletter, I shared how important it is for the RFK Stadium process to be separated from the FY26 budget. That happened last week when the Committee of the Whole officially voted to pull the deal out, and the Chairman introduced it as a separate bill, which means the public is now part of the process to make this deal one that's actually fair to people who live here and would be footing the substantial bill.

This is your chance to testify about the deal on Tuesday, July 29! We already have more than 250 people signed up, which speaks to the importance of the decision ahead of us. You can testify in person, over Zoom, or, importantly, just by submitting written testimony through the link above. 

Put Your Trash Bin Out on Time

Because of our high temperatures during the summer, DPW is starting collection early, at 5:30 a.m., through Sept. 5. The agency advises residents to place all waste materials at their collection points the night before so they don't miss a pickup.

Additionally, DPW is in full swing for its spring and summer services. That means you can submit a 311 request for street cleaning, alley cleaning, grass cutting, and mowing services. 

Upcoming Events & Save the Date for Ward 6 Week!

• Fourth at the Wharf: Friday, July 4 | 5 to 9 p.m. | Transit Pier at The Wharf (970 Wharf St. SW)
  The Wharf will have a free celebration with country music on multiple stages, games, and a view of the National Park Service fireworks launched from the National Mall (estimated to start around 9:09 p.m.).
  
  
• What to Know Before Your Lead Pipe Is Replaced: Wednesday, July 9 | 6 to 7 p.m. | Microsoft Teams
  DC Water's Lead Free DC team hosts this virtual meeting to provide a behind-the-scenes look at how they prepare for lead pipe replacements, starting with door-to-door outreach, digging test pits, and inspecting pipe materials. Attendees will learn how these steps help DC Water plan safe, efficient replacements.
  
  
• SAVE THE DATE: Ward 6 Week returns Sunday, July 27, through Saturday, Aug. 2. More to come soon!

Get Those Summertime Tix

While this newsletter's a shorter read, I still appreciate your time! Just for that, you could see the Nats take on the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, July 22. Reply to this email for a chance at tickets.

If I don't see you at the parade tomorrow, have a safe and happy Fourth!

Charles Allen