Refusing to investigate 911 call mistakes, OUC continues years-long failures, putting property and lives at unnecessary risk

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Refusing to investigate 911 call mistakes, OUC continues years-long failures, putting property and lives at unnecessary risk

On July 3, 2025 Leticia McCray called 911 for a family member experiencing a medical emergency. Fire and EMS Station #24 is located only two blocks away from Leticia’s home, meaning help should have been there extremely fast. However, that didn’t happen — the OUC operator made a mistake and sent the call to Takoma Station #22. These mistakes are costing precious time, property damage and potentially lives.

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Get to know Janeese Lewis George, Ward 4 Councilmember candidate

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Get to know Janeese Lewis George, Ward 4 Councilmember candidate

Petworth News offered the three Democratic candidates for the Ward 4 Council seat a questionnaire. Here are the answers from the incumbent, Janeese Lewis George.

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Get to know Lisa Gore, Ward 4 Councilmember candidate

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Get to know Lisa Gore, Ward 4 Councilmember candidate

Petworth News offered the three Democratic candidates for the Ward 4 Council seat a questionnaire. Two responded. Here are the answers from Lisa Gore.

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Get to know Paul Johnson, Ward 4 Councilmember candidate

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Get to know Paul Johnson, Ward 4 Councilmember candidate

Paul Johnson did not submit a response to the Petworth News questionnaire. Mr. Johnson was on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C. Undoubtedly, his term on the ANC was contentious. He lost his bid for reelection on the ANC. You can learn more about him on his campaign website, or via the articles included here.

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Two Petworth parents advocate for more DPR swim lessons

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Two Petworth parents advocate for more DPR swim lessons

As every parent who has ever tried to sign their child up for DPR swim lessons knows, it’s next to impossible. In Ward 4, DPR lessons are only offered at Takoma Rec Center, not at Roosevelt High School nor at any outdoor pools like Upshur.

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Voice your opinion on the redistricting of ANC and SMD boundaries this Sunday

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Voice your opinion on the redistricting of ANC and SMD boundaries this Sunday

The DC Council will host nine meetings on redistricting of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and their Single Member Districts. You can register to speak at an upcoming public meeting.

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What do you want to ask the 2020 Ward 4 Council candidates?

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What do you want to ask the 2020 Ward 4 Council candidates?

Petworth News will be interviewing each candidate for Ward 4 Council, and you get the opportunity to submit questions for the interview. This year there are currently three candidates vying for the Ward 4 seat: incumbent Brandon Todd, Janeese Lewis George, and Marlena Edwards.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Let kids play – save parent play groups!

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Councilmember’s Corner: Let kids play – save parent play groups!

On Thursday, October 31st, the Council’s Committee on Education held a public hearing on the Parent-led Play Cooperative Amendment Act of 2018. This legislation, temporarily enacted in emergency form last month, would fully exempt parent-led play co-ops from the regulatory requirements imposed on formal child care facilities. I voiced my full and enthusiastic support for the legislation. We cannot allow this critical service for families to be regulated out of existence.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Addressing maternal mental health disorders 

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Councilmember’s Corner: Addressing maternal mental health disorders 

One significant but often overlooked component of maternal and infant well-being is mental health. According to the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, at least 20% of mothers suffer from pregnant and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

After studying the problem more closely, I knew something had to be done. I am proud to report that legislation I introduced in 2017 to improve maternal mental healthcare has recently become official law in the District of Columbia.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Protecting immigrants from extortion

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Councilmember’s Corner: Protecting immigrants from extortion

I am making a concerted effort to double down on our sanctuary city policies and reaffirm that all people, regardless of immigration status, are welcome and worthy of protection in the District of Columbia.    

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Councilmember’s Corner: 2019 budget wins (education, public safety & more)

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Councilmember’s Corner: 2019 budget wins (education, public safety & more)

From education and recreation, to public safety, to human services, housing, infrastructure, and beyond, this budget makes the strategic investments necessary to build a thriving, safe, and inclusive District.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Giving blind and visually-impaired students a fair shot

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Councilmember’s Corner: Giving blind and visually-impaired students a fair shot

Earlier this month, after meeting with members of the Ward 4 and DC blind community, I introduced legislation that would improve Braille education for blind and vision-impaired students in DC public and public charter schools.

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Councilmember's Corner: Calling on Maryland & Virginia to join DC’s full assault weapons ban

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Councilmember's Corner: Calling on Maryland & Virginia to join DC’s full assault weapons ban

While the District remains a leader in gun control, boasting some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, a gaping and deadly systemic flaw remains – assault weapons illegally brought into DC from other states with looser restrictions. To address this, I introduced a “Sense of the Council” Resolution earlier this month calling on Virginia and Maryland to join the District of Columbia in fully banning assault-style weapons.

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Councilmember's Corner: Petworth Community Market needs your support

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Councilmember's Corner: Petworth Community Market needs your support

Last year, the Petworth Community Market came to me with an urgent concern. Due to a District-wide increase in parking meter fees, the Market faces an 800% increase in their meter costs that threatens the sustainability of their future operations.

As soon as I heard, I knew I had to act, and I'm asking for your help.

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