Posts tagged Public Safety
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The National Zoo’s proposed fences and checkpoints are “security theater”
The Smithsonian has plans to install security checkpoints at the National Zoo and reduce the number of pedestrian entrances from 13 to three. Adding more barriers will cut the Zoo off from the rest of the park and community. It shouldn't add more security simply because other Smithsonian buildings have done so. Keep reading…
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The tragic death of a cyclist highlights the danger of this Capital Crescent Trail crossing
In October 2016, beloved longtime Chevy Chase West resident Dr. Ned Gaylin was killed by a driver while cycling at the nearby intersection of the Capital Crescent Trail and Little Falls Parkway. Now in reaction to this tragedy, Montgomery County and the local parks service could make some engineering changes to protect people walking and biking in the area. Keep reading…
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Throwback Thursday: Drivers must merge into bike lanes before turning right
The garbage truck and driver who killed Alice Swanson two years ago was making an improper turn, but most drivers would make the same mistake. The correct procedure is for drivers to merge into the bicycle lane before the intersection, then turn from that lane. Keep reading…
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The 10 best “pits of death” in the Washington region
Did you know about the danger that could be growing in your neighborhood? Thanks to Montgomery County residents who are enraged at the thought of the government installing “Pits of Death” near their houses, more people are learning about the dangers of rain gardens. Keep reading…
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Most pedestrians killed by drivers in the District are hit during darker times
Pedestrian fatalities in the District overwhelmingly occur during periods of limited natural light; more than 86% of pedestrian fatalities from 2015 until now happened during night, dawn, or dusk. Any effort to eliminate pedestrian fatalities will need to identify factors that can reduce the dangers to pedestrians during darker times of the day. Keep reading…
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Business Improvement Districts are expanding across the Washington region. What’s a BID anyway?
In order to attract new businesses and residents and better maintain the downtown area, a group of local businesses and property owners in Silver Spring want to start a business improvement district, or BID. But what is a BID anyway? Keep reading…
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Metro Reasons: Mud and water problems are plaguing Metro tracks, new FTA reports show
Metro continues to deal with defects that remove tracks from service, and the agency is still working to get rid of standing mud and water from its tracks, according to new inspection reports released by the Federal Transit Administration. The report shows 1,095 of 3,364 defects which FTA inspectors identified since 2015 remain unresolved through May 4, 2018. Keep reading…
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Metro Reasons: Another train operator opened doors on the wrong side of the tracks
An Orange Line train operator opened the doors on the wrong side of his train on Thursday, May 3 at the Ballston Metro station. Such incidents still occur periodically, despite protocols put into place in 2008 to prevent them from happening. Keep reading…
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Parallel stormwater grates can endanger cyclists. If you see one, say something.
DC Water plays a small yet important role in making District streets safe and usable for bicyclists. While the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) takes care of nearly all of our street and sidewalk infrastructure, DC Water maintains storm water drains and grates. Grates with bars in the direction of travel mean big trouble for bicyclists. Keep reading…
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DC has spent hundreds of thousands on encampment removals. Now, people experiencing homelessness are suing.
Last month, several people experiencing homelessness filed a class-action lawsuit against the District, claiming that their belongings were being improperly thrown away during sweeps of encampments. As the lawsuit progresses through the courts, one thing is certain: until DC is able to provide mental health services and safe housing for all of those who need it, people will continue to live in encampments. Keep reading…