Breakfast Links: 2016 ends with lower crime
DC homicides and violent crimes are down
As of Thursday, DC recorded 134 homicides, compared to 162 in 2015. Crime in DC is down 4 percent and violent crime is down 10 percent from last year. Overall, the region has recorded 297 homicides this year. (Washington Times, Post)
Amtrak’s new CEO talks transit improvements
Amtrak's new CEO, Charles Moorman, said that repairing infrastructure and adding new trains for Acela are high priorities, and that he has met with the Trump transition team to discuss the importance of Amtrak. (WBUR)
Malls find new life with immigrants
As some aging malls are torn down to be transformed into walkable town squares, others like Beltway Plaza see new life as a social spot for immigrants who fill the wide concourses with businesses. (Post)
Police track alleged rapist’s SmarTrip card
DC police arrested and charged a man with attempting to sexually assault a woman at a hotel. The alleged perpetrator had been caught on surveillance cameras and police tracked him for weeks through his SmarTrip card. (Post)
Area unemployment drops to 3.7 percent
The DC area continues to record an unemployment rate lower than the national average, falling to 3.7 percent in November. Overall, unemployment rates fell in 271 of 387 total metropolitan areas around the country. (WTOP)
Quarry may be what DC needs for water
The Travilah Quarry in Rockville could be a suitable place for DC's backup water supply in case there's a pollution spill on the Potomac. The quarry company has expressed interested in its potential as a reservoir. (WTOP)
Hotel rooms for the Inauguration are filling up
Area hotels and bed and breakfast owners say rooms are filling up fast for Inauguration weekend. (WJLA)
California gets kids involved in building walkable cities
Planners in Central Long Beach in California enlisted children to help draft their Pedestrian Master Plan, the first of its kind in Central Long Beach. The plan will target low-income areas that need more walkable streets. (NextCity)
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