Breakfast links: Tracking violence

Who should investigate the police?

Eleanor Holmes Norton says special prosecutors should handle police killings to avoid biases. Meanwhile, an officer killed a man after a robbery, the first such death since the grand jury decision in Ferguson. (WAMU, Post)

Homicide Watch shuts down

The website tracking every homicide in the District will shut down after four years of operation. Despite their valuable service, the founders could not find a partner to fund the site and investigation work. (Post)

Streetcar holdup over safety

DDOT has been at odds with the safety officer who has the power to approve or block the streetcar. It appears DDOT did some paperwork wrong, but was that intentionally misleading, or was the official, fired DC fire chief Keith Ellerby’s brother, nitpicking on unimportant non-safety details? (Post)

The year in cities

In 2014, protests rocked cities around the world. At home, the happenings were more benign, with a new Metro line, HOT lanes, continued redevelopment, and a focus on people. (Atlantic, WBJ, Post, Next City)

Jim Graham’s years of service

The longtime DC councilmember transformed neglected neighborhoods only to be voted out amid scandal by young residents who moved into the new buildings. How will this master of constituent service be remembered? (Post)

Tolls start on I-95

Virginia will start collecting tolls on the I-95 HOT lanes starting today. Variable tolling will be in effect 24/7, but vehicles with 3 or more passengers (and an EZ-Pass Flex transponder) will be exempt. (Post)

“Visionary” needed in Montgomery

Smart growth advocates and business groups asked Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett to pick a “visionary” transportation head who will think about all modes, not just cars alone. (BethesdaNow)

And…

The final bicycle master plan for Fairfax County is now available. (FABB) … Sanitation workers go on strike in Montgomery County protesting low wages. (Post) … Isn’t Silver Spring already successful; so why does it also need to be cool? (Post)