Neighbors,
When tackling an issue as far-reaching and critically important as public safety, true progress can only be achieved when we bring together residents, government agencies, the private sector, and community organizations alike.
Last summer, a young man with a promising future, Zaire Kelley, was senselessly murdered while walking home from a College Bound program.
In response, I convened a Peace Walk and Sleep Out to engage community members on the solutions they wanted to see and to demonstrate solidarity in standing against violence. During that time, we learned that the grassy area where Zaire died was a forgotten piece of property that has become a breeding ground for crime.
We immediately went to work. My staff and I worked with community leaders and residents to compile a punch list of issues that needed to be resolved, including lighting, broken sidewalks, overgrowth of bushes, damaged chain links, and infrequent trash pickup. We called on District agencies to remedy these seemingly minor issues that were causing a major, negative impact on the community.
While working with the agencies, we were approached by a Ward 5 business looking for an opportunity to give back to the Ward 5 community. My staff gave them an extensive list and they were immediately drawn to helping improve this park. They gave an immediate assessment of the lighting issue and even offered to cover the cost of installation. This ultimately proved unnecessary as D.C.'s Department of Transportation had agreed to have the lights installed in the park. We convened a final meeting just yesterday and I am proud that the installation is beginning today.
This lighting is step one in a true partnership. The Ward 5 MOCRS will be leading the short term beautification effort for the park and my office will be taking the lead to work with the community to come up with a long-term concept for this green space that will make this a place befitting of the great neighbors that surround it. Several Ward 5 businesses have already offered to commit time and resources to make this happen and, at the suggestion of a community leader, we are engaging the universities located in Ward 5 with the hopes of holding a design competition for the space.
My staff and I look forward to continuing to work with the Brentwood community and advocating on behalf of the residents to have the vibrant and safe community they deserve. But most importantly, continuing to work with the residents, businesses, and community leaders to create a better Ward 5.
In Service,
Kenyan
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