Washington, D.C

Heat alerts have been activated for DC. Here's how to stay safe

Published

6 months ago

June 22, 2025

Heat alerts have been activated for DC. Here's how to stay safe

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has activated a heat alert for Sunday and an extreme heat alert for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

A heat alert means that temperatures will feel like 94 to 104 degrees, and an extreme heat alert means temperatures will feel like 105 degrees or higher.

The District has opened cooling centers as well as low barrier shelters and day centers for those experiencing homelessness. The city’s pools and splash pads are open, too. You can find a map of cooling centers here. If you or someone else needs free and accessible transportation to a cooling center, the shelter hotline can be called at (202) 399-7093 or call 311.

It’s recommended people stay indoors as much as possible, but if you have to be outside, doctors recommend staying hydrated, wearing lightweight and loose clothing, wearing sunscreen and avoiding strenuous activities to prevent heat related illnesses.

For the safety of both pets and their owners, pets should be kept inside. Walks should be done early in the morning with water breaks.

If you see an animal left outside or in a hot vehicle, the Brandywine Valley SPCA can be called at 202-888-7387.

D.C. leaders also want to remind people to make sure they’re checking in on seniors and vulnerable neighbors.

Signs of heat-related illness

In a heatwave like this, knowing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses is crucial.

Heat cramps can sometimes be the first sign of a more serious heat-related illness, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, according to the National Weather Service. Symptoms include painful cramps or spasms and can be treated by applying firm pressure to the muscle. As long as the person isn’t nauseous, they can also be given water.

If symptoms last for over an hour, worsen or the person vomits, seek medical attention.

There is also a risk of heat exhuastion, which is marked by the following symptoms:

If these symptoms last for over an hour, get worse or vomiting occurs, seek immediate medical attention, the National Weather Service said.

Move the person to a cooler area, loosen their clothing, offer sips of water and apply cool, wet cloths or have them sit in a cool bath.

Also look out for heatstroke, which is always a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated quickly. If heatstroke is suspected, call 911 or get the person to the hospital, per the National Weather Service.

In the meantime, try to reduce their body temperature using cool, wet cloths or a bath. A fan can also be used, but only if the heat index is below 90 degrees, otherwise it could do more harm than good.

The symptoms are not that different than those of heat exhaustion and can include:

Headache
Confusion
Nausea
Dizziness
Body temperature above 103 degrees
Hot, red, dry or damp skin
Rapid and strong pulse
Fainting or loss of consciousness

People taking certain over-the-counter or prescription medications should be especially cautious, as many common ones raise the risk of developing a heat-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Never leave children or pets alone in a vehicle

Within 10 minutes, the temperature inside a car can get 19 degrees higher than it is outside, according to StormTeam4. So with temperatures being in the 90s this week, it can be over 100 degrees inside a vehicle.

Cracking a window is not effective in alleviating the heat, and staying in a hot car can be fatal, with victims often being children or pets.

Thirty-nine children died of heatstroke in vehicles in 2024, up 35% from 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It only takes 15 minutes for an animal to suffer from heat-related illness or death in a vehicle.

Make sure car doors are locked and that keys are out of the reach of children so they aren’t able to get in by themselves. Always lock the doors after leaving the car and check the back seats.

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Washington, D.C

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

Published

15 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.

You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.

Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”

Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.

“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.

Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.

While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.

My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”

According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.

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Washington, D.C

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.

The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.

Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.

Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.

After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.

Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.

Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.

“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”

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Washington, D.C

READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’

WASHINGTON (7News) — Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith is facing yet another scathing report accusing her of manipulating crime data in the city.

The 22-page document from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform comes less than a week after a separate draft report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and days after Chief Smith turned in her resignation.

The main difference between the Congressional report and the DOJ report is that this new one, released on December 14, contains transcribed interviews directly with commanders from all seven MPD patrol districts.

RELATED | DC Police settles with former employee over claims that crime numbers were manipulated

The testimony reveals how Chief Smith chastised and, in some cases, publicly humiliated staff in crime briefings.

“The Committee’s investigation heard consistent testimony about frustration and exhaustion among MPD commanders and the manifestation of a culture of fear, intimidation, threats, and retaliation by Chief Smith. Often, these manifestations were triggered whenever the Chief was presented with what she considers ‘bad news,’ particularly when that news pertained to any rise in public crime statistics. Chief Smith, according to testimonies, regularly took action against her subordinates who failed to aid in the preservation of her public image,” the report states on page two.

RELATED | Trump announces probe into DC police for inflating crime stats amid safety claims

The committee launched the investigation in August when whistleblowers came forward with concerns about data manipulation.

One line of questioning in the report states:

Question: Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?

Answer: Yes, I mean extreme… there’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration or regime, and you know, that has manifested publicly.

7News reached out to Mayor Bowser’s Office for a comment in response to the report. A spokesperson provided the following statement:

The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department run towards danger every day to reduce homicides, carjackings, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and more. The precipitous decline in crime in our city is attributable to their hard work and dedication and Chief Smith’s leadership.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

I thank Chief Smith for her commitment to the safety of D.C. residents and for holding the Metropolitan Police Department to an exacting standard, and I expect no less from our next Chief of Police.

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