Washington, D.C

New DC law aims to curb reckless driving by out-of-state drivers

Published

2 months ago

October 1, 2024

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New DC law aims to curb reckless driving by out-of-state drivers

DC law cracks down on reckless driving

The STEER Act, a D.C. law aimed at road safety passed earlier this year, had components go into effect on October 1.

WASHINGTON – The STEER Act, a D.C. law aimed at road safety passed earlier this year, had components go into effect on October 1.

Among some of the changes: it’ll create the opportunity to add speed restrictions to vehicles for drivers who violate D.C. traffic laws. It’ll also ensure that if someone has their car stolen and the plate racks up tickets, that victim won’t have to pay the fines.

But the biggest change the STEER Act creates: going after out-of-state drivers who rack up huge fines.

If a traffic camera catches a D.C. resident, that person must pay the fine to renew their registration in the District.

But out-of-state drivers don’t have to pay their D.C. fine to renew wherever they live.

The impact of this: some out-of-state drivers aren’t as cautious driving around D-C.

According to data provided by the Department of Public Works, the overwhelming majority of out-of-state plates getting citations in the District are in Maryland and Virginia.

In Fiscal Year 2022, those plates got 757,268 citations totaling $151,250,000 in unpaid fines. In 2023, 808,933 citations totaling $160,700,000 in unpaid fines.

D.C. resident Katherine Eyster tells FOX 5 she thinks this is a fairness and safety issue: It’s unfair that D.C. residents have to pay, and she sees out-of-state drivers who aren’t careful on D.C. streets.

“It’s certainly tough to say, but when you look at the numbers and that some of these drivers, we’re not talking about folks who are distracted here and there, we’re talking about folks who are dangerous and shouldn’t be on the road. And so, hopefully that makes a difference,” Eyster said.

This new law now allows the D.C. Attorney General’s Office to sue these out-of-state plate owners in D.C. Court, get a judgment, then try and enforce that judgment in the state where the plate owner is registered.

Council Member Charles Allen heads the Council’s Transportation Committee. He says this bill adds teeth to D.C.’s traffic enforcement.

“It’s important, I think, to send that strong signal that the Attorney General is going to be coming after you, that we are going to make sure we put teeth into that reckless driving and making sure we get those drivers, hold them accountable, and get them off our streets,” Allen said.

FOX 5 has learned the Attorney General’s Office will add two attorneys whose full-time jobs will be filing these suits in D.C. to secure these judgments.

That sounds like a small number given the number of unpaid citations, but Allen thinks this will be a key deterrent and important tool.

“I think we will see a significant impact and I think it will result in safer streets. Let’s not kid ourselves that one law is going to magically change it all, you have to have better engineering, you have to build safer streets and intersections, we have to help educate drivers to make sure they’re learning and driving more safely. But we have to have enforcement, and this legislation, this law, is going to help improve enforcement,” Allen said.

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Washington, D.C

DC police program trains upcoming leaders from around the country – WTOP News

Published

7 hours ago

November 21, 2024

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DC police program trains upcoming leaders from around the country – WTOP News

Dozens of law enforcement officials from across the country gathered Wednesday at the Australian Embassy in Northwest D.C. to discuss strategies for strengthening partnerships with international police agencies.

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith leads a discussion as part of the department’s leadership academy.(Courtesy D.C. Police)

It was part of the D.C. Police Leadership Academy, a program designed to develop law enforcement leaders.

“This program targets … mid-level ranks, which is typically lieutenant or captain,” said Jessica Bress, the director of the D.C. Police Department’s strategic projects office.

The department first started the program in early 2023.

It’s about three weeks long and includes seminars from law enforcement experts.

The latest class, which is set to graduate on Friday, has more than 70 people in it, including 19 from the D.C. police force. All the others are from various departments nationwide.

Bress said people generally join the program to “learn leadership skills, network and meet a group of like-minded colleagues from across the country.”

“The problems that we’re dealing with in policing and law enforcement in America are sometimes the same everywhere,” said Bress. “There are also some differences, and there’s always benefits from learning and getting exposure to agencies outside of our own.”

John Fitzgerald, a lieutenant detective with the Boston Police Department in Massachusetts, is among those graduating this week.

“I’m learning a lot from working with people from state, local, federal and international law enforcement,” said Fitzgerald. “What I’m getting from it is perspective on how other places do it.”

Fitzgerald said the program has focused on technology, evidence-based policing and teaching people how to lead by example.

“It’s leaders wanting to lead,” Fitzgerald said. “Everybody who’s here has asked to be here or … worked really hard to get a slot here, and that means a lot.”

According to Bress, Wednesday’s visit to the Australian Embassy demonstrated the importance of building relationships with international law enforcement agencies.

“In D.C., we have more exposure to it, but these are participants from across the country,” said Bress. “A lot of them probably aren’t even aware of these international liaison networks.”

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Washington, D.C

Leaders in DC, Maryland, Virginia prepare for Trump transition

Published

15 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Leaders in DC, Maryland, Virginia prepare for Trump transition

DMV prepares for Trump administration with mixed anticipation

Maryland and Virginia are gearing up to welcome in a new administration to Washington. While Virginia’s Republican governor hopes to benefit, Maryland’s governor is facing questions about a move to hire an outside contractor to deal with the president-elect. It comes as the state faces a budget crisis.

WASHINGTON – Leaders in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are gearing up to welcome the Trump administration back into Washington.

While Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin hopes to benefit, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is facing questions about a move to hire an outside contractor to deal with the president-elect. It comes as the state faces a budget crisis.

That contract pays the consulting company Accenture $190,000 to provide the Moore administration with “risk management and scenario planning,” which may mean possible legal challenges to the Trump White House.

In an email to FOX 5, a spokesperson for Gov. Moore’s office defended the move, saying hiring outside consultant help is a standard part of any organization and that the state needs to prepare for any challenges it may face.

But Maryland’s House Republican leader tells FOX 5 that with the state facing a possible billion-dollar budget gap, there are better uses for taxpayer dollars.

“I think we’d be better off to sort of have a bipartisan approach. Stop the partisanship, stop the constant 24/7 politics and work for things that make Maryland better,” said House GOP leader Rep. Jason Buckel.

DMV Democrats have been warning the incoming Trump administration could have a big impact on issues like the number of federal jobs in this area, from immigration enforcement to healthcare and policing.

“Locally, we must prepare to address the potential impacts of the new administration. The president-elect has recommitted to his goal of “dismantling government bureaucracy,” said Fairfax Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, a Democrat.

Tuesday night, the Democratic Board of Supervisors Chair warned that the Trump administration poses a “risk” but Gov. Youngkin, a long-time supporter of Trump, says the new administration will benefit Virginia.

“We’ll now have someone in the White House who believes in all of that so I look forward to having the wind at our backs as opposed to in our faces about everything that we’re doing because we’ve gone the bottom of job growth to near the top of the country,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has also requested a meeting with President-elect Trump.

Bowser previously met with Trump during his first term. A spokesman for the mayor tells FOX 5 they’ve been in touch with the Trump team and don’t have a timeline on when or where that meeting will happen.

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Washington, D.C

Hillsborough High School Debate Club Competes In Washington DC

Published

22 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Hillsborough High School Debate Club Competes In Washington DC

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough High School Debate Club, led by teacher Bob Fenster and co-advisor Louis DiGirolamo, traveled to Washington DC this past weekend to compete in the prestigious Princeton Model Congress.

While in the nation’s capital, the students had the opportunity to engage with alumni working in government and public policy.

The visit included a panel discussion featuring three of Mr. Fenster’s accomplished former students, representing diverse political perspectives:

Find out what’s happening in Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Daria Grastara (Class of 2013): CEO of Direct Persuasion, a full-service marketing agency serving political candidates, committees, and public affairs groups. Ms. Grastara has held senior roles in Republican political campaigns, developing and executing digital strategies.
Yuval Levin (Class of 1995): Founding editor of National Affairs and director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. A prominent conservative thinker, Mr. Levin is a respected author and commentator on politics, culture, and public policy. He also served in the legislative branch early in his career.
Zach Volpe (Class of 2019): Staff Assistant on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a Juris Doctor candidate at Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Volpe, who has worked for both Republican and Democrat senators, specializes in national security law and has contributed to research and commentary on a range of defense and foreign policy issues.

The panel discussion, showcasing a breadth of ideological viewpoints, provided current debate club members with valuable insights into careers in public service and the impact of policy decisions.

Fenster, a long-time educator at Hillsborough High School, has a remarkable track record of fostering student interest in civic engagement. Many of his former students have gone on to pursue successful careers in government, law, and policy.

Find out what’s happening in Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This trip was an incredible experience for our students,” said Fenster. “Hearing from our alumni who are making a real difference in Washington underscores the importance of critical thinking, debate, and public service. I’m incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.”

In addition to the panel discussion, the students also had the opportunity to connect with Aman Thakker (Class of 2013), Associate Vice President at The Asia Group and an Adjunct Fellow with the Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Hillsborough High School Debate Club celebrated a successful trip to the Princeton Model Congress competition, where several students received recognition for their outstanding performance:

Sam Strauss (11) and Nirav Banerjee (12) earned Best Delegate awards
Lohith Venkatesh (10), Annika Lambert-Smith (10), Aditi Polamuri (10), Sanjana Bhatta (12), and Fred Gordon (12) received Honorable Mentions

This trip highlights the lasting impact of dedicated educators and the potential of young people to shape the future.

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