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The scene of D.C.’s heat wave: Cooling centers, free water, canceled events

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The scene of D.C.’s heat wave: Cooling centers, free water, canceled events


As the Washington region sweats through another week of scorching temperatures — one of the hottest runs of days on record — and little relief in sight, local governments are warning residents to remain indoors, keep blinds drawn against the sun, take cold showers or baths, and drink water.

The D.C. area on Monday hit record temperatures for the second day in a row, with another high of 101. The weather forced officials to shutter outdoor day camps and sporting events and prompted Prince George’s County to push trash pickup an hour earlier through September.

The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang forecasts the earlier half of this week is expected to reach the upper 90s and 100s through Wednesday. Elected leaders from across the region are warning residents to be careful.

“Reminder: we are in an Extended Heat Emergency through Wednesday, July 17,” D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) posted on X Monday morning. “Please stay cool and check on seniors and neighbors.”

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The District has opened up nearly 120 cooling stations across the city for residents at community pools, community centers, and shelters for anyone in need of relief as the city braces for another week of triple-digit weather.

Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis and the company’s Doctors Community Medical Center have seen increased numbers of patients reporting to emergency rooms with symptoms of heat exhaustion, including employees who work outdoors, according to Sunil Madan, chief medical officer at the Lanham site.

Physical conditions can deteriorate over hours if people don’t take the proper precautions to replenish fluids and to rest frequently, in cool environments if possible, Madan said.

More severe heat illnesses can result in organ failure, especially for people who suffer from co-morbidity conditions, Madan said.

“Hydrate. Take breaks. Wear sunscreen. Wear a hat,” Madan said. “The information is out there, the warnings. But I do think the public needs to be more aware and heed. It’s a serious thing.”

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D.C. Fire and EMS Captain Renaldo Bell said medics have responded to treat patients dealing with cramping, heat exhaustion and, in rare cases, heat stroke. Many calls result from people who get overheated while exercising in extreme heat and children who play in pools and lie out in the sun but fail to continually hydrate.

“The pool will keep you cool, but you’re actually sweating with the energy and playing and you’re losing a lot of sodium and electrolytes,” Bell said.

The city’s pools and cooling centers help lessen the number and severity of calls, Bell said, but responders still have concerns about elderly residents who may not venture outside.

“A lot of the time the elderly don’t like a lot of air, and then it gets hotter than they expect,” Bell said. “At this point you’re dealing with the heat stroke type of environments.”

Mild heat-related symptoms include cramping from a lack of replenishment of fluids. But as conditions worsen, heat exhausted patients may feel faint, sweat profusely and deal with nausea symptoms or vomiting, Bell said. People suffering from heat stroke may have headaches, dry skin, vomiting or fall unconscious.

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Maryland’s most populated county — Montgomery — has opted to not open cooling centers, but is urging residents seeking relief to head to public buildings such as libraries and community centers this week.

“We don’t specifically set up specific buildings for cooling centers because historically we believe the majority of residents have access to air conditions,” said Mary Anderson, a county spokesperson. “That said, at the drop of the hat, we are ready to set up cooling stations if, for example, we knew all of Wheaton was without power.”

Free water will be available on Montgomery County Ride On buses.

In Prince George’s County, outdoor programs have been canceled while cooling stations remain open. The county has also opted to move trash removal one hour earlier due to conditions outside. Outdoor recreational programs in Prince George’s have been canceled for Monday.

Fairfax County in Virginia has also opened cooling stations. The county school district announced all activities such as team practices and other outdoor extracurriculars have been canceled.

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As of Monday afternoon, the county had not closed any camps or parks. “We continue to encourage all parents — particularly those parents of participants in outdoor camps — to make sure their child comes prepared with appropriate clothing, water bottle and sun protection,” said county spokesperson Ben Boxer.

The city of Alexandria has suspended all outdoor programming until 8 p.m. Monday. This includes organized sports and camps, according to Ebony Fleming, the chief spokesperson. The parks are still open.

Loudoun County has also not yet closed parks or community facilities, according to Kraig Troxell, a spokesperson for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Cooling centers are open for residents.



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Washington, D.C

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

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


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.

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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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National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

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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.

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

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


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

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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:

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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.

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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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