Dear Mayor Gray,
Knowing your concern for our youth and those with disabilities, I am truly disappointed in having to write this to you about the DC Government Services needed and what is currently being provided for the public safety and traffic management for the ANNUAL DC Special Olympics events which is currently going on at the Catholic University Athletic Field in the 300 blk Hawaii Avenue NE.
As you know these are athletes with special needs, some with mental disabilities, physical disabilities along with health challenges. They look forward to this annual event where there can be more than 2,000 athletes and supporters attending on a daily basis. A very large contingent of DCPS buses are used, along with at least 30-40 private vans dropping off/picking up these athletes and fellow roommates, parents, etc.
For the past 4 years as the Commissioner for the affected SMD, I've had to ask for DC govt services assistance with the public safety and traffic management in the morning for drop offs and mid afternoon for pickups, along with assistance for participants crossing Hawaii Avenue
Last year there were some problems on the first day, which did not exist the 2nd-3rd day due to the interceding of my then CM Thomas. This year, though I proposed a meeting of all who would be involved, I didn't receive a response back from Kelly Brinkley, OSSE regarding the buses, learning the week before the event that she was no longer with OSSE. I left a VM for Ryan Solchenberger which was never returned. Therefore, I sent out an EM over the weekend asking for coordination of services, to which Steve Glaude, Angelo DDOT, Special Olympics-DC and others responded.
Though promised sufficient DDOT traffic management/enforcement for the 3 day event. That has not been the case. Yesterday, additional DDOT officers had to be requested along with cones to block off traffic during drop offs/pickups. For this morning's events, only 4 traffic mgmt officers were assigned, when there should have been at least 8-9 so that for at least an hour when the buses/vans and cars arrive starting about 9:15am, the other traffic flow, heavy trucks, cars, etc could be diverted around Hawaii Ave, for effective and efficient movement of the necessary vehicles to get the participants to the venue, with the same expectations for the afternoon pickups, especially since DCPS buses have their afternoon routes to perform. One traffic safety officer said yesterday that he learned from what occurred and they would do better tomorrow. He couldn't keep this promise today because less staff was sent out.
Due to this and impatience on the part of bus and vehicle drivers, there was almost an accident today which could have been serious, and would have totally blocked the 300 blk Hawaii Ave, with cars/trucks filling the lanes in both directions. Imagine that.
CUA Public Safety Division under Dir. Johnson and Asst. Dir Pendergast has been great. They have arranged for the Harewood Road
The shortcomings have been with DDOT not assigning sufficient officers. I talked w/Angelo this morning about the shortage who said, "they have other things to cover this morning." I talked w/Ryan Scholenberger, OSSE yesterday who said that he would have supervisors out here today to assist in the movement of the buses." This was used last year so that there would not be an overflow of buses congesting the streets. No one showed from OSSE this morning. This is another important missing link for successful traffic mgmt.
Again today, Carl Thomas has had to make many calls to get additional traffic safety officers out here. Took a while, but the mission was accomplished, which I will see if reality after sending this to you.
There is again the matter of being told that Catholic University
There is also the matter of the adverse impact on my SMD, which directly affects the residents who live in the 200 blk Hawaii Ave
If you may recall at your April Ward 5 Budget Town Hall meeting, Mr. Bellamy, Dir, DDOT, came to the mike and stated that DDOT would initiate a "Special Events Parking Program" for this area since private events at the CUA athletic facilities adverse affect public space. These are the residents who voted in approval of the building of this facility. The promised relief hasn't occurred.
Mr. Mayor, I totally understand what you mean by DC is "One City
Preparations and participation of DC Govt services to protect the public interest for this event should be the same as for the Nationals Baseball season, DC United, events on Pennsylvania Avenue NW
For 4 years, I've had to get out there, request the assistance, observe and sometimes have to assist in helping to have an orderly function. I have received respect and appreciation for this, but it is DC Govt that provides the services. This should be on the annual calendar lead by the appropriate agencies, better organized to address the anticipated and unanticipated issues.
I'm tired and can no longer do this. I hope you see the wisdom and need for the direct organizing of this 3-day event by DC Government officials who should have this responsibility. For if not, it is a serious accident in waiting that could cost this city far more than just money especially due to the population that is being served, but also our city's reputation.
Last night, I wrote a "Day 1" report to all involved, which included Steve Glaude, Carl Thomas, Mr. Bellamy, M. Howland, CO Missouri
Albrette "Gigi" Ransom
Commissioner, ANC 5C12
ANC 5C-Financial & Corresponding Secretaries
Chair, ANC 5C Legislation & Public Policy Committee
202-529-0508
202-341-9134 (c)
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