October Downtowner News Briefs
By • October 11, 2023 0 618
Congressman Carjacked in Navy Yard Neighborhood; High Rate of Juvenile Carjackings Reported
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was carjacked recently by three armed attackers in the Navy Yard neighborhood. Police are responding across the city, working on a citywide approach to curbing carjackings, particularly by juveniles (which are on the rise). According to D.C. crime data, there have been at least 113 arrests for carjacking so far this year and 65 percent have been by juveniles.
Uber Offering Package Returns
Do package returns for clothes or items you don’t want add to your never-ending list of things to do? Uber is now offering to help out. The rideshare company announced earlier this month that drivers will take up to five pre-paid and sealed packages and drop them off at your local post office. Prices are $3 for Uber One members and $5 for everyone else. The company has plans to offer the services in 5,000 cities to start.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was carjacked in D.C. earlier this month. Wikipedia photo.
Empty Office Spaces are Getting Creative
Post pandemic, many office buildings have stayed continuously vacant due to more employees choosing to work remotely. The vacant buildings are now getting a bit of creative treatment, however, turning into apartment buildings, and in some cases spas. A building in Chicago could become a vertical farm growing tomatoes and herbs. Other ideas include breweries, podcasting studios, and doggy daycares. According to Bisnow, D.C. office vacancies have hit an all-time high in the third quarter.
Biden Dog Bites Again
President Biden’s two-year-old German Shepherd Commander is in the doghouse. The 11th biting incident happened earlier this month for the pup, who bit a Secret Service agent. In November 2022, one of those incidents sent a Secret Service agent to the hospital. Commander joined The White House in December 2021 at three months-old. Major, another German Shepherd, was also re-homed and left The White House a few years ago after a few biting incidents.
D.C. Begins Enforcing Law Prohibiting Businesses from Not Accepting Cash
A piece of legislation first introduced five years ago and passed in 2020 is intended to prevent discrimination against people without access to traditional credit cards or bank accounts. Since October 1, D.C. has been enforcing the law, and Mayor Bowser expects to not have to fine businesses. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson did say in a media briefing, he will wait to see if the mayor’s approach works. If not, they’ll revisit whether businesses aren’t complying.
