At the Washington Convention Center Advisory meeting this week, Councilmember Phil Mendelson (right) made an unexpected appearance in place of Councilmember Jack Evans. Mr Mendelson addressed a series of crime related and juvenile justice concerns and announced the following hearings being held by his Committee on Public Safety & the Judiciary. (Please note that Councilmember David Catania will join the CCCA at our January 26 meeting to discuss some crime issues along with other topics.)

Mr Mendelson addressed the fact that around 36% of students in DCPS are regularly absent from school that some of these students are inclined to get involved with juvenile crime. Mr Mendelson stated that "today's juvenile offenders are tomorrow's criminals" and that "there is a recidivism rate of two-thirds" among criminals going through the District's justice system.

UPCOMING (AND RECENT) PUBLIC HEARINGS (download pdf):

B18-526, Public Transportation Criminal Penalties Act of 2009, and
B18-555, School Safe Passage Emergency Zone Act of 2009
January 21, 2010 at 10:00 am in the Council Chambers

B18-63, Residential Tranquility Act of 2009
February 4, 2010 at 10:00 am in Hearing Room 412

B18-549, Community Impact Statement Amendment Act of 2009, and
B18-556, Liquid PCP Possession Amendment Act of 2009
February 8, 2010 at 10:30 am in Hearing Room 412

B18-557, Private Fire Hydrant Amendment Act of 2009
February 8, 2010 at 1:00 pm in Hearing Room 412

B18-622, Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative Amendment Act of 2010
February 11, 2010 at 10:00 am in the Council Chamber
(Those that wish to testify should contact Ms. Jennifer Barry, Committee on Health, at (202) 724-8170 or via e-mail at jbarry@dccouncil.us.)

PR18-631, Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Millicent D. Williams Confirmation Resolution of 2010
February 18, 2010 at 10:00 am in Hearing Room 102

All Committee hearings are open to the public. For more information, or to sign up to testify, please contact Ms. Deborah Kelly (see contact information below). For more information on the Committee, please visit DCCouncil.us/mendelson.