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🌱 Patch AM: Did D.C. police leaders really push to downplay crime numbers?

Also, don't miss Festival of Laughs: Robyn Schall on the Washington Patch calendar

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Monday December 15th Patch AM
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Hello Washington! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Did D.C. police leaders really push to downplay crime numbers?
  • How D.C.’s 250th birthday plans are reshaping Capital Pride 2026
  • Why a former Southwest DC resident is tied to Brown’s shooting

Also on today's calendar: Festival of Laughs: Robyn Schall and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Washington DCfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Washington DCfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Mainly cloudy, brisk and cold, with a high of 30 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Tuesday: Turning cloudy; not as cold, temps: high: 41, low: 25.
  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 48 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• House report alleges pressure to manipulate D.C. crime data as police chief prepares to step down (wusa9.com) — D.C. residents are learning that a House Oversight report accuses Police Chief Pamela Smith and department leaders of pressuring staff to misclassify crimes, potentially making Washington’s crime picture look better than it was. The report surfaces just as Smith prepares to step down, while Mayor Muriel Bowser defends her leadership and promises to name an interim chief before year’s end.
   

• Capital Pride pushes back 2026 festival date in response to prep for the US's 250th birthday (wtop.com) — Capital Pride’s 2026 parade and festival in Washington will shift later in June to avoid conflicts with preparations for the United States’ 250th birthday events. Organizers say the June 12–21 schedule, including the June 20 parade, will build on WorldPride’s momentum, with registration already open for groups, artisans, and businesses interested in participating.
   

• Man named person of interest in Brown University shooting has DC ties (wusa9.com) — A former Army infantryman with recent ties to a Southwest DC high-rise has been detained as a person of interest in a deadly Brown University campus shooting that killed two and injured nine. Investigators are still working to understand why he lived in DC and whether those connections matter, while Brown has canceled all remaining semester coursework and exams.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UPDATE: REUNITED WITH OWNER!!
    Thank you to everyone who helped us connect them! Found dog! Found on RFK fields trail. No tags. But does have on a collar and leash, which is odd… (Nextdoor Trinidad East - Carver Langston)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    A dog who went missing in Washington, DC, has been safely reunited with their family after 2 hours, 46 minutes. Message from Finder: "Found on a… (Nextdoor H Street Corridor NE)
  • The Walt Disney Company posted a job opening for Youth Activities Counselor in Washington. Apply here.
  • GuestServices, Inc. posted a job opening for Porter - Monday to Thursday, No Weekends! in Washington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Washington here.

Ok Washington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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