Penn Branch News - Page 19

DC Security Camera Incentive: Time is Running Out

Funds are still available, if you plan to purchase an outside security camera for your home, you should hurry if you want to qualify for a rebate. Funds will run out soon. The Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants is currently offering rebates of up to $200 per camera and $500 per residence for the purchase and installation of security cameras. You can purchase external cameras for you home at stores like Costco and Best Buy.  (The first notice of the DC security program appears in the October 2016 Penn Brancher newsletter.  Our guest for the October 2016 meeting was Christopher Dyer, from the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants.)

The Penn Branch Citizens Civic Association would like to have at least two residences on every block equipped with external security cameras with recording/monitoring capabilities.

Camera System Specifications

Security camera systems must meet minimum technical and video quality specifications below, and must retain video footage for at least forty-eight (48) hours. All cameras must be outdoor, weather proof cameras. Purchase a camera(s) that designed for the outdoors.

For more information click here: Security Camera Reimbursements

Places to Purchase Security Cameras and suggestions

You can purchase a very good security camera system from Costco or Bestbuy with 4 cameras, 8 channels, 4 megapixels with 1 terabyte of storage for under $500.00.   You can also purchase the Nest camera system which is a good product, but pricey since you will have to subscribe to their online service to get video alerts.  The Next camera is a good product with very clear audio.  However, Nest does provide limited storage without a plan.  You can also purchase a wireless Arlo security system by Netgear which includes three cameras.  The cameras don’t have a cord, but they also don’t have audio, and use batteries.  (The links below will direct you to security cameras for each store).

We would love to hear from you if you have suggestions about security cameras.

We’re pleased to have Reading Partners DC from Reading Partners DC at our January 10 meeting to discuss reading volunteers at schools in Ward 7.   Reading Partners works with low-income schools to help students master essential reading skills through one-on-one tutoring.  Our guest speaker is Josh Vellegos.

Joshua Vallejos graduated from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, with a bachelor’s in political science. After graduating, he did three years of service with AmeriCorps—one with City Year Denver and two with Reading Partners DC. Josh’s experience as a site coordinator increased his passion for education, and the positive impact nonprofits can have on a community. During 2015-16, Josh worked as a program associate with Reading Partners North Texas and managed a portfolio of schools and AmeriCorps members. In July 2016, Joshua rejoined the DC team as a program manager and is excited to continue helping students become lifelong readers.

We’re pleased to say that the restoration of Pope Branch Stream is now completed.  Several Residents of Penn Branch recently toured the stream which has an entrance at the end Texas Avenue and Nash Streets, SE.  Overall, residents were pleased with the finished product.   The tour was conducted by Josh Burch, Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) along with Penn Branch Public Works Committee and ANC 7B.

The Pope Branch tributary stream starts near Fort Davis Drive, runs through Penn Branch (Texas Avenue) and flows to the Anacostia and drains to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.  The stream had become an eyesore, polluted by stormwater runoff, leaking sewer pipes, trash, and stagnate  water and mosquitoes.

The restoration project completed by DOEE and DC Water and Sewer will provide residents with scenic views, and more importantly, will reduce the sediment load carried to the Anacostia river, and provide a in-stream habit for resident fish and other wildlife.  The entire project will restore the ecological value of Pope Branch stream and floodplain area.

The multiple construction entrances and 3200 linear feet of access road have been completed at Texas Ave, 35th St. and M.  Eighty percent of construction for restoration design features are complete; specifically, shallow places in the stream where the water runs fast and is agitated by rocks, pools, boulder walls, gravel bottoms and small hills of sand constructed with an estimated 1600 tons of natural stream bed material, such as clean sand, gravel, cobble, and boulders.

Thank you DOEE and  DC Water and Sewer for keeping us updated and responding to our inquires during the project.