Breakfast links: Safe and secure on Metro
A few bad apples
Some question whether DC students should get free transit access after six high school students assaulted another Metro rider last month. But DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson says the incidents are isolated and free transit helps kids who can’t afford transportation get to school. (WTOP)
Smile! You’re on WMATA cam
Metro’s new Security Operations Control Center is helping Metro identify and apprehend people when assaults, robberies, or other crime occur in the system. (Post)
WMATA’s new finance wrangler
WMATA has hired a bankruptcy lawyer who once helped Detroit get back on its feet. Kevin Orr wants to lower WMATA’s debt load, get its jurisdictions to invest more, and negotiate better labor deals with the unions. (Post)
Disabled in snow
The recent snowstorm highlighted just how difficult severe weather is for people with disabilities. DC has created an advisory committee to improve its snow response so people with disabilities can still get around. (City Paper)
Kicking Baltimore while it’s down
A recent Washington Post article makes light of Baltimore’s troubles. Does the DC press look down on Baltimore in the same way that New York does when they try to talk about DC? (City Paper)
Parking to housing
A developer wants to transform a parking lot near the Wiehle Ave Metro station into 260 residential units. Several developers are seeking rezoning in the formerly industrial area so that they can build more housing. (Reston Now, KC) (Tip: KC)
Surprising no one
As expected, former Mayor Vincent Gray announced that he is running for the Ward 7 seat. A recent poll shows him easily beating the incumbent, but ongoing controversy about his 2010 campaign financing could hurt him. (WAMU)
Housing zipcode by zipcode
This interactive map breaks down 2015 home sales in our region, showing sale prices and how quickly they sold by zip code. (Post)