THE NEWS:

After years of public outcry, Mayor Muriel Bowser released body-worn camera video of three 2018 incidents where officers killed Black men—Marqueese Alston, D’Quan Young, andJeffrey Price. Two types of videos will be shared on the Metropolitan Police Department website. One is a packaged video where the department provides context ahead of the body-worn camera video, and the other is the full redacted footage. Only the former has been published online so far. Bowser is also releasing the names of the officers involved in the fatal incidents. [Names of officers can be found here.] 

“We know that any loss of life is tragic,” said Bowser during a Friday press conference. “It is hard to watch in almost all cases … I think sometimes people think that in viewing body-worn camera footage, it’s going to tell the whole story and it doesn’t. And frequently, people are left still wanting to know more.” 

The Council recently passed police reform legislation requiring the mayor and MPD to release such information. The emergency legislation, in effect for 225 days until the Council passes permanent legislation, came in the wake of large-scale protests over police brutality and anti-Black racism. And Bowser signed the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Second Emergency Amendment Act into law last week. 

Some family members of those killed by police have been calling on the mayor to release footage. “Tell this mayor to release the body cam,” Kenithia Alston, the mother of Marqueese, told the Post.   

So why did it take so long? 

“We actually follow the law,” said Bowser, in response to this very question. Prior to the Council’s emergency legislation, the mayor could have released footage in “matters of significant public interest.” Bowser said she has released three videos for this reason. 

When asked what the police chief thought about the law requiring his department to release footage, Chief Peter Newsham said “The Council has determined that this is the law of the land and we’re going to abide by it.”

MPD did not release footage for four other killings, including one as recent as July 24 where an officer struck and killed Devonne Harris with a car. In all four cases, family members requested that footage not be publicly released. This included footage related to the 2017 killings of Timothy Williams and Isabelle Duval, along with the 2019 killing of Eric Carter. MPD officers have killed 10 people since 2014.  

—Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Sponsored Are you considering a career change? Is a coding bootcamp right for you? Take this quiz from Flatiron School. 

CITY DESK LINKS, byAmanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)       

  • As of July 31, D.C. reported one additional death related to COVID-19 and 69 new positive cases, bringing the total numbers to 585 and 12,126 respectively. [EOM] 

  • Police identify a suspect in the 2002 murders of Ukea Davis and Stephanie Thomas. The suspected assailant was fatally shot three years ago. Police chief suspects it was a hate crime because the women were transgender. [Post] 

  • D.C. will soon move Medicaid patients into private plans, and critics say it could not have come at a worst time. The fear is interruption in care, so the Council is weighing whether to stop the executive’s move. [DCist] 

  • The former WAMU newsroom director reacts to aDCist story about a prominent transportation reporter, saying leadership knew Martin Di Caro’s conduct was “terrible,” but tolerated alleged harassment because he was a “great reporter.” [Twitter] 

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

LL is away from his desk. He will return Monday.

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Ramen restaurant Menya Hosakihopes to open in Petworth on Aug. 18. [WCP]

  • Crack crabs at Pier 1354 opening next week on H Street NE from the owners of Stable. [WCP]

  • New wine bar Barkada will change its name after backlash on social media. [WCP]

  • Food trucks are leaving the District in droves. [WTOP]

  • Bars, breweries, and strip clubs are retooling their business models to act like restaurants. [Post]

ARTS LINKS, byKayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • The Shadow of Violencefeatures riveting interpretations of our flawed humanity, our critic writes. [WCP]

  • Kramerbooks is now Kramers, and is adding flower and barber shops. [Washingtonian]

  • Quotidian Theatre is closing its rented warehouse space with an auction of its items. [DC Theatre Scene] 

SPORTS LINKS, byKelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • The NBA is officially back, and the Wizards play their first game today at 4 p.m. against the Phoenix Suns. [Bullets Forever, NBC Sports Washington]

  • Julie Donaldson wants to help lead the Washington Football Team’s culture change and be a voice for the women in the organization. [Post]

  • The Nats have won two straight games heading into a four-day break (which they got because players refused to travel to Miami to play a Marlins team with nearly 20 positive coronavirus cases.) [Federal Baseball, CBS Sports]

CITY LIGHTS, byEmma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

We’re bringing you the best things to watch,  read, make, and do from the comfort of your home while social distancing.

Sign up: To get District Line Daily—or any of our other email newsletters—sent straight to your mailbox, click here. Send tips, ideas, and comments to newsletters@washingtoncitypaper.com.