The Department of Public Works is postponing the start of the residential mechanical street sweeping program to Monday, March 9 because of long-range forecasts of possible snow and other wintry precipitation next week. This seasonal sanitation program is scheduled to run each year from March 1-October 31 but the start has been delayed in the past because of weather.

Signs are posted that identify the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be enforced so the sweepers can clean the streets effectively. The fine for violating this restriction is $45.

The program represents a true commitment by residents who have committed to move their vehicles when sweeping is underway. “To become part of the program, we require 80 percent of the residents to sign a petition pledging to honor the parking restrictions,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “Their cooperation is what makes the program successful.”

Mr. Howland noted DPW established March 1 through October 31 in 2012 as residential street sweeping season and this information appears on the signs where the program is in effect.  He asked motorists to obey the times parking is restricted.  “A supervisor follows behind the sweeper and may require the block to be swept again, so don’t park until the end of the posted sweeping period,” he said.  Beginning March 9, parked cars also may be towed to allow the sweepers access to the curbside. Generally, parking is prohibited for two hours while sweeping is underway.

DPW street sweepers cover about 4,000 lane miles monthly, removing litter and pollutants by brushing them onto a conveyor system, which transports the material into a debris hopper. The sweeper also emits a fine spray of water to help control dust.  In addition to sweeping residential streets during spring, summer and fall, DPW also sweeps commercial streets overnight year-round (weather permitting), and parking restrictions also apply.

For more information about street sweeping, go to www.dpw.dc.gov.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department continue to investigate a fatal police involved shooting that took place on February 12, 2015, at approximately 11:35 pm, and began in the 1400 block of Swann Street, Northwest.

Officers from the Third District were in the area of the 1400 block of Swann Street, NW when they interrupted a robbery in progress.  While trying to detain the male suspect, he produced a handgun and fled.  Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who continued to flee.  The suspect was located unconscious and unresponsive; suffering from a gunshot wound in the 1500 block of Caroline Street, NW.  Preliminary information indicates the suspect may have turned the gun on himself.

The decedent has been identified as 33 year-old Benjamin Alexander Gwyn, of Northwest.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099.  Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.