Good morning, D.C. In today\u2019s newsletter: a D.C. police probe, an unsigned budget and the return of Max Scherzer.<\/p>\n
Sign up for the NOTUS Metro newsletter for essential coverage of the D.C. region<\/a>.<\/p>\n THE LATEST<\/p>\n D.C.\u2019s police department is facing more scrutiny about its crime data. <\/p>\n According to an investigation by the D.C. inspector general\u2019s office that was released Tuesday, the department has experienced a \u201cprolonged, systemic breakdown\u201d in its crime reporting and lacks adequate controls to ensure its data is reliable.<\/p>\n NOTUS\u2019 Jenny Gathright reports<\/a> that the investigation adds to a growing list of probes examining crime classification at the police department, an issue that has put city law enforcement in the public spotlight and the Trump administration\u2019s crosshairs.<\/p>\n While past investigations accused department brass of pressuring subordinates to underreport crime, the inspector general\u2019s report tackles more systemic problems in the department that could lead to inaccurate data.<\/p>\n Classifying and reporting crime is one of the central responsibilities of any police department. Crime data informs staffing decisions, helps residents understand what is happening in their neighborhoods and aids the public in holding the government accountable. While the IG\u2019s investigation did not examine whether the city\u2019s crime statistics are accurate, it did find that the department lacks a system for ensuring reporting errors are routinely corrected.<\/p>\n One example: An independent unit responsible for reviewing police reports and crime classifications was shut down in 2013, and the department only recently launched an effort to revive it.<\/p>\n Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll took a cooperative tone in response to the findings, agreeing to all of the report\u2019s major recommendations and vowing \u201cstrict accountability\u201d going forward.<\/p>\n DEEP DIVE<\/p>\n Muriel Bowser is backing away from the city\u2019s 2027 budget. In what\u2019s mostly a symbolic move, the mayor said Tuesday that she won\u2019t be signing<\/a> the budget bill for the coming year.<\/p>\n In a letter to D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, Bowser said she was displeased with some of the spending decisions made by lawmakers, accusing them of choosing to \u201ckick the can down the road\u201d on fiscal challenges to come. She specifically warned of an $837 million \u201cfiscal cliff\u201d the city could face next year, when it\u2019s likely to have a new democratic socialist mayor and more progressive council.<\/p>\n Bowser\u2019s decision caps years of growing tension between her and the council over spending. The conflict goes both ways: Lawmakers say that for all the talk of fiscal rectitude, Bowser herself has been more than willing to engage in the same budget gimmicks she\u2019s now criticizing.<\/p>\n Still, lawmakers say they are aware that next year\u2019s budget deliberations will probably be even harder than they were this year. This fall, the council is expected to consider a variety of revenue-raising proposals to address a growing gap between what the city spends and what it takes in. At the same time, Republicans in the House are threatening to prohibit D.C. from considering any tax increases at all<\/a>.<\/p>\n FROM THE DISTRICT<\/p>\n A key witness testified that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool\u2019s lining was already seriously damaged by the time former Olympian David Hearn touched it, NOTUS\u2019 Raymond Fern\u00e1ndez reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Luxury home sales and prices in Washington ticked up this past quarter, Axios DC reports<\/a>. But the broader homebuying market is softening: Redfin found<\/a> that last month, sellers outnumbered buyers by 26% in D.C.<\/p>\n FROM VIRGINIA<\/p>\n Loudoun County, home to the world\u2019s densest cluster of data centers<\/a>, is the latest region to suggest hitting pause on new development while weighing how to regulate the industry, Virginia Business reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n A $22.5 billion renovation of Dulles Airport, expected to be unveiled by President Donald Trump this week, will scrap the airport\u2019s famous mobile lounge transportation system, CBS News reports<\/a>. Plans include a major terminal expansion and a new underground aerotrain system.<\/p>\n PLAN YOUR WEEKEND<\/p>\n For the anime fan: Otakon<\/a> at the Washington Convention Center, Friday.<\/p>\n For the mover and groover: The Funset<\/a> at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Friday.<\/p>\n For aspiring dancers: Maryland Youth Ballet\u2019s \u201cSleeping Beauty\u201d<\/a> at Wolf Trap, Sunday.<\/p>\n For more info on this weekend\u2019s events, read our weekly culture calendar here<\/a>.<\/p>\n SPORTS<\/p>\n Nationals fans took a brief trip to the past on Monday as Max Scherzer \u2014 now sporting a Blue Jays uniform \u2014 made what could be his final start in Washington. As NOTUS\u2019 Jesse Dougherty writes<\/a>, the 42-year-old pitcher provided a reminder of what it means to care deeply about each game.<\/p>\n Are you ready for some football? The Commanders officially open training camp today. Fans will be allowed to attend 11 practices over the next month, including a joint session with the Dolphins on Aug. 12.<\/p>\n What to Watch Today<\/p>\n MLB: Nationals vs. Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m. (MLB.TV<\/a>)<\/p>\n NWSL: Spirit at Utah Royals, 9 p.m. (NWSL+<\/a>)<\/p>\n Thank you for reading! If you liked this newsletter, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at metro@notus.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n