Dateline: Washington, D.C.

The Concerned Citizen is happy to announce that Office of Unified Communications Director, Karima Holmes, spoke out yesterday with some encouraging news, in a reply to Jillian A. Cohen’s commentary; entitled,

“911” … Is it a joke in this town?.

We are pleased to share her response with the dedicated dispatchers, radio operators, and call takers who work tirelessly at the DC 911 center.

Always remember, no matter what you may be told, your right to free speech is protected by the 1st amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

KHolmes says: February 1, 2016 at 18:43

Hello All. This is Karima Holmes the acting Director of OUC. Thanks for the comments and bringing this to my attention. I take these things very serious. As you may know this is just my third week in the district (the first week was during the Blizzard, eek!). But rest assured, I am absorbing all the information I’m receiving; particularly, info I can use to develop and maintain a proper functioning PSAP for our nation’s capital. I have had a career in public safety communications for over 15 years now and have had the misfortune of working in a mismanaged, uncomfortable work environment. I will not allow that to happen under my watch. As a leader, I assure you I will seek out the toxicity, correct or eliminate it. I have dedicated myself to evaluate this center from the personnel to the procedures and filter whatever/whomever proves to be counter productive to the ultimate goal of providing emergency communications and customer service(s) to the District’s citizens, responders and visitors. Lastly, I ask that you allow me grace to do my due diligence and fully investigate the root. Thanks

Filed under: Public Service

The Concerned Citizen has written many articles in reference to City Officials and Government Agencies over the years, but none more prevalent then the Office of Unified Communications (DC 911), and the abuse demonstrated by a certain supervisor by the name of Ingrid Bucksell. In a recent comment, one follower disclosed that the OUC recently hired her cousin as the Human Resource Director, and that he helps her to perpetrate the abuse by creating and promoting a Fear Mentality among union employees throughout the agency. The 2 mentioned above make employee’s afraid to speak up for fear of losing their job through some trumped up charge like “AWOL”, just because some employees couldn’t report for duty after the record snowfall. You two cousins knew the snow was coming and should have known there would be a very high probability staffing shortages due to same. It sounds to us like the Operations Manager failed to plan accordingly.

We just don’t get it!  Oh, well here’s a few thoughts for ya… People were snowed in, people first had to dig out of their homes, people couldn’t drive even if they did dig out their car because a city plow didn’t get to their street yet. It’s hard for a man to dig out much less a woman, did you hear that over 25 people died trying dig out this year. It would be Ridiculous and Foolish to punish employees for not getting to work. Our tax dollars served by hiring competent Managers to run the OUC.

_______________________

The Concerned Citizen has decided to create an anonymous Poll to show Director Holmes and the Mayor just where OUC employee’s stand on the approval or disapproval of the Operations Manager, Ms. Bucksell.

Make your recommendation on the Pop-up…  > > > >

Filed under: Public Service

(1.) Lt. Guy Valentine who was facing neglect of duty charges in the response to a toddler choking on grapes, is still on the job because his retirement has been placed on hold due to new rules and regulations recently passed. Lt. Valentine has declined to make any comments.

(2.) Lt. Earl Walker was arrested Friday morning and appeared in federal court in the afternoon after being indicted by a grand jury in Pennsylvania on charges of Child Pornography. The 21-year veteran of the department who is assigned to Engine 22 on Georgia Avenue in Northwest D.C. said nothing other than acknowledging the judge and the charge against him.  What’s your thoughts on these two DC?

Filed under: Public Service

From Janice Quintana to Jennifer Greene to Chris Geldart, with no real change at the DC’s Office of Unified Communications (911). Are we to believe that Karima Holmes is our new savior or is she just the latest in a long line of Get paid-Do nothing directors. After Quintana was dismissed, sorry resigned, Jennifer Greene took over the OUC helm to the tune of $190,000 per year and did absolutely-positively nothing. She couldn’t even speak coherently when she appeared before the City Council. It was like listening to a 5th grader, but this was our one hundred and ninety thousand dollar a year… “Communications Director”.  What a joke !!!

Okay Ms. Holmes, let’s see what you’ve got. Employees are telling the Concerned Citizen that heads need to roll in that place, beginning with the Operations Manager, before any real change can take place.

The Concerned Citizen strongly suggests that you listen to your “non-supervisory” employees for a change, they have a lot to say and, if you listen, you may just find the problem within.

Filed under: Public Service

Filed under: Public Service