District posts 'Stop Data' dataset on Open Data DC portal for public use

The District of Columbia's Open Data portal now lists a dataset named "Stop Data," hosted on Open Data DC and maintained through the city's data platform. The dataset page is publicly available on the District's Open Data site managed by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), and it can be accessed by residents, researchers and developers. The presence of the dataset on the official portal confirms it as part of the city's catalog of machine-readable public records.

The portal is the central repository for datasets that DC agencies publish to increase transparency and enable third-party re-use. Open Data DC aggregates records ranging from permits and inspections to transportation and infrastructure, and the addition of a dataset labelled "Stop Data" adds one more resource to that collection. The listing includes the dataset title and links to the dataset landing page and API for programmatic access.

What the dataset listing shows

The dataset's entry on the portal identifies it by name and shows standard metadata fields used across Open Data DC: descriptions, update frequency if provided, and the publisher field that ties datasets back to a DC agency or office. The portal also exposes download and API endpoints so users can retrieve records in common open formats. The dataset page includes a persistent URL that makes it easier for civic technologists and researchers to cite and integrate the data into applications.

Because the Open Data portal is the District’s authoritative catalog for public datasets, an entry there indicates the dataset is intended for public use. The portal's machine-readable endpoints are commonly used by local developers, journalists and planners to build visualizations, power apps, and test hypotheses about how city services function.

Why agencies and residents use Open Data

Open data listings help public agencies publish consistent records and enable external analysis without repeated records requests. In Washington, D.C., the portal supports policy analysis, neighborhood planning, civic accountability and private-sector innovation by making government-generated records accessible in reusable formats. Datasets that reference infrastructure or service points can be particularly useful to planners and community groups tracking service coverage.

The listing of "Stop Data" does not, by itself, change agency practices. The value of any dataset depends on its documentation, update cadence and the accuracy of its records. Interested users should consult the dataset landing page on Open Data DC for metadata, update logs and any contact information for the publishing agency.

Watch for updates to the dataset's metadata and notice from the publishing office. Developers and researchers should monitor the dataset page for schema notes, change logs and API details that affect reuse.