WASHINGTON — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's policing modifications in her latest public safety legislation are facing pushback from some District residents.
In October, Bowser introduced the ACT Now of 2023 (Addressing Crime Trends Now Act) which would create additional criminal penalties for organized retail theft and it also seeks to reinstate a law that makes it illegal to wear a mask when committing a crime.
During the first public hearing on the bill held by the District Council's Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, residents spoke out against some the changes proposed to policing.
Among the provisions that faced the most opposition, is one that would allow D.C. police officers to review their body-worn camera footage before writing their initial police report in certain circumstances.
During the hearing, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto who chairs the judiciary committee argued that the provision helps officers build stronger criminal cases. "We have seen so many of those reports being so terse, so short, and then they have to be amended with the review of the footage," Pinto said.
Community activist Claudia Harrison disagrees. She says District residents already have a distrust with the accuracy and transparency of body-warn camera footage, and allowing officers to review the material would add to the sentiment.
Harrison who runs Angels of Hope Ministries on Elvans Road Southeast says more needs to be done to address the gun violence in the neighborhood. Surveillance video from Saturday obtained by WUSA9 shows a shoutout in the community in broad daylight. "We are in a war zone. This is serious. Young people are not going to school because they are afraid of going down the street and who is going to come around the corner to shoot them," she said.
Another provision in Bowser's plan would revive 'drug-free-zones' in the District. Under this practice, D.C. police would declare specific areas free of drug sales and consumption for up to five days. The policy was voted out in 2014.
Ward 7 ANC Commissioner Ashley Ruff voiced her concern over bringing back the practice because she worries it will lead to police harassment of innocent people, particularly youth. "We might have a drug free zone but what about our in between, our children that are walking by to get to school," Ruff told WUSA9 following her testimony.
Hotel executive Elliot Figueroa says the 'drug-free-zones' would address some concerns along the Chinatown corridor. "We get feedback from the guests that they are not willing to travel back because of the crime," he said.
A report of that area released this year by DowntownDC BID noted that visible drug sales, increased presence of unhoused people and disruptive panhandling created negative perceptions and experiences in the corridor.
Ahead of her testimony D.C. Chief of Police Pamela Smith told WUSA9 that the 'drug-free-zones' were a response to the community feedback she had received.
During the public hearing, third-generation Washingtonian Paul Spires commended some of the public safety proposals introduced by Councilmember Pinto. However, he strongly urged against Bowser's plan that has the support of Chief Smith.
"That bill does not promote gun violence prevention or public safety, it promotes brutality, discrimination and unaccountability," Spires told WUSA9. He says the legislation does not advance on the public safety concerns of residents like gun violence, but instead revives failed policies that contribute to the lack of trust in police.
Chief Smith defended the bill and assured that the policing changes proposed in Bowser's plan are constitutional. "This is the legislation that we're going to need in order to give our officers additional tools to investigate these kinds of crime. When it comes to the morale of our officers, recruitment and retention, we really need the city council to really take a good look at this legislation and pass the legislation," Smith said.
Amid a rise in both property and violent crime, Ward 5 Activist Robert Vinsom Brannum says the approval of any legislation is better than none. "We have to respond to the massive gang related, coordinated retail theft, these carjackings, these 'dognappings'. Those are real in people's lives and those need to be addressed," he said.
Mayor Bowser is betting on getting her plan passed during this legislative session, she has said that she is looking for the support of all 13 councilmembers.