WASHINGTON — A group in D.C. has filed paperwork to recall Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. The group behind the effort, headed by residents Elliot Howe and Diana Alvarez, says it is concerned with rising crime rates.
Nadeau supports a series of bills called the Secure DC plan. The crime legislation has faced pushback since it was first introduced. Nadeau says the plan would reduce crime in the District.
This is the second time Nadeau has faced a recall effort in the last two years.
Nadeau issued this statement Tuesday:
Just over a year ago my Ward 1 neighbors elected me to serve another four years on the Council, to speak up for those without a voice on housing the homeless, ensuring rental assistance, improving government services, and making Ward 1 and the District more livable, including addressing the dramatic and unacceptable rise in crime. I love Ward 1. It is my home and where I’m raising my family. I look at the challenges facing Ward 1 and the District as complex issues requiring thoughtful and comprehensive solutions.
Public safety remains my top priority. People’s fears and frustrations about crime are rational and understandable. That’s why I have been working together with public safety experts, community leaders, fellow councilmembers and the Mayor on comprehensive solutions. I’ve introduced legislation to bolster police cadet recruitment and provide additional tools to MPD to help them close more homicide cases. I am pressing the Mayor to fix the District’s failed 911 call center and unaccredited crime lab, which has not been able to process evidence needed to prosecute. I have been working with colleagues to push the U.S. Attorney – who does not report to us – to prosecute more cases. No amount of legislation will put criminals in jail if the crime lab doesn’t process the evidence and the U.S. Attorney won’t bring their cases to court.
I have also long worked to address homelessness, mental health and substance use disorder needs, and youth disengagement – the things that evidence and common sense tell us are most effective in preventing crime before it happens.
I will always work with and for my constituents to help Ward 1 and the District continue to grow and thrive. A recall does not change that.
A separate group is also trying to recall Councilmember Charles Allen over crime concerns.
RELATED: 'We have over 500 volunteers so far' | Meet the group trying to recall DC Councilman Charles Allen
"He created an environment, he and the City Council have created an environment where it's more dangerous in D.C.," claimed Recall Charles Allen member Rich Masters.
Masters and others behind the effort blame Allen for an increase in crime and for budgetary decisions that have led to fewer police officers on the beat. Allen himself challenges those claims, and said in a statement to WUSA:
"This recall effort is misleading and misinformed... I've worked to hold criminals accountable with strong laws and bring a whole of government approach to reducing crime long-term."
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