WASHINGTON — Crime in D.C. continues to rise. Now, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is introducing new legislation to try to fight it. It comes as community leaders have been calling for action.
The legislation is fittingly called the ACT Now — or Addressing Crime Trends Now Act. According to the latest crime stats from DC Police, violent crime is up 39% from this time last year, and overall crime is up 27%.
The mayor's office says the new legislation will address the climbing numbers, and "give law enforcement more tools to hold criminals accountable and keep neighborhoods safe," a press statement said.
Bowser called some of the changes in the legislation "just plain common sense."
“At a time when we’re dealing with historically low staffing levels, these amendments seek to make some common-sense changes recognizing the operational concerns our officers see every day, while also supporting police accountability and public safety,” Bowser said. “This legislation also demonstrates what our community is telling us: they want appropriate accountability for those who choose to crimes and inflict fear in our neighborhoods.”
The new proposed legislation would:
- Crack down on “open-air drug markets”: It would limit loitering by reinstating the ability of MPD Chief Smith to declare drug-free zones for 120 hours to prohibit people from congregating in public space for the purchase, sale or use of illegal drugs. “The establishment of temporary drug free zones can interrupt this activity and allow neighborhoods to clean up and reclaim public space.”
- Address retail theft: It would create criminal penalties for organized retail theft including establishing a new crime for “directing organized retail theft.
- Make wearing masks while committing crimes illegal again: It would reinstate the law that makes it unlawful to wear a mask for the purpose of committing criminal acts, intimidating and threatening other people, or causing fear.
Bowser referenced a viral video that showed a robbery at the Wharf. All people who jumped out of the car in the video were wearing ski masks.
Bowser said the law will not impact those wearing masks for health reasons.
Also part of the new legislation is changing wording in some of the George Floyd-era reforms – like redefining what's considered a chokehold or neck restraint, because right now any touch of the neck is considered a serious use of force, according to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lindsey Appiah
It will also allow police to review body worn camera footage before writing their reports to avoid discrepancies, which Acting Chief Pamela Smith says is a national best practice.
Smith called the new legislation critical.
“The legislation is responsive to what we are hearing from the community and takes important steps forward in clarifying existing legislative language to ensure our officers are able to fully perform their duties,” Smith said.
But the American Civil Liberties Union is not happy with the proposed legislation. Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia, issued a statement following the mayor's announcement, calling it a backward step.
“The ACT Now bill raises several concerns for ACLU-D.C., as it appears to be more focused on protecting police officers when they break the law than on improving public safety—a move that does little to foster public trust. When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers are allowed to abuse their power without facing consequences, the public can understandably grow reluctant to interact with officers at all to solve crimes. The Office of Police Complaints (OPC) found in both 2021 and 2022 that MPD officers harassed and used unnecessary force against members of the public, including children. The reports also discovered that officers made false reports and failed to follow Department procedures, among other unprofessional behaviors. The vast majority of officers against whom complaints were filed and sustained by the OPC did not face any meaningful consequences.
The ACT Now bill is likely a backward step away from a comprehensive system of public safety. To address safety concerns across the District, District leaders must make police accountability a cornerstone of their priorities for a just and safe D.C.”
Bowser is also calling on the DC Council to move forward with her Safer Stronger Amendment Act, first introduced in May.
This comes as Congress has been taking a closer look at D.C. crime this year. Congressional leaders overturned criminal code reform and called for more action from District leaders.
The press conference follows a violent weekend in the District. On Saturday, a man was sent to the hospital after a shooting outside a Giant grocery store in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood. Police say three to five men drove up, got out of their car and started shooting, hitting the man and shattering store windows.
Also Saturday, a D.C. pet owner told WUSA9 she was pistol-whipped and had her dog stolen at gunpoint.