WASHINGTON — The Secure DC omnibus Amendment Act of 2024 was officially signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser late Monday afternoon.
On March 5, DC Council voted again to approve the legislation. The passage was nearly unanimous with Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White abstaining from the vote, marking himself "present" as he did for the first vote.
The mayor called it a day of celebration, saying "Secure D.C. will help up rebalance the safety ecosystem."
The legislation was introduced by Councilmember Brooke Pinto about a year ago.
"This is a major step in the right direction, but the work is not over," Pinto said after the passage.
The bill includes about 100 different measures, some of which Bowser says will take effect immediately
It allows D.C. Police to establish "drug-free zones," giving police the ability to crack down on loitering in those areas. It also expands the definition of carjacking, making it easier to prosecute.
One of the measures makes it easier for judges to hold suspects, including minors, while they await trial.
"This means our chief and public safety will be able to implement many of the provisions immediately," Bowser said.
Since the bill's first vote, there has been a lot of discussion about amendments to the Secure DC bill. Meanwhile, multiple groups have expressed concerns about some of the components, including the Washington Interfaith Network.
They worry that the focus of the Secure DC bill seems to be on policing, rather than building in the wraparound services that families need to succeed. The Network sent a letter to Council members and Mayor Bowser, outlining provisions they want to see removed from Secure DC.
"You need a commitment to a multi-pronged, comprehensive, forward-looking plan. Not a hodgepodge of aggressive tactics," said Rev. Rob Keithan. "What we've heard again and again — from violence interrupter programs, from people on the front line — is that D.C. is extremely bad at coordination. Programs don't talk to each other, they don't share information. That's the second ask in our religious leaders' letter, is that there has to be better coordination."
The group says its concerns lie mainly in the punitive nature of some parts of the legislation, some of which were tried in the past and are now being recycled. They also say District leaders aren't listening to what kids say they need to thrive, such as safe spaces to hang out, mental health support, and jobs.
However, Bowser said this bill shouldn't be of concern to anyone who isn't breaking the law.
"The only people who should be concerned about Secure D.C. are those who are using guns in D.C.," she said.