By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
tmcqueen@afro.com
The D.C. Council swiftly passed a series of public safety emergency bills to address the rise in crime on July 11. According to data from the Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime has increased by 33 percent since last year and homicides by 17 percent.
The D.C. Council summer recess is approaching and a number of emergency bills were quickly introduced and passed.
Chairwoman Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety sponsored “Prioritizing Public Safety Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2023,” PR25-0341, which passed by a supermajority with only one councilmember, Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4), voting against it.
George strongly opposed an aspect of the bill that “changes the standard for pre-trial detention, that makes detention prior to trial necessary for youth and adults who have likely committed violent crimes, community supervision.”
Pinto’s other two pieces of legislation passed unanimously.
If approved by Mayor Bowser, these bills will remain in effect for no more than 90 days, according to the D.C. Council.
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America Corps Member.
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