Today, my colleagues and I voted unanimously in support of the Secure DC Omnibus legislation at its first reading.

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Secure DC


Today, my colleagues and I voted unanimously ([link removed]) in support of the Secure DC Omnibus legislation at its first reading. I greatly appreciate the spirited debate we’ve undertaken to get to this point and look forward to the additional collaboration that will take place as we make our way to its second reading at our next legislative meeting.

I was born and raised in this city and lived through some of its toughest days in the early 90’s. It pains me greatly to see us back here, dealing with so many of those same challenges. This informed some of the work I did early in my career in my roles as a prosecutor and at the Department of Justice, where I worked closely with communities and law enforcement to battle violence. Some of the greatest differences between now and then are the prevalence and ease of guns being utilized in the committing of those crimes, and the ever more callous disregard we see in the taking of a human life.

Mike Gill, Alberto Vazquez, Jr., Ryan Realbuto, Maurice Jackson, Tyshida Williams. These are just a handful of the victims we’ve lost to homicide in the District in the last weeks and months. Husbands, fathers, sons, daughters, wives, and mothers. We know that more must be done to reverse this awful trend, not just with homicides, but in a whole host of categories that affect the ability of residents and businesses to go about their daily lives, to simply live with a well-deserved sense of peace and security.

I appreciate all the work my colleague, Brooke Pinto, has done on the Secure DC Omnibus legislation. We spoke often and my team and I shared feedback to improve the bill.


One thing is certain, there isn’t a magical switch that will be flipped once this legislation gets past its second reading.I desperately want to see our crime crisis reversed, but I know it will take much more, from all of us in our communities, to see meaningful change in the culture of violence that pervades in our city.

Enforcement is necessary for accountability. But I continue to believe that we need both prevention AND accountability. We have heard repeatedly from witnesses over these past few months that a lack of coordination across this government and with our federal law enforcement partners is harming our ability to see positive change. Let us commit to making improvements in this area as soon as possible as we continue this fight.

Lastly, I heard from dozens of residents, businesses, and organizations on this legislation. Their viewpoints differed widely, but these opinions greatly informed the feedback I shared with both Chairman Mendelson and Councilmember Pinto. I appreciate the passion, frustration, and earnestness of their advocacy on this hugely important issue as we pursue justice, fairness, accountability, and the safety we all deserve.

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