It was a long day at the Council yesterday, as we took up the Secure DC omnibus public safety bill. We voted to approve the bill in its first reading, with a number of critical changes and protections; we will take up additional amendments at the final reading in a few weeks.
As you would imagine, I’ve heard from many Ward 1 residents. Some of you very much wanted the Council to pass the legislation: you wanted more tools for police and prosecutors, and you wanted to ensure that people who commit crimes are held accountable. We did that. I've heard from others that you have grave concerns about police transparency, civil rights, and unintended consequences, such as making it harder for people with substance use disorder and other challenges to get the services they need. We made changes that do that, too. I hear all of you and acknowledge the concerns and fears all around.
Many amendments were offered before the final vote – some passed and others were tabled until the final reading so that we can work out the details and language. These adjustments make the bill work better and protect against some of those unintended consequences.
I also introduced an amendment. Mine would help close more homicide cases by authorizing a study on the extent and effectiveness of the District’s programs and policies for witness protection and assistance.
The study is just one part of a larger case closure bill that I introduced in November that is still going through the legislative process. That legislation would provide larger rewards for witnesses who testify in homicide cases, as well as witness protections, including relocation, childcare and other supports. Research suggests that these measures encourage witnesses, who are understandably reluctant to testify, to provide testimony. I decided to continue to work on this amendment between now and the bill’s final reading.
My amendment and, ultimately, separate legislation I’ve proposed, will provide justice for the families of victims and give another tool to law enforcement in solving homicide cases.
One of the provisions in Secure DC I had concerns with is one I first mentioned in my initial analysis of the bill: the drug free zones. My concern was that these would endanger people living with substance use disorder, who could get caught up in the enforcement of drug free zones.
In Ward 1, I’ve invested in harm reduction programs and supportive services in Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Lower Georgia Avenue, U Street and Shaw.
If the Mayor wants to designate drug free zones throughout the city, she must also simultaneously protect the integrity of these and similar programs around the District, and ensure protections for people who need health supportive services. My team and I worked closely with Councilmember Christina Henderson on the language that inserted those protections and I thank her for her leadership on that. Those protections are now in the bill.
The public safety ecosystem rests heavily on prevention efforts. Historically, I’ve made an effort to bring that to life. I supported the NEAR Act, and introduced the Red Flag Law that was part of it. I secured funding early in my tenure for violence prevention programs and expanded those each year I have been in office; I established the Out of School Time program that provides after-school and summer programing for kids. Keeping our young people engaged is one of the primary tools for reducing youth crime. That’s a fact.
All of these and many other initiatives, such as getting more people into affordable housing in Ward 1 and across the District, are critical elements of a comprehensive approach to addressing public safety.
My vote to support the bill acknowledges the ongoing effort and conversation to recognize and effectively address the complexities inherent in D.C.’s public safety endeavors. |
