On a recent Tuesday, the D.C. Council set their foot down against escalating violence, swiftly approving a crucial emergency crime bill. This empowering legislation is designed to provide judges with more flexibility while they deal with a worrying surge in violent crimes in the city.
The D.C. Council on Tuesday passed an emergency crime bill aimed at giving judges more leeway as the city grapples with a sharp rise in violent crimes.
"You can get away with murder in this city." – Council of the District of Columbia Chair Phil Mendelsonhttps://t.co/wNO8FeB56e— Mark Dosd 🇺🇸 (@MGDosd) July 12, 2023
Previously, Phil Mendelson, the head of the Council of the District of Columbia, had remarked alarmingly, “In this city, it’s like you can commit a murder and go scot-free.” This stark comment marks a significant departure from his views earlier in the year. In March, he’d suggested that the real situation on the streets was overshadowed by the “perception” of high crime rates.
Back then, Mendelson stated, “While people’s feelings towards crime certainly matter, the belief that Washington, D.C. is experiencing a crime crisis is far from reality.” However, recent statistics say otherwise.
John Kennedy on DC crime: Hugging some people and giving
them hot cocoa is not going to work.
Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy on "Fox News Tonight" Tuesday responded to Council of the District of Columbia Chair Phil Mendelson admitting, "You can get away https://t.co/PoSzQBlnOy— CBD CURE DISEASE (@CBDCUREDISEASE) July 12, 2023
Shocking figures from the D.C. Police data indicate a staggering rise in criminal activities in the past year. From 2022 to 2023, homicides increased by 17%, sex abuse shot up by 35%, and robberies saw a massive jump of over 50%.
The just-passed emergency public safety bill, including components of a previously rejected controversial crime bill, responds to this alarming trend. Critics argued that the previous version was too lenient on certain offenses.
The revamped bill ramps up penalties for crimes like public gunfire, strangulation, and carjacking. Additionally, it makes it easier for judges to hold violent crime suspects behind bars until their trial.
On Monday, Councilwoman Brooke Pinto, the driving force behind the bill, declared D.C. “in a state of emergency.” She stressed that it was essential for the government to respond swiftly and decisively to the rising tide of crime.
The urgency was evident in the Council’s actions, too, as they approved the bill in an emergency session on Tuesday with a landslide vote of 12-1.
