Julia Eisen – WMAL News | October 23, 2023
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her new “Addressing Crime Trends Now Act” (ACT Now) under mounting pressure from the community to keep criminals accountable and to curb rising crime.
The legislation will expand the Metropolitan Police Department’s capabilities to limit loitering, declare drug free zones and amplify penalties for certain acts.
Some of the legislation will roll back certain initiatives passed after the death of George Floyd in police custody. Bowser said that the “Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022” doesn’t match the everyday practices of safe policing.
ACT Now will reinstate the law that makes it “unlawful to wear a mask for the purpose of committing criminal acts, intimidating and threatening other people, or causing fear.” Additionally, the legislation states that penalties will ensue for mass organized retail theft.
“Under the new law it will be illegal for any person to organize a theft for profit scheme by recruiting or directing other individuals to commit organized retail theft,” Bowser said during the press conference.
As of Monday, robbery is up 70% in the District while overall violent crime is up 41%.
The legislation must receive at least seven votes from the council to pass. Some DC councilmembers were in attendance at the event and shared support.
“We’re here because this is our town and we have to make it work and that’s what we’re committed to doing,” At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds said in the press conference.
Bonds went on to add, ” don’t know if we’ll have seven votes but we probably will.”
In addition to the ACT Now legislation, the mayor is also calling on the council to move forward with the Safer Stronger Amendment Act which provides additional tools to prevent and stop crime.
WMAL News Correspondent Rachel Sutherland contributed to this report.
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