Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) revealed new legislation as part of an effort to address the rising crime levels in the city.
In a press release issued Sunday, Bowser announced new legislation aimed at providing police officers with the Metropolitan Police Department to have “more tools” in order to “hold criminals accountable” for their crimes and to “keep neighborhoods safe.”
The legislation, the Addressing Crime Trends Now Act (ACT Now) is set to be fully revealed during a press conference on Monday, according to the press release.
HAPPENING TODAY: D.C. @MayorBowser plans to announce new legislation Monday morning aimed at reducing crime in the District.https://t.co/7LJAEBbrPO
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) October 23, 2023
News of the new legislation comes after a staffer for Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) was robbed at gunpoint in the 1200 block of E Street, Northeast around 8:20 p.m. on Thursday.
“We thank God that she is safe and sound after this terrifying incident, and we’re grateful to the Capitol Police Department and Metropolitan Police Department officers who quickly and professionally responded to the scene,” Britt said in a statement regarding the incident. “It is infuriating and completely unacceptable that an American who is on Capitol Hill to serve her country cannot safely walk the streets of Washington, D.C. at 8:30 at night because of the out-of-control crime in this city. Just look at the police department’s own numbers.”
In early October, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was carjacked at gunpoint while in the Navy Yard neighborhood.
Prior to Cuellar being carjacked, a staffer for Rep. Brad Finstad (R-Minn.) was attacked at gunpoint in June after leaving the Congressional baseball game for charity
To date, there have been 2,839 robberies in the District of Columbia, a 70% increase from 2022’s 1,671 robberies reported, according to crime data from the Metropolitan Police Department. So far, this year, 4,393 violent crimes have been reported, a 41% increase from 2022’s 3,125 reported.
The city has reported seeing 5,774 motor vehicle theft incidents, a 102% increase from 2022’s 2,856 reported.
On Friday, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms issued a warning to politicians and staffers on Capitol Hill regarding the increasing crime in the city.
The Sergeant-at-Arms suggested a few pointers to stay safe, such as to, “always keep doors locked and windows up” and even advised against stopping to help “a stranger with a broken-down car” and to instead notify police “from a safe location,” according to Fox News.
