{"id":2328513,"date":"2024-08-21T15:06:54","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T19:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-ways-to-make-dc-safe-again-report-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-21T15:14:02","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T19:14:02","slug":"four-ways-to-make-dc-safe-again-report-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-ways-to-make-dc-safe-again-report-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Four ways to make DC safe again: Report &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffour-ways-to-make-dc-safe-again-report-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2328513&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent report \u2062by the \u200dManhattan Institute highlights the ongoing crime\u2063 issues in Washington, \u200dD.C., and proposes four strategies to enhance public safety. Although some crime rates \u200dare \u200cdeclining in 2024, serious\u200d offenses such \u200das homicide, car \u200ctheft, and\u2062 robbery remain elevated\u200b compared to pre-2020 levels. The report emphasizes the need to enforce \u2064existing \u200dlaws rigorously, as a \u2062significant\u200b drop in\u200b arrests for various offenses has contributed to disorder. It also points to the reduction\u2064 in\u200d police numbers\u2014nearly 500 officers \u2064have\u200b left since 2019\u2014as a concern, suggesting \u200cthat increasing law\u200b enforcement presence is crucial for effective crime control.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the \u200creport urges for a more aggressive prosecution of criminal behavior, citing a notable decline in felony prosecutions. It \u2064questions the\u200c city&#8217;s ability to investigate crimes\u2064 effectively, particularly after \u200bthe D.C. crime lab lost its\u200d accreditation.\u200d it calls for more judges in the judicial system to address trial delays and\u200b alleviate the burden\u2064 on a system that has not functioned at full capacity for over a decade. \u2062The suggestions aim to restore law and order in the capital and address the city&#8217;s rising crime\u200d rates.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Four ways to make DC safe again: Report<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1696076\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A new report on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/crime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>crime<\/a> in the nation&rsquo;s capital investigates what can be done to address the issue and make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Washington, D.C<\/a>.&rsquo;s inhabitants safer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Manhattan Institute took a deep dive into public safety in the District of Columbia and <a href=\"https:\/\/manhattan.institute\/article\/doing-less-with-less-crime-and-punishment-in-washington-dc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>released<\/a> its findings in August. Although some crime is dropping in 2024, criminal activities such as homicide, car theft, and robbery remain higher overall since before 2020, according to the report. <\/p>\n<p>Here are four recommendations the investigation made to improve law and order.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Enforce existing laws<\/p>\n<p>Enforcing the laws on the books will keep streets safer, according to the organization.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A steep decline in arrests for certain crimes, including prostitution, traffic violations, narcotics, disorderly conduct, liquor law violations, release violations, and driving while intoxicated, has contributed to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3039420\/gop-lawmaker-slams-dc-crime-staffer-held-gunpoint-no-one-feels-safe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>breakdown<\/a> in public order, according to the Manhattan Institute&rsquo;s findings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The past several years of efforts to solve D.C.&rsquo;s crime problems show that officials believe that criminal offenders are reacting to a lack of stiff penalties,&rdquo; the report found. &ldquo;But the problem is not leniency; the problem is that, across the criminal-justice system, existing laws are unenforced.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-director-chris-wray-refuses-to-say-what-role-feds-played-in-january-6-riot\/\" title=\"FBI Director Chris Wray Refuses To Say What Role Feds Played In January 6 Riot\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-secretary-of-state-investigating-voter-registration-group-run-by-democrat-raphael-warnock\/\" title=\"Georgia Secretary Of State Investigating Voter Registration Group Run By Democrat Raphael Warnock\">law enforcement officers<\/a> alleged<\/a> they faced pressure not to carry out the law, saying that the &ldquo;decline in police activity&rdquo; was due to recent policy changes and the &ldquo;message that they send to cops.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Most notably, D.C. was one of the few major cities that yielded to activists&rsquo; demands to &lsquo;defund the police,&rsquo; slashing MPD&rsquo;s budget by $15 million in 2020,&rdquo; the investigation said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Some of the policies refer to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-residents-complain-new-anti-theft-measures-in-grocery-stores-are-dystopian\/\" title=\"DC residents are unhappy about the new grocery store anti-theft measures, calling them dystopian\">relaxed crime measures spearheaded<\/a> by Capitol Hill&rsquo;s Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen. From 2017 through 2022, Allen served as chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, where he played an instrumental role in implementing the criminal justice reforms that those <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recallcharlesallen.com\/why-recall\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>fighting<\/a> for his recall say led to an increase in the district&rsquo;s crime. During his tenure, Allen successfully helped lead the $15 million police budget cut in 2020 while authoring a 2023 rewrite of the district&rsquo;s criminal code, which eliminated most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-washington-blm-alliance-begins-lobbying-state-legislature-demands-gov-inslee-declare-racism-a-public-health-crisis\/\" title=\"New \u2018Washington BLM Alliance\u2019 Begins Lobbying State Legislature, Demands Gov. Inslee Declare Racism A Public Health Crisis\">mandatory minimum sentences<\/a> and lowered penalties for most other offenses, including carjacking.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Washington, D.C. Council member Charles Allen testifies during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee&rsquo;s hearing about Congressional oversight of the Nations Capital, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo\/Cliff Owen)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Allen also authored and passed the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2020, which reduced the statutory maximum sentences for many violent crimes. The Second Look Act, which Allen also helped author, enacted sentence reduction mandates for violent offenders under the age of 25, and went into effect on April 27, 2021. <\/p>\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Increase law enforcement presence<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, the D.C. Council passed&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/code.dccouncil.gov\/us\/dc\/council\/code\/sections\/5-365.02\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">emergency legislation to address shortcomings<\/a>&nbsp;in Allen&rsquo;s bill, relaxing some of the restrictions on police pursuit. That year, the city continued to backtrack some of Allen&rsquo;s police reforms by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2904701\/dc-council-passes-omnibus-anti-crime-bill-after-historic-rise-in-felonies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>passing<\/a> another bill that tightened restrictions on crime. However, the report indicates that in order to bring down crime, more law enforcement officers are needed to enforce the new law.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Metropolitan Police Department, which is responsible for enforcing laws in Washington, D.C., has lost nearly 500 officers since 2019, according to the Manhattan Institute.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The report recommends increasing funding for MPD hiring, which would free up sworn officers to patrol the streets and focus police officers on where the crime is.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Prosecute criminal behavior<\/p>\n<p>The investigation also found that the U.S. attorney is prosecuting far fewer people in Washington, D.C. Following through with punishing criminal behavior will help strengthen public safety, it states.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Between 2021 and 2022,&nbsp; rates of prosecution declined sharply in the city, according to the report. In 2022, the office prosecuted less than 50% of the felonies and only 28% of the misdemeanors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Rates have rebounded somewhat, amid heavy public criticism, but are still well below even recent historical norms,&rdquo; the report notes.&nbsp;District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser is among those taking the blame for crime and has faced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3001487\/dc-mayor-muriel-bowser-approval-rating-underwater-crime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>criticism<\/a> and sinking favorability ratings during her third term in office.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, major grocery stores across the store began implementing policies aimed at reducing an uptick in shoplifting as many residents <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3022927\/dc-residents-complain-new-anti-theft-measures-in-grocery-stores-are-dystopian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>complained<\/a> a lack of consequences fueled the theft. <\/p>\n<p>Investigators say one factor holding back prosecutors from targeting crime is the city&rsquo;s ability to investigate criminal behavior. The D.C. crime lab lost its accreditation between 2021 and 2023, during the period when crime saw a rise in the city.<\/p>\n<p>Restoring the crime lab&rsquo;s accreditation will help investigators, and prosecutors, close cases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Increase the number of judges<\/p>\n<p>Washington, D.C.&rsquo;s judicial system hasn&rsquo;t seen a full bench in more than a decade, leading to delays in many trials and concerns that suspects have the opportunity to commit more crimes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The District&rsquo;s Court of Appeals is short two judges, a 22% deficit, while the Superior Court is down by 13 judges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There are fewer judges, and they are churning through a larger case backlog,&rdquo; the Manhattan Institute found.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The report urges Congress to expedite the confirmation process for judges, &ldquo;by revising the laws governing DC&rsquo;s courts to make presidential appointments presumptively confirmed within three months unless the Senate votes against their confirmation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>  D.C. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox5dc.com\/news\/judicial-vacancies-dc-courts-result-delays-increased-workloads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>leaders<\/a> have expressed anger over the long process judicial appointees encounter as the Senate considers their confirmation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) blamed the lengthy process on Republicans,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcwashington.com\/investigations\/dc-superior-court-at-breaking-point-as-it-waits-for-senate-to-confirm-more-judges\/3616969\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title> telling<\/a> NBC they &ldquo;have consistently used partisan tactics to delay the confirmation of President Biden&rsquo;s qualified nominations to the bench.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1696076\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1696076\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>**Four Strategies to Enhance Safety in D.C.: A Report**<\/p>\n<p>A recent report on crime in Washington, D.C. explores potential solutions to improve safety for its residents. The Manhattan Institute conducted an extensive analysis of public safety in the capital and published its results in August. While some crime rates are decreasing in 2024, incidents such as homicide, car theft, and robbery remain elevated compared to pre-2020 levels. Here are four key recommendations from the report aimed at restoring law and order.<\/p>\n<p>1. **Enforce Existing Laws**<br \/>\nThe organization emphasizes that enforcing current laws is essential for safer streets. The report highlights a significant drop in arrests for various offenses\u2014including prostitution, traffic violations, drug-related crimes, disorderly conduct, liquor law breaches, release violations, and DUI\u2014which has contributed to a decline in public order. It suggests that officials have mistakenly attributed rising crime rates to leniency rather than a failure to enforce existing laws effectively. Some police officers have reported feeling pressured not to enforce the law due to recent policy changes that discourage active policing.<\/p>\n<p>2. **Increase Law Enforcement Presence**<br \/>\nIn 2023, the D.C. Council enacted emergency legislation aimed at addressing deficiencies related to previous reforms initiated by Councilman Charles Allen that limited police pursuits and other enforcement actions. To effectively reduce crime rates further, the report advocates for an increase in law enforcement personnel within the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), which has seen nearly 500 officers leave since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>3. **Prosecute Criminal Behavior**<br \/>\nThe investigation found a notable decrease in prosecutions by U.S attorneys within Washington D.C., with less than half of felonies and only 28% of misdemeanors being prosecuted as of 2022\u2014a trend attributed partly to challenges faced by prosecutors due to inadequate investigative resources following the loss of accreditation by the city\u2019s crime lab between 2021 and 2023.<\/p>\n<p>4. **Increase Judicial Capacity**<br \/>\nWashington D.C.&#8217;s judicial system has been operating without a full complement of judges for over ten years\u2014resulting in trial delays and increased opportunities for suspects to commit additional crimes while awaiting trial; currently there is a shortage of judges on both appellate (22% deficit) and superior courts (13 judges short). The report calls on Congress to streamline judicial confirmations so that presidential appointments are presumed confirmed within three months unless opposed by Senate vote.<\/p>\n<p>D.C.&#8217;s leaders have expressed frustration over lengthy confirmation processes affecting judicial appointments; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer&#8217;s office attributes these delays primarily to partisan tactics employed by Republicans against President Biden&#8217;s nominations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2328514,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Crime.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32147,38834,38835],"class_list":["post-2328513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-crime-prevention","tag-dc-safety","tag-public-policy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Crime.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2328513","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2328513"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2328513\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2328514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2328513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2328513"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2328513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}