DC Is Having a Crime Wave. The Centrist Political Class Is Freaking Out.
10 months, 2 weeks ago

DC Is Having a Crime Wave. The Centrist Political Class Is Freaking Out.

Politico  

No wonder, then, that the subject of neighborhood conversation, particularly in the gentrified precincts popular with young political workers, has whipsawed so fast. Although Allen notes that the list of donors includes several Trump appointees and numerous GOP Hill staffers — and though he’s long been a target for Trump-friendly outfits like the Fraternal Order of Police and grandstanding congressional Republicans — it also feels like a fight among Democrats. “They say we can’t manage our own house.” Sure enough, last week former President Donald Trump promised a “takeover” of the capital if he won back the White House. Like so many other aspects of toxic crime politics, it has returned as well: On Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee okayed a measure repealing a number of 2022 local police-discipline reforms that were disfavored by D.C.’s police union. In a sense, the furious focus on Allen himself — a single councilmember who no longer even chairs the body’s public safety committee — is also an example of the way crime anxieties torque local politics.

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History of this topic

Violent crime is rising in the nation’s capital. DC seeks solutions as Congress keeps close watch
1 year, 4 months ago

Violent crime is rising in the nation’s capital. DC seeks solutions as Congress keeps close watch

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Pamela Smith’s voice soared and quivered like a preacher in midsermon as she recalled her troubled childhood and how it helped prepare her for the challenges she faces as the new police chief in the nation’s capital. On July 24, the Mexican Consulate posted a tweet urging its nationals to “take precautions” in the city due to “a …

DC promises a ‘very, very robust’ police presence to maintain public safety over July 4 holiday
1 year, 5 months ago

DC promises a ‘very, very robust’ police presence to maintain public safety over July 4 holiday

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — With a flood of visitors and tourists expected, officials in the nation’s capital are mobilizing additional police officers and dozens of teams of civilian peacekeepers in an attempt to keep rising violent crime rates from marring the holiday weekend. “The safety of our residents and visitors is MPD’s number one priority,” said Ashan Benedict, interim police chief for …

Biden upends politics, precedent in pivot on DC crime law
1 year, 9 months ago

Biden upends politics, precedent in pivot on DC crime law

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s support of a Republican resolution to block new District of Columbia crime laws has split members of his own party amid rising concerns about crime in the nation’s capital and other cities. The city’s police union said in a statement that changes would “lead to violent crime rates exploding even more than they already have.” …

DC conflict reflects wider efforts undermining local control
1 year, 9 months ago

DC conflict reflects wider efforts undermining local control

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Congress’ expected vote next week to overturn District of Columbia laws dealing with criminal justice and voting has created a political tempest in the nation’s capital — and reflects a contentious political dynamic that is playing out more broadly across the country: Predominantly white legislative bodies are seeking to curb or usurp the authority of local governments in …

DC mayor’s race reflects Democratic dilemma over policing
2 years, 6 months ago

DC mayor’s race reflects Democratic dilemma over policing

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Mayor Muriel Bowser cruised to reelection in the nation’s capital four years ago without serious opposition, and as the city enjoyed prosperous times, the main criticism of her policies was that Washington was growing too quickly, driving up housing costs and pricing out Black residents in an uncontrolled gentrification wave. “During the height of the crack epidemic, D.C. …

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