Another weekend of deadly shootings leaves DC officials calling for action
A D.C. Council member says the city could be doing more to curb crime after another deadly weekend of shootings.
Ward One Council member Brianne Nadeau says incidents on U Street and in Adams Morgan highlight ongoing public safety issues the District faces. She says she’s already planning to discuss safety issues in depth at upcoming meetings in the days and weeks ahead.
“There’s too much violence in our community right now, and it’s really scary for residents — and it’s not OK,” she told WTOP Sunday afternoon. “It’s not OK to bring your guns to the District of Columbia and use them against people.”
Nadeau says all D.C. entities have a commitment to end this recent crime wave, and are working together to achieve that goal. But she also says there needs to be more synergy between departments.
“It needs to be about how all of our different entities are working together to resolve crime issues, not just MPD,” Nadeau said.
“It’s got to be a partnership between all of our agencies, like the Department of Public Works, helping with towing … DDOT, helping with strategic road closures, our licensing agencies going out and doing enforcement, making sure all of our nightlife entities are following the law,” she said.
Nadeau says the D.C. Council did pass new legislation last month, which makes it easier to prosecute violent crimes and help get violent offenders off the streets; they hope it will be effective after it’s had some time to kick in.
She also says the council is actively trying to raise more awareness about the district’s Red Flag law, which allows people to report to authorities if they suspect an individual is planning to use a firearm against another person or themselves.
But Nadeau says legislation alone is simply not enough if they want to make a substantial impact, and pulled no punches when asked about parties she believes need to step up.
“There is a lot the mayor can do right now, without any new laws, as the head of the executive branch,” she said.
Nadeau says there are a few things that could be done immediately to fight crime, and that she’d like to see criminal evidence being processed more quickly.
“She [Mayor Muriel Bowser] can get our crime lab stirred up again,” Nadeau said. “That’s a really big deal, because right now, not all of the evidence that’s gathered in crimes in the District of Columbia is being processed timely, or at all.”
Nadeau says she will also be advocating for a more equitable distribution of police throughout the District, noting that she thinks more officers need to be present in areas where crime repeatedly occurs.
“That’s something the new chief needs to work on, and she has assured me she will,” Nadeau said. “Also, we will be asking the U.S. attorney to be prosecuting more crimes in the District of Columbia.”
She says a push for more criminals to be prosecuted in D.C. could help with the rising crime rates.
“Swift, certain justice is what deters crime,” Nadeau said. “And right now, we can’t be assured that’s happening in the District of Columbia between the crime lab being down, and the U.S. attorney declining to prosecute two thirds of cases in the District of Columbia.”
Nadeau says she has a phone call update scheduled with the Adams Morgan community for tomorrow night. She also says she has several regular meetings scheduled this week where she plans to talk to constituents about any issues they face — and says she knows safety will be top of mind.
“I extend my condolences to the families of these victims in these shootings,” she said. “I certainly want community members to know that we are all working really hard to end this violence.”