The Bowser administration announced the release of new crime and policing legislation on Monday, aimed at addressing “organized retail theft” and open-air drug markets in Washington, D.C. The bill, called the Addressing Crime Trends Now Act, includes provisions that establish new felony crimes for engaging in or directing organized retail theft, revive the “drug-free zones” policy from the war on drugs era, and reinstate a law that prohibits wearing masks for criminal purposes.
In addition, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser is seeking to roll back certain provisions of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act, which was passed after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. These changes include amending the definition of neck restraints and loosening restrictions on vehicular pursuits. The goal is to equip officers to better respond to crime and attract new recruits to the department.
The legislation is a response to the recent surge in violent crime in Washington, D.C., although it primarily focuses on nonviolent offenses such as retail theft and public drug dealing. City officials have made a distinction between shoplifting and targeted theft of specific items, such as laundry detergent, that are then sold on the streets.
Organized retail crime has long been a problem in the city, but tracking incidents has proven challenging. The new legislation aims to combat this issue by providing additional tools for law enforcement.
The bill also proposes changes to the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act, which may draw criticism from criminal justice advocates. These changes include amending the prohibition on neck restraints and adjusting the provision related to reviewing body-camera footage for writing police reports. The goal is to address officers’ needs in routine police work and improve the accuracy of police reports.
City officials believe that these changes will help address the spike in violent crime and improve public safety. However, the legislation is still under development and subject to change.
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