DC Council votes to extend emergency crime bill by 90 days amid rise in violent crime
WASHINGTON (7News) — 7News spoke to D.C. Councilmembers Tuesday about the armed carjacking of Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar.
Their reactions were sympathetic to the Democratic congressman who was carjacked at gunpoint in Navy Yard Monday, though the matter was not raised during Tuesday’s legislative session.
However, the councilmembers did vote to extend an emergency crime bill by another 90 days. The bill was voted out earlier this year.
The carjacking took place in Trayon White’s ward.
“I think it's sad it happened to a congressmember what has happened to the people of D.C. and the DMV every single day,” White said. “...so I think we have to take this matter of violence that has been increasing in our city serious and create a comprehensive plan addressing public safety in the district.”
Chairman Phil Mendelson also reacted to the carjacking ahead of Tuesday's legislative session, saying, “It’s very frightening, and citizens across the city are alarmed.”
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“We need to declare a state of emergency, have consistent meetings with stakeholders in the community,” said White.
The Democratic Council is accused of being soft on crime, particularly by Republicans in Congress.
However, they seem to have taken a tougher stance as crime has increased.
“I do think there’s a different council from several years ago,” said Mendelson. “It’s also a different context than several years ago, right after the murder of George Floyd.”
Even before May of 2019, D.C. police – and therefore the Mayor – were criticizing then Public Safety Chair Charles Allen for cutting $15 million from the police budget.
Today, Allen is no longer chair but is still on the committee and insists police were adequately funded.
At the time of the spat in 2018, MPD had 3,800 officers and the mayor was talking about increasing the number to 4,000. Now, MPD has just over 3,300 officers.