Is a liberal city council soft on crime or are the recent bills justified?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“At what point will the police step back and say hey this is what you voted for?”

Never. Ha, do you know any police? They are so hungry for power. NYPD did go on strike but it was a failure for them.

I sympathize with your concerns because poverty=crime and if people don’t do something about poverty then crime will continue regardless, but the idea that harsh sentences and stronger police presence reduces crime isn’t necessarily true.

And yet, mysteriously, the “tough on crime” policies of the 1990’s were followed by 20 years of declining crime rates. Even in the face of two recessions.

Fortunately I don’t have a dog in this fight. Crime & quality of life concerns led me to sell my DC house this year. You couldn’t pay me to live there anymore.

We don't care that you left. People are still moving in. Tough on crime had nothing to do with the decrease in crime. It was the economy. You should know that since you try to be so smart. Maybe you should even pick up a book on the criminal justice system. It might help.

From 2008 to 2012, homicides in DC decreased by half despite the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. But just keep telling yourself whatever makes you feel good.

[Anonymous]

The peoole dying during the crack wars were young black men. The incarcerations saved lives. However, these are the kinds of crimes I am OK with Allen's BIll applying to, as long as the murder they were put away for wasnt sadistic or extenuating. With education on the inside, people involved in drugs/gangs can certaily move on. Not OK with it applying to rape. It's unfortunately a sexual-violence friendly bill and sends completely the wrong message in the #metoo era. Allen is some kind of dinosaur.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Antwan Pitts case is Exhibit A as to why DC's juvenile crime laws have failed. In May of 2016, the Post did an extensive profile on him---he committed numerous violent crimes prior to committing the violent assault and rape that landed him behind bars. Had he been incarcerated for those earlier violent offenses instead of getting multiple second chances under DC's juvenile offenders law as it is applied, he would not have been roaming the streets to injure and traumatize his victim for life.


From the description of his early upbringing and likely permanent brain damage from prenatal substance exposures, the chances that he will ever be able to be rehabilitated are minimal. Yet DC's juvenile crime law, as applied, let Antwan Pitts roam free. Why should DC residents trust that this new proposal would not result in the same travesties?

Wow Charles Allen and almost all of his cronies blocked Chehs proposal that the judge would consider the nature of the crime - like Pitts above. Allen says he hiimself was the victim of a gun crime and these are "all serious crimes" is he equating street robbery to home invasion and sadistic sexual.assaullt as per abovr?????????????????????:

"The council rejected amendments proposed by Cheh to require judges to give greater weight to the voices of victims and the nature of the offenses when considering early release"
"

This is infuriating and frankly, misogynistic. I guess women’s safety and women’s lives are unimportant. Charles Allen can’t relate - he was mugged, so iguess it’s the same? This criminal is exactly the person who should be behind bars. We need prison reform badly, but violent criminals should be locked away from society so that the rest of us are safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Antwan Pitts case is Exhibit A as to why DC's juvenile crime laws have failed. In May of 2016, the Post did an extensive profile on him---he committed numerous violent crimes prior to committing the violent assault and rape that landed him behind bars. Had he been incarcerated for those earlier violent offenses instead of getting multiple second chances under DC's juvenile offenders law as it is applied, he would not have been roaming the streets to injure and traumatize his victim for life.


From the description of his early upbringing and likely permanent brain damage from prenatal substance exposures, the chances that he will ever be able to be rehabilitated are minimal. Yet DC's juvenile crime law, as applied, let Antwan Pitts roam free. Why should DC residents trust that this new proposal would not result in the same travesties?

Wow Charles Allen and almost all of his cronies blocked Chehs proposal that the judge would consider the nature of the crime - like Pitts above. Allen says he hiimself was the victim of a gun crime and these are "all serious crimes" is he equating street robbery to home invasion and sadistic sexual.assaullt as per abovr?????????????????????:

"The council rejected amendments proposed by Cheh to require judges to give greater weight to the voices of victims and the nature of the offenses when considering early release"
"

This is infuriating and frankly, misogynistic. I guess women’s safety and women’s lives are unimportant. Charles Allen can’t relate - he was mugged, so iguess it’s the same? This criminal is exactly the person who should be behind bars. We need prison reform badly, but violent criminals should be locked away from society so that the rest of us are safe.

I know! Its SO revoltingly mysoginistic to not consider crimes of this nature (not to mention male, LGBTQ + children aimed sex crimes). But women's lives are overwhelmingly impacted by this type of crime. This is old school mysogynism here aimed at women in our city.

[Anonymous]

https://wjla.com/news/local/suspect-in-2017-dc-killing-was-a-city-violence-interrupter

Violence interruptor arrested for 2017 murder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://wjla.com/news/local/suspect-in-2017-dc-killing-was-a-city-violence-interrupter

Violence interruptor arrested for 2017 murder.

Oh.

[Anonymous]

"Allens Law" is, among other things, rape-friendly. There is just no other way to put it. I read about the sexual violence in countries like India and Mexico and voices speaking out, and then this bill passes here in DC?

[Anonymous]

Is there any way for us to protest Allen’s law? Clearly Mary Cheh couldn’t get anywhere (why not? I don’t understand how this all works) but could we the people do anything? This makes women less safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way for us to protest Allen’s law? Clearly Mary Cheh couldn’t get anywhere (why not? I don’t understand how this all works) but could we the people do anything? This makes women less safe.

I'm disappointed that Cheh ultimately voted for it anyway. That would have been a good start to protest it How DO we protest it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way for us to protest Allen’s law? Clearly Mary Cheh couldn’t get anywhere (why not? I don’t understand how this all works) but could we the people do anything? This makes women less safe.

THIS is the op-ed Charles Allen does not want you to read:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/local-opinions/dcs-early-release-bill-is-a-slap-in-the-face-to-sex-crime-victims/2019/08/16/a55fd940-bdf1-11e9-a5c6-1e74f7ec4a93_story.html

"An effort is underway, led by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), to hasten the release of convicted murderers and rapists, including child sex offenders...

Allen is so dead-set on this program that in July he chastised Judge Michael O’Keefe for denying a resentencing to Rodney C. Williams, who was convicted in 1983 of multiple burglaries and sexual assaults.

Both incensed and curious, I requested the full text of Allen’s letter to the judge and the full scope of Williams’s crimes from the Justice Department. The contents sickened me. In the letter, Allen chastised the judge for “rely[ing] heavily on the circumstances surrounding the original offenses, rather than evidence of his rehabilitation and conduct while incarcerated.”

Williams’s underlying offenses are relevant. Williams, along with other armed men, participated in four brutal home invasions. They raped women. On Sept. 8, 1982, they raped a mother and her 9-year-old daughter. The little girl screamed that “it hurt,” so they stopped raping her. Williams watched the little girl get raped and did nothing to help her.

The judge was right to rely heavily on the underlying crimes when reviewing Williams’s early-release petition. Williams may have been only 17 years old when he raped women, but he destroyed their lives. Williams and all 24-year-old violent, sexual offenders should serve their full sentences. We owe that to victims...."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way for us to protest Allen’s law? Clearly Mary Cheh couldn’t get anywhere (why not? I don’t understand how this all works) but could we the people do anything? This makes women less safe.

THIS is the op-ed Charles Allen does not want you to read:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/local-opinions/dcs-early-release-bill-is-a-slap-in-the-face-to-sex-crime-victims/2019/08/16/a55fd940-bdf1-11e9-a5c6-1e74f7ec4a93_story.html

"An effort is underway, led by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), to hasten the release of convicted murderers and rapists, including child sex offenders...

Allen is so dead-set on this program that in July he chastised Judge Michael O’Keefe for denying a resentencing to Rodney C. Williams, who was convicted in 1983 of multiple burglaries and sexual assaults.

Both incensed and curious, I requested the full text of Allen’s letter to the judge and the full scope of Williams’s crimes from the Justice Department. The contents sickened me. In the letter, Allen chastised the judge for “rely[ing] heavily on the circumstances surrounding the original offenses, rather than evidence of his rehabilitation and conduct while incarcerated.”

Williams’s underlying offenses are relevant. Williams, along with other armed men, participated in four brutal home invasions. They raped women. On Sept. 8, 1982, they raped a mother and her 9-year-old daughter. The little girl screamed that “it hurt,” so they stopped raping her. Williams watched the little girl get raped and did nothing to help her.

The judge was right to rely heavily on the underlying crimes when reviewing Williams’s early-release petition. Williams may have been only 17 years old when he raped women, but he destroyed their lives. Williams and all 24-year-old violent, sexual offenders should serve their full sentences. We owe that to victims...."

That’s disgusting. Allen is so focused on “restorative justice,” whatever that means, that he is ignoring brutal crimes. These are the people who should be put away. When we talk about prison sentences that are too long, or disproportionate, these are not the criminals we should be talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way for us to protest Allen’s law? Clearly Mary Cheh couldn’t get anywhere (why not? I don’t understand how this all works) but could we the people do anything? This makes women less safe.

THIS is the op-ed Charles Allen does not want you to read:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/local-opinions/dcs-early-release-bill-is-a-slap-in-the-face-to-sex-crime-victims/2019/08/16/a55fd940-bdf1-11e9-a5c6-1e74f7ec4a93_story.html

"An effort is underway, led by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), to hasten the release of convicted murderers and rapists, including child sex offenders...

Allen is so dead-set on this program that in July he chastised Judge Michael O’Keefe for denying a resentencing to Rodney C. Williams, who was convicted in 1983 of multiple burglaries and sexual assaults.

Both incensed and curious, I requested the full text of Allen’s letter to the judge and the full scope of Williams’s crimes from the Justice Department. The contents sickened me. In the letter, Allen chastised the judge for “rely[ing] heavily on the circumstances surrounding the original offenses, rather than evidence of his rehabilitation and conduct while incarcerated.”

Williams’s underlying offenses are relevant. Williams, along with other armed men, participated in four brutal home invasions. They raped women. On Sept. 8, 1982, they raped a mother and her 9-year-old daughter. The little girl screamed that “it hurt,” so they stopped raping her. Williams watched the little girl get raped and did nothing to help her.

The judge was right to rely heavily on the underlying crimes when reviewing Williams’s early-release petition. Williams may have been only 17 years old when he raped women, but he destroyed their lives. Williams and all 24-year-old violent, sexual offenders should serve their full sentences. We owe that to victims...."

That’s disgusting. Allen is so focused on “restorative justice,” whatever that means, that he is ignoring brutal crimes. These are the people who should be put away. When we talk about prison sentences that are too long, or disproportionate, these are not the criminals we should be talking about.

it is disgusting. The above is something you can't unsee. it's beyond horrible. Allen could have had his law (in fact he does). Cheh reasonably asked that judges consider the nature of the crime as part of the law. Allen prefers to send them letters chastising them because he knows best. So now we get any crime committed up to age 25 up for early release with consideration of the crime by the judge BANNED. I can't even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way for us to protest Allen’s law? Clearly Mary Cheh couldn’t get anywhere (why not? I don’t understand how this all works) but could we the people do anything? This makes women less safe.

THIS is the op-ed Charles Allen does not want you to read:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/local-opinions/dcs-early-release-bill-is-a-slap-in-the-face-to-sex-crime-victims/2019/08/16/a55fd940-bdf1-11e9-a5c6-1e74f7ec4a93_story.html

"An effort is underway, led by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), to hasten the release of convicted murderers and rapists, including child sex offenders...

Allen is so dead-set on this program that in July he chastised Judge Michael O’Keefe for denying a resentencing to Rodney C. Williams, who was convicted in 1983 of multiple burglaries and sexual assaults.

Both incensed and curious, I requested the full text of Allen’s letter to the judge and the full scope of Williams’s crimes from the Justice Department. The contents sickened me. In the letter, Allen chastised the judge for “rely[ing] heavily on the circumstances surrounding the original offenses, rather than evidence of his rehabilitation and conduct while incarcerated.”

Williams’s underlying offenses are relevant. Williams, along with other armed men, participated in four brutal home invasions. They raped women. On Sept. 8, 1982, they raped a mother and her 9-year-old daughter. The little girl screamed that “it hurt,” so they stopped raping her. Williams watched the little girl get raped and did nothing to help her.

The judge was right to rely heavily on the underlying crimes when reviewing Williams’s early-release petition. Williams may have been only 17 years old when he raped women, but he destroyed their lives. Williams and all 24-year-old violent, sexual offenders should serve their full sentences. We owe that to victims...."

That’s disgusting. Allen is so focused on “restorative justice,” whatever that means, that he is ignoring brutal crimes. These are the people who should be put away. When we talk about prison sentences that are too long, or disproportionate, these are not the criminals we should be talking about.

it is disgusting. The above is something you can't unsee. it's beyond horrible. Allen could have had his law (in fact he does). Cheh reasonably asked that judges consider the nature of the crime as part of the law. Allen prefers to send them letters chastising them because he knows best. So now we get any crime committed up to age 25 up for early release with consideration of the crime by the judge BANNED. I can't even.

This is disgusting. And as several other posters mentioned, crimes against women are never taken seriously. Such mysoginy in the name of restorative justice. And a 24 year old rapist is a grown man making choices. He deserves to rot in jail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way for us to protest Allen’s law? Clearly Mary Cheh couldn’t get anywhere (why not? I don’t understand how this all works) but could we the people do anything? This makes women less safe.

THIS is the op-ed Charles Allen does not want you to read:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/local-opinions/dcs-early-release-bill-is-a-slap-in-the-face-to-sex-crime-victims/2019/08/16/a55fd940-bdf1-11e9-a5c6-1e74f7ec4a93_story.html

"An effort is underway, led by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), to hasten the release of convicted murderers and rapists, including child sex offenders...

Allen is so dead-set on this program that in July he chastised Judge Michael O’Keefe for denying a resentencing to Rodney C. Williams, who was convicted in 1983 of multiple burglaries and sexual assaults.

Both incensed and curious, I requested the full text of Allen’s letter to the judge and the full scope of Williams’s crimes from the Justice Department. The contents sickened me. In the letter, Allen chastised the judge for “rely[ing] heavily on the circumstances surrounding the original offenses, rather than evidence of his rehabilitation and conduct while incarcerated.”

Williams’s underlying offenses are relevant. Williams, along with other armed men, participated in four brutal home invasions. They raped women. On Sept. 8, 1982, they raped a mother and her 9-year-old daughter. The little girl screamed that “it hurt,” so they stopped raping her. Williams watched the little girl get raped and did nothing to help her.

The judge was right to rely heavily on the underlying crimes when reviewing Williams’s early-release petition. Williams may have been only 17 years old when he raped women, but he destroyed their lives. Williams and all 24-year-old violent, sexual offenders should serve their full sentences. We owe that to victims...."

That’s disgusting. Allen is so focused on “restorative justice,” whatever that means, that he is ignoring brutal crimes. These are the people who should be put away. When we talk about prison sentences that are too long, or disproportionate, these are not the criminals we should be talking about.

it is disgusting. The above is something you can't unsee. it's beyond horrible. Allen could have had his law (in fact he does). Cheh reasonably asked that judges consider the nature of the crime as part of the law. Allen prefers to send them letters chastising them because he knows best. So now we get any crime committed up to age 25 up for early release with consideration of the crime by the judge BANNED. I can't even.

This is disgusting. And as several other posters mentioned, crimes against women are never taken seriously. Such mysoginy in the name of restorative justice. And a 24 year old rapist is a grown man making choices. He deserves to rot in jail.

You cant un-see it, which is precisely why Allen didnt want the judge to consider it. Allens Law is #rape-friendly. Mary Cheh needs to speak out, again, to be credible on this. The Mayor needs to send the bill back for changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://wjla.com/news/local/suspect-in-2017-dc-killing-was-a-city-violence-interrupter

Violence interruptor arrested for 2017 murder.

Ironic. He could interrupt others' violence, but not his own. Is it possible to learn this power?