DC Council Overrides Bowser Veto of Revised Criminal Code

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is like throwing red meat to the Republican loons in Congress, who almost certainly will not allow this to become law.

It is not a question of whether the Republicans will let it become law, it is a question of whether the Democrats will let it become law. That’s a 50/50 proposition.

Any vulnerable Democrat on the national stage is going to flee from supporting this bill because it's going to become an easy talking point for their Republican opponents, who will simply say "this person supported lowering penalties for violent gun crimes and carjacking in DC during a time when both were through the roof." The ridiculous talking points used by Charles Allen and his ilk are not going to fly on a national level (they barely fly at the DC level).

Someone will have to introduce a bill to block it, though — and House Republicans have enough on their agenda that I'm not sure they'll make time for debate over a local D.C. matter.

I'm also not sure why any voters in, say, Arizona would care that their senator voted to lower penalties for violent crime in D.C. — are they voting based on their concern for D.C. residents?

Seems as if they are planning to make time for it it:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/19/dc-republican-congress-intervention/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

The common thread is there are no consequences for juvenile crime, and everyone - the juveniles, police, OAG, judges, and Council know it. The system is working precisely as designed and intended.

Police chasing stolen vehicles? Doing stops? Going into schools?

Tell me you’re not from here without telling me you’re not from here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

The common thread is there are no consequences for juvenile crime, and everyone - the juveniles, police, OAG, judges, and Council know it. The system is working precisely as designed and intended.

Police chasing stolen vehicles? Doing stops? Going into schools?

Tell me you’re not from here without telling me you’re not from here.

+1. The highest priority of DC government is reducing incarceration and not harming the life prospects of youth offenders. Public safety and the harms done to crime victims is a much lower priority to the extent it is even a concern at all. Not going to change anytime soon if ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is like throwing red meat to the Republican loons in Congress, who almost certainly will not allow this to become law.

It is not a question of whether the Republicans will let it become law, it is a question of whether the Democrats will let it become law. That’s a 50/50 proposition.

Any vulnerable Democrat on the national stage is going to flee from supporting this bill because it's going to become an easy talking point for their Republican opponents, who will simply say "this person supported lowering penalties for violent gun crimes and carjacking in DC during a time when both were through the roof." The ridiculous talking points used by Charles Allen and his ilk are not going to fly on a national level (they barely fly at the DC level).

Someone will have to introduce a bill to block it, though — and House Republicans have enough on their agenda that I'm not sure they'll make time for debate over a local D.C. matter.

I'm also not sure why any voters in, say, Arizona would care that their senator voted to lower penalties for violent crime in D.C. — are they voting based on their concern for D.C. residents?

Seems as if they are planning to make time for it it:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/19/dc-republican-congress-intervention/

It is counterintuitively good for DC that the Republican Congress plans more active intervention in District affairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

The common thread is there are no consequences for juvenile crime, and everyone - the juveniles, police, OAG, judges, and Council know it. The system is working precisely as designed and intended.

Police chasing stolen vehicles? Doing stops? Going into schools?

Tell me you’re not from here without telling me you’re not from here.

I've lived here for 12 years. I know they don't. I just continue to push the f'ing issue of why they don't, when they should.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

The common thread is there are no consequences for juvenile crime, and everyone - the juveniles, police, OAG, judges, and Council know it. The system is working precisely as designed and intended.

Police chasing stolen vehicles? Doing stops? Going into schools?

Tell me you’re not from here without telling me you’re not from here.

+1. The highest priority of DC government is reducing incarceration and not harming the life prospects of youth offenders. Public safety and the harms done to crime victims is a much lower priority to the extent it is even a concern at all. Not going to change anytime soon if ever.

It would make a lot more sense to put that investment into stopping these kids long before they head down the path of becoming youth offenders. But DCPS is a complete mess and the millions spent on services seem to be missing the mark, likely more of a jobs program than something to actually help at-risk kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

The common thread is there are no consequences for juvenile crime, and everyone - the juveniles, police, OAG, judges, and Council know it. The system is working precisely as designed and intended.

Police chasing stolen vehicles? Doing stops? Going into schools?

Tell me you’re not from here without telling me you’re not from here.

+1. The highest priority of DC government is reducing incarceration and not harming the life prospects of youth offenders. Public safety and the harms done to crime victims is a much lower priority to the extent it is even a concern at all. Not going to change anytime soon if ever.

It would make a lot more sense to put that investment into stopping these kids long before they head down the path of becoming youth offenders. But DCPS is a complete mess and the millions spent on services seem to be missing the mark, likely more of a jobs program than something to actually help at-risk kids.

I can understand trying to give kids chances and presume that the main goal is to keep them away from prison, because that is where kids that are just somewhat astray learn to be hardened criminals. But letting them wantonly commit crimes without consequences doesn’t seem to be a good way of helping them to succeed in life. How many people go from carjacking with a gun at 16 to a BA with strong career prospects at 22? Not to mention how impossible it is to accomplish that being saddled with a DCPS education and access to community college an hour or more away in upper NW on a journey that will require a bus and then two Metro lines? Not to get side-tracked, but one really dumb thing DC did was not take St. Elizabeth’s for the UDC campus when it was offered to them. What is needed is early and strong intervention in these kids lives, not arrest, release and drop charges. This may be politically incorrect, but a lot of the problems start with learned behavior at home and I would like DC to experiment with creating a state-funded boarding school. Take all of the high academic achievers at 7th grade with the best prospects, get them out of this environment and help them learn new behaviors, communication and emotional skills to succeed, as well as providing a strong education. It certainly couldn’t cost appreciably more than what they are currently spending per pupil for such awful results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

The common thread is there are no consequences for juvenile crime, and everyone - the juveniles, police, OAG, judges, and Council know it. The system is working precisely as designed and intended.

Police chasing stolen vehicles? Doing stops? Going into schools?

Tell me you’re not from here without telling me you’re not from here.

I've lived here for 12 years. I know they don't. I just continue to push the f'ing issue of why they don't, when they should.

The voters have told them a million times this is what they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

The common thread is there are no consequences for juvenile crime, and everyone - the juveniles, police, OAG, judges, and Council know it. The system is working precisely as designed and intended.

Police chasing stolen vehicles? Doing stops? Going into schools?

Tell me you’re not from here without telling me you’re not from here.

+1. The highest priority of DC government is reducing incarceration and not harming the life prospects of youth offenders. Public safety and the harms done to crime victims is a much lower priority to the extent it is even a concern at all. Not going to change anytime soon if ever.

It would make a lot more sense to put that investment into stopping these kids long before they head down the path of becoming youth offenders. But DCPS is a complete mess and the millions spent on services seem to be missing the mark, likely more of a jobs program than something to actually help at-risk kids.

I can understand trying to give kids chances and presume that the main goal is to keep them away from prison, because that is where kids that are just somewhat astray learn to be hardened criminals. But letting them wantonly commit crimes without consequences doesn’t seem to be a good way of helping them to succeed in life. How many people go from carjacking with a gun at 16 to a BA with strong career prospects at 22? Not to mention how impossible it is to accomplish that being saddled with a DCPS education and access to community college an hour or more away in upper NW on a journey that will require a bus and then two Metro lines? Not to get side-tracked, but one really dumb thing DC did was not take St. Elizabeth’s for the UDC campus when it was offered to them. What is needed is early and strong intervention in these kids lives, not arrest, release and drop charges. This may be politically incorrect, but a lot of the problems start with learned behavior at home and I would like DC to experiment with creating a state-funded boarding school. Take all of the high academic achievers at 7th grade with the best prospects, get them out of this environment and help them learn new behaviors, communication and emotional skills to succeed, as well as providing a strong education. It certainly couldn’t cost appreciably more than what they are currently spending per pupil for such awful results.

There were walkouts by students and claims the move would be racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carjacking has already been effectively decriminalized in DC so I don’t see how this law makes a difference. Might as well just make it a civil penalty at this point, like a parking ticket.

In the first 19 days of 2023, there has been 21 carjackings with 2/3 involving guns. There has been only one arrest who was a juvenile offender and contrary to public perception, a DC resident.
https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking

There have been over 500 carjackings from January 1, 2022 to present. The most common place that carjackings occur is in 6th District (Wards 7/8), followed by the 1st District (Ward 6). The most common age of a carjacking arrestee is 16 years old.

Do they actually know what the common thread to these carjackings is? Are there crime rings recruiting kids to bring them cars to sell or chop? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going after the crime rings, to eliminate the demand? Or is it criminal crews stealing cars to use in driveby shootings or other crimes? If so then why aren't we hearing about a crackdown on criminal gangs? Is it bored kids doing carjackings for joyrides? If so then why aren't we hearing about MPD going around to schools to talk to kids about it? And, why aren't we hearing about MPD using their license plate scanners and cameras to help locate stolen cars - or any other vehicular enforcement, for that matter?

The common thread is there are no consequences for juvenile crime, and everyone - the juveniles, police, OAG, judges, and Council know it. The system is working precisely as designed and intended.

Police chasing stolen vehicles? Doing stops? Going into schools?

Tell me you’re not from here without telling me you’re not from here.

+1. The highest priority of DC government is reducing incarceration and not harming the life prospects of youth offenders. Public safety and the harms done to crime victims is a much lower priority to the extent it is even a concern at all. Not going to change anytime soon if ever.

It would make a lot more sense to put that investment into stopping these kids long before they head down the path of becoming youth offenders. But DCPS is a complete mess and the millions spent on services seem to be missing the mark, likely more of a jobs program than something to actually help at-risk kids.

I can understand trying to give kids chances and presume that the main goal is to keep them away from prison, because that is where kids that are just somewhat astray learn to be hardened criminals. But letting them wantonly commit crimes without consequences doesn’t seem to be a good way of helping them to succeed in life. How many people go from carjacking with a gun at 16 to a BA with strong career prospects at 22? Not to mention how impossible it is to accomplish that being saddled with a DCPS education and access to community college an hour or more away in upper NW on a journey that will require a bus and then two Metro lines? Not to get side-tracked, but one really dumb thing DC did was not take St. Elizabeth’s for the UDC campus when it was offered to them. What is needed is early and strong intervention in these kids lives, not arrest, release and drop charges. This may be politically incorrect, but a lot of the problems start with learned behavior at home and I would like DC to experiment with creating a state-funded boarding school. Take all of the high academic achievers at 7th grade with the best prospects, get them out of this environment and help them learn new behaviors, communication and emotional skills to succeed, as well as providing a strong education. It certainly couldn’t cost appreciably more than what they are currently spending per pupil for such awful results.

There were walkouts by students and claims the move would be racist.

PP here. I was aware of that, but still appalled at how short-sighted the decision was, particularly in hindsight it just looks worse and worse. Imagine the economic development potential of a university campus in that area in addition to the practicalities. Very few DCPS graduates, even top students, are ready for 4-year colleges immediately after graduation. The opportunity to go to community college would help a lot and not having that resource close to where probably 80+% of UDC students live is a massive disincentive. Not to mention the crime deterrent effect of keeping kids in school and giving them a path to careers. And all because of an attitude that amounted to “white people don’t want us in Ward 3”.

[Anonymous]

Just can’t overstate how disappointed many in Ward 3 are with Matt Frumin. His first vote of any consequence and he falls right in line with the other crime apologists. We desperately need him to be the adult in the room. He has a lifetime of experience and has raised a family. He will never be mayor, he just needs to be courageous. It was breathtaking watching Mary Cheh speak out against crime last winter and need for stronger prosecution. Little did we know was that she intended to retire and which is why she was finally free to speak the truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just can’t overstate how disappointed many in Ward 3 are with Matt Frumin. His first vote of any consequence and he falls right in line with the other crime apologists. We desperately need him to be the adult in the room. He has a lifetime of experience and has raised a family. He will never be mayor, he just needs to be courageous. It was breathtaking watching Mary Cheh speak out against crime last winter and need for stronger prosecution. Little did we know was that she intended to retire and which is why she was finally free to speak the truth.

His core supporters were left wing activists. They knew who he was, which is why they supported him. He didn’t run as a continuation of Cheh, who is plenty liberal, he ran as someone to the left of Cheh. I am surprised that you think he would be anything different.