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Democratic mayor flips on post-George Floyd police

reforms as crime skyrockets in nation’s capital
Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser says new legislation addressing crime trends, bolstering police is 'common
sense'
By Danielle Wallace Fox News

Published October 23, 2023 1:49pm EDT

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Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser flipped the script on George Floyd-era police
reforms Monday by introducing new legislation to address skyrocketing crime in the
nation's capital.

Speaking from Ward Four, Bowser, a Democrat, rolled out the proposal deemed the
Addressing Crime Trends (ACT) Now Act, which clarifies the distinction between a serious
use of force and incidental contact with the neck, ensures officers can review their body-
orn camera footage prior to writing their initial police report in certain circumstances,
makes permanent clarification of vehicular pursuit and defines what information will be
posted publicly related to officer discipline.

"MPD continues to be a leader in fair and constitutional policing across this nation. They
continue to work every day to have and keep the trust of our city. And this legislation won't
change that. It will, however, support the department in dealing with some of the negative
consequences of the Comprehensive Police Adjustment and Injustice Amendment Act.
Some of the changes that were made just don't match the daily practice of safe and
effective policing," Bowser said. "And whether that's around incidental contact you can
make with a person, or how officers can use their body worn camera footage to write
reports or whether police are allowed to safely chase a criminal who's right in front of
them[.]"

DC MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER COMPLAINED OF BEING SHORT 400 COPS DAYS BEFORE
CONGRESSMAN’S GUNPOINT CARJACKING

Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced "common sense" legislation supporting police. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

"Residents have expressed loud and clear to me in every venue you can imagine across
this city that they are looking for solutions to help fill the gaps in our public safety
ecosystem. We promise to leave no stone unturned, but we need to act now, and we need
to send the strong message that violence is not acceptable in our city," she continued.
" And this perception that people have that you can commit a brazen crime and get away

with it has got to stop. This legislation will help change that."

Bowser said the new legislation proposal aims to address "current crime trends," saying
some of the changes "are just plain common sense."

The ACT Act aims to combat organized retail theft, address loitering around open-air drug
markets and make it unlawful to use masks for committing criminal acts.

"Under the new law, it will be illegal for any person to organize a theft for profit scheme by
recruiting or directing other individuals to commit organized retail theft. We are also
reinstating the law that makes it unlawful for to wear a mask for the purpose of
committing criminal acts or threatening people or causing fear. Obviously, our
community's relationship around wearing masks has changed significantly since 2020,
and thank God for that," she said, referring to thieves in ski masks who frequently rob
businesses at gunpoint.

A police officer removes her police tape from a crime scene where people were shot the night before in Washington, D.C.,
on Aug. 6, 2023. Mayor Bower said a new proposal Monday would address soaring crime trends. (Marvin Joseph/The
Washington Post via Getty Images)

SENATE WARNS OF INCREASED CRIME ON CAPITOL HILL AS LAWMAKERS AND STAFF

FACE STRING OF ROBBERIES, CARJACKINGS

The mayor said the changes would not apply to people "who are wearing masks for their
health."

As for open-air drug dealing, Bowser said, "People in the community are not fools. They
know what's happening on some of these sites."

"The new legislation will allow MPD to limit loitering by reinstating the ability for the police
chief to declare a drug free zone for up to 120 hours to disrupt and prohibit people from
congregating on public space for the purchase, sale or use of illegal drugs," she said. "The
establishment of a temporary drug free zone will allow MPD and community members to
work together to interrupt illegal activity and allow neighborhoods to reclaim our space."

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser proposes Addressing Crime Trends Now Act. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty
Images)

The mayor said the legislation would ensure a policy environment that better supports
police officers in allowing them to make Washington, D.C., safer, as well as communities,
victims and the Metropolitan Police Department’s ability to hire and retain highly qualified
officers.

In June 2020, Bowser had Black Lives Matter painted in bright yellow letters on the street
that runs into the White House following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, while
former President Trump was in office. Protesters soon added the message "defund the
police" to the street mural, as was seen in aerial images taken above the nation’s capital at
the time.

Bowser notably changed her tune when she was up for re-election, backing away from the
defunding stance promoted by progressive Democrats in the district.

Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips
can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.

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