2022 was a high crime year for the district. But crime is up 23% this year, with property crime up 31%.
Take the man behind the law, Councilman Charles Allen. Asked about the criticism, Allen said there was"a lot of misinformation and confusion" about the law. Perhaps working off the same talking points , Councilwoman Brianne Nadeau observed,"There has been a lot of misinformation and fearmongering about this bill." Nadeau has similarly declared,"Do not believe the hype. The council is not tying the hands of our law enforcement officials or making crime worse.
During the 2020 protests in the district, for example, which saw some break with peaceful protesters to engage in violent criminality, Nadeau resisted police overtime funding. The councilwoman then said she sought to"express my disapproval to the idea that [D.C. police's] reckless overspending and over-policing of our communities should be prioritized above health and human services programs.