A new proposal by the D.C. City Council to combat the city's surge in violent crime doesn't meaningfully address the problem, critics say.

D.C. City Councilmember Brooke Pinto in January toughened penalties for gun crimes, expanded the definition of carjacking, allowed DNA sample collection if a suspect is arrested and charged with a felony, and allowed retailers to proposed a bill that would add penalties for theft and allow police to designate crime-prone areas. free zone. (Related: 'Shoplifting Families Unite': Flyer Calling for Massive Looting of DC Supermarkets)

Read the bill:

But opponents of the bill don't think it goes far enough, citing Democratic D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb's willingness to prosecute violent crimes and the U.S. government's ability to put more police officers on the streets. They expressed concern about the need to increase staffing.

“Certainly, the D.C. crime bill would be a step in the right direction, but it fails to do the best thing we can do to prevent crime, which is put more police officers on the streets. Until we recognize this, we will continue to suffer as crime rates remain high in Washington, D.C., and Black and Hispanic communities suffer disproportionately high crime rates.” Gabriel of Our America National Director Nadales told The Daily Caller in a statement.

Police say the total number of violent crimes in Washington, D.C., increased by 39% in 2023, with robberies increasing by 67% and auto thefts by 82%. crime statistics. According to police data, homicides increased by 35% in 2023 and other thefts increased by 23%. Total property crimes in 2023 increased by 24%, and last year total crimes increased by 26%.

direct current crime statistics Homicide counts from 1972 to 2002 and 20-year homicide trends in police databases show that the city's homicide total reached a 20-year high in 2023 due to a spike in crime in the area.

Multiple Democratic congressmen and FBI agents have been victims of the D.C. crime wave. The once hip area has become unsafe, and crime has caused small businesses to flee the city.

“Small businesses praise tough-on-crime bills like Washington, D.C.'s new crime bill. Because of Democrats' 'defund the police' policies and rhetoric, big cities like Washington, D.C. Crime is skyrocketing. The spike in crime is just one of many failed Democratic policies that have hurt the profitability of small businesses and forced many to close or move to the suburbs,” Jobe said. . Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz told Caller in a statement:

In October, Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar was the victim of a carjacking, and in February, a man assaulted Minnesota Democratic Rep. Angie Craig inside her apartment building. In November, two suspects carjacked an FBI special agent's car at gunpoint.

President Joe Biden signed a bill in March that blocked a Washington City Council bill aimed at reducing penalties for carjackings and robberies. House Republicans led the effort to block the City Council measure from taking effect after the city council rejected the proposed ordinance. rejection From Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Schwalb supported Revised Penal Code and opposed Nevertheless, juvenile suspects are prosecuted as adults. undulation Criminal activity by D.C. teenagers.he has repetition Discussed Policies that address the “root causes” of crime and aim to “reform” the system with alternatives to incarceration for violent offenders.

“There is nothing in Councilwoman Brooke Pinto’s crime bill that would compel DC AG Brian Schwalb to do his job and prosecute criminals who keep coming back to the streets of Washington. “It's also telling that the Democratic majority in Congress is trying to roll back some of the anti-crime policies that have clearly not benefited Washingtonians over the past few years,” said Jessica Anderson, president of the Sentinel Action Fund. He told The Daily Caller in a statement.

Pinto's bill, an omnibus package containing more than 100 provisions, passed the D.C. Council's Judiciary and Public Safety Committee unanimously on January 17. Pinto's bill is scheduled for the first of two votes on February 6th.

“Every day, I hear from residents in all eight boroughs about the urgent need to address crime in their neighborhoods. My Secure DC Omnibus is our chance to change the crime trends that are overwhelming our communities.” Pinto Mr. Said Introducing the omnibus method. Her office did not respond to requests for comment.

Today, City Councilwoman Brooke Pinto introduced an omnibus bill, “Secure DC.” Secure DC includes the provisions of the Mayor’s Safer, Stronger Amendment Act of 2023 and his Addressing Crime Trends Now Act of 2023 (ACT Now).

Mayor Bowser released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/Hcuhuab2sw

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 10, 2024

Mr. Schwalb's office did not respond to a request for comment on Mr. Pinto's bill.Bowser has vote in favor As we work toward implementing the Secure DC Omnibus Package, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is deploying additional resources to DC to help combat violent crime.

“Consumers can only hope that this new crime bill means that D.C. officials are finally waking up to the reality of what has happened in the nation's capital. Crime is a big problem for consumers. Carjackings and robberies It's hard to get excited about shopping with your family when you witness the threat of crime or see a stolen car crash through a storefront as part of a snatch-and-snatch attack. It’s a big first step,” Consumers Union executive director O Skinner told the Caller.

“Consumers then want to see D.C. authorities actually start putting criminals behind bars and taking them off the streets so their families can live their lives and shop on the streets without fear.” Masu.”