DC Council approves emergency declarations addressing rising youth violence, drug crisis

WASHINGTON (7News) — An ongoing rise in teen violence was the focus of a D.C. Council meeting Tuesday.

The meeting came a week after the council urged Mayor Muriel Bowser to declare crime emergencies in response to surging drug abuse and juvenile crime.

On Tuesday, the council approved the emergencies, with restrictions.

The council would only approve an emergency declaration that lasts until February 15.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who heads public safety, pushed to let Mayor Bowser act as she sees fit.

“We have to move forward, I believe in a way that allows the executive to move quickly,” Pinto said.

An amendment to give the mayor a blanket emergency for as long as she sees fit was rejected in an 8 to 5 vote.

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“Just waving a magic wand and saying the mayor should have all power here without more information provided is pretty dangerous,” said Councilmember Zachary Parker.

With the number of juveniles arrested for serious crimes approaching 500 and opioid deaths reaching 461 by the end of 2022 and 296 by the end of July 2023, it is clear that something needs to be done.

Under the approved emergency declarations, the mayor can hire contractors without bids.

“What we’re waiving, for example, is the requirement for competition and that’s always a risky thing to do with procurement, competition is good,” said Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. “We’re interested in speed here, so we’re waiving that requirement and we’re giving some other flexibility.”