Legislation

Debt-based license suspensions throw drivers into a cycle of poverty. B24-237 is an example of policy that reflects the economic reality of District residents—many of whom are continuing to survive a pandemic and recession, and generations of wealth inequality.

"District leaders must confront their biases, break the cycle, and use this critical moment to prioritize investment in prevention, community-based violence interruption and trauma services, school-based mental health services, restorative justice, and other effective public safety strategies."

This testimony urges the D.C. Council to address the inhumane conditions of the D.C. Jail facilities, the lack of transparency and accountability demonstrated by the Department of Corrections and its leadership, and the systemic injustices perpetuated by the District’s approach to public safety.

The ACLU-DC hopes the D.C. Council refuses to revert back to failed carceral approaches that have guided the District’s policies for too long. D.C. should strive to be an example to other jurisdictions of what public and community safety in the 21st century can look like.

The ACLU-DC supports the bill’s intent to make MPD’s disciplinary process more meaningful and to expand the role of the Office of Police complaints. But, the language lacks clarity and authority, so this testimony focuses on the accountability and disciplinary systems the bill addresses.

The ACLU-DC urges the Council to enact reforms that give OPC greater oversight of police practices in line with the recommendations of the Police Reform Commission, and allocate District dollars in the FY22 budget to ensure OPC can deliver on this expanded mandate.

The testimony addresses the ACLU-DC's concerns and recommendations for the District’s FY22 budgets for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE).

This testimony highlights the ACLU-DC's support for the recommendations made by the D.C. Police Reform Commission to dismantle the school policing infrastructure and reduce interactions between youth and law enforcement.

The ACLU-DC speaks before the D.C. Council about decentering police from public safety approaches, which requires significant investments in non-police services and resources and ending reliance on police where they are not effective and create more harm.