D.C. Council pushes back on mayor’s request to add officers

Bowser’s request for the additional funding comes as the city wrestles with a surge in violence but debate is raging among the council on how to reduce that balance. D.C. Council members Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) and Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) responded to the request with a “compromise package” that includes just $5 million in funding for new officers, enough to hire an additional 40 recruits in fiscal 2022.

The remaining $6 million would instead further supplement city programs aimed to reduce gun violence including “violence interrupters,” a program used in some cities that embed civilians on the streets to intervene with potential suspects before they commit violence.

“Council members support a combination of strategies to reduce violent crime. The solution can’t solely be more police,” Mendelson said in a statement. “Police respond to incidents of violence. On the other side, violence interrupters are proactive.”