On Tuesday, the Washington, D.C. council voted to override Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser’s veto on a progressive bill for public safety that would lower maximum penalties for certain violent crime.

Twelve votes were cast by the council to override Bowser’s veto and to impose the measure. Bowser and other critics claim that it will increase crime in the area. The new criminal code was unanimously approved by the council in November.

In a January letter to Phil Mendelson, the mayor rejected the measure. She expressed her disapproval to some provisions that dealt with the lenient punishments of serious offenses. Bowser pointed out that the code reduced sentences for carjackings and robberies as well as home invasion burglaries and illegally gun ownership.

Robberies in the city increased by 2 percent, while motor vehicle theft rose 8 percent between 2021 and 222. According to statistics from the metropolitan police department, “theft of auto” has increased 31 percent from 2022 levels. MPD reported 326 carjackings between January 1 and August 30, 2022. This is a 27 percent increase over the same period last year. The majority of those incidents involved guns, with 73 percent.

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The mayor stated that the Council had gone beyond modernizing our criminal laws and included controversial policy proposals best addressed by stand-alone bills, where the public can review them to offer their opinions.

She suggested that the council increase the maximum penalties for burglary and third-degree armed and unarmed theft, as well as crimes of violence with a firearm, at a minimum.

Bowser had sent the council an initial letter before the veto. It urged the council members to remove the provisions she considered problematic and counterproductive. This opinion was shared by the United States Attorney’s Office. One provision would allow suspects with misdemeanors to be tried by juries. Matthew Graves, U.S. attorney, predicted that this policy would result in a “tripling of quadrupling” number of jury trials. It would be overwhelming for the justice system, he said, and it would take precious resources and time away from the serious offenders.

“I hear daily from DC residents who are most worried about being attacked in the home, car, and on the streets.” Bowser stated that reducing the current penalties for violent offenses sends a wrong message to DC residents. He also noted that we use every resource within our government to reduce crime.

When they met for their Tuesday session, council members were determined to pass the legislation. They claimed that the legislation was the result of years of compromise and consensus. Charles Allen, a council member who was instrumental in updating the District’s criminal codes, stated last week that the council wanted to override Bowser’s veto.

One congressman stated Tuesday that it was irresponsible of the mayor to describe this bill as “it doesn’t make us safer.” “It has been well documented that sentences of any length have no deterrent effect.”