Below is a series of texts from a buddy who is a real estate developer in the c area. I continue to be shocked at how serious people are seriously concerned about urban safety. The Jarvis story (he’s a known quantity) is particularly stunning.
I went to a meeting last night with “DC Leaders” to discuss the proposed crime bill that is coming up for a vote on Tuesday. The bill is lead by councilwoman Pinto who was surprisingly lucid.
Net net, if they don’t pass it, DC is dead and you should not ever cross the river without a gun. I was sitting next to the owner of Cava and he said they are closing all of their locations in the District because they can’t keep their employees safe. As I was leaving (PWC’s office) everyone was saying “look out for carjackers”.
A few tidbits I learned:
1). In DC it is illegal for a cop to physically restrain someone they are arresting (how else do you handcuff someone?!?). If they do, the officer is automatically placed on “disciplinary notice.” In court the first question the judge asks is “is the arresting officer on disciplinary notice”? If yes, the case is dismissed.
2). Cops must wear body cameras and they must always be on. Before writing up an incident report or an arrest report they are prohibited from watching the footage. Then if there is any discrepancy between the footage and what is written, the case is automatically dismissed.
3). DC does not hold anyone overnight for anything other than violent crimes where someone is injured. Therefore if a cop bothers going through the hassle and danger of arresting anyone the perp is immediately released.
4). Most of the crimes are committed by juvenile offenders. If a juvenile is arrested for pretty much anything short of murder they are given a choice of trial or a pre-trial diversion which is basically a life skills course on how to not be a criminal. Naturally most choose the diversion. If the perp subsequently does not show up for the diversion there is no penalty and no further action taken. There is no limit to how many times you can choose the diversion path.
Shockingly DC is down over 500 cops since 2020. But not down on spending. They are giving lots of overtime which the current police like since they don’t have to do anything.
Supposedly these gems and many more are what is being rethought in the bill that is up for a vote on Tuesday….
I was shocked.
Best moment was when Ernie Jarvis (black real estate broker) said he was a fifth generation DC person. His mom was a 5 term councilwoman. His grandfather (something Drew) has both a bridge and elementary school named after him. He then said that 4 of his team had been carjacked, one shot. DC needs a hammer. You can’t fight force with weakness (great line). He said he finally made the unthinkable decision and moved his family out of the city.
The moderator then said he sounded like a republican congressman.
Ernie’s reply…”beats getting carjacked”.
I went to a meeting last night with “DC Leaders” to discuss the proposed crime bill that is coming up for a vote on Tuesday. The bill is lead by councilwoman Pinto who was surprisingly lucid.
Net net, if they don’t pass it, DC is dead and you should not ever cross the river without a gun. I was sitting next to the owner of Cava and he said they are closing all of their locations in the District because they can’t keep their employees safe. As I was leaving (PWC’s office) everyone was saying “look out for carjackers”.
A few tidbits I learned:
1). In DC it is illegal for a cop to physically restrain someone they are arresting (how else do you handcuff someone?!?). If they do, the officer is automatically placed on “disciplinary notice.” In court the first question the judge asks is “is the arresting officer on disciplinary notice”? If yes, the case is dismissed.
2). Cops must wear body cameras and they must always be on. Before writing up an incident report or an arrest report they are prohibited from watching the footage. Then if there is any discrepancy between the footage and what is written, the case is automatically dismissed.
3). DC does not hold anyone overnight for anything other than violent crimes where someone is injured. Therefore if a cop bothers going through the hassle and danger of arresting anyone the perp is immediately released.
4). Most of the crimes are committed by juvenile offenders. If a juvenile is arrested for pretty much anything short of murder they are given a choice of trial or a pre-trial diversion which is basically a life skills course on how to not be a criminal. Naturally most choose the diversion. If the perp subsequently does not show up for the diversion there is no penalty and no further action taken. There is no limit to how many times you can choose the diversion path.
Shockingly DC is down over 500 cops since 2020. But not down on spending. They are giving lots of overtime which the current police like since they don’t have to do anything.
Supposedly these gems and many more are what is being rethought in the bill that is up for a vote on Tuesday….
I was shocked.
Best moment was when Ernie Jarvis (black real estate broker) said he was a fifth generation DC person. His mom was a 5 term councilwoman. His grandfather (something Drew) has both a bridge and elementary school named after him. He then said that 4 of his team had been carjacked, one shot. DC needs a hammer. You can’t fight force with weakness (great line). He said he finally made the unthinkable decision and moved his family out of the city.
The moderator then said he sounded like a republican congressman.
Ernie’s reply…”beats getting carjacked”.
