Washington Mayor, Council Struggle to Reach Common Ground on Criminal Code Reform

Council chair Mendelson says Bowser's new tough-on-crime legislation is not the answer

District of Columbia City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, at a press briefing in Washington on May 15, 2023. The Epoch Times

The chairman of the District of Columbia City Council said he has not been briefed on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s new legislation to address rising crime in the district, but he and the other council members share the mayor’s concerns about public safety.

“I don’t know a single member of the council who’s not concerned about public safety,” Chairman Phil Mendelson said.  “And if there are opportunities to make the city safer, we want them.”