Kenyan R. McDuffie (Twitter Photo)
On Feb. 2 D.C. Council member and Judiciary Chair Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5) introduced a bill that would adjust the District’s approach to public safety. The new direction not only addresses crime after it occurs, but also treats some of the root causes of crime such as mental health.
The “Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Amendment Act of 2016” (NEAR Act) unanimously passed after its first reading. The bill addresses crime in several ways, including using a public health appoach that requires collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and health and human services agencies. “This critical legislation is a step in the right direction and will address the root causes of violent crime in an effective and sustainable way,” said McDuffie. “One homicide in the District is too many. This bill addresses crime no matter where it happens in the District whether on the street, train, or in a home.”
The NEAR Act, which is expected to cost $3.9 million in fiscal year 2016 and $25.6 million over the next four years., will establish an Office of Violence Prevention and Health Equity, which will require the city to develop and implement a public health strategy using risk assessment tools, cognitive and family based therapy, and service coordination to combat the spread of violence, including placing clinicians in every hospital’s emergency department to respond to victims of crime.
Those impacted by homelessness, mental health disorders, and substance abuse sonetimes have run-ins with the police. The NEAR Act will start a Community Crime Prevention Team Program to pair mental health clinicians and housing outreach specialists from the Department of Behavioral Health and Human Services with police officers to identify need assistance and connect them with the appropriate services.
The NEAR Act also creates an Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement that will identify teenagers and young adults at the highest risk for committing or being a victim of violent crimes. The office will also encourage youth and young adults to participate in a stipend-based program involving life planning, trauma informed therapy and mentorship. The program is based on a model from Richmond, California that was successful.
According to a Feb. 2 article from the Washington Times, the NEAR Act won kudos from the Black Lives Matter movement because it “treats and responds to violence in our community as a public health issue, integrates new approaches to prevent crime, and improves law enforcement training and data collection.”