Mayor Fenty recently signed the “Omnibus Public Safety and Justice Amendment Act of 2009.” This legislation failed to include anti-gang provisions our Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans proposed with his June 26, 2009 "TITLE V. ANTI-GANG CIVIL ENFORCEMENT" [ pdf ] amendment.

Councilmembers Jim Graham and Muriel Bowser joined Mr Evans to propose the July 30, 2009 "TITLE V. TARGETED ANTI-GANG CIVIL ENFORCEMENT PILOT PROGRAM" [ pdf ] amendment that would limit the “Defined geographic area” to ... Ward 1, Ward 2 or Ward 4 in the District" and expand the duration of the original bill from a three month "summer" emergency program to a pilot program that would last six months after which time the Mayor would "submit a report to the Council which [would] evaluate the program and provide recommendations on whether to continue the program on a permanent basis and, if so, any recommended modifications."

In the form below, register your support for one or both amendments so that their provisions might be incoporated into law in the future. Your response and comments will be sent to key City Councilmembers.

“ Gang Civil Enforcement Act of 2009", June 26, 2009

“The purpose of this title is to create a mechanism so that civil actions may be brought to enjoin gangs and gang members from engaging in activities which create a public nuisance. In furtherance of this purpose, it is hereby declared that the continued growth of gangs has contributed to the increase in the incidence of violent crime in the District of Columbia. Gang members intimidate the law-abiding residents of the area with their presence and threaten retaliation against persons who cooperate with law enforcement efforts. Gangs, operating as organizations, are establishing themselves within distinct geographic areas and are committing crimes within those areas. Citizens have noted an increase in gang-related tagging and graffiti as well as gang members displaying gang colors and using gang-related hand signs. Gangs are also responsible for quality-of-life crimes, such as drinking and using controlled substances in public, and disturbing the peace. Such gang activity injures the health, safety and security of the District’s citizens, frightens or intimidates them, obstructs the free use of both private and public property, and interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of the lives and property of the District’s residents, and is therefore a nuisance. The enactment of this title is hereby declared to be a public necessity.”

“Targeted Gang Civil Enforcement Pilot Program Act of 2009", June 30, 2009

“The purpose of this title is to create a pilot program so that civil actions may be brought to enjoin gangs and gang members from engaging in activities which create a public nuisance, for a 6-month trial period in Wards 1, 2 and 4. In furtherance of this purpose, it is hereby declared that the continued growth of gangs has contributed to the increase in the incidence of violent crime in the District of Columbia. Gang members intimidate the law-abiding residents of the area with their presence and threaten retaliation against persons who cooperate with law enforcement efforts. Gangs, operating as organizations, are establishing themselves within distinct geographic areas and are committing crimes within those areas. Citizens have noted an increase in gang-related tagging and graffiti as well as gang members displaying gang colors and using gang-related hand signs. Gangs are also responsible for quality-of-life crimes, such as drinking and using controlled substances in public, and disturbing the peace. Such gang activity injures the health, safety and security of the District’s citizens, frightens or intimidates them, obstructs the free use of both private and public property, and interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of the lives and property of the District’s residents, and is therefore a nuisance. The enactment of this title is hereby declared to be a public necessity.”