Investment in Youth Violence Prevention Programs in the District of Columbia

Read the public emergency here.

In addition, just before the close of 2023, the District of Columbia Council recognized the need for urgent action and took steps to address the rise in violent crimes among youth with the passage of the Prioritizing Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2023 (Act 25-175). This emergency law established pre-hearing detention requirements when the DC Superior Court determined there was a substantial probability that a youth committed certain violent crimes.

A few weeks into 2024, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a 9-year-old and 13-year-old who were charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed when one of the boys allegedly assaulted a person and tried to grab her purse. In the District of Columbia, juvenile arrests, such as this one, have become more common in recent years. According to the DC Policy Center, between 2016 and 2022, MPD officers arrested an average of 2,235 juveniles each year, involving youth under the age of 18. Overall, violent crimes continue to increase and according to Metropolitan Police Data, violent crimes increased by 39%. Data also showed that 62% of carjacking-related arrests involved juveniles.

One solution to this sad reality of youth violence, that the Mayor and Council have agreed on, is increased attention to early intervention programs that can be done in partnership with community-based organizations. Using after school programs to engage youth can keep them positively engaged and is viewed by experts as an effective violence prevention measure.

Early in 2024, DC Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb recognized the same challenges facing the city and announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) would launched a new series of public safety grants called “Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Violence Prevention Grant Program.” According to the OAG, the purpose of the Fiscal Year 2024 Youth Violence Prevention Grant Program is to prioritize public safety and promote positive youth development by providing financial assistance to support community-based organizations that already help this vulnerable population. The grants will help to expand the already existing community-based organizations in academic achievement and workforce readiness, youth and family support, trauma-informed services, conflict and dispute resolution, volunteer services, and mental health meant to reach children and families.

Organizations are already operating in the District and play an important role in early intervention of youth violence by promoting positive outcomes for young children. By their very design, they provide a safe and supervised environment for youth after school. For example, an after-school mentor program would involve mentors, coaches, and instructors who serve as positive role models. An adult role model can help guide their mentee and indirectly reduce the likelihood of violence. Community engagement programs are another example that connects youth to their communities. By participating in community service through volunteer work on neighborhood improvement projects, youths develop a sense of belonging and civic responsibility. This reduces the risk of exposure to violence by providing youth a space to engage in other enriching activities.

Community-based organizations with programs designed for youth contribute to early intervention because they are designed to foster positive development and equip youth with skills to navigate through challenges and avoid violence. As the District of Columbia focuses on addressing the increase in crimes this year, we encourage you to stay informed about the leadership decision made in the mayor’s office, DC Council and at the Office of the Attorney General. There are many public hearings scheduled that will impact these efforts.

Recently, the DC Council, after hours of deliberation, advanced the Accountability and Victim Protection Amendment Act of 2023 (now known as “Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024”), a comprehensive package of legislative initiatives anticipated to decrease violence in the city, committed not just by the youth but also by adults. The Secure DC Omnibus will need another yes vote before the mayor’s review and thereafter, for Congressional review before being codified into official law.

The ArentFox Schiff team will continue to monitor these District of Columbia strategies and provide you with updates as they come.