The crime emergency plan includes other measures that are more difficult to evaluate in such a short time frame, but which I believe should be part of any comprehensive effort to reduce crime. For example, the plan provides additional funding for youth anti-violence programs, mediation efforts and increased recreational opportunities. The legislation also includes important criminal justice reforms that make it harder for violent suspects to get back on the street and that ease bureaucratic red tape in the sharing of critical information among agencies about certain serious juvenile offenders.

Sharing limited, but critical information about some of the most serious juvenile offenders is vitally important, especially as our government redoubles its efforts to intervene in the lives of our young people and prevent them from becoming career criminals as adults. In recent weeks, we have been developing the systems and procedures to ensure a smooth and timely flow of information among agencies, in a manner that protects confidentiality. We hope to fully implement this system in the near future. Keeping this element of the emergency legislation is essential if we are to fully develop and use these procedures and evaluate their effectiveness in addressing juvenile crime.

Combating crime in DC – in particular, combating juvenile crime in our city – will always require a variety of approaches and strategies. And while some people tend to latch on to things such as a crime emergency as being the one “magic” answer to the problem, the reality is that there is no one answer … no single solution.

I do believe that elements of the crime emergency legislation are certainly important – and effective – components of our overall crime reduction strategy. At a minimum, we should extend them – if for no other reason than to give us more time and data to more fully evaluate their effectiveness. And if they continue to be shown to be effective, as the preliminary data suggest, then we should look to make them permanent parts of our crime-fighting arsenal.

I started my testimony by stating that police deployment, Closed Circuit Television cameras, curfews and the like will never be the “be-all, end-all” to the complex problem of crime in the District of Columbia. These approaches will never replace responsible parenting, good schools, economic opportunity and strong communities. But they do contribute to the overall safety and well-being of our communities. And they do provide some short-term relief, while our longer-range strategies are given a chance to take hold.

I thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My staff and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about my testimony or the handout.