Mayor Bowser to Announce New Task Force to Combat Robberies

Mayor Muriel Bowser will hold a press conference at the entrance to the Eastern Market Metro station tomorrow morning to introduce a new initiative to combat the increase in robberies across the District.

The press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to announce the new Robbery Intervention Partnership Task Force. According to a press release from Bowser, the task force will involve cooperation between the Metropolitan Police Department, the Metro Transit Police Department, the Office of the Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to focus on stopping robberies.

Residents around Eastern Market and the Capitol Hill area more generally have expressed concerns at numerous community meetings about the increase in robberies in the area over the past year. The press release from Bowser says that the task force will focus particularly on repeat offenders.

Earlier today, the District Council also targeted crime by unanimously approving a bill introduced by Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen that will offer incentives for residents and businesses to install security camera systems.

The bill authorizes up to $200 per camera installed and registered, with a maximum rebate of $500 for homes and $750 for businesses, nonprofits or religious organizations.