'You cannot coddle violent criminals': D.C. police chief Robert Contee says he's 'mad as hell' as he slams rising crime in his city after daylight shooting left two people injured and diners fleeing for their lives
Washington D.C. police chief Robert Contee slammed rising crime in the city Friday, insisting 'You cannot coddle violent criminals', and the White House's new strategy to tackle violent crime.
A shooting Thursday night at the popular D.C. 14th Street dining area that left two injured and sent diners fleeing for their lives, sparked Contee's visit to the busy corridor to talk to business owners.
'People are really mad as hell right now, and I don't blame them, because I am too. That's the reality,' he said.
'I think people are sick and tired of being sick and tired. I think that people want to ensure that there is accountability for what's happening in our communities.'
He pleaded: 'I'm asking community members: join with me.'
Police Chief Robert Contee spoke out about the current violent crime wave happening across the country and specifically in Washington D.C.
He lamented on the lack of accountability being placed on the individual criminals themselves and the shrinking force's lack of the resources
The DCP is asking for the public's help in identifying the unknown gunmen or gunman
'My voice is only but one voice and I've been saying this for a long time … I've been in this police department for over 30 years. This is the same movie from when I was a boy growing up here. When are we going to do something different?' said Contee. 'And what different looks like - what does not happen here - is accountability.'
Contrasting the Biden Administration's strategy to focus on gun dealers instead of individual criminals, Contee said he wants to crack down on those who have led a surge in crime.
'I'm talking about those individuals who brazenly use illegal firearms in our street,' Contee clarified.
But resources are thin. A 'shrinking workforce' is a problem in the department, now short more than 200 officers, as well as generally limited resources.
'What am I going to do with these resources?' he said. 'I know that's a long answer - but that's the truth.'
Hours before the shooting in the 14th Street corridor, the Justice Department announced it was launching firearms trafficking forces in five cities including D.C.
During the daily White House briefing Friday, press secretary Jen Psaki commented on Thursday night's shooting.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki commented on the D.C. shooting explaining that the Biden Administration is just beginning its crackdown on violent crime
Pskai reiterated that the White House is focusing their attention on the illegal arms dealers ahead of the individual criminals
'A lot of us live there or live in the neighboring communities or know people who are on 14th Street or in the neighboring areas — and for people who are not, who are watching or hearing this, who are not from those neighborhoods, there's a lot of restaurants there, a lot of foot traffic, this is a pretty popular part of the city many of us live in,' Psaki said.
She explained that the administration is just beginning its crackdown on violent crime and plans to curtail illegal gun trafficking.
'We're just implementing our strategy, which is a multi-pronged effort to work in partnership with local leaders including Mayor [Muriel] Bowser, who has been a great partner to us in this effort to address gun violence that's rising in cities across the country including Washington.'
Providing communities with tools and resources to reduce gun crime, including in Washington, D.C., is part of the plan.
'D.C. is one of the five areas nationwide where DOJ launched gun trafficking strike forces just yesterday.'
Contee spoke passionately about the crime wave in D.C. saying, 'You cannot coddle violent criminals'
Police are still hunting for gunmen who shot two on 14th Street, a popular dining area
One man was shot in the chest and one in the arm, but neither was non life-threatening
Surveillance camera footage released by police showed two people running into a waiting black Honda Civic
Psaki said Bowser's budget proposal would invest $59 million to reduce violent crime.' 'It would add 100 new slots to the cadet program and add $14 million for youth safety initiatives.'
Two men were hurt in the shooting, but neither had life-threatening injuries. One of the men is believed to be the target, while the other is thought to be an innocent bystander.
Police are still searching for the gunman or gunmen who fled the scene Thursday. They released footage showing a black man in a lime green or yellow hoodie and another man in all black running from the scene and jumping into a waiting black Honda Civic.
