Washington, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, applauded the passage of two public safety bills in the U.S. House of Representatives today – H.R. 4922, the “D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (DC CRIMES) Act,” which passed on a 240-179 vote, and H.R. 5140, which passed 225-203.

“These D.C.-centered public safety bills, coupled with the increased presence of our men and women in uniform, are inherently making our nation’s capital a safer place to live and work,” Yoes said. “This city has seen an increase in juvenile crime, and lax laws have enabled them to become repeat offenders. This is an overdue step in the right direction.”

The DC Crimes Act would redefine the youthful offender age from 24 to 18 to ensure that young adults who commit serious crimes are held accountable as adults. H.R. 5140 would lower the age at which a minor can be charged as an adult from 16 to 14 for certain serious crimes committed. The FOP submitted a letter to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability last week in support of their mark ups.

“The FOP looks forward to working with our allies in the Senate to get these bills, as well as H.R. 5107, the “Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC (CLEAN DC) Act,” to a floor vote and then sent to President Trump for his signature. Crime here has been pushing people out in recent years, and we look forward to restoring the great pride that people have taken in our nation’s capital.”