September 23, 2004
Public Hearing Public Hearing on Bill 15-450 “Public Congestion and Venue Protection Act of 2004,” Bill 15-912 “Increased Penalties for the Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle Amendment Act of 2004,” Bill 15-972 “Juvenile Car Theft Solution Amendment Act of 2004”
Winston Robinson Jr.
Assistant Chief, Special Service Command
Metropolitan Police Department
A/C Winston Robinson delivered the following statement to the Council of the District of Columbia, Committee on the Judiciary, the Honorable Kathy Patterson, Chair, on September 23, 2004, at the Council Chamber, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.
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Madame Chair, members of the Committees, staff and guests–my name is Winston Robinson, and I am the Assistant Chief in charge of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Services Command. I thank you for the opportunity to present this opening statement on the three pieces of legislation before the Committee today. The text of my prepared statement is posted on the MPD’s website: mpdc.dc.gov.
Chief Ramsey regrets that he is unable to be here today; he has asked me to represent the Department. As Assistant Chief for Special Services, I oversee the operational and investigative units that will be most directly impacted by the three legislative proposals–specifically, the Special Operations Division, in the case of the “Public Congestion and Venue Protection Act,” and the Auto Theft Unit and the Youth and Preventive Services Division, in the case of the two auto-theft related bills. The Department has solicited input from the members of these units, as well as our patrol operations, concerning these bills. My testimony today reflects their input and expertise.
Bill 15-450 – the “Public Congestion and Venue Protection Act of 2004” – would require venues that attract large numbers of people to inform the Metropolitan Police Department of their event schedule and to obtain adequate police presence at the event for the safety of the public.
The Department generally supports the proposed bill because it sets clear parameters and guidelines for venue operators to establish agreements with the MPD regarding reimbursable details. As you know, our Department is committed to maintaining a strong presence in our neighborhoods, which means keeping our PSA officers on patrol in their assigned communities. This bill would support that goal by requiring venue operators to notify the police ahead of time when they have events that are likely to cause congestion and are required to provide the necessary funds for officers to work reimbursable overtime at such events. This process should make it easier for the Department to identify volunteer officers to work these reimbursable details and, thus, allow us keep our regular PSA officers where they belong – out in the community.
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