Government’s greatest responsibility is keeping residents safe and making sure they feel safe – in their homes, in schools and places of worship, at work, and around town. Opportunity DC supports a comprehensive approach to public safety that invests in law enforcement along with prevention and root-cause solutions to crime.

Crime often stems from poverty, addiction, and mental illness, and we endorse programs and policies that are appropriately compassionate and evidently effective. At the same time, violent offenders cannot be allowed to traumatize communities.

We are grateful for DC’s police officers, other first responders, and the risks they take to protect all of us. Anyone who abuses their authority should be held accountable.

In the long term, investing smartly in workforce development, affordable housing, universal food access, high-quality schools, and productive activities for young people will be critical components of an effective public safety strategy.