DC Police Chief Blames Lax City Officials After Shootings

After the recent “shootout” outside Nationals Stadium during a home game, locals, including DC Police Chief Robert Contee, are demanding action.

Washington D.C. Jan. 18, 2021. — Washington D.C. Police Chief Robert J. Contee speaks with Chief Deputy Lamont Ruffin from D.C. District Court just before swearing in 1657 law enforcement officers from across the country as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals prior to the presidential inauguration. Mass swearing ins like this take place before every presidential inauguration to increase the law enforcement presence in the capital for the safety of all involved as well as spectators. (Photo by Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals Office of Public Affairs)

“People are really mad as hell right now, and I don’t blame them, because I am too. That’s the reality,” D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee said during an emotional press conference Friday. “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.”

“I’ve been in this city for 30 years. This is the same movie when I was a boy growing up here,” Chief Contee continued, referring to another time rising crime was threatening the city. “When are we going to do something different? … What does not happen here is accountability? People are not ready to have that conversation. ”

Chief Contee described the current state of the D.C. criminal justice system as “malfunctioning” and accused city leaders of failing to hold violent offenders accountable for hurting people.