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ABA Joins Call on Mayor Bowser and DC City Council to Reduce Crime and Enhance Safety

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On Thursday, February 29, 70 prominent Washington D.C.-based trade associations, including the American Bus Association, wrote a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC City Council to take swift action to reduce crime and enhance the overall safety of the nation’s capital. Washington, DC has quickly become a national outlier in rising crime. In their letter, they wrote:

“We, the undersigned members of Washington, D.C.’s vibrant business trade association community, are writing to express our deep concern about the alarming increase in violent crime across our city. As job creators, taxpayers, and dedicated contributors to the economic and social well-being of our nation’s capital, we urge the Mayor and the City Council to address this pressing issue that threatens the safety and prosperity of not only our community but also our employees and their families.”

While the national homicide rate decreased by 15 percent from September 2022 to September 2023, in Washington, D.C., homicides rose by 35 percent, while overall violent crime increased by 39 percent in 2023. Armed robberies were up 70 percent, and carjackings more than doubled to 950 from 2022 to 2023.

The letter signatories are primarily based in the downtown business district, where there have been horrifying acts of violence over the past several months, including the murders of Mike Gill, a father of three and a leader in Washington’s business and political community, and Alberto “AJ” Vasquez, a young man and father of two. Both men were senselessly murdered by the same man who conducted an 11-hour carjacking spree.

The full list of organizations that signed the letter can be found below.

Airlines for America

American Apparel & Footwear Association

American Bankers Association

American Bus Association

American Chemistry Council

American Coatings Association

American Council of Engineering Companies

American Council of Life Insurers

American Exploration and Production Council

American Financial Services Association

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

American Gaming Association

American Gas Association

American Hotel & Lodging Association

American Investment Council

American Land Title Association

American Petroleum Institute

American Public Transportation Association

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

American Society for Association Executives

Associated Builders and Contractors

Bank Policy Institute

Beer Institute

Building Owners and Managers Association International

CTIA – The Wireless Association

Consumer Bankers Association

Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Corn Refiners Association

Destinations International

Edison Electric Institute

Electric Power Supply Association

Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance

Essential Minerals Association

Federation of American Hospitals

FIA

Financial Services Forum

Financial Services Institute

Finseca

Household and Commercial Products Association

Housing Policy Council

Independent Petroleum Association of America

Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)

Institute of International Bankers

Institute of International Finance

International Agribusiness Council (IAC)

International Franchise Association

International Fresh Produce Association

Investment Company Institute

ISRI

Liquid Energy Pipeline Association

Mortgage Bankers Association

National Association of Broadcasters

National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

National Association of Investment Companies

National Association of Manufacturers

National Association of Security Companies

National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

National Grocers Association

National Mining Association

National Music Publishers’ Association

National Propane Gas Association

National Retail Federation

National Venture Capital Association

Plastics Industry Association

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association

Small Business Investor Alliance

The Business Council

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Travel Association

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America

Read the full letter.

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