MPD and Bowser have aggressively fear mongered about rising violent crime, homicide rates, and the weakening of law and order throughout the district as a way to legitimize their goals of increasing police funding and police presence. The HSCP, therefore becomes particularly relevant given MPD’s emphasis on its gang database and surveillance program. The “criminal takeover of D.C.” narrative justifies shadowy record-keeping practices, and infiltration of schools and neighborhoods in order for MPD “to take back the city” by carrying out widespread surveillance of children with impunity. The reinvigoration of the HSCP raises alarm bells in the context of the department’s determination to build its informant and intelligence gathering capacities.

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