Congressional Hearing in Charlotte Highlights Crime, Policy Debate

A U.S. House subcommittee convened a field hearing in Charlotte on Monday to examine crime in Democratic-led cities, following the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on the city’s light rail system last month.

Lawmakers heard testimony from victims’ families and public safety experts as they consider potential policy changes.

Zarutska’s accused killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., had a history of violence and schizophrenia and was released from jail earlier this year without bond after a 911 misuse arrest.

“How many more of these folks are on the street right now today that should be incarcerated?” Rep. Tim Moore (R-N.C.) said in a press conference after the hearing.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein currently has “Iryna’s Law” on his desk, legislation drafted by Republican leaders to restrict cashless bail and restore the death penalty.

Meanwhile, Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) announced plans to introduce two federal bills.

One would cut public safety grants from cities that defund police or adopt cashless bail, while the other would require the Justice Department to track and publicize jurisdictions using such policies.

Harris said the legislation will “hold Democrat run cities accountable.”

Congressional Hearing in Charlotte Highlights Crime, Policy Debate was originally published on ronewbt.staging.go.ione.nyc