Safe Neighborhoods Amendment Act of 2025

The Safe Neighborhoods Amendment Act of 2025 establishes the Office of Neighborhood Engagement and Safety Agency (ONES), an independent agency to coordinate the District’s existing violence prevention efforts, including the Neighborhood Engagement and Safety Offices (NEAR Offices) created under the 2016 law. It creates a dedicated Office of Neighborhood Engagement and Safety Administration Fund, funded by District appropriations, grants, and public/private donations, to support program operations without annual budget restrictions. The bill amends several related laws to align with ONES’ structure, including updating roles for the Director (requiring 5+ years in violence prevention) and revising police recruitment and housing benefit provisions for first responders. This bill directly affects District agencies managing violence prevention, public safety funding, and police workforce programs.