“On February 2, 2016, the D.C. City Council cleared the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act (B. 21-0360) in the first of two council votes. Introduced by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, the NEAR Act received enthusiastic support from local youth advocacy groups, including D.C. Lawyers for Youth (DCLY), an NJJN member. If passed, the NEAR Act would take significant steps to reframe the District’s approach to violence prevention as one based in public health, not crime and punishment.”