WASHINGTON, DC: Soaring crime rates in the nation's capital are causing unease among residents, leading some to go to great lengths to avoid walking in their neighborhoods, even during daylight hours.
Homicides and robberies in Washington, DC, have reportedly surged by 28% and 67%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2022, as per the Metropolitan Police Department.
This alarming increase in violent crime has pushed murder rates towards levels not witnessed in two decades, in stark contrast to several other major cities like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, which are experiencing declines in crime rates.
Notably, neighboring Baltimore could record fewer than 300 homicides for the first time since the 2015 riots sparked by Freddie Gray's death in police custody. In stark contrast, Washington, DC residents are grappling with a growing sense of insecurity.
Terrifying encounters of Washington DC residents
A 58-year-old lobbyist shared his harrowing experience with the Washington Post, stating that he and his husband were attacked near Dupont Circle, followed by an incident where a bottle was thrown at them outside a Whole Foods store.
The terrifying encounter led them to leave the city after residing there for 30 years, opting for relocation to Maryland.
He lamented, "I've always thought I could outrun any criminal in the past; I can't anymore. I'm a sitting duck."
Nora Fanfalone, a 28-year-old management consultant, has apparently resorted to using the service entrance of her downtown apartment building to avoid hostile encounters with aggressive individuals or witnessing gunfights near her doorstep.
She told the outlet, "I'm like, 'How did I get this wrong?' I live across from the Smithsonian, and there's a Hermes store two blocks away. It's very surprising that public safety is an issue in a neighborhood with such high traffic and major attractions."
Ronald Moten, a 53-year-old resident of Ward 7's Hillcrest neighborhood, now refrains from visiting gas stations at night out of fear of robbery.
"You used to not have to worry about crime unless you were associated with the streets, with drug dealing. Now you could just be going down the street, going to the car and you can be killed," said Moten.
He also recounted a recent incident outside a nightclub on Connecticut Avenue near the White House, where he had to take cover as three men in hoodies attempted a robbery.
"A gun went off, and I had to dive to the ground," recalled Moten to the Post, as he added, "People don't care. They rob them in Georgetown and Connecticut Avenue. They're going to the Wharf. Now, it could be anywhere."
Stephanie Heishman, a 44-year-old event planner from Northwest Washington, now chooses to drive just five blocks to meet a friend for dinner, a trip that would typically take only a few minutes on foot.
Her decision stems from a gunfight that erupted near her Adams Morgan apartment last year and the tragic murder of three men on her block in August.
She expressed her frustration, saying, "It's so ridiculous. On the other hand, I don't want to randomly get shot."
What is being done to curb Washington DC's crime surge?
Despite increasing pressure, Mayor Muriel Bowser has resisted calls to defund the police of Washington, DC, and is actively seeking to bolster the force's size, aiming to increase it from the current 3,580 officers to 4,000. Her 2024 budget includes $5.4 million in bonuses for new hires, reflecting her commitment to addressing the escalating crime problem.
In 2023, $1.7 billion of the city's $19.5 billion budget was allocated to public safety and justice, marking an increase from the previous year's $1.5 billion. Mayor Bowser emphasized, "We must throw every resource at reducing crime."
The root causes of Washington, DC's crime surge are complex and multifaceted. Some experts point to the fact that while the city has its own police department, federal authorities oversee other components of the criminal justice system, including prosecutors, courts, prisons, and offender supervision.
Unfortunately, homicide rates have been on the rise for four of the last five years.
In 2021, the murder count reached 227, the highest since 2003, although it dropped to 203 the following year. However, 2023 has seen 190 murders so far, putting Washington, DC, on track to surpass 2021 as the bloodiest year in two decades.
Data from the Metropolitan Police Department reveals a 39% increase in violent crime rates this year, reversing a slight drop observed from 2021 to 2022. Property crime has also risen, registering a 27% increase.
Washington, DC's situation diverges from the national trend, where many cities have seen declines in homicides and violent crime rates. Though crime rates remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, city leaders are grappling with the perplexing question of why the nation's capital stands out as an outlier in this troubling scenario.
