D.C. homicides clear 200 for the year as city falters amid crime wave

Homicides in Washington, D.C., have exceeded 200 for the year, marking a 35% jump from this time in 2022, according to Metropolitan Police Department statistics.

As of Sept. 27. there have been 209 homicides in the nation's capital. By the same date in 2022, that figure was 155. Last year saw 203 total homicides while 2021 saw 226, meaning the city is likely to exceed both years by a substantial margin.

Robberies have surged 66% since 2022, with the MPD recording 2,564 so far in 2023, compared to last year's 1,549 by this time.

The milestone comes as House Republicans recently convened a briefing for staffers to offer tips on crime prevention while in the city. Included among those tips was to leave space between cars at red lights in case one needed to speed off to prevent a carjacking.

The crime wave has even prompted the consulate of Mexico, a notoriously crime-plagued country, to warn its citizens to "take precautions" due to a "significant increase in crime in areas previously considered safe."

Amid the surge, D.C. lawmakers attempted to lessen criminal penalties and overruled D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to confirm revisions to the criminal code. Such measures, however, ultimately prompted congressional intervention to shut down the reforms.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.