Residents are speaking up about the rising crime rates in Washington, D.C., pointing out how crime has “really gotten worse.”
Several residents who live in the nation’s capital expressed that “it’s scary” and they have had to “dive on the ground” when a shooting has occurred, according to WTOP.
On Tuesday, the D.C. Council voted to extend an emergency crime bill for another 90 days. This came a day after Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas.) was carjacked at gunpoint on Monday evening in the neighborhood of Navy Yard.
“It’s really gotten worse,” Belinda Robinson told the outlet. “And it’s like nobody cares.”
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Another resident, Trace Cobb told the outlet that “there have been several times” that she has had to “dive on the ground” as shots have been fired.
“It’s scary out here,” another resident told the outlet. This resident said he has been carjacked twice so far this year and in both instances the carjackers were teenagers.
In August, Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced that certain parts of the city would have a juvenile curfew enforced in order to address the rising crime rates.
Washington, D.C. was reported to be on track to having the deadliest year in two decades after starting August with 16 homicides, according to Axios.
To date, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has reported 216 homicides this year, a 38% increase from 2022’s 157. The MPD has also reported seeing 2,666 robberies this year, a 70% increase from the 1,572 robberies in 2022.
The MPD has also reported seeing 5,442 motor vehicle thefts, a 105% increase from the 2,650 reported in 2022.