WASHINGTON, D.C. – The nation’s capital recorded its 100th homicide of the year on Tuesday, making it the earliest this grim milestone has been reached since 2003, as reported by the DC Police Union.
In 2023, homicides in Washington, D.C., have seen a 19% increase compared to the previous year, and there are concerns that the numbers may surpass 200 for the third consecutive year, according to a spokesperson for the union. The city has been grappling with a surge in crime in recent years, coinciding with a significant decrease in the number of police officers. The union attributes this rise in crime to the police reforms implemented by the city in 2020.
“This increase in crime is due to the DC Council’s implementation of misguided ‘police reform’ legislation,” Gregg Pemberton, chairman of the DC Police Union, said in a statement shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The Council’s actions have had a chilling effect on professional and responsible policing and caused over 1,200 police officers to leave the agency.”
“Resignations are now outpacing retirements, and recruiting numbers are abysmal. Without serious efforts to repeal this legislation,” he said. “This situation will only continue to get worse.”
On average, the 100th homicide of the year has occurred in late October for the previous ten years, according to Pemberton. Robberies are also up 34% and carjackings 57%.
The DC Council did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
DC Marks Year’s 100th Homicide On Earliest Date In Decades
Laurel Duggan on June 7, 2023
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