It shouldn’t take shootings in Washington, D.C.’s posh areas to concern ourselves with surging violence there.
Many on the Left, unsurprisingly, continue to ignore the uptick in violent crime plaguing cities they oversee—including D.C.
Recent shootings near Nationals Parks in Navy Yard, the up-and-coming Logan Circle neighborhood, and the tragic shooting death of six-year-old Nyiah Courtney recently put this issue into perspective. Why did it take Democrats and their allies so long to acknowledge the problem? Because it finally hit close to home.
For many D.C. residents, the city has become increasingly unsafe. In some corners of the city, sadly, it’s always dangerous.
It’s time to start caring about crime befalling all neighborhoods in the District of Columbia.
A Snapshot Into 2021 Crime Rates in the Nation’s Capital
Tragically, crime is up in D.C., from this time last year.
Since the beginning of 2021, there have been 108 homicide deaths—a figure harkening back in the early 2000s.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s latest numbers, as of July 23rd, show there’s been a two percent increase in robbery, a whopping 25 percent in motor vechile thefts, and two percent increase in auto thefts.
Awful. If ineffective and lenient policies remain in place, the situation will become more dire.
Even D.C.’s New Police Chief Has Had Enough
D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Robert Contee III, a 30-year veteran of the force, has had enough of city officials coddling criminals. Why? Many perpetrators are repeat offenders with extensive records who get released from jail early.
In December 2020, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser selected Contee as interim police chief. In May, the District of Columbia City Council unanimously confirmed him for the job.
"I'm going to give it to you straight … The justice system that we have right now, it is not functioning the way that it should. The courts are not open. That is a fact. Barely open," Contee said. "So cases from last year that happened during COVID of violent criminals that have not been disposed of, where do you think those individuals are? They're in [the] community."
"We want to help people, but you cannot coddle violent criminals," he added. "You cannot. You cannot treat violent criminals who are out here making communities unsafe for you, your loved ones … They might not want a job. They might not need services. What they may require is to be off of our streets because they're making it unsafe for us … If not, then we see more of this."
In December, the city council passed the Second Look Amendment Act giving offenders “who were younger than 25 at the time of their crimes and have served at least 15 years — many if not all of them convicted of violent offenses — deserve early release.”
It became law on April 27th, 2021. The bill was so radical even Mayor Bowser condemned it. MPD joined her in opposing the law.
Others have argued violent criminals are given too many second chances since city prisons fail to reduce recidivism. Victims’ families have equally condemned their early release.
"You're saying rapists and violent repeat offenders can go back on the street," Nardyne Jefferies, mother of 16-year-old murder victim Brishell Jones who killed in 2010, said. "Well, if you feel that way, then let them come into your ward, open your house and take them in."
It’s Time to Ease Up Gun Ownership Restrictions in D.C.
The District of Columbia is unfriendly to legal gun ownership yet it boasts high crime rates. Why? Gun control policies in place fail to go after criminals—instead, criminalizing the law-abiding.
The nation’s capital recently became shall-issue— but many restrictions remain in place. The July 2017 U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruling, Wrenn v. District of Columbia, concluded “city law requiring people to show "good reason to fear injury" or another "proper reason" to carry a weapon infringes on residents' Second Amendment rights.”
D.C. residents interested in obtaining firearms must register them with the police. Only 4,600 of its 720,000 residents currently boast concealed carry permits for handguns. It’s an arduous process to obtain them compared to other shall-issue areas. Per the USCCA, the city “does not honor CCW licenses from any other state.” Open carry also remains illegal.
Contrary to popular belief, concealed handgun permit holders are the least inclined to criminal behavior.
I recall this story from 2013 where a hate crime victim named Dario Flammer in D.C., confessed, “I'm going to get a license and get a 9mm...That's the truth.” And it’s no wonder polling finds crime victims seeking out firearms ownership.
Today, gun sales in the DC Metro area are at their highest. Therefore, it’s time to further streamline the permit process in the city.
Conclusion
After a year of pushing “defund the police” campaigns, Democrats are being poorly received by the public on this issue. Should they be surprised? Not in the slightest. They are reaping what they sowed.
Nevertheless, it’s important to pursue workable safety measures that curb crime instead of perpetuating the status quo.
Will DC officials heed the call? Time will tell.
