By Aysia Morton,
Special to the AFRO
2021 was the most violent year the District has seen in more than a decade. This year brings an increase in violent crime, burglary and theft; violent crime has increased by 22 percent, burglary by 66 percent, and theft by 11 percent, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The rise in violence concerns District residents and Council members.
Rashida Peterson, a Ward 1 resident of 20 years, said Columbia Heights was once a tight-knit neighborhood that had multigenerational influences, but now, she sees violence being inflicted on residents multiple days a week.
“There’s been a breakdown in communication within the community. There isn’t a lot of information that we are getting from our elected officials to get that level of support that Columbia Heights is known for,” said Peterson. “We have to find a way to address needs and figure out what’s going on in our neighborhood.”
Council members say they plan to reverse the increasing violent crime in the nation’s capital.
“This violence is happening despite the fact that D.C. has one of the largest per capita police budgets of any city in the nation. If police spending alone stopped violence, D.C. would be one of the safest cities in the world, but we’re not,” said Mayoral Candidate and Council member Robert White (D-At Large). White’s approach to violence and crime prevention does not center on policing. Instead, he wants to invest in more violence interrupters— people with unique skills and abilities, develop relationships with a community and de-escalate conflict through mediation. White believes that investing in housing, mental health resources and education will significantly reduce violence in the District.
Council member Brianne Nadeau (D- Ward 1) and the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A that serves the residents of Columbia Heights and Park View held a walkthrough to discuss solutions to violence with residents. As a Ward 1 resident, Peterson attended the walkthrough and said that she is still looking for more from the District’s leadership.
“I’m looking for a real strategy from our elected officials. I’m looking for MPD not just to have thirty officers show up to a walkthrough and talk amongst themselves… but I think that some underlying issues are driving this crime,” said Peterson. “To me, there’s a lack of leadership. We need to get the data together and as a community, we have to track the data and hold our elected officials accountable. We have to take it upon ourselves because our leadership is failing at this point,” she said.
Residents want more measures taken to keep their neighborhoods safe. Many residents have called on District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, the D.C. Council, and MPD to step up via social media and community meetings.
“Leadership needs to be honest with folks in terms of where they see things happening, where possible challenges are and a realistic timeline about resolutions,” said Peterson when communicating possible solutions about combating violence within the community. “I would be interested in us surveying people getting arrested for some of these crimes because they seem to be re-offenders. Could there be a possible intervention, or could they be pulled out of this cycle? I do think the housing issue in D.C. is driving a lot of this,” she continued.
Peterson believes there are many resources to tap into within the city, including individuals and organizations. The Ward 1 resident said she contends residents who have the time and resources should support organizations already collecting data and doing the work to combat violent crime within the District.
“It’s very important. It is our responsibility to get from behind the screen and get active in our communities, “she stated.
The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 145 W. Ostend Street Ste 600, Office #536, Baltimore, MD 21230 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com
Help us Continue to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO family as a member – subscribers are now members! Join here!
The post Violent Crime is on the rise in D.C. appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers .
