WASHINGTON — D.C. Police have responded to 227 homicides so far in 2023. That's up 34% from the same time last year. It also tops 2021's total for the year, which was the highest since 2003. That means the homicide rate in the District is the highest it's been in 20 years, and climbing, with two months left in the year.
The startling numbers have local and congressional leaders scrambling to bring violent crime under control. Mayor Muriel Bowser and her administration introduced legislation earlier this week aimed at addressing violent crime trends such as organized retail thefts and open-air drug markets. Bowser called the proposed legislation, called ACT Now, "just plain common sense."
“At a time when we’re dealing with historically low staffing levels, these amendments seek to make some common-sense changes recognizing the operational concerns our officers see every day, while also supporting police accountability and public safety,” Bowser said. “This legislation also demonstrates what our community is telling us: they want appropriate accountability for those who choose to crimes and inflict fear in our neighborhoods.”
Congress has been taking a closer look at D.C. crime this year. Congressional leaders overturned criminal code reform and called for more action from District leaders.
Republican members of the House of Representatives criticized a "soft" on crime approach during a hearing on D.C. violence two weeks ago.
"The crime we are seeing just a few blocks from this building is unprecedented," said Rep. Andy Briggs (R-Arizona) who chairs the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance.
Briggs placed the blame on the U.S. Attorney for D.C.’s prosecutorial failures.
"The man who is in charge of prosecuting the criminals has abandoned his responsibilities, that's Matthew Graves," Briggs added.
Graves is under fire for prosecution rates that dropped to 33% in fiscal year 2022.
“I don’t focus on the criticism,” Graves said. “I’m more worried about what is happening on our streets.”
Graves' prosecution numbers are now on the rise hitting a 53% prosecution rate in the fourth quarter of this year. Additionally, 5.3% of cases were transferred for prosecution with a different agency, bringing the overall number to 58% for the fourth quarter of this year.