WASHINGTON — After a viral moment discussing crime coverage in D.C. with Mayor Muriel Bowser, our exploration of the data continues.
The numbers show that violent crime is indeed down compared to this time last year. WUSA9 sat down with DC’s Police Chief, Pamela Smith, to learn more about what is being done to maintain that momentum moving into the summer months.
From April 14-24, there were zero homicides, according to DC Police. But that stretch was bookended by the killing of two children and since then a deadly stabbing outside Audi Field, a homicide on U Street, and a mass shooting outside of Decades nightclub in Dupont.
“We may need to increase our presence of ABCA (the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration) in those spaces to keep our patrons safe,” Smith said. “It’s not a celebration ... and I’ve said that several times even though it’s going in the direction that we want it to, we still have work to do.'
According to police data, violent crime is down 25% in the first four months of this year compared to last year. But Chief Smith said despite the numbers, there is more work to do, "until we get to a point where everyone feels safe."
Smith, approaching her second summer leading the department, said the work to drive the numbers down started last year. The first Black woman to hold the chief title at MPD, Smith said her leadership style is shifting the culture of the department and has been key to recruitment -- there are 140 recruit officers in the training academy currently -- retention and keeping her officers motivated.
“I walk the halls and I just say hello to people, and I say thank you and the reason I say this is because this is a tough job,” she said.
The challenge with young people persists, Smith said. Police just arrested five teenagers in connection to a CVS robbery in Navy Yard. The chief said police expect to arrest more teens as officers work with retailers to curb theft.
As of May 1, police data shows theft is the only segment of crime that is on the rise, up by 146 thefts from this same time last year.
“Once kids are getting out of school, [we need to] make sure we have a presence in those spaces, because that’s the information we received as soon as kids get out of school -- they come in and grab snacks,” Smith said.
In fact, young people continue to be a high priority for the chief, who is increasing police presence at and around D.C. schools, especially once the school year is out.
When asked if she was worried about the summer, the chief said, "I am not."
I am excited about the summer, but when you say worry, what concerns me, if anything, is that parents know where there children are all the time," Smith said. "Second is making sure young people have enough activities to be involved in that are positive and third is knowing if the community sees something, that we expect them to let us know.”
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