WASHINGTON — The Consulate of Mexico in Washington is warning its citizens to "take precautions" while in the District due to rising crime issues in the nation's capital.
The Consulate tweeted about its concerns on Monday, saying, "DC is experiencing a significant increase in crime in areas previously considered safe," according to the tweet, which was translated on Twitter.
They told Mexican nationals to "take precautions," and to call 911 in emergencies or call (202) 997-0560 for urgent consular needs.
In a subsequent tweet, the Consulate cited crime states as their concern which are available to the public on the Metropolitan Police Department's website.
The Guatemalan Consulate in Maryland shared the same message.
According to the police department's website, homicides are up 17% so far, with 138 homicides this year as of this writing, while at the same time last year, there were 118.
Additionally, reports of sex abuse were up 24%, assaults with a dangerous weapon were 5%, and robberies were up 61% This is from data on the police department's website dated July 26, 2023.
The average for all violent crimes in the District had numbers up 37% as of this writing.
Numbers were also higher in 2021.
Tom Donohue of Southeast said he knows the reality of violent crimes all too well. Donohue said he was robbed at gunpoint in an alley on Prout Street near Pennsylvania Avenue in Southeast on Sunday night.
"To think about another country warning about our country. What's going on with us?" Donohue said. "I think this was a wake-up call not only for me but for others as well that even though you may be here 10 or 15 years, it can still happen to you."
Donohue said home surveillance videos captured the gunman walking in his neighborhood moments earlier. It captured the same person running away toward Pennsylvania Avenue after the robbery.
In the District, there were 226 homicides in all of 2021, while there were 203 in 2022 – a reduction of 10%, and violent crimes were down in 2022 compared to 2021, with 7% fewer violent crimes overall.
Here are the homicide numbers in the District for the last 20 years:
- 2022: 203
- 2021: 226
- 2020: 198
- 2019: 166
- 2018: 160
- 2017: 116
- 2016: 135
- 2015: 162
- 2014: 105
- 2013: 104*
- 2012: 88
- 2011: 108
- 2010: 132
- 2009: 144
- 2008: 186
- 2007: 181
- 2006: 169
- 2005: 196
- 2004: 198
- 2003: 248
*The citywide 2013 homicide statistics include the 12 victims of the Washington Navy Yard shooting that occurred on Sept. 16, 2013, the police department's website says.