Just last week, we worried that recent downward trends in violent crime might be difficult to maintain, as statistics from the MPD showed January jumps in assaults and robberies. With Washington’s homicide count already sitting at three above the total through this date last year, police investigated two separate shooting incidents on Sunday, one of which resulted in a fatality, and neither of which have brought an arrest as of now.

Yesterday afternoon, police were investigating a triple shooting in Northeast. The victims in the case, which took place on Kenilworth Avenue near the Maryland border, were shot in the arm, the leg, and the lower back, but none of the injuries are reported to be life-threatening. Then, early this morning, a man was found shot to death near Howard University, on the 300 block of W Street in Northwest. Two suspects are considered to have been involved in the case.

The year 2006 is nearly two months old, and this increased crime activity shows no sign of moderating. Should the Metropolitan Police Department be taking more significant steps to deter crime and reassure residents? Have our readers been more conscious of their public safety this year?