Photo by Miki J.
While the District experienced a spike in homicides in 2015, recent data show that more incidences involving sexual abuse occurred so far in 2016 than had by this point in 2015. As of today, the District has also seen more robberies, assaults with dangerous weapons, auto thefts, and thefts as compared to this time last year.
At just two weeks into 2016, Metropolitan Police Department officers have logged 14 sex abuse offenses, compared to 3 such cases this time last year—that’s an increase of 367 percent. And reports of robbery are up by 39 percent. As of today, officers have logged 115 robberies compared to 83 such cases this time last year.
MPD released this data in a year-to-date crime comparison tracked by the department’s records management system. Including a year-over-year comparison for crimes other than homicides is new.
Only two types of offenses have decreased from this time last year—homicides and motor vehicle thefts. D.C. Police officers have recorded 58 burglaries this year—the exact same number as this time last year. Zero cases of arson have been reported, which mirrors this time last year as well.
Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department
The department also released numerical comparisons of offenses between 2014 and 2015. Last year, MPD officers reported more homicides (up by 54 percent) and robberies (up by 5 percent) than in 2014—all other types of offenses declined.
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Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department
Last August, Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced a plan to increase police presence to combat the spike in homicides and was met with protests from activists identifying with the Black Lives Matter movement. Bowser now contends that Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyon McDuffie is responsible for the hold up on her crime bill, which he contests.
To combat robberies, Bowser stood outside of Eastern Market Metro to announce a prevention task force last week. The group is comprised of individuals from the Metropolitan Police Department, Metro Police, the Office of the Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
During the press conference, a WJLA news car was broken into.
