Evergreen Reporter

Total violent crime in Washington, D.C. for 2024 decreased by 35% compared to the previous year, marking the lowest level in over three decades. This data was released by the Metropolitan Police Department and announced by United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves.

The report highlights significant reductions across various crime categories: homicides fell by 32%, robberies by 39%, armed carjackings by 53%, and assaults with dangerous weapons dropped by 27%. The District also recorded the fewest incidents of assaults with dangerous weapons and burglaries in more than thirty years.

U.S. Attorney Graves attributed these declines to a strategic focus on "the drivers of violence - those gangs or crews of people who are dealing drugs, protecting turf, committing carjackings and other robberies, all while armed." He noted that while investigations and prosecutions take time to develop, they have resulted in a tangible reduction in violent crime.

A key part of this strategy involved targeting criminal groups operating drug trafficking networks within specific neighborhoods. Proactive investigations led to immediate reductions in violence with lasting impacts. For example, an analysis around MLK Mellon showed a 66% decrease in violent crime following arrests related to a local drug market operation.

Project Safe Neighborhood was another initiative implemented in April 2022. It involves daily reviews of firearms arrests to determine whether cases should be charged federally or locally. Since its inception, over 150 gun offenders have been prosecuted under this program.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has committed to holding accountable those who commit violent crimes with firearms and those who illegally possess them. In the first half of 2024, charges were brought at the time of arrest for over 90% of gun-related violent crimes and nearly 70% of gun possession cases. Convictions were obtained in approximately 75% of these cases.

Despite challenges such as the pandemic's impact on the criminal justice system and accreditation issues faced by the D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences, efforts have been made to improve prosecutorial outcomes. In Fiscal Year 2024, there was an overall day-of-arrest charging rate similar to pre-pandemic levels but with fewer case dismissals.

The Office continues proactive measures aimed at reducing violent crime further into 2025 through multiple ongoing investigations targeting individuals driving gun violence.