August 18, 2015

Making Sense Of D.C.’s Uptick In Violence

By Ruth Tam

Facts & Latest Updates

In Washington, D.C., there have been 116 homicides in 2015, which is a 45 percent increase over the 72 homicides through Aug. 17 of last year.

While homicide totals have been on the downturn for the past 20 years, the current homicide count for 2015 is on track to outpace the all-year totals for the past five years.

Mayor Muriel Bowser addressed community members and media about the surge at school in Southeast Washington on Thursday, Aug. 27.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier gave an update Monday, Aug. 18, on NewsChannel 8’s NewsTalk:

Her main points were:

That same Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the re-launch of D.C.’s illegal gun initiative, which offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest of seizure of an illegal gun. By Tuesday, Aug. 19, the reward amount increased from $1,000 to $2,500.

 

The Kojo Nnamdi Show segments

For more context — from members of affected communities, police forces and the media — listen to the following segments on local violence:

Murders Spike In The Nation’s Capital – The Kojo Nnamdi Show
Reacting To The Spike In Violence In Southeast D.C. – The Kojo Nnamdi ShowHow Rank & File Police View D.C. Violence – The Kojo Nnamdi ShowSynthetic Drugs and Public Safety – The Kojo Nnamdi Show  

Police Department Resources

Track your area with the Metropolitan Police Department’s crime map.

View D.C.’s crime data from the past 20 years.

Read details of the Major Case/Unsolved Homicides of 2015.

 

The Kojo Nnamdi Show will continue to cover the increase in violent crime in the Washington, D.C., region. Tune in 12-2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and Fridays 12-1 p.m. for The Politics Hour.

This post was last edited on Monday, August 24, 2015 at 12:26 p.m. It will continue to be updated as new information is made available.