Washington, D.C., marked its 100th homicide of 2023 on Tuesday, the earliest this annual milestone has been reached since 2003, according to the DC Police Union.
Homicides in D.C. are up 19% in 2023 compared to last year and are on track to exceed 200 for the third year in a row, according to a union spokesman. The city has experienced a surge in crime generally in recent years alongside a mass exodus of police officers, and the union blames the city’s 2020 police reforms.
“This increase in crime is due to the DC Council’s implementation of misguided ‘police reform’ legislation,” Gregg Pemberton, chairman of the DC Police Union, said in a statement shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The Council’s actions have had a chilling effect on professional and responsible policing and caused over 1,200 police officers to leave the agency.”
Park Police argue with a man who did not want to leave as members of the US National Park Service clear a homeless encampment from McPherson Square, two blocks from the White House, on February 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
“Resignations are now outpacing retirements, and recruiting numbers are abysmal. Without serious efforts to repeal this legislation,” he said. “This situation will only continue to get worse.”
On average, the 100th homicide of the year has occurred in late October for the previous ten years, according to Pemberton. Robberies are also up 34% and carjackings 57%.
The DC Council did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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