Washington DC recorded its 200th homicide of the year - the highest in nearly two decades - as the nation's capital grapples with a surge in violent crime that police officials blame on 'imprudent defunding' after last year summer of unrest that has led to an exodus of cops.
It is the first time the city hit 200 homicides since 2003, according to police data. Last year, the city recorded 198 homicides, up 20 percent from 2019.
The DC Police Union released a statement citing policing reforms resulting from last year's summer of social unrest following the death of George Floyd as the reason for the distressing spike in crime.
'Police officers are hamstrung, if not altogether unable to do the impactful and necessary tasks needed to confiscate illegal weapons, apprehend criminals and protects communities,' the statement read.
The statement also said the department currently has the lowest number of police officers in two decades, after 225 turned in their badges.
'The council's continued desire to reduce the size and funding of the police department hangs like a dark cloud over our city. Other major cities that have made similar imprudent efforts have also experienced mass exits of police officers and dramatic increases in crime rates,' the statement said.
'Since the passage of so-called 'emergency' legislation in June of 2020, 417 police officers have separated from MPD. What is most alarming is that 54 percent of those that have left have resigned, while only 38 percent have retired. This means over 225 police officers turned in their badge and walked away. The total strength of the police department is now below 3,400, the lowest number in decades.'
The DC Police Union released a statement citing policing reforms resulting from last year's summer of social unrest following the death of George Floyd as the reason for the distressing spike in crime, as the city recorded its 200th homicide in the year (file photo)
'Police officers are hamstrung, if not altogether unable to do the impactful and necessary tasks needed to confiscate illegal weapons, apprehend criminals and protects communities,' the statement read
It is the first time the city hit 200 homicides since 2003, according to police data. Last year, the city recorded 198 homicides, up 20 percent from 2019
The 200th victim of 2021 was a man fatally shot at a gas station in the 4700 block of S. Capitol Street in Southeast Washington shortly after 10 pm on Monday, police said.
Officers said there are no suspects or evident motives for the shooting at this time, and have not released the name of the victim.
Washington DC is now America's 13th deadliest city with a murder rate of 23.52 homicides per every 100,000, CBS reported. Police said they've already seized more than 2,000 illegal guns in 2021.
Other causes for the rocketing crime have been blamed on slowed-down courts and emptied jails as a result of the pandemic.
On Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser and city leaders announced a partnership with law enforcement and the ATF to incentivize tips reporting illegal firearms.
Those who call with a tip about an illegal gun won't have to wait for a conviction to receive a reward of up to $2,500, as long as there is an arrest and seizure, Bowser said.
The reward could be up to $7,500 if the firearm is a ghost gun, or one with a conversion device.
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On Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser and city leaders announced a partnership with law enforcement and the ATF to incentivize tips reporting illegal firearms
Reacting to the announcement, DC Police Union President Gregg Pemberton told the Washington Times: 'It is great to see the city acknowledging the necessity of law enforcement & the need for proactive efforts to reduce crime, but gun tips are
