DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the launch of the Safer Stronger DC Summer Crime Prevention Initiative for this year on Monday.
With the initiative, the city works to reduce violent crime in certain areas of the District through strategic prevention and coordinated enforcement.
Focus areas of the program that runs from May 1–August 31 are determined by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) every year according to prevalence of violence.
“We bring the Summer Crime Prevention Initiative back each year because the data shows us that it drives down crime in the neighborhoods we target,” Bowser said in a release. “The reason this initiative works is because it’s not just about policing and it’s not just about what MPD is doing – it’s about engaging people, providing opportunity, and working across DC Government to bring resources and support to residents who need them.”
The Mayor’s Office names the main goals of the initiative as follows:
- reduce violent crime
- remove illegal guns from DC’s streets
- hold repeat violent offenders accountable
- utilize the latest crime-fighting technology
- collaborate with partner agencies and organizations for additional assistance
- implement innovative outreach for all community members
In 2020, theft decreased 46 percent, burglaries decreased 29 percent, and overall crime dropped 25 percent in focus areas compared to the previous year.
This year’s focus areas include:
- Potomac Gardens
- Rosedale/Langston Carver
- Greenway/Fort Dupont
- Marshall Heights/Benning Ridge
- Washington Highlands
- Douglas/Shipley
“Our number one goal with the SCI has not changed – and that is to reduce violent crimes in the areas of the city that have traditionally been hit the hardest, while building positive relationships with those in the community,” Acting Chief Robert Contee said. “MPD is laser focused on providing these targeted areas with all the available resources and utilizing evidence-based and intelligence driven strategies to combat crime, while partnering with other law enforcement agencies, community organizations and advocates with a collective goal to reduce crime.”