DC has experienced a 23% increase in crime in 2023.
Nearly 6-in-10 Americans agree Congress should act to reduce crime in the nation’s capital – even if D.C. elected leaders object.
THE CONTEXT – Washington, D.C. has enacted policing and sentencing reforms that many believe have contributed to rising crime rates.
- So far in 2023, the city has experienced a 23% increase in crime, including a 17% increase in violent crime, a 25% increase in robberies, and a 110% increase in vehicle thefts.
WHY IT MATTERS – Since Washington, D.C. is the nation’s capital, the U.S. Constitution gives Congress authority over the city “in all cases whatsoever.”
- This means Congress could overrule the city government’s reforms and take more aggressive steps to crack down on crime.
HOW TO USE THIS DATA – The report lays out magnet language advocates can use to explain why Congress should exercise its authority over Washington, D.C. to reduce crime.
Click on the image below to read the full report…or continue below to read a summary.
More than 8-in-10 agree that Americans should be able to visit the nation’s capital without fear of crime.
- 85% of all voters agree, including 88% of likely voters and 68% of less likely voters.
- This includes 88% of Republicans, 85% of Democrats, and 81% of Independents.
- Agreement is lower with Blacks (73%) and Gen Z (72%) than other race and age groups – though it is still a significant majority.
- All groups of New Majority voters strongly agree.
Nearly 6-in-10 agree that if the Washington, D.C. city government cannot control crime, then on behalf of visitors from the whole country to the nation’s capital, Congress should step in – even if local elected officials object.
- 58% of all voters agree, including 59% of likely voters and 52% of less likely voters.
- This includes 67% of Republicans, 54% of Democrats, and 52% of Independents.
- The strongest agreement comes from Asians (71%) and Republicans (67%).
- 63% of New Majority voters agree Congress should step in – slightly higher than voters overall (58%).
- Only 43% of undecided voters in the New Majority agree Congress should step in – with equal numbers undecided (28%) and opposed (28%).
- By contrast, only 45% of Left Minority voters agree Congress should step in – with a much higher percentage opposed (41%) than undecided (11%).