WASHINGTON 鈥� D.C. police Chief Peter Newsham credits myriad agencies for helping drive down crime statistics in the city that’s on track for one of its .听
“There’s a whole bunch of reasons crime goes down,鈥� Newsham said. “It encompasses affordable housing for folks, education, substance abuse issues, mental health issues 鈥� all of those things contribute to violent crime in our communities.”
Newsham said he and agency directors in charge of those issues are being held accountable by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and he thinks it’s working.
As of Wednesday,:
- Robbery: -32 percent
- Homicides: -17 percent
- Assault with a dangerous weapon: -21 percent
- Burglary: -28 percent
- Motor vehicle theft: -6 percent
- Theft from auto: -8 percent
- Theft (Other): +5 percent
- Arson: -50 percent
Since 2010, the police department’s has targeted potential problem areas, and Newsham believes it’s been successful so far this summer.
“Getting these illegal firearms out of our community 鈥� I think we’re having an impact. The crime numbers would suggest that,” Newsham said.
Newsham made the comments at a in last week’s shooting in Northeast that injured a 13-month-old sitting in his stroller.
海角精品黑料’s Neal Augenstein contributed to this report.
