Reflections on Washington, DC
In the summer of 1975, I moved into a charming old Georgetown home, located just west of Wisconsin Avenue. At that time, DC was grappling with a troubling reputation, often referred to as the national murder capital. Interestingly, the lawyer who defended the Hanafi Muslims—who took over the B’nai Brith building in Washington in 1977 and held 150 people hostage—eventually married my wife and me.
Fast forward nine years, and I purchased a four-story townhouse on the other side of Georgetown. Over the past five decades, I’m increasingly frustrated with how both political parties have failed to transform the nation’s capital into the remarkable and desirable place it could be.
So, why is Washington, DC, not a shining example of success? It feels outrageous, really. The government is falling short, and maybe, just maybe, if Republicans allocate a long-term $1 billion to DC, it could empower the police force to grow from about 3,100 to approximately 4,000 officers.
In the wealthiest nation in the world, in the most powerful city, one would expect nothing less than the best. It’s perplexing how both Democrats and Republicans seem unable to govern effectively, exercising common sense and fairness.
Washington should boast world-class tourism, hospitality, police services, dining options, cultural institutions, and excellent healthcare, schools, and public transport. Yet, that’s not the reality.
Moreover, why is DC facing the fourth highest murder rate per capita in the country? Why is it labeled one of the ten worst cities to live in? It’s frustrating to ponder the high living costs here when education spending per student is among the highest yet results are lackluster.
Why is the school system barely in the top half nationally? Or, what about the shortage of elite universities compared to cities like Boston, Los Angeles, and New York?
The Metropolitan DC Police Department doesn’t track arrests by race, but it’s evident that Black residents account for about 86% of arrests, although they make up roughly 45% of the district’s population. It’s alarming, really, and many of these violent crimes seem to disproportionately affect Black residents. Reports show that from January to December in 2021 and 2022, the vast majority of murder victims and suspects were Black.
Of course, the troubled history of my hometown looms large. Many Republicans oppose DC statehood, fearing it would lead to more Democratic seats in the Senate.
When President Trump declared a state of emergency in the district, citing crime concerns, he authorized the deployment of federal forces. However, local police data indicated a significant drop in violent crime, by over 30%, with murders down by about 35% as well.
The response from the Justice Department has been skeptical of DC’s crime statistics.
The sight of armed federal agents and National Guard troops in the city feels almost absurd, especially as Trump’s administration retaliates against Democratic cities seemingly without justification. Chicago appears to be next, or could New York follow suit?
If the steps taken are legal, it’s hard to argue against reducing crime. But the tricky question remains: what happens when federal oversight leaves? None of the root causes of crime would be addressed. It’s pretty clear where this leads.
It’s appalling that the data indicates such a high percentage of crimes involve Black residents victimizing other Black residents. If America prides itself on being the greatest nation in history, why can’t we resolve such stark imbalances? And why can’t Washington be the epitome of a great city?
So, the challenge for Trump is clear: rather than focusing on superficial issues, let’s truly make DC great again.
Washington, DC, should shine as the brightest city. If you think a few National Guard members can make a real difference, I have a bolder suggestion.
Instead of envisioning Gaza as the Mediterranean Paris, why not reimagine Washington as a luxurious destination by the Potomac? Perhaps then, even Jack Kennedy wouldn’t mind a name change for the Kennedy Center.
