WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced Friday a surge of new resources to combat violent crime in Washington, D.C., where crime rates have skyrocketed in recent years.
Justice Department officials said the increase in carjackings is particularly concerning. New resources include having more prosecutors to investigate cases and a multi-element Gun Violence Analysis Cell (GVAC) to help identify additional federal investigations that should be initiated in the district. included.
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According to statistics from the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, robberies have increased by 17% since last year. (Fox News)
“While the decline in violent crime has been impressive in many parts of the country over the last year, there is still much work to be done, including right here in the District of Columbia,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.
To assist with court cases, federal prosecutors in the Justice Department's Criminal Division will work with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., on violent crime cases, the Justice Department said. FOX News reported that U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves is moving a new prosecutor to specifically focus on carjackings and both deadly and non-lethal firearms cases.
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The Department of Justice is leveraging new resources to combat rising crime in D.C. (Getty Images)
According to statistics from the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, the number of robberies is up 17% compared to this time last year. Since January 1, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has investigated 40 carjackings involving guns, an increase of 65%.
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Police statistics show a 65% increase in carjackings involving guns. (Getty Images, File)
“This surge in law enforcement resources will further intensify the Department of Justice's efforts to target the individuals and organizations responsible for violent crime in our nation's capital. Until all of our nation's communities are protected from the scourge of violent crime. , the Department of Justice never rests,” Garland continued.
The announcement in Washington, D.C., closely mirrors similar efforts in Memphis, Tennessee, and Houston.
