The months following the National Guard’s deployment to Washington have seen a precipitous drop in crime, but experts say it’s unclear how much of the decline can be attributed to the federal troops’ recent presence.
On Jan. 3, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced that violent crime in Washington was at a 30-year low.
The 2026 year-to-date crime comparison data through March 25, released by the Metropolitan Police, reports that homicide (-63 percent), sex abuse (-67 percent), and robbery (-29 percent) were all down, and violent crime was down 13 percent overall. Motor vehicle theft (-55 percent) and burglary (-25 percent) are also down. Assault with a dangerous weapon had increased (34 percent). All crimes on average were down 26 percent….