Americano How dangerous is Washington, D.C.?
Aug 15, 2025
Join Matt McDonald, US managing editor and D.C. resident, alongside Isaac Schorr, a Mediaite staff writer and former D.C. local, as they delve into the crime landscape of Washington, D.C. They discuss the peculiar rise in violence post-pandemic, touching on personal experiences and urban unrest. The duo also critiques progressive crime policies versus residents' realities, illustrating the divide in public perception. A bizarre sandwich incident involving an arrest adds a humorous twist to serious discussions about authority and community frustrations.
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Pandemic Emptied Downtown, Crime Shifted In
- Isaac Schorr and hosts argue the pandemic emptied downtown DC and allowed criminal elements to move into nicer areas.
- This shift coincided with rises in carjackings, homicides, and petty violence, changing how safe residents felt.
2023 Marked A Crime Peak
- Matt McDonald highlights 2023 as a pivotal year with violent crime peaking at levels not seen since 1991.
- He cites 274 homicides and 959 carjackings in 2023 as indicators of that spike.
Policy Gaps Amplified Crime
- Matt argues multiple factors stacked: empty downtown, lenient prosecution, and weak deterrents for youth offenders.
- He links light sentencing and probation to repeat carjackings and gang initiation crimes.