With Crime Surging in DC, Mayor Repaints BLM Mural on Street

In 2020, as rioters were setting fire to parts of Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrated the group that organized the riots by painting a two block section of 16th Street NW, right outside the White House, with 50 foot tall bright yellow words “BLACK LIVES MATTER.”  Joe Schoffstall of Fox News reports that this month, the Mayor spent over $270,000 to repaint the mural while maintaining cuts to the police budget as crime is increasing dramatically.  According to the DC Metropolitan Police Department, as of November 29,  homicides in the district have increased 32% compared to 2022.  Robberies are up a whopping 69%, with overall violent crime up by 40%.  Motor vehicle theft has almost doubled (93%) compared to last year and other thefts are up 23%.

The disconnect between DC politicians and people living in the district’s high crime neighborhoods is astounding.  Earlier this year Phil Mendelson, the Chairman of the Democrat D.C. Council, told a congressional committee, “With regard to crime, yes there is considerable concern.  But while perception is important, the reality is less concerning. Let me be clear: People should feel safe, and it is a problem that many residents of the district don’t.  I know this belies the common belief—and when it comes to crime, how people feel is important—but there is not a crime crisis in Washington, D.C.”   Mendelson was appearing at the hearing to lobby for additional decreases in penalties and policing in the district.

DC Council member Trayon White Jr., who represents some of the crime-ridden neighborhoods saw things differently:  “The crime is out of control and getting worse by the day. We must declare an emergency regarding the crime and violence in our neighborhoods and act urgently. It may be time to call on the National Guard to protect the children and innocent people that are losing their lives to this senselessness.  I am tired of burying our children. We are too comfortable with the state of our city. We must take action to gain control and protect our residents.  Law enforcement is only one part of how we combat public safety issues. It will take all of us to heal our community.”

According to recent national polls, a vast majority of Americans believe that increasing crime is a serious problem which must be addressed with tougher penalties for criminals and increased policing. Government crime statistics indicate that the increases are real, and a recent study by the Department of Justice confirm the findings of an earlier study that increased penalties result in less crime.

So let’s paint a street to celebrate the criminals and their enablers.