Jay Block, a senator from New Mexico, has said that Democrats are dismissing crime concerns in Washington, D.C., while Republicans remain focused on restoring public safety. This statement was made on the social media platform X.
"Who knows what the numbers are, but we know they are high," said C Block, New Mexico State Senator from 12th District (R). "People are getting killed, raped, assaulted, robbed, drug deals, domestic violence, and more. Democrats don't seem to care. Republicans want to make the DC streets safe again."
Crime in Washington, D.C. has become a significant topic in national political discussions, particularly after former President Trump invoked emergency powers to assume federal control of the D.C. police. According to TIME, officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and D.C. authorities opposed this move, citing a 30-year low in violent crime. This has fueled debates over the accuracy of crime data and the political motivations behind such actions.
According to reports by the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C. experienced a notable decline in crime rates in 2024. Violent crimes decreased by 35%, from 5,345 incidents in 2023 to 3,469 in 2024, while total crime fell by 15% to 29,348 incidents. Homicides dropped from 274 to 187—a decline of 32%—and robberies decreased by nearly 40%.
From 2020 to 2024, trends show that crime rates in D.C. spiked during the pandemic but have recently declined. As compiled on Wikipedia, homicides increased steadily through 2023 before dropping significantly in 2024. The city's violent crime levels have now returned near pre-pandemic figures after experiencing volatility over the past four years.
Block is a Republican senator representing New Mexico’s 12th District since January 2025 and previously served two terms on the Sandoval County Commission. According to Ballotpedia, he is a U.S. Air Force veteran with over two decades of service, including roles in nuclear operations and consulting for the Department of Defense. He holds degrees from North Dakota State University and Troy State University.
