Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – The downward trend in crime continues in the National Capitol Region.
A report to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments indicates crime within the council’s 22 jurisdictions declined 6.3 percent in 2011.
Violent crime was down more than 10 percent between 2010 and 2011.
In many cases, previously crime-ridden neighborhoods are seeing a big change. Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier says a drop in drug-related crime has a lot to do with that.
“It’s just dispersed now in little microspots across the region, so overall, there’s significantly less crime,” she says.
This is all part of a downward trend.
Since 2007, there has been a 16.5 percent overall drop in crime in the National Capitol Region including a 38 percent drop in homicides, despite an increase in the region’s population.
The drop though has made it hard to change perceptions.
Prince George’s County, which has had high-profile crimes in recent days, also has a much lower crime rate. Police Chief Mark A. McGaw says violent crimes dropped 12 percent in the county in 2011.
An FBI report says violent crime nationwide dropped 4 percent in 2011.
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