The National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) released a video on social media warning about the serious "crime crisis" plaguing the nation. In the post, they reference a statement from the Mexican Consulate in Washington telling the Mexican community residing in the nation's capital to "take precautions due to increasing crime problems."
In the tweet, the FOP issues a warning about the level of crime sweeping the country, claiming that officials in Mexico, a country they define as a narco-state, have to ask their citizens to take precautions and beware of the crime in the U.S. capital:
America’s #CrimeCrisis is so bad that government officials from Mexico—a narco state where cartels call the shots—is warning its citizens to "take precautions" while in the District of Columbia due to rising crime issues in our nation's capital. We MUST reverse course, start prosecuting violent criminals, and begin holding politicians who peddle woke, pro-criminal policies accountable!
America’s #CrimeCrisis is so bad that government officials from Mexico—a narco state where cartels call the shots—is warning its citizens to "take precautions" while in the District of Columbia due to rising crime issues in our nation's capital.
We MUST reverse course, start… pic.twitter.com/ilSp79w4H1
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) July 31, 2023
The message referred to by the FOP was posted on the official account of the Mexican Consulate in Washington. In the text, the Mexican community is warned that America's capital "is presenting a significant increase in crime in areas previously considered safe" and that precautions should be taken.
❗️Atención comunidad mexicana:
La ciudad de Washington, D.C. está presentando un aumento significativo de delitos en zonas antes consideradas como seguras.
Toma precauciones. En una emergencia, llama al 911. Para asistencia consular urgente, marca (202) 997-0560.#Cuidémonos
— Consulmex Washington (@ConsulMexWas) July 25, 2023
Subsequently, when asked about the increase in crime in "areas considered safe," Mexican officials posted another tweet where they referenced official figures from police that reflect the increase in crime in D.C.
Buen día. Las cifras y las zonas de incidencia delictiva en la ciudad son actualizadas diariamente por el @DCPoliceDept, y se encuentran disponibles aquí: https://t.co/dYoE88qlts
Invitamos a la comunidad a seguir las recomendaciones para prevenir delitos: https://t.co/IcdGDqF4nx
— Consulmex Washington (@ConsulMexWas) July 26, 2023
Washington passed emergency law to strengthen public safety
Due to the increase in crime, the Washington D.C. Council approved in early July a law aimed at strengthening public safety on an emergency basis. It increases penalties for offenders for robbery and theft, among other things.
The law stated that, as of that date, the city had experienced "a significant spike in violent crime," in 2023 with a "30% increase in violent crime over last year (this figure is now 37%, according to the FOP). It further detailed that homicides had increased by 17% compared to the same date in 2022 and added that if "this pace continues, for the first time in 2 decades, the District will see 3 consecutive years in which the homicide count exceeds 200."
Chairman of the Board Phil Mendelson acknowledged in a Fox 5 interview that a criminal who commits murder in D.C. can go unpunished. Mendelson explained that, in Washington, "Most robberies are not solved. Half of homicides are not solved very quickly if they’re solved at all. ... Roughly 50% of homicides are not solved within the year they occurred."
