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Tourists Undeterred by D.C. Murder Spree

By Joseph S. Enoch
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 20, 2006

The National Mall • Tourists Undeterred by D.C. Murder Spree • Famous Flag is Focus of Museum Makeover • Washington Monument Becomes More Tourist-Friendly • New Maps Tell History of National Mall • Senate Studies Mall Clutter • Senate Asked to Expand National Mall --- • More about Travel

Despite the recent crime wave in D.C., tourists seem more concerned with finding shade than with the safety of their wallets or lives and D.C. authorities say there's nothing for tourists to fear.

The month of July has seen almost a murder per day with the latest, number, 15, on early Saturday morning in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Along with the murders, there have been a number of robberies on the National Mall during the July 4th festivities.

In several cases, the victims were assaulted even though they surrendered their possessions. Several women were violently groped.

In Georgetown, a young Briton died when his throat was slashed during a street robbery in an exclusive neighborhood.

Although this recent spree of crime is shocking, it's not as bad as the eight year stretch starting in 1988 where the city averaged more than a homicide per day. Still, authorities were concerned enough to put the district in a state of crime emergency July 11, putting more officers in more places.

"We have seen a troubling increase in crime in recent weeks, even with the hard work and best efforts of our officers," said Metropolitan chief of police Charles Ramsey in a prepared statement.

Authorities insist most of the city, especially the Mall, is still safe for tourists.

"The robberies in the last month were a fluke," said D.C. Park Police sergeant Scott Fear. "We've drastically increased security."

"We absolutely encourage tourists to come down to the mall 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Fear said. "Obviously, be aware of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, tell a nearby officer."

Despite the increased crime, most tourists seem unworried and apathetic.

"We've not seen an effect on tourism as of yet," Washington D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation spokeswoman Victoria Isley said. "We've received a few concerned phone calls and e-mails, but most people are still maintaining their plans."

ConsumerAffairs.com interviewed five tourists visiting the city. All five said they were unaware of the recent surge in criminal activity and that they were unconcerned, seeming more interested in finding some shade in the 100-degree weather.

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