Crime Explodes In Washington, D.C.

Think we've got problems in Minneapolis/St. Paul? Believe it or not it could be worse, as the Red Star reports: "Tourists robbed hours after D.C. declares crime emergency".

WASHINGTON - Police beefed up patrols around national landmarks Wednesday, a day after the District of Columbia's police chief declared a crime emergency in response to a string of violence that included the killing of a British activist.

At least 14 people have been killed in Washington already this month, and, in the last 30 days, robberies have risen 14 percent and armed assaults have jumped 18 percent. Last year, homicides in the city fell to a 20-year low of 195.

Police Chief Charles Ramsey's emergency declaration allows commanders more flexibility to adjust officers' schedules and reassign them to high-crime areas.

Hours after the declaration, two groups of tourists were robbed at gunpoint on the National Mall, both by men dressed all in black.

Maybe it's inappropriate to call this "crime". What's the definition of war?