Marion Barry recently made waves by suggesting that it’s time for Ward 8 residents to force out the “dirty Asian” businesses in his Ward and replace them with black-owned businesses. This, apparently, is his ward’s most pressing problem.
Allow me to counter by suggesting that Ward 8’s most pressing, most intractable problem isn’t successful, Asian-operated businesses but the stunningly high and remarkably persistent rate of crime:
| (#s per 1,000 pop) | Ward 8 | Average | Low | High |
| Violent crimes, 2000 | 23 | 15 | 2.5 | 23 |
| Violent crimes, 2001 | 23 | 15 | 3.1 | 23 |
| Violent crimes, 2002 | 23 | 15 | 2.7 | 23 |
| Violent crimes, 2003 | 23 | 16 | 1.8 | 23 |
| Violent crimes, 2004 | 19 | 14 | 1.8 | 19 |
| Violent crimes, 2005 | 20 | 14 | 1.8 | 20 |
| Violent crimes, 2006 | 19 | 13 | 1.8 | 19 |
| Violent crimes, 2007 | 22 | 14 | 1.7 | 22 |
| Violent crimes, 2008 | 21 | 13 | 1.5 | 21 |
| Violent crimes, 2009 | 20 | 13 | 1.7 | 20 |
| Violent crimes, 2010 | 20 | 12 | 1.6 | 20 |
Now, if you take a look at this chart, you’ll notice two things. The first is that Ward 8’s violent crime statistics are the highest of any ward in the city every single year for the entirety of the 2000s. The second thing you’ll notice is that they are roughly ten times the rate of the lowest crime rate of any ward in the city. Consistently. Year after year.
Marion Barry, it should be noted, has been the council representative for Ward 8 since defeating Sandy Allen in September of 2004.
So, you know, maybe work on making your ward a little safer, Marion. It probably wouldn’t hurt in your effort to attract nicer businesses across the river.
