The ‘crime of the pandemic’ is still roiling D.C.

The rise in carjackings, particularly among young offenders in the Washington area, has been attributed to motivations such as thrill-seeking and social media recognition, with many arrested quickly released, leading to a cycle of repeat offenses. Although carjacking numbers have recently declined, the peak in 2023 saw nearly three incidents per day, exacerbated by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced penalties for youth offenders.