I think the sentiment is still valid. The idea that whats happening now is still better then when DC was the murder capital is frequently cited on these posts. But that ignores the intervening years including recent history when carjackings, violent assaults, robberies and murders were much much lower. Living through a trough makes it painful to live near a peak. People can feel how much of this doesn’t have to happen. Couple that with opiates and tranquilizers that are so powerful rehabilitation and maintenance therapy doesn’t even seem like a viable public health option, it just doesn’t seem like its getting better anytime soon.