Music videos and social media posts produced by gang members have been a motivating factor in the rise of violence in Washington, D.C., according to a new report released by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, an independent agency dedicated to analyzing public safety in the nation’s capital.

Researchers involved in the report interviewed street violence workers and more than 70 police officers about what they were finding on the streets regarding the rise of violence and crime. The report analyzed the trend of homicides gradually rising in Washington, D.C., since 2017, leading to a rise of 180% in 2022.