I specifically said the incidence of crime on the mall is rare with last year's occurence in mind where one group of youths specifically decided on a whim to go after tourists for some walkaround money. It was so out of the norm that it received major news coverage and government reaction. Close to the same time there was also a street murder of a young British tourist in Georgetown, an area most people consider to be completely safe. The culprits were caught in both incidences. I still believe that as a rule visiting the monuments on the Mall at night is a safe activity, especially prior to 11pm, but I think I was clear that common sense should play a part.