Washington DC Anyone live or visit there?

Sometime this summer I'm taking a trip to Washington DC, The only thing I know is it has the highest population of elected criminals. Anyway I want to find a city or town near by so I can take a train in and out of DC. Wheres a good place to stay where I don't have to worry about getting shot, stabbed, mugged, robbed, or any other random act of violence? Plus I'd like to keep my honky butt away from any pending race riots or trigger happy cops.