Washington (AP) – A month after President Donald Trump Surge in law enforcement in the country’s capitalthere may be less crime. Official figures show that there are fewer guns on the streets and fewer homeless camps. But for those who work or live in Washington, D.C., the operation sparked fear and spurred a change in how they view their place in the United States and how they think the United States sees them.
None Extension by Congressthe 30-day emergency declaration that President Trump has made district police federal government expired on Wednesday. The National Guard continues to roll out, at least for now.
Now with Trump Focus on Chicago and Baltimoreall eyes are in the Colombia district, and how it emerges from this unprecedented acquisition.
Take some home in emergencies.
Crime appears to have faded. But it had already fallen
The president praised his surge as an overwhelming success. However, the reality is not so clear.
Data released by the White House shows that federal law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 2,100 arrests from August 7, when federal law enforcement began rolling out.
The White House says it contains 20 suspicious gang members, including some from the MS-13 Tren de Aragua group. Additionally, 222 firearms have been seized and 50 homeless camps have been demolished, according to the White House.
Figures from the metropolitan police department show that violent crimes during surges have fallen by 39%, including a 53% decrease in surges, compared to 15 people in the same Times Span in 2024.
Approximately 2,000 security guards from DC and seven states, mostly patrolling Metro Stations, main transit hubs, Union Stations, and occasionally cleaning up trash.
Brian Levin, professor emeritus of criminal justice at California State University’s San Bernardino, said crime is already in decline, according to a report issued in January by the District of Columbia’s US Lawyer’s Office. Serge, how hard it is to say, he said.
“D.C. is one of the smallest cities in the United States. Police have become easier,” Levin said. “This may not work elsewhere.”
For Trump, projecting harsh things on the image of crime may be helping him politically, at least for now. According to an AP-NORC poll in late August, his overall approval rating rose slightly from 40% in July to 45% a month later.
DC mayor got caught up between Trump and her voters
Mayor Muriel Bowser has largely avoided the kinds of biting rhetoric and personal attacks on the president, typical of other well-known Democratic leaders.
Instead, She cooperated with the administration’s efforts.including MPD officials working more closely with federal immigration agents, as Trump requested. last week, Nod to the continued collaborationshe issued an order to continue work on the city-established emergency business center in response to the surge in federal law enforcement.
She also supported the administration’s claims about the success of the surge. Bowser said the crime was falling before Trump issued an emergency order. However, she admitted that the federal surge had a “serious” effect on crime.
At a press conference on August 27, the mayor said carjacking had fallen by 87% since the same 20 days last year.
“We know that when carjacking goes down, when gun use goes down, when murders and robbers go down, the neighborhood feels safer and is safer.
Her approach is in stark contrast to other more opposing Democratic leaders in Chicago or LA. The district is granted autonomy through a limited housing regulations agreement passed in 1973, but federal political leaders maintain critical control over local operations, including approval of budgets and laws passed by the DC Council. Republicans who control both rooms already have Over 1 billion dollars have been frozen Local spending will cut the city’s budget in the mid-financial period.
However, council members were less restrained and were heavily critical of the surge. Last week, districts led by an elected attorney general, I asked the federal court to intervene. With a acquisition known as “forced military occupation.”
The country’s capital is hampering its future
As expected, The emergency has not been extended by Congress; The MPD is not under the authority of the president and will take part in federal operations such as the Roundup of Immigration.
“MPD is not forced to provide MPD services according to the president’s instructions. That will change,” Bowser said Monday. “Shoot someone? It’s still illegal. Are you committing a carjack? It’s still illegal. Steal it from the store? It’s still illegal. That remains the same on September 11th. That’s probably illegal.”
In reality, what citizens are seeing may not be much different. DC Guard Member The order is extended until December, and unlike the states where the governor orders the National Guard to condition them, they are under the direct orders of the president. Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp said he Plans to send another 300 security guards To DC in the coming weeks to help law enforcement.
Asked about future plans, a White House spokesperson said details of ongoing law enforcement involvement “could change as business continues to meet the needs of law enforcement.”
James Nolan, a professor of sociology at West Virginia University, said it is still unclear whether the influx of law enforcement is sustainable or tackling the underlying issues.
“What’s related to crime is also related to physical and mental and emotional health issues,” he said. If only aggressive policing is used, he said it is likely to lead to frustration and conflict between the community and law enforcement.
Surges could have caused damage to community relations
Takeover, with uniforms and armed guards patrolling metro stations, tourist spots and neighbourhoods, unleashed many residents. in One Famous DC Neighborhood Traditionally, with high crime rates, residents felt they wanted more law enforcement, but not the kind of thing that Trump deployed, especially as it accompanied the use of masked ice officers to detain people.
“What kind of relationship should I fix when this surge is over?” asked senior police commander Jaron Hickman.
In protests on Saturday, the two women, both immigrants, said the fear that stems from the surge is alienating the community.
Laura, 43, who moved from Mexico 25 years ago, said she had met immigration enforcement officers three times in the past month. The restaurant worker said she avoided them by taking side streets.
Like Laura, Guadalupe, 49, didn’t want to share his last name or take photos out of fear of retaliation. “They’re Americans, but they have Latino faces,” she said, adding that she came to the United States from El Salvador when she was 18 years old.
“I’m legal in this country, but I’m still scared because I have a Latino face,” she said. “I feel that this country has no rights anymore.”
