FROM WASHINGTON EXAMINER: District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged Wednesday that violent crime has fallen sharply since President Donald Trump ordered a federal law enforcement surge in the district, and she signaled that she is not eager for that effort to end after the initial 30-day emergency declaration.
Bowser told reporters at an afternoon news conference that she was grateful for the added law enforcement presence, pointing to what she called striking drops in key crime categories.
“The most significant thing that we are highlighting today is the area of crime that was most troubling for us in 2023,” she said, noting that since the surge of federal officers, carjackings fell by 87% compared to the same period last year. “We know that when carjackings go down, when the use of gun goes down, when homicide or robbery go down, neighborhoods feel safer and are safer. So this surge has been important to us.”
“I was reminded that the president’s interest in cities predates his time in office, and his knowledge of D.C. had significantly increased,” Bowser said, referencing a “courtesy meeting” she had with Trump earlier in the day.
Bowser outlined her concerns about, and the benefits of, the surge, she said. She told Trump that the federal officers had expanded MPD’s capacity on the streets.
Trump has warned Bowser that she “better get her act straight, or she won’t be mayor for long,” leading to speculation that her new positive attitude may have been sparked by that threat.
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