DC's Crime Drop: A Double-Edged Sword?

Washington, DC, has seen a drop in crime since federal law enforcement stepped in. But not everyone is happy about it. The city's mayor, Muriel Bowser, says crime has gone down. She points to fewer carjackings, gun crimes, and homicides. She thinks people feel more accountable now. But she also says the federal presence has caused problems. It has hurt the trust between police and the community. Bowser says the city did not ask for federal help. But now that it's here, they are trying to use it wisely. She criticizes the National Guard's involvement. She says it's not a good use of resources. She also dislikes the presence of masked ICE agents. The mayor wants more local police, prosecutors, and judges. She also wants more money for programs that help people. These include violence prevention, homeless services, and mental health programs. Crime has dropped a lot in the past three weeks. There's been a 44% decrease in violent crime. Homicides are down 44% compared to last year. But not everyone is happy. Some local politicians say the federal takeover is wrong. People in DC feel less safe now. A poll shows 79% of residents oppose the federal takeover. They don't think it will reduce crime. Nationally, only 36% support putting DC police under federal control. And only 38% support sending National Guard troops to DC. Bowser says her main goal is to protect the city's autonomy. She says the city's independence has been under attack. She has to balance praising the crime drop and criticizing the federal takeover.