Bowser credits federal surge for crime drop in DC, warns on trust

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday credited a federal surge of law enforcement ordered by President Donald Trump with driving steep declines in crime across the city, saying carjackings fell 87 percent during a recent 20 day period compared with the same stretch last year, even as she warned the operation has strained community trust and left immigrant residents living in fear. Bowser delivered the situational update in Washington two and a half weeks after the president invoked emergency authority and directed federal agencies and hundreds of National Guard troops into the capital.

Bowser said overall crime in the district was down roughly 15 percent during the 20 day window and violent crime had dropped about 45 percent. She thanked federal partners for enhancing Metropolitan Police Department capacity, saying the surge has helped stop violent people and remove illegal guns from the streets. "We greatly appreciate the surge of officers that enhance what MPD has been able to do in this city," she told reporters, and added later, "I am devastated by people living in fear."

The White House and federal officials have reported roughly 1,170 arrests since the operation...