The president justifies the measure in response to crime and the crisis of homeless.
Madrid, Spain.- The president of the United States, Donald Trumpordered the deployment of about 800 national guard members in Washington DC and temporarily assumed the control of the Metropolitan Police Department, within the framework of a plan to “recover the city” in front of the crime and proliferation of camps of homeless people.
The decision is covered in section 740 of the Home Rule Actwhich allows the Federal Executive to intervene in the public security of the capital for a period of up to 30 days without the approval of the Congress. According to the Government, the troops will support the local police in security tasks and in camps eviction operations, offering their occupants the option to move to shelters with mental health services and addiction treatment, or face arrests for minor crimes.
The plan contemplates the elimination of camps in several areas of the city. Local authorities have indicated that since March more than 70 settlements have been dismantled, with two eviction operations scheduled in the next few days.
The deployment occurs despite the fact that official statistics indicate a 26 % reduction in violent crimes in Washington DC during the last year, placing the indices at the lowest levels of the last three decades.
The city mayor, Muriel Bowser, described the measure as “worrying” and said that her administration will continue “vigilant” to respect the role of local authorities. Social organizations have warned about the impact that these actions may have on homeless people and vulnerable communities.
On the first night of the joint operation, which also included federal agents, 23 arrests for serious crimes were registered. The deployment could extend if Congress approves an extension beyond the 30 days established by law.
