Two weeks back, President Trump made a notable choice to send the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and suggested doing the same in other cities. While the intention to combat crime is understandable, this method could lead to more issues, especially since many areas are actually experiencing reduced crime rates.
If the aim is to help cities lower crime and ensure community safety, it would be wiser to build on what’s already effective locally rather than imposing external forces. The National Guard should be called upon only in real emergencies, not when local initiatives are starting to yield positive results.
Take Washington, D.C., for instance: violent crime has decreased dramatically, with 2024 marking the lowest rates in 30 years, and the trend continues into 2025. As of August, violent crime was down around 25% compared to the same time last year. This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s a result of diligent, data-focused efforts from local leaders and law enforcement.
Mayor Bowser’s strategies—emphasizing smart policing, tailored prosecution, youth initiatives, and community solutions—have led to genuine improvements.
Moreover, D.C. isn’t alone in this. Cities nationwide are also advancing in their collaborations with law enforcement to eliminate violent offenders and illegal firearms, investing in prevention, intervention, training, and rehabilitation, showing that public safety and community trust are intertwined.
That said, I understand data alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Issues like carjacking, robbery, and gun violence still impact far too many families. The mayor remains determined until every neighborhood is safe, and there’s clarity regarding ongoing efforts required.
This progress is challenging and precarious. Local leaders need robust partnerships with state and federal authorities. If Washington truly wants to assist, there are more effective ways than deploying boots on the ground. Through resources, coordination, or aligning policies, federal support for tested local strategies can empower communities without eroding trust or local leadership.
- Addressing the gun pipeline: By implementing better tracking, quicker ballistic analysis, and clamping down on human traffickers who supply most crime guns. This would mean tracking all crime-related firearms within 48 hours and ensuring the ATF’s crime lab is fully staffed.
- Fund what works: This entails community-based policing, youth initiatives, and job recruitment for at-risk youth. Cities require sustainable funding to hire mediators who can deftly manage conflicts before they escalate, as well as securing jobs for vulnerable teens. Additionally, support for social workers addressing mental health needs and investment in public safety technologies are essential.
- Empower local leadership: By fully funding federal task forces targeting gun trafficking and violent crime. These forces, when collaborating with local prosecutors and police, can dismantle organized groups responsible for a large share of shootings. Washington’s role should be to provide extra resources, intelligence, and legal support while allowing local leaders to take the lead.
- Prohibit ghost guns and Glock switches: These contribute to deadly violence. Ghost guns often show up on our streets due to their lack of serial numbers, complicating investigations, while Glock switches—frequently found at crime scenes—transform handguns into automatic weapons, making them considerably more dangerous. A nationwide ban on these weapons could enhance police capabilities and improve community safety.
Additionally, it’s important to restore Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, which help departments with crucial expenses like overtime for officers. Reviving community-oriented policing services can help foster trust and visibility in neighborhoods, and bolstering support for Project Safe Neighborhoods would enhance coordination among law enforcement and prosecutors in tackling repeat offenders who commit most violent crimes.
These represent sensible investments in public safety that yield genuine outcomes.
What won’t be effective is deploying the National Guard when no real emergency exists. While security personnel do play vital roles, they’re not suited for the everyday demands of community policing. Relying on military forces in urban areas could undermine local law enforcement and erode the trust that’s essential for long-term crime reduction.
Cities have demonstrated that real results stem from focus, flexibility, funding, and community investment—not political grandstanding. The federal government certainly has a role to play, but it should be a supportive one, not an overpowering presence. Genuine progress occurs when Washington collaborates with local leaders, working alongside them rather than merely observing.
Mayors of cities like Cleveland, Atlanta, Savannah, Baltimore, and Birmingham are all part of the Association of African American Mayors.
