U.S. Parks Police Make Arrests in D.C. Drug and Gun Bust

In Washington, D.C., U.S. Parks Police have charged individuals with possession of stolen firearms and illegal drugs, part of a wider initiative started by the Trump administration to clean up the capital. This took place on Thursday.

Photos released by the Parks Police illustrate agents collaborating with the FBI and other departments to gather contraband, including alcohol, cigarettes, firearms, and explosives.

According to Officer Kenneth Spencer, eight individuals have been arrested during recent operations, he informed the Post on Friday.

One suspect failed to appear in court, resulting in a warrant being issued for their arrest.

A significant haul included 30 counterfeit oxycodone pills resembling fentanyl, along with 210 grams of crack cocaine, 600 grams of marijuana, 64 grams of hashish oil, and cash.

Spencer noted the operation was a coordinated effort following directives from the White House, emphasizing that he hadn’t seen such a large task force in his 15 years with the Parks Police.

“This will greatly impact crime in the city,” he stated. “We’ve been directed to continue this until we receive further instructions.”

Overnight, Parks Police officers worked alongside federal partners to implement Executive Order 14252 aimed at making D.C. safer, as indicated in a message from their official account.

The plan, as outlined in Trump’s executive action, aims to bolster police presence at the D.C. metropolitan police station and address fare evasion on public transportation.

Local authorities are also expected to increase their presence in high-crime areas.

Spencer expressed that the morale among officers is generally high, but there are ongoing staffing challenges. “We have only 504 sworn officers, while we should have around 639,” he mentioned.

The Parks Police Union hopes that Secretary Doug Burgham will help improve hiring. There’s also anticipation for the passage of the U.S. Park Police Modernization Act as part of upcoming legislation.

The act was introduced earlier this year by Staten Island GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.

Spencer noted that the ongoing surge in operations involves officers working overtime, especially during the holiday season.

Last year, he described situations where the Prohama riots involved officers being overwhelmed by large crowds near Union Station.

In a recent statement, the White House indicated that District residents should prepare for an increase in federal law enforcement efforts following a series of violent incidents involving teenagers, including a recent attempted carjacking.

Since August 2023, D.C. police have made 333 arrests related to carjackings, with statistics showing that 60% of those arrested were teenagers aged 15 or 16. There have also been arrests of younger individuals, some as young as 12.

A group of young people reportedly attacked a 19-year-old in a violent incident last weekend.

Mayor Muriel Bowser is looking to curtail youth crimes through a curfew, while other officials have sought to provide easier paths for rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has previously stated his reluctance to charge minors as adults, focusing instead on restorative justice. He referred to the notion that “children are children,” despite instances of serious crimes involving minors.

In a notable case from March 2021, an Uber driver was murdered by two teens who later pleaded guilty but were confined to juvenile facilities until they turned 21.

Schwalb assured that the office is committed to prosecuting cases where there’s substantial evidence against minors who commit serious offenses.

His office has also recorded high prosecution rates for various violent crimes in recent years, indicating a serious approach to law enforcement in D.C.

White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt commented on the issue, acknowledging the city’s ongoing struggles with petty crime while reiterating the administration’s commitment to enhancing safety in the capital.

The ATF has requested comment from the White House, but the FBI has yet to respond to inquiries.