Federal Takeover in D.C. Brings Hundreds of Arrests but Little Change in Crime

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New data from the federal law enforcement “takeover” of Washington shows hundreds of arrests over the past week but little measurable impact on overall crime levels across the city, according to a review by 7News.

Community Leaders Wanted More Policing — But Not This

Two Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) from Wards 7 and 8 told 7News they had long called for more law enforcement resources, but not the type of large-scale federal intervention currently underway.

Edward Daniels, ANC representative for the Navy Yard, said the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) had already been addressing problems in his neighborhood, particularly a string of disruptive teen takeovers.

“MPD was addressing it. MPD was also communicating very well about what they were doing, and we asked for the ability for the ANC to petition the chief of police to extend it. And she did, and they’ve extended it every single week. And it helped, which is great,” Daniels explained.

What Daniels and other local leaders didn’t ask for, he stressed, was the president sending in the National Guard and other federal agencies.

“We didn’t ask for the president to send the National Guard or to send in other agencies to assist MPD, especially without a coordinated effort,” he said.

Ward 7 Commissioner: Safety Needs Ignored

Jimmie Williams, commissioner for Ward 7, said his community has struggled with frequent shootings for years and needed more attention long before the federal operation.

“We had the same safety needs as the other side of the city, other parts of the city,” Williams said, noting that many residents in Wards 7 and 8 feel overlooked when it comes to citywide safety initiatives.

The Numbers: Arrests vs. Crime Rates

Since the start of the federal takeover, 7News has tracked crime statistics before, during, and after the increased presence of outside agencies.

Arrests: Hundreds have been made in just the past week, reflecting the surge in enforcement.
Crime Levels: Despite the arrests, the data shows only a slight decrease in crime overall. Analysts say there has not been a significant change in shootings, robberies, or other major categories.

This raises questions about whether the federal intervention is actually addressing root causes of crime or simply leading to more short-term arrests.

Concerns Over Coordination

Local leaders continue to argue that coordination between MPD and community representatives is the most effective way to handle neighborhood safety concerns. Many fear the sudden deployment of federal agencies risks undermining community trust without delivering lasting results.

As Commissioner Daniels pointed out, MPD had shown a willingness to adapt strategies week by week in response to ANC petitions. Federal forces, by contrast, appear to be operating with less transparency or communication with local officials.

Conclusion

The federal crackdown in D.C. has brought a flood of arrests but no meaningful drop in crime, leaving many residents and community leaders questioning the strategy. For those in Wards 7 and 8, the message is clear: they want safer streets, but they also want solutions shaped with — not imposed upon — their communities.